Football
Chelsea star ‘devastated’ by Enzo Maresca decision in Conference League final win
Chelsea captain Reece James has revealed he felt crushed by manager Enzo Maresca’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup in the UEFA Conference League final.
The Blues pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Real Betis 4-1 in Poland, earning their first major trophy under the Italian coach. Surprisingly, James began the match on the bench as Maresca chose to start Malo Gusto at right-back instead.
Gusto struggled during the opening half and was substituted at halftime, with Chelsea trailing 1-0. James entered the game for the second half and helped drive the team to an emphatic turnaround.
Reflecting on the match after lifting the trophy, James confessed the initial decision was painful. He told TNT Sports that missing out on the starting eleven in such a high-stakes match was difficult to accept.
However, once the manager made his choice, he focused on being ready to contribute when called upon. The England international emphasized his desire to play every match but understood the importance of staying prepared for any role.
Enzo Maresca, when asked about leaving his captain on the bench, explained that his main concern was protecting James. According to the coach, James has played more this season than in his previous two combined, and managing his minutes was crucial.
Maresca noted James’s leadership and quality on the pitch, comparing his influence to that of Cole Palmer. When subbed on, James reportedly told his manager not to worry, confidently stating that they would win.
James admitted Chelsea looked flat in the first half and that Betis seemed to sap their energy early on. He credited the second-half resurgence to a needed reaction, culminating in a dominant performance that saw the team score four goals.
Winning the final, he said, was an incredible moment, especially considering the team’s growth throughout the match. He stressed that claiming the Conference League title was a must for the club and now looks forward to competing in the Champions League next season.
Levi Colwill, who also began the final on the bench before coming on after the hour mark, shared similar thoughts on the game. He highlighted the historic nature of Chelsea’s achievement, becoming the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Colwill said the team knew Betis would be dangerous at the start, especially with the support of their fans, but expected the momentum to shift as the match progressed. He credited watching from the sidelines for helping him identify spaces to exploit and praised teammate Badiashile for laying the groundwork defensively.
Colwill expressed pride in what the squad has accomplished over the past week, calling it a dream to win his first European trophy with Chelsea. Securing Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the Premier League capped off what he described as a near-perfect season.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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