Three things Enzo Maresca must get right to achieve Champions League football for Chelsea as Tyrique George starts and attacker answers critics

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The goal is clear for Enzo Maresca as Chelsea approach the end of the 2024/25 season, with them looking to achieve Champions League football for next season.

A first away win in 2025 was a great way for the Blues to start, with Tyrique George and Pedro Neto’s late goals seeing them prevail against local rivals Fulham.

Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League, however still have games against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle to come. They need to overtake at least one of those sides if they are to finish in the top five.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	33	18	6	9	53	39	14	60
4	NewcastleNewcastle	33	18	5	10	62	44	18	59
5	Man CityManchester City	33	17	7	9	64	42	22	58
6	ChelseaChelsea	33	16	9	8	58	40	18	57
7	Aston VillaAston Villa	33	16	9	8	53	47	6	57
8	B’mouthBournemouth	33	13	10	10	52	40	12	49

The Blues have their destiny in their own hands, and while it has been claimed Champions League has always been the goal for Maresca, he is believed to be safe as Chelsea manager.

There are certainly a number of things the boss can do to enhance their chances, with The Chelsea Chronicle listing three things the Italian must do ahead of the final five league games of the season.

What Enzo Maresca must do to help Chelsea achieve Champions League football

Tyrique George becomes a starter

While Chelsea’s starting attackers have been misfiring, George has found the net for the first time in both the Conference League and Premier League since moving up to the first team earlier this season.

Chelsea fans have called for George to become a starter following his excellent form, and it is becoming more difficult to ignore the youngster amidst a real crisis in front of goal.

The Blues’ top scorer in 2025 is Marc Cucurella, and that is a problem that desperately needs addressing. Maresca even joked about that fact during his post-match press conference.

George featured in the number nine role after being brought on against Fulham, and with Nicolas Jackson a long way off his best right now, the role is there for him to earn in the final weeks of the campaign.

Cole Palmer silences the doubters

Of all the misfiring stars at Stamford Bridge, there is perhaps no more alarming issue than the lack of goals for Cole Palmer in 2025.

It has been over three months since the superstar found the net, and his lack of goals has been hurting Chelsea as their form has taken a downwards spiral.

The England international is still certianly contributing in games. Palmer was praised for his work-rate in the win over Fulham.

A strong end to the campaign that results in a top five finish will allow Chelsea fans to completely forget the last few months, and see him return to his place at the very top of Premier League players.

Levi Colwill shows his leadership

Some Chelsea fans have been underwhelmed by what they have seen from Levi Colwill since he broke into the first team squad at the start of the 2023/24 season.

He has been a regular in the starting side, and has even had memorable moments. Polish media were in awe of Colwill during the win over Legia Warsaw in the Conference League.

However, in a young side Maresca has asked for him to be one of the leaders on the pitch, and despite that being a difficult thing to do at his age, this has not been evident up to now.

His defensive partner looks set to continue to change until the end of the season, however Colwill must prove he is the real deal if Chelsea want to pick up wins against the likes of Forest and Newcastle.