Enzo Maresca believes his Chelsea team is ahead of schedule following a strong start to the season, but he cautioned that Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Barrow could pose challenges.
Saturday’s 3-0 victory over West Ham marked the third consecutive away win for Maresca, making him the first manager since Pep Guardiola at Manchester City to achieve this feat at the start of a Premier League tenure.
Chelsea’s only league defeat so far came from a 2-0 loss to City on the opening day of the season.
With 10 points from their last four games, they currently sit fifth in the table, just three points off the top.
In addition to their league performance, Chelsea navigated a tricky Conference League qualifying tie against Servette.
However, Maresca noted that it is the progress in playing style that has truly surprised him.
“We were ahead of where we expected to be today,” the Italian said.
“Not in terms of results but in terms of the way the team is progressing and is playing.
“In terms of results, I still think we are still far from teams like Manchester City and Arsenal because we need to learn many things.
“We need to improve many things, attacking better, defending better.
“But the important thing is the feeling we have at the moment that we are going in that direction.
“That is very important.”
Chelsea begin their Carabao Cup campaign at Stamford Bridge, eager to improve on last season’s runner-up finish after their defeat to Liverpool in the final.
League Two leaders Barrow, in excellent form under the guidance of former Tottenham midfielder Stephen Clemence, arrive in west London with confidence.
Manager Enzo Maresca has emphasized that Chelsea cannot afford to underestimate their lower-league opponents.
“It’s dangerous because football is full of these kind of games that you think are easy games and then it’s a tricky game,” he added.
“In this moment it’s the worst game for us. It’s much better [to have] a different kind of game.
“This is why we have to take it seriously. We cannot allow ourselves to drop a little bit.”
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