The Blues only have the Conference League to win this season after a disappointing start to 2025 and Maresca has warned that supporters must accept that the team's youthful squad aren't the same as the hardened winners that brought the team so much success under Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

The Italian coach said of Chelsea's Premier League game at Brighton on Friday (14.02.25): "They (the fans) are 100 per cent fair and correct. I grew up watching Chelsea winning games and competitions, but this Chelsea is not the same as that one.

"We are not ready to compete in four competitions in one season in this moment.

"But I completely understand the fans. It’s normal they think in that way. When you have seen your club through the years competing and winning titles, it’s normal that you react in that way.

"I don’t think this Chelsea can be compared to that Chelsea. Our goal, our duty, is to bring this club to compete in four competitions, but in this moment we are not ready."

The Blues have a chance of Champions League qualification this season and Maresca is confident that title wins will follow in seasons to come.

He said: "This club for the next five, 10 years can compete for titles no doubt. In this moment we are in a process to arrive in that position.

"But we are not ready after six months together. There are clubs that are together three, four, five years and they still struggle. Why Chelsea after six months have to win the Premier League or finish top four? Why?

"We are all ambitious. I try to convince the players every day that this club belongs to something different than where we are now."