Rest needed after Club World Cup, says Chelsea's Maresca

VIDEO SHOWS: COMMENTS FROM CHELSEA MANAGER ENZO MARESCA & LOS ANGELES FC COACH STEVE CHERUNDOLO

ON THE EVE OF THEIR FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP GROUP D MATCH

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 15, 2025) (FIFA/DAZN - See restrictions before use)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, ENZO MARESCA, ON HIS PLAYERS NOT BEING IN PRE-SEASON MODE & THE NEED FOR REST AFTER THE CLUB WORLD CUP, SAYING:

“The first thing I said, and the main message I said since we see each other has been, ‘guys, it’s not, we don't go for pre-season, it's a tournament, it's a big, big tournament', and even if the feeling now is not like we go for pre-season, it's not like that, and then after the Club World Cup, I think at least the players, they need three, four weeks off, because they need to recharge energy. Otherwise, it's impossible, impossible to do the right things next season.”

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, ENZO MARESCA, ON WHAT HE DEEMS A SUCCESS, SAYING:

“I don't like to see in three or four months. For me, the success is to try to win tomorrow against, the first game against Los Angeles. For me, that means success, is win games and then the season 24-25, I think we achieved something important that is finish top four (in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League). We won the European competition that we were in, and now that is done, it's finished, it's already gone. Now we need to be focused about this competition that we are here now, and then fortunately we have some days off, weeks, recovery and go again.”

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHELSEA MANAGER, ENZO MARESCA, ON THEIR CLUB WORLD CUP OPENING MATCH AGAINST LOS ANGELES FC, SAYING:

“Again, tomorrow we have a game where if we are not ready, if we are not prepared, we can be in trouble. So, we need to prepare for that 100%, and no matter who is the other team, when you are a Chelsea player and Chelsea manager, you need to win games, so, tomorrow, hopefully, we can start this competition winning our game.”

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOS ANGELES FC COACH, STEVE CHERUNDOLO, ON HIS SIDE FACING A STRONG CHELSEA TEAM, SAYING:

“I know our players are competitive, I know our players really want to be here, and I know our players want to show well, and we are prepared for this. But yes, of course, you can look through all the facts, the payrolls, the names on the jerseys, the roster sizes, I think it’s very clear who the underdog is, and who the favourite is, but we feel fine with that, and we’re comfortable with that.”

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOS ANGELES FC COACH, STEVE CHERUNDOLO, ON IF LIKELY FATIGUE IN THE CHELSEA CAMP PLAYING IN THEIR FAVOUR, SAYING:

“I’ve learnt when you start hoping as a coach you’re doomed. That’s kind of the beginning of the end, so, we try not to hope, we prepare and have plans for everything that can come our way. I am not in control of the opponent. I’m only in control of, somewhat of a control of my team, but I’m only in control of what I can control, and that is for tomorrow, the starting line-up, a few last words, some changes during the game, and some real-time corrections, but no, I mean, our expectations are that Chelsea is at full strength and full speed, and that’s what we’ve prepared for.”

STORY: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says his players will need at least three to four weeks of rest after the Club World Cup in order to be properly ready for the new Premier League season.

Speaking on the eve (June 15) of their opening Group D match against Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, Maresca and his squad arrive in the U.S. just over two weeks after beating Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on May 28 -- the culmination of a brutal season where they also finished fourth in the league to secure Champions League football.

Maresca also revealed that he spoke to his players stressing the importance of the upcoming “big tournament”, and to not be in pre-season mode after such a short turnaround where only some players had a brief break, while other were on international duty.

(Production: Stefan Haskins)