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Maresca dismisses title talk as 'too early' after Manchester City take over at the top
managerialnormalNeutral85% confidence

Maresca dismisses title talk as 'too early' after Manchester City take over at the top

September 20, 2026 at 05:22 PM
Press Conference•Managerial•Normal urgency•85% confidence

Quick summary

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca downplayed title-race talk, insisting it is too early in the season despite Manchester City moving to the summit of the Premier League.

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Attributed to original source

‘I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3 but expected a difficult game’

Semenyo scored twice in 5-3 victory against Sunderland

Enzo Maresca dismissed ­Manchester City pulling ahead in the title race after Sunday’s 5-3 win over Sunderland , with the manager stating it is “too early” in the season.

The frantic victory at the Etihad Stadium gave City 15 points from their opening five league matches, three more than Arsenal after the champions lost at Brighton on Saturday. Maresca was asked about his team being top before the three-week international break.

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What happened

Enzo Maresca has played down suggestions that Chelsea are ready to challenge for the Premier League title, calling such talk premature. The remarks come after Manchester City climbed to the top of the table, leapfrogging their rivals with a strong run of results. Maresca emphasised the long road still ahead and the need for consistency. The piece reflects the shifting dynamic at the top of the division, with City asserting themselves as the early pace-setters.

Chance analysis

Manchester City returning to the top of the Premier League is a familiar sight for English football followers, and Maresca's reluctance to engage in title talk signals where Chelsea currently stand in the pecking order. By framing the conversation around patience and process, Maresca is managing expectations while acknowledging the gap that still exists. City's surge to the summit reinforces the sense that the championship conversation, even at this early stage, runs through the Etihad once again.

Impact

Chelsea's title credentials take a relative hit in the narrative as Manchester City take over at the summit, with Maresca publicly tempering expectations.

Related entities
man-citychelseaMan CitySunderlandEplPremier League

Original source

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About this article

Managerial

Maresca dismisses title talk as 'too early' after Manchester City take over at the top

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca downplayed title-race talk, insisting it is too early in the season despite Manchester City moving to the summit of the Premier League.

Article summary

Enzo Maresca has played down suggestions that Chelsea are ready to challenge for the Premier League title, calling such talk premature. The remarks come after Manchester City climbed to the top of the table, leapfrogging their rivals with a strong run of results. Maresca emphasised the long road still ahead and the need for consistency. The piece reflects the shifting dynamic at the top of the division, with City asserting themselves as the early pace-setters.

Manchester City returning to the top of the Premier League is a familiar sight for English football followers, and Maresca's reluctance to engage in title talk signals where Chelsea currently stand in the pecking order. By framing the conversation around patience and process, Maresca is managing expectations while acknowledging the gap that still exists. City's surge to the summit reinforces the sense that the championship conversation, even at this early stage, runs through the Etihad once again.

Source and timing

Published
Sep 20, 2026, 5:22 PM
Category
Press Conference
Confidence
85%
Priority
Normal

Related teams, competitions, matches, and tags

  • man-city
  • chelsea
  • Man City
  • Sunderland
  • Epl
  • Premier League
  • Managerial

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