Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has emphasised that “money doesn’t secure titles,” as his side prepares for the first leg of their Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden in Stockholm on Thursday.
The Swedish team has been assembled at a mere fraction of the over £1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion) used to enhance Chelsea’s squad at Stamford Bridge in the past three seasons, especially now that the club is co-owned by US billionaire Todd Boehly.
Two-time European champions Chelsea have navigated the third-tier competition smoothly this season, with their only loss occurring in the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw.
“You don’t secure victories or titles through financial power,” Maresca stated during a pre-match press briefing on Wednesday. “We understand that quite well; it’s not purely about how much you invest in the transfer market.“
Chelsea is currently embroiled in a fierce contest domestically to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, currently sitting in fifth place, the final qualification slot in the Premier League.
“Landing titles isn’t solely about heavy spending. While financial investment is necessary, it must be done wisely,” Maresca continued.
Djurgarden plays on an artificial surface at their 30,000-capacity venue, a condition most of Maresca’s squad are unaccustomed to, raising concerns for the Chelsea boss regarding the pitch’s nature.
“It’s a completely different experience,” he noted. “Recently, even some of their players have voiced concerns about the pitch. It’s not ideal, but we won’t have any excuses or reasons for not stepping up our performance.“
Chelsea will face newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at home on Sunday, as they aim to maintain their hold on fifth place.
Maresca will be without injured players Robert Sanchez and Christopher Nkunku in Sweden, although Nicolas Jackson is poised to start after recently returning from injury.
“We are striving to instil a winning mentality,” Maresca remarked. “For me, this is developed by treating every match with seriousness, regardless of the opponent.
“That’s the only path to cultivating a winning mentality. How can you foster a winning attitude if you don’t win games?
“The players recognise the significance of tomorrow’s game, but they also understand that the following one is equally crucial.“
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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