Sports

Chelsea Boss Maresca insists Money No Guarantee Of Success

Published

1 year 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

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

10 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

6 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.