Slot title contender tag simply will not wash with Maresca

ENZO MARESCA is refusing to play mind games with Arne Slot – after the Liverpool manager turned up the heat on him this week.

- PAUL BROWN

Slot believes Chelsea will be title challengers this season.

But Blues rival Maresca accused the Dutchman of playing games ahead of his side’s curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace.

Maresca said: “This is what Slot said about us? I do not pay attention to what other people say about us.”

Earlier this week, Slot described Chelsea as “a team that are going to challenge for a league title. I expected them to win last season already”.

But Maresca said: “It’s easy to say more clubs are involved. I don’t like to play this kind of game.

“We are a better team for sure compared to one year ago — because we worked together every day for one season.”