Enzo Maresca makes OUTRAGEOUS transfer claim – but does the Chelsea boss have a point?

Robin Bairner

• 17 May 2025 04:45 CDT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca took a step towards guiding his club to the Champions League next season thanks to a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Friday in the Premier League.

A goal from Marc Cucurella was enough to give the Blues a deserved victory over the ailing Red Devils at Stamford Bridge, pushing the BlueCo side to fourth in the congested standings with just Nottingham Forest left to play.

After the fixture, Maresca claimed his side’s success has not been built purely on money.

“I don't think since I've been here, we've spent more money than other clubs, just the same money,” he claimed.

“But we are building something important. People have to trust us. The club is working well, and hopefully in the future we can fight for important titles.”

Current ETV

Pedro Neto

F, M (R)

Chelsea

Pedro Neto

F, M (R)

Chelsea

€60.6M

ETV Range

€54.6M - €66.7M

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How much money have Chelsea spent under Enzo Maresca?

Chelsea have spent a total of €261 million in signings since Maresca arrived at the club from Leicester in the summer of 2024.

Of the 10 players that the Blues have paid a fee for to sign permanently, there has been a remarkably poor strike rate of success.

Pedro Neto, Maresca’s most expensive arrival for a price of €60m from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been the only to make a positive impact.

Joao Felix, signed from Atletico Madrid for €52m and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a €35m arrival from Leicester, have been nowhere near the team.

So Maresca does have some merit if he’s trying to claim that he’s built on the foundations of last season.

But overall, the Blues have only been outspent over the course of the last season on a worldwide basis by Brighton.

They have even invested more than Manchester City, who went on a huge mid-season splurge as they chased a turnaround in their results.

In terms of net spend, Chelsea have invested €40.6m more than they have recouped. This is a comparatively modest figure compared to their rivals and is another reason why Maresca might legitimately argue that the club’s spending has not been outrageous.

Chelsea rank 31st worldwide for net spend in 2024/25 and 10th in the Premier League.

Maresca is clearly wrong to suggest that his side haven’t spent heavily, but the net spend figure of Chelsea is certainly not out of control.

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