Enzo Maresca has surprisingly admitted that Chelsea are not favorites to face Tottenham Hotspur despite being eight points clear of their rivals in the Premier League.

Chelsea go into Sunday’s game as leaders, trailing Liverpool in the league. They are in second place, level on points with Arsenal, but are ahead on goal difference.

Despite this, Maresca has constantly told the English media that his Chelsea team is not in the title race as their project is still in its infancy under the Italian.

With Liverpool seven points clear of the Blues, Chelsea could cut the gap to just four as the Reds’ game against Everton was canceled following strong winds on Merseyside.

A win against Spurs is no formality, but after a 4-1 triumph last season, the Maresca side’s confidence should be high.

Speaking to the press ahead of the big game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Maresca took the bold step of downplaying Chelsea’s chances.

As The Mirror reported, Maresca said: “We’re not favorites, I’m sorry.”

“They play in European competitions like us, we are there but not because we are second in the table now we are the favorites – definitely not.”

The head coach continued to warn his team and urged them to work hard to reach their potential.

“The one thing I don’t allow any of them in the squad, no matter who they are, to slack off in intensity and hard work.” Because the only way to achieve anything is if you work hard, day in and day out hard. I said this squad is full, full, full of talent.

“If you put 25 players in this room and close your eyes and pick one, you’ll pick one full of talent, but that’s not enough.”

“If you don’t put more things together, you won’t win games and you won’t have a good moment. They have to understand that. Luckily they are all aware of that at the moment.”

This comes after Maresca recently publicly criticized Noni Madueke’s performances in training and previously asked Reece James to work on his leadership skills.

Madueke hit back after being substituted against Aston Villa and made his mark on the pitch by netting in Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Southampton in midweek.