Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has hailed his team’s successful push for Champions League football next season, declaring the achievement a fitting response to critics who questioned his appointment and tactics earlier in the campaign.
Speaking after Chelsea secured a top-four Premier League finish in dramatic fashion, Maresca said the team had “earned every bit of this moment” and praised his players for staying united through what he described as a season of “noise and pressure.”
“People had a lot to say when I arrived,” Maresca told reporters. “They said I lacked experience, that Chelsea needed something else. But we stayed focused, we worked, and now we’re back in the Champions League – where this club belongs.”
Maresca’s appointment last summer raised eyebrows given his limited top-flight managerial résumé, having previously worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and led Leicester in the Championship. But he has quickly instilled a defined tactical identity at Chelsea, combining possession-heavy control with attacking fluidity.
After an inconsistent start, the Blues grew into the season with a strong second-half run, including key victories over Manchester United and Newcastle. A standout moment came in April, when Chelsea thrashed rivals Tottenham 4-1 at Stamford Bridge – a win that Maresca called a “turning point” in belief.
“We needed to show people that this project is real, that we’re building something here,” he added. “I couldn’t be prouder of the players, the staff, and the fans who stuck with us.”
Maresca also offered a defiant message to detractors who doubted his suitability for a club of Chelsea’s stature.
“I respect opinions. But now those same people will be watching Chelsea on Tuesday and Wednesday nights again. That says everything.”
The return to Europe’s top competition marks a significant milestone for the club, especially following a turbulent period of managerial changes and inconsistent league performances. It also boosts Chelsea’s summer transfer ambitions, with Champions League football likely to attract top-tier reinforcements.
As Chelsea look ahead to next season, Maresca is already setting his sights higher.
“This is just the start. We’re not satisfied with top four – we want to compete at the very highest level.”
With silverware ambitions back on the agenda and Champions League nights set to return to Stamford Bridge, Maresca’s Chelsea revolution now looks firmly on track.
