Sports

Chelsea Boss Maresca insists Money No Guarantee Of Success

Published

3 months ago

April 30, 2025

Editor

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has insisted “money does not win titles” ahead of Thursday’s Conference League semi-final first leg against Djurgarden in Stockholm on Thursday.

The Swedish side have been assembled at a fraction of the more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion) spent on bringing in players to Stamford Bridge during the last three seasons, with Chelsea now co-owned by US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly.

Two-time European champions Chelsea have cruised through the third-tier competition so far this season, with their only defeat coming in the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw.

“You don’t win games and titles with money,” Maresca told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. “We know that very well. It’s not about how much you spend in the transfer market.”

Chelsea are in a tough battle domestically to qualify for next season’s Champions League, sitting in the fifth and final qualification spot in the Premier League.

“You’re not going to win titles just because you spend big money. You have to spend money but in the right way,” added Maresca.

Djurgarden play on an artificial pitch at their 30,000-capacity home ground, something most players in Maresca’s side have not experienced in their professional careers, with the Chelsea boss concerned by the nature of the surface.

“It’s completely different,” he said. “In the last weeks even some of their players have been complaining about the pitch. It’s different but we don’t have any excuse or a reason why we’re not going to compete.”

Chelsea are at home to newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, with the Blues looking to keep hold of fifth place.

Maresca will be without the injured Robert Sanchez and Christopher Nkunku in Sweden, though Nicolas Jackson is expected to start despite only recently having returned from injury.

“We are trying to build a mentality, a winning mentality,” said Maresca. “For me you build that by taking every game, no matter who is the other team.

“It’s the only way to build a winning mentality. How can you build a winning mentality if you don’t win games?

“The players are aware that tomorrow is an important game but they also are aware the next one is important.”

Related Topics:Champions League Chelsea league

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Sports

PHOTO: Okocha Hosts Ex-coach Clemens Westerhof In Lagos

Published

2 days ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Nigerian football icon Jay-Jay Okocha recently hosted his former Super Eagles coach, Clemens Westerhof, at his Lagos home.

Westerhof, who posted photos from the visit on Instagram on Friday, called it an “unforgettable night of my life” and thanked Okocha for his warm hospitality.

Westerhof, a Dutch national, managed the Nigerian national team from 1989 to 1994.

Under his leadership, the Super Eagles won their second Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 and made their FIFA World Cup debut the same year, impressively topping a group that included Argentina, Bulgaria, and Greece.

Okocha made his national team debut during Westerhof’s tenure and later became one of Nigeria’s most iconic footballers.

Sports

Transfer: Atalanta Hold Lookman Back From Inter Milan Move

Published

2 days ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has again told his Italian side, Atalanta, about his desire to leave this summer.

The camp of the Super Eagles’ forward conveyed the player’s decision to the club on Tuesday after Inter presented a written proposal of €42m plus €3m add-ons.

Atalanta are insisting on €50m valuation for the Nigerian international and there is no green light to the move as of now, according to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.

Meanwhile, as earlier reported, Lookman’s international teammate, Victor Osimhen will land in Istanbul on Wednesday with medical scheduled for Thursday at Galatasaray.

Meanwhile, Álvaro Morata has been waiting for Osimhen’s arrival so as to leave the club and did not train with the team on Tuesday. The Spaniard wants to join Italian side, Como.

Ronano reports that Morata has no intention to stay at Galatasaray and is only keen on the Como move.

Sports

‘She Has Placed Edo On Global E-Sports Map’ – Enabulele Celebrates Bezi On New GWR Feat

Published

6 days ago

July 28, 2025

Editor

Edo State Sports Commission has applauded Bolade Bezi for her remarkable achievement in setting a new Guinness World Record in E-Sports.

Bezi completed an extraordinary marathon of 57 hours, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds playing the popular video game “God of War”.

The feat was officially recognized during a ceremony held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, expressed admiration for Bezi’s resilience and groundbreaking accomplishment.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele congratulated Bezi and praised her determination, focus, and passion for E-Sports.

“I must celebrate Bolade Bezi for her commitment and dedication to setting this new world record.

“Since the event commenced on Friday, she has demonstrated unwavering resilience and passion for E-Sports,” Enabulele said.

He noted that the officially recorded gameplay time was 49 hours, 0 minutes, and 14 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Peer Bresser and Jimmie Smets in Cologne, Germany, on November 8–9, 2017, which stood at 24 hours, 15 minutes.

“Bolade Bezi’s accomplishment in achieving the longest video game marathon in the hack-and-slash genre is truly commendable. She has not only shattered the previous record but also placed Edo State on the global E-Sports map,” he added.

Enabulele emphasized that the milestone is a source of immense pride for Edo State and Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting youth engagement in constructive ventures like E-Sports, which he described as powerful tools for personal growth and social development.

“This achievement aligns perfectly with our vision to inspire and empower our youth, steering them away from social vices and toward meaningful pursuits. It reflects the aspirations of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for sports development in Edo State,” he stated.

In her remarks, Bezi, a clinical physiologist, said her motivation for undertaking the intense marathon was to raise awareness about mental health, particularly depression and anxiety—two of the most widespread mental health issues today.

“This challenge was physically and mentally demanding. Sleep deprivation was the biggest obstacle, but I am grateful to God for making it possible. We are also using this platform to show that E-Sports is a viable and growing sport in Edo State,” she said.

Bezi expressed deep appreciation to Enabulele and the leadership of the Edo E-Sports Association, led by Ovebedaro Dean Bezi, for their unwavering support throughout her journey.