One Chelsea legend don talk say Enzo Maresca and him boys suppose focus more on Premier League instead of dey carry Champions League glory for head. The ex-player, Gus Poyet — wey don win four major trophies with the Blues — talk this one for exclusive interview with Sports Mole as Chelsea prepare to continue their European journey.
Chelsea go face Qarabag for Azerbaijan on Wednesday night for their fourth UCL group game. Dem don already collect two home wins — against Benfica and Ajax — and only dey outside the automatic last-16 spot because of goal difference.
But even with that, their domestic wahala still dey ground, as dem don only win five out of ten Premier League games this season and currently dey sit 7th for table — eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Gus Poyet: “Chelsea Need to Settle for Premier League First”
When dem ask Poyet whether Chelsea fit win the Champions League, the Uruguayan sharply respond: “If na based on wetin dem do three months ago, yes. But the road still long. Chelsea need to settle for Premier League first — make dem dey close to the top.”
He continue, “People dey always ask about Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa because dem never reach there. Nobody dey talk about Arsenal again because dem just dey go steady — dem already six points clear. So I believe the teams suppose concentrate on Premier League. All these international tournaments na about how coach sabi balance things, but Chelsea need to focus on winning domestic trophies too. This one na another opportunity.”
Make Chelsea Focus on Europe or England?
Some coaches sabi knockout football pass league action — like Unai Emery for him Sevilla days — and Chelsea show last season say dem fit handle that style well.
Dem win both the Conference League and the Club World Cup, even beating PSG 3-0 for the final to lift the global trophy. But that PSG team sef don tire that time — na part of why Chelsea dominate.
This season no too sweet for Europe sha. Bayern Munich don already brush Chelsea aside for the UCL group stage, and if dem jam big names like Barcelona later, e go hard to call dem favourites.
For Premier League, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City already dey steady for top four, while Bournemouth, Sunderland and Manchester United dey show serious form. So Chelsea UCL qualification no sure at all if dem no fix their domestic form.
That na why Poyet talk say Chelsea better face Premier League matter before e too late. But he still add say if dem fit overcome the injury problems wey don disturb dem since the season start, dem still get small hope to balance both Europe and England battle together. The key na consistency — something Maresca never still find steady since he take over.
