Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca appeared confident and composed during Friday’s press conference ahead of his team’s FIFA Club World Cup final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Responding firmly to a question suggesting Chelsea may struggle without possession against the reigning European champions, Maresca questioned the premise with a simple, “Who said that?” making it clear he believes in his team’s ability to dictate the tempo.
Since taking charge of Chelsea a year ago, Maresca has been focused on building a side that plays with maturity and confidence on the ball. That identity, he insisted, will remain intact regardless of the opponent.
“We’ll see in two days,” Maresca said when asked about his side’s approach. “PSG are obviously one of the best teams in the world, no doubt. But every match is its own story. We’re going to do everything we can to play our game and produce a strong performance.”
While full of respect for his counterpart, Maresca made clear that Chelsea would not abandon their principles. “Luis Enrique is a benchmark — not only for me but for many people who love football,” he said. “But we’ve also shown what our style is, both with and without the ball, and we’re proud of that.”
With Chelsea facing their biggest test under Maresca so far, the Italian’s confident tone reflects a team that, despite facing the Champions League winners, believes it has earned its place on the global stage — and intends to compete on its own terms.
