After a truncated pre-season following our success at the Club World Cup, our Premier League campaign began with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Maresca’s side had opportunities to win the contest at Stamford Bridge, and the Italian was pleased with the physical intensity that was displayed across the 90 minutes.

The Blues head coach says more is to come, though, as those in his squad gain further sharpness and summer arrivals fully assimilate into the squad.

‘For sure, with more time, we will be better and better,' Maresca explained during his pre-match press conference at Cobham.

'But it is what it is [at this moment. We need to adapt, and I think we showed last week against Crystal Palace that until the end of the game, we competed and created chances. We will be better day after day.’

While our top-flight campaign started with a draw, West Ham's began with a 3-0 defeat away to newly-promoted Sunderland. Yet Maresca does not expect things to be easy for his side in what is often a heated London derby.

He said: ‘It's a tough game again; all the Premier League games are tough and difficult.

'If you remember the game against West Ham at home last year, it was difficult for us. They defended very well and tomorrow I expect exactly the same. The Premier League just started, so they are trying to find solutions in the same way we are doing.’