Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has just explained what his side’s “key” target is this season.
It was another extremely busy summer at Stamford Bridge. Yet again, the Blues turned to another new manager after Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent.
Enzo Maresca took charge as the new head coach, and he’s surprised many with his side’s quick start to the campaign.
Marc Cucurella, 26, has established himself as a key figure by starting every Premier League match so far. Admittedly, he’s suspended for the trip to Liverpool straight after the international break.
Speaking via Football.London last month, Maresca said Cucurella actually makes players around him better.
Marc Cucurella sets out Chelsea target
According to Cucurella, Chelsea’s main objective this season is to finish back in the Premier League’s top four positions. On top of that, the Blues need to try win a piece of silverware.
Cucurella told The Guardian: “Our objective has to be to win a trophy. In the Conference League we can do something good. And the cups. Last season we reached a final and a semi-final.
“In the league we have to be in the top four. Arsenal and [Manchester] City have been working in the same way for many years, the same idea, the same players, and I think we’re a bit far away from that. Liverpool too because it’s been the same players. But we can get into Champions League, that’s the key objective. I’m very happy.”
The top four race
We agree that Chelsea’s focus must be to get back into the Champions League after finishing outside of the Premier League’s top four in the last two consecutive season.
As it stands, the Blues do sit fourth in the division at this early stage. There’s so many talented sides that will surely have a similar ambition, though.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 18 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 17 |
| 3 |  ArsenalArsenal | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 17 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 14 |
| 5 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 12 |
| 7 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| 8 |  FulhamFulham | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 11 |
| 9 |  TottenhamTottenham | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 10 |
| 10 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
If the trio of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal do pull away, it leaves just one spot up for grabs in the top four.
As seen above, there’s some impressive teams currently looking up the table towards Chelsea in fourth. We’ve not even mentioned English giants Manchester United, who sit 14th after a very slow start.
It’ll go down as a very successful first year at the club if Maresca can get the Blues back in the Champions League.
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