"There is a long way to go" - Chelsea star Marc Cucurella explains why head coach Enzo Maresca is a 'top manager' 

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has heaped praise on head coach Enzo Maresca, saying the Italian tactician has brought in new ideas. He went on to hail his teammates as well and acknowledged that they would continue to improve as the season rolls on.

Speaking to the club's official website, Cucurella stated that the players need to keep focus and not get distracted by their position on the table. He said:

"He's a top manager. He's bringing new ideas, every day he tries to teach us and we want to learn. We have a lot of different things to improve, but I think it is part of the project and there is a long way to go. We need to keep focusing on everything. The manager has brought some new ideas for sure but it's early, we have not been together for a long time, so we need to keep going."

"Every day is a new opportunity to learn and to help the team. It's a little too soon to have everything perfect, but we have learned some things. We try to improve and we have a top squad with many young players. We are in a good way, we need to keep working hard and to be proud of what we have been doing," he added.

Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League table after 10 matches. They have only lost to Liverpool and Manchester City, the two sides ahead of them in the table, while also dropping points to Arsenal, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Marc Cucurella happy with leadership role under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea

Enzo Maresca named Marc Cucurella as one of the Chelsea players he looks up to step up as a leader in the dressing room. The left-back has admitted that he likes the role and is always ready to do his best for the club. He said:

"I'm very happy. I try to help the team, put everything on the pitch and then see. This was an important game for us, for our fans. We tried to do our best and we have a top team. We have a big squad with top players, so one day you need to play the game, and other times you need to rest and stay on the bench. I try to do my best as always and then the manager will decide."

Marc Cucurella is seen as the #1 choice for the left-back position at Chelsea this season, while Renato Veiga is the second choice. Ben Chilwell has been reduced to a reserve role and has played just once this season – as a substitute in the Carabao Cup.