The process is more important - Veiga unfazed by Chelsea's pre-season setbacks

Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has played down concerns over the club's disappointing start to pre-season, insisting the focus should be on the long-term process under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

The Blues suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Celtic in their latest friendly, following a 2-2 draw with Wrexham. 

Despite the underwhelming results, Veiga remains optimistic. 

“Of course, it’s about results and in every football game you want to win. Chelsea especially has to win every game. But we are in pre-season. The most important thing is the process, the connection between each other,” said the 20-year-old.

“When the time comes (to play Manchester City) on August 18, that is when it counts and when we have to win for sure.”

The young defender, who joined Chelsea from FC Basel earlier this summer, has been impressed by Maresca's coaching methods.

“He (Maresca) is a very direct manager, very direct in what he wants. You just have to enjoy and learn the maximum that you can in every training session, to give everything you can in every session — that is very important for him as well and after you can replicate it on the pitch.”

Chelsea are next in action against CF America on August 1.