Enzo Maresca has maintained that his Chelsea squad are not capable of challenging for this season's Premier League title.
The Italian has made a strong impact during his opening four months at Stamford Bridge, building on Chelsea's sixth-placed finish under Mauricio Pochettino.
After 12 matches of 2024-25, the Blues sit in third position in the Premier League table, only suffering defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
With those two teams - who sit above Chelsea in the table - squaring off at Anfield on Sunday evening, the West Londoners have the chance to make up ground on either or both clubs when they face Aston Villa earlier in the day.
If results go their way, there is the possibility of Chelsea being within six points of Liverpool ahead of the busy winter schedule.
We are not there"
Although there is the potential for Chelsea to remain on an upward trajectory as the season progresses, Maresca has dismissed their chances of competing with the aforementioned duo and Arsenal in the race for the top-flight crown.
Maresca told reporters: "I said many times. And I really like the pressure, I really like to say yes we are there, but we are not there.
"Arsenal is ahead of us, City is ahead of us. Liverpool is showing they are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game and then we see."
He added: "You have to think City lost three games in a row but is still second, Arsenal is there.
"Liverpool is doing fantastic and the reason why is not about the points or the table being ahead of us it's about the programme, about being five years together. Liverpool it's a bit different.
"They didn't make so many changes from the past this is the reason why. It's just the time together."
Maresca right to be pessimistic?
With Chelsea losing just four times in 20 games since his arrival from Leicester City, Maresca may feel more confident about his side's progression than he is letting on.
That said, with new partnerships being formed all over the pitch with the youngest squad in the Premier League, Chelsea are essentially entering unknown territory.
Securing a return to the Champions League for 2025-26 remains the priority, and perhaps rightly so. However, given the scenario that could play out on Sunday, Chelsea remain as outside contenders for the Premier League title at this stage.
