Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists Italian football is being left behind and the Champions League Final proved it for Inter. ‘Only in Italy do they still think players are too young and that experience is what wins you games.’
The 45-year-old is fresh from winning the Conference League trophy for Chelsea and he spoke to the Corriere della Sera newspaper in Italy.
Advertisement
You can read the rest of his comments here.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Stamford Bridge on October 06, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
While Chelsea had become the epitome of the over-spending Premier League club with diminishing returns, including a squad of 43 players at the start of the season, the Italian coach insists things are changing.
“Chelsea spend a lot, but now invest more wisely, following the direction of modern football,” said Maresca in the Corriere della Sera.
“The club spent a lot on Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo, but nobody remembers that because of how much they have improved. In the past, they would spend lots on players who were over 30 and already gave their best.”
Maresca sees core problem of Italian football
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on April 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
This is one of the biggest problems afflicting Italian football at the moment and it came to a head in the Champions League Final, when another big spender like Paris Saint-Germain swept Inter aside 5-0.
Advertisement
“The Champions League Final showed the domination of a young team, capable of great technical football expressed with an extraordinary tempo, energy, pressing and attacking talent. Luis Enrique has built a spectacular PSG and, in my own small way, I am trying to do the same at Chelsea,” said Maresca.
“Having said that, Inter must see two Champions League Finals in three years as an achievement, not a failure. Simone Inzaghi should be proud of his work, especially as he did it within an ecosystem that is now different to the rest of the world.
“Only in Italy do they still think players are too young and that experience is what wins you games. It is a cultural choice, one that means you will inevitably lose out in terms of energy. Italian football struggles to keep up with the tempo of the other styles.”
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Luciano Spalletti head coach of Italy embraces Andrea Cambiaso of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
This is also apparent in the Italy squad, which is now without a coach after Luciano Spalletti was sacked for a 3-0 defeat in Norway.
Advertisement
“Of course, the national teams reflect the work of the clubs, so how can you bring down the average age of the squad if the young players don’t get to play?” noted Maresca.
“Chelsea spent money to build a squad of very young talent, but it didn’t stop us beating the record for academy players promoted to the senior squad. We have faith in them all.”
A player leaving Manchester City this summer for Serie A is Kevin de Bruyne, who has already agreed a free transfer to Scudetto winners Napoli.
“I know Kevin like the back of my hands, he will adapt quickly to Conte’s requests and bring so much to Napoli. He is a great champion. I certainly am not saying you shouldn’t use players over 30 who are of that level, I simply try to put the energy of young lads around them,” concluded Maresca.
