Chelsea hold second position in the Premier League, but their manager Enzo Maresca remains grounded, emphasising on Tuesday his focus on team development rather than title discussions.
With 35 points, Chelsea trail Liverpool by four points and are scheduled for a West London derby against Fulham on Thursday.
The weekend's goalless encounter with Everton prevented Chelsea from claiming the top spot, whilst ending their impressive streak of eight consecutive victories across all competitions and five successive Premier League wins.
"We are ahead of our expectation in terms of the way we are playing and points. For us, the main focus is to see how we can improve the players and how we can improve the team," Maresca told reporters.
"It's the reality for me, not about the pressure (of going for the title). I would like that kind of pressure. I say we are not there because that is the reality for me. The main point is to continue to improve and to win games."
Despite maintaining an eight-point advantage over struggling champions Manchester City, who occupy seventh place, Maresca believes Guardiola's team could still recover in the title race.
"It's almost halfway so the table reflects the teams and where they are. Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day," Maresca said.
"...I think Manchester City in the end will be there. They are living something that probably never happened before. They have a new injury at the end of every game. It is a very bad situation."
Chelsea's defensive lineup remains affected by long-term injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Maresca confirmed Romeo Lavia's absence for Thursday's match due to an ongoing thigh injury.
Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk faces suspension following an adverse analytical finding in an anti-doping test, though the Ukrainian maintains he has not knowingly consumed any prohibited substances.
