Chelsea Coach Enzo Maresca: Money Doesn't Guarantee Success

Chelsea's Enzo Maresca prepares his team for the Djurgarden semi-final, highlighting the challenges of playing on an artificial pitch and the importance of strategy over spending.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes that spending a large amount of money does not guarantee success in football. Ahead of Chelsea's Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden, Maresca emphasized that titles are not solely won through financial investment.

Maresca's comments come despite Chelsea's significant spending under the ownership of US billionaire Todd Boehly, who has invested over £1 billion in the club over the past three seasons. In contrast, Djurgarden has assembled their team at a fraction of Chelsea's spending.

Enzo has delivered the latest team news ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final first leg. 📑

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 30, 2025

Chelsea have dominated the Conference League this season, with their sole defeat occurring in the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw.

“We know that very well,” said coach Maresca. “You don't win games and titles with money. It's not about how much you spend in the transfer market.” Chelsea face a challenging domestic battle to secure a Champions League spot for next season, currently sitting in fifth place in the Premier League.

Chelsea's Enzo Maresca prepares his team for the Djurgarden semi-final, highlighting the challenges of playing on an artificial pitch and the importance of strategy over spending.

“You have to spend money but in the right way,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca emphasized, highlighting the importance of strategic spending in football.

Matchday in Sweden — come on Chelsea! ✊🔵#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/3h9FKYmv0M

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 1, 2025

Maresca also expressed concerns about Djurgarden's artificial pitch, noting that most of his players were unfamiliar with such surfaces, which could pose a challenge for Chelsea in their upcoming match.

“It's completely different,” Maresca said about Djurgarden's artificial pitch, noting that some of the home team's players had complained about it. Despite the unfamiliar surface, Maresca emphasized that Chelsea wouldn't use it as an excuse.

4 teams remain, who'll make it to the final? 👀

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— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 1, 2025

Chelsea face a busy schedule, with a Premier League match against Liverpool at home on Sunday. Maresca's team will be without injured goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and forward Christopher Nkunku for the match against Djurgarden, while Nicolas Jackson is expected to start despite recently returning 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.”