Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted he is not under pressure from the club hierarchy to win the FIFA Club World Cup because of the massive financial incentives attached to the competition, Afrosport reports.
World football governing body FIFA has set aside a prize money pool of $1 billion among the 32 competing teams from six continents, with the eventual winner taking home a whopping $125 million.
This could give Chelsea an advantage over its rivals in England and Europe for next season, but Maresca clarified there was no consideration around finances in the club’s objectives for the Club World Cup.
“The owners just want the best for us and for the players game by game, and they are not talking about the final prize or the final reward in terms of money,” the Italian tactician said ahead of Chelsea’s final Group D game against Tunisian giants Esperance in Philadelphia.
“They never put pressure on me or the players in terms of we need to win this tournament because of the money.”
Raising the intensity. 📈 pic.twitter.com/BdGENLXmRA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 24, 2025
Chelsea will need to avoid defeat against Esperance to qualify for the last 16 after losing to Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo in their previous game.
They could potentially set up a last 16 tie with Bayern Munich if the Bavarian giants finish top of Group C.
