IT ENZ NOW!

Blues boss Maresca refuses to play Slot's title challenge mind games

- BY PAUL BROWN

ENZO MARESCA says he won't play mind games with Arne Slot after the Liverpool boss piled the pressure on him this week.

Slot (inset) said he expected Chelsea to win the Premier League last season - and that he believes they will challenge for the title this time round.

But Blues manager Maresca accused the Kop boss of playing games ahead of his side's curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Maresca said: "This is what Slot said about us? I don't pay attention to what the other people say about us.

"I like to be focused on players, try to improve and then what they say, they can say what they want."

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".