London, England – April 20: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca watches before the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on April 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca claimed Italian football was left behind, and the Champions League final proved that for Inter. “Only in Italy, do they still think the players are too young? That experience wins your game.”
The 45-year-old was refreshing after winning the Chelsea Conference League trophy and spoke to the Italian newspaper Corriere de Lacera.
You can read the rest of his comments here.
Chelsea have become the epitome of an over-premier league club with reduced returns, including a team of 43 players at the start of the season, but Italian coaches have insisted that things are changing.
“Chelsea spends a lot, but now they’re investing smarter now, following the modern football direction,” said Maresca of Corriere della Cera.
“The club has spent a lot on Enzo Fernandez and Kayseco, but no one remembers how much they improved. In the past, they will spend a lot on players who have already done their best when they’re over 30.”
Maresca sees the central issue of Italian football
This was one of the biggest issues that torment Italian football at the moment, and came to mind in the Champions League final when another major Spender, like Paris Saint-Germain, avoided 5-0.
“The Champions League final showed domination of a young team capable of great technical football, expressed with extraordinary tempo, energy, press and offensive talent. Luis Enrique has built an epic PSG and in my own little way, I am trying to do the same with Chelsea,” Maresca said.
“That being said, Inter has not failed with two Champions League finals in three years, and Simone Inzagi should be proud of his work, especially as he has done it in a different ecosystem than in the rest of the world.
“Only in Italy, they think the player is too young, and the experience is to win your game. It’s a cultural choice and inevitably lose in terms of energy. Italian football struggles to keep up with the tempo of other styles.”
This is also evident in the Italian team. This is now without a coach after Luciano Spalletti was fired in a 3-0 defeat in Norway.
“Of course, the national team reflects the work of the club, so how can you beat the average age of a team if a younger player can’t play?” the famous Maresca.
“Chelsea spent money building a team of very young talent, but they didn’t stop accusing athletes from breaking records to promote themselves to the senior squad. We believe in them all.”
Kevin de Bruin is the player leaving Manchester City for Serie A this summer. He has already agreed to a free transfer to Scudetto’s winner Napoli.
“Kevin knows like the back of my hand. He adapts quickly to Conte’s demands and brings a lot to Naples. He is an incredible champion. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use players over 30 at that level.
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