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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said his side can “dominate English football” in the next five to 10 years.

Chelsea are third on the Premier League table, level on 25 points with Arsenal after 13 games having won seven matches this season, with four draws and just two defeats.

While he doubled down on his belief that Chelsea could not challenge for the title this term, he said the club could become a powerhouse in the years to come.

“In the next five, 10 years, because of the age, Chelsea can be one of the sides that dominate English football,” Marseca told a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s match against Southampton.

“I think we are in the right direction and in terms of personal target, I know from outside you struggle to believe. I’m focused about Southampton, but I’m not focused about end of the season.”

Asked if Chelsea could win the Premier League this season, Maresca said: “Arsenal have been there in the last two years close to [Manchester City] and we have been very far from City.

“To be in the title race is a nice pressure for me and the players — we like that pressure — but it is not our case because Arsenal in the last two years they have been there with Liverpool and City and we were not there. Hopefully soon, we can be there.”

Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino last summer, said the team had advanced more than he thought they would have at this stage of the campaign.

“In terms of expectation, we are ahead of my expectations in the way we are playing and the results,” Maresca said.

“It’s been a very short time together but the best thing is that there are many things we can do better and we are going in the right direction.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy was disappointed to leave Manchester United after his successful spell as interim coach came to an end but the Dutchman said he understands why new manager Ruben Amorim wanted to bring his own assistants into the club.

Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed Leicester City manager at the end of last month, went unbeaten in his four games in charge at United following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, having previously served as his compatriot’s assistant.

“I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt that I had to leave,” he told reporters on Monday.

“The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. But in the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager.

“I spoke to Ruben Amorim about it, the conversation was grateful, man to man, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which lifted my spirits.”

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in a highly successful five-year stint at United before moving to Real Madrid but the former striker said he has the battling qualities to help 16th-placed Leicester avoid relegation.

“People see Real Madrid, Manchester United, but my first three seasons as a professional were in Dutch football with FC Den Bosch, so I know what it’s like to fight,” he added.

Leicester host West Ham United in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Carlo Ancelotti has backed Kylian Mbappé for not taking a penalty kick for Real Madrid against Getafe on Sunday — allowing Jude Bellingham to score instead — calling the decision “a great act of altruism.”

Mbappé was under pressure to find the net at the Bernabéu after managing just two goals in his nine previous games, and missing a spot kick against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League four days earlier.

When Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute, Mbappé turned down the opportunity, signalling that Bellingham — who is Madrid’s other regular taker, alongside the injured Vinícius Júnior — should take it instead.

Bellingham converted to open the scoring, and then Mbappé added a second eight minutes later to complete a 2-0 victory.

“Bellingham or Mbappé, one of the two, whoever’s in best condition,” Ancelotti said in a news conference on Tuesday, when asked who’d step up if Madrid get a penalty away at Athletic Club the next day.

“This isn’t a debate. There are two sides to it. [What] Mbappé [did] against Getafe, you might see it as insecurity, or you might see it as we do, an act of responsibility and altruism… He’s a player with extraordinary talent, he might be the biggest talent in football, and he puts that [at the service of] the team. I value that a lot, personally.”

Mbappé’s performances have been scrutinised in recent weeks, although he’s still managed eight goals in 13 LaLiga games so far this season.

Ancelotti denied one journalist’s suggestion that his unwillingness to take a penalty against Getafe showed a lack of leadership or courage.

“I don’t see it like that,” Ancelotti said. “It’s important for the team, his teammates, all of us, within the dressing room. We value it as I said before, a great act of altruism. When a great talent is altruistic, you’re on the right track.”

Bellingham also faced some criticism for an early-season goal drought, but the England star has now scored in his last three LaLiga games against Osasuna, Leganés and Getafe.

“A better dynamic in the team has allowed [Bellingham] to score goals again,” Ancelotti said. “Jude’s games have always been good. Now he’s being more clinical, and we’re better in possession, with more clarity.

“The individual improvement of players like Mbappé opens up spaces in the final third, and Jude has taken advantage of that. His position hasn’t changed.”

Madrid are one point behind league leaders Barcelona, who play away at Mallorca on Tuesday, before Madrid’s trip to San Mamés to face Athletic.

Ancelotti confirmed that midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni had recovered from injury and was available to start.