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Enzo Maresca has claimed he exceeded the Chelsea board's expectations following a successful debut season, having previously stated that there was no pressure to secure Champions League qualification. The Italian manager said last August that he was not told by anybody at the club he must seal qualification for the Champions League in his debut campaign.

Fast forward to the end of season and Maresca has not only clinched fourth place but also emerged victorious in the UEFA Conference League. ANd he said: "We are a year ahead of the Champions League qualification, they had asked me for it in two seasons. As for the Conference League, it's natural that its appeal is less than the other cups, but as I said in the first meeting, if Chelsea had qualified for that one it means they deserved to play in that one."

With aspirations high, the London club haven't wasted any time in bolstering their squad, securing deals for Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr while also welcoming Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez and Mike Penders whose arrivals were agreed before this window opened.

Maresca said: "Now they invest well, in the direction that modern football is going. Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo cost a lot, but no one remembers their price anymore because of how much they have grown. Before, a lot was spent on players over thirty who had already given their best."

Maresca has hailed Paris Saint-Germain as a shining example of how astute signings and trust in young talent can lead to resounding success.

The 45-year-old sees Chelsea drawing inspiration from Luis Enrique's European champions, stating: "The premise is that I don't want to give lessons to anyone.

"Having said that, the Champions League final photographed the dominance of a young team, capable of great technical plays expressed at an infernal pace, energy, running, pressing, offensive talent. Luis Enrique has built a spectacular PSG, in my own small way at Chelsea I try to do the same."