Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted it could be “impossible” for any team to prevent Liverpool from retaining the Premier League title. Arne Slot’s side hold a five-point lead at the top after an unblemished start to their title defence, while Chelsea are seven points adrift after a defeat to Manchester United and a draw at Brentford.
Maresca cited Liverpool’s heavy spending this summer, including the record-breaking signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, as evidence of their intent. “If they continue in this way I think it is impossible to catch them, not just for us, but for all the clubs,” he said. “They have been doing a fantastic job since last year, and the players they have decided to buy shows the intention of the club to go again.”
Chelsea, winless in three matches after also losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, face Lincoln in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Cole Palmer is set to miss the tie with a groin problem that forced him off against Manchester United. Maresca is hopeful the 23-year-old will not require surgery but said the medical staff will meet to decide the best course of action.
“The medical staff didn’t mention to me about surgery,” Maresca said. “We need to protect Cole. Because of the Club World Cup, and we never stopped, we need to manage and protect different players, and Cole is one of them.” He added that the injury is “not black and white” and will be managed day by day.
Maresca is expected to field several academy players against Lincoln, who are third in League One. He admitted he would prefer to face a Premier League side to avoid complacency. “These are the kind of games that worry me most because you can underestimate the opposition,” he said. “It is something we need to avoid.”
