Maresca: Chelsea beat PSG in the first 10 minutes

Confidence is everything in the world of football and for Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final is the biggest achievement in his career yet.

Softfootball gathered that Maresca celebrated long into the night with his players as the moment was that of joy and excitement following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.

Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca (Photo Credit: Getty)

Maresca told DAZN, as reported by BBC Sports, how he felt about the victory. He said:

“I have no words for the players. They all deserve this and it’s a good moment.”

PSG were the overwhelming favorite for the Club World Cup final after pummeling Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final 5-0 and demolishing Real Madrid 4-0 at the CWC semi-final.

Maresca explained how Chelsea beat PSG, he said:

For me, we won the game in the first 10 minutes. We set the tempo and we were very good at pressing them. The conditions made it hard to keep going but the boys did well.”

Cole Palmer – Player of the Tournament awards (Photo Credit: Getty)

Chelsea midfielder, Cole Palmer ran the show with two goals and an assist in the final. He was named Player of the tournament and that left Maresca very proud of the England international.

Speaking about Palmer, he said:

We found a position for him (Palmer) where there was more space to attack. Obviously Cole played really well but the effort from all the players was fantastic.”

Maresca is confident that Chelsea will continue to improve and do great things in future.

On Chelsea’s immediate future, Maresca said:

Of course I am very excited [about the future] but I’m more excited that we have three weeks off.”

Maresca is not the only one with optimism about Chelsea’s future as BBC Sport reporter Nizaar Kinsella, who saw the match at the MetLife Stadium, share his positive energy.

Kinsella wrote:

Chelsea are firmly behind Maresca and there is a sense of stability about the club for the first time since the UK government placed sanctions on Roman Abramovich after the war in Ukraine started in March 2022.

This is a new club – but one capable of winning again – and those involved want recognition for their achievements.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez should be considered among the best midfielders in the world. Marc Cucurella is arguably the best left-back in the Premier League and potentially in the world.

There is promising talent coming through like Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto and newer players like Andrey Santos.

Joao Pedro has three goals in three Club World Cup matches and was crucial to Chelsea’s tournament success, while fellow striker signing Liam Delap has looked lively in the United States.

Another new signing – Jamie Gittens – has yet to join from Dortmund, with Palmeiras’ teenage sensation Estevao Willian also joining for pre-season in August.”

Softfootball reported earlier how Maresca masterminded a comprehensive win over PSG on Sunday. Chelsea are set to go on a three weeks break before resuming for preseason ahead of their 2025/26 campaign.