Maresca Stands Firm: Critics of Young Chelsea Squad ‘Have Missed the Mark’

Following Chelsea’s triumphant return to the Champions League after a three-year absence, manager Enzo Maresca had stern words for the naysayers. His squad, the youngest in Premier League history, clinched their spot with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, thanks to a second-half goal from Levi Colwill.

In a nail-biting final match of the season, this victory not only propelled Chelsea to a fourth-place finish but also left Nottingham Forest in seventh, securing them a berth in the Conference League next season.

According to Opta Sports, Chelsea’s starting XI boasted an average age of just 24 years and 36 days—making this season’s lineup the youngest ever recorded in a single Premier League campaign.

“I never had any doubts about the players,” asserted Maresca. “What I heard was doubt from outside—those who think they have the answers, telling us we were simply too young and not good enough.

“They claimed we wouldn’t be able to secure a win on this pitch due to our youth and lack of experience. Unfortunately for them, they were all mistaken.”

Chelsea entered the day in a fierce competition for three remaining Champions League spots and, after a strong finish, they will make their return to Europe’s elite club tournament for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

After the final whistle, team owner and chairman Todd Boehly warmly embraced Maresca on the City Ground pitch.

“Throughout the season, many people doubted us, saying we were too young and inexperienced to succeed,” remarked Chelsea captain Reece James. “But look where we are now.”

Maresca considers his first season at the club a success, attributing it to the unity within the team.

“With the club, the owners, the sporting director, and the players, we are all on the same path,” the Italian manager shared. “I’ve mentioned several times that the negative chatter came more from outside than from within.”

For Forest, the defeat marked a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise remarkable season. Pre-season predictions had them embroiled in a relegation battle, yet they found themselves firmly planted in the top five for significant stretches of the season.

“Sure, we’re disappointed right now, but in a couple of hours, we’ll look back and appreciate what we’ve achieved,” said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

“It’s tough to accept; we knew the last match would be challenging for all five teams in contention, and unfortunately, we fell short.

“There was a moment when we realised that one goal could have changed everything. This is the nature of sports—the ‘what ifs’ linger in your mind.”