Chelsea faces Brighton amid pressure of high transfer fees
- Enzo Maresca raised concerns about the pressure large transfer fees put on players, which can hinder their performance.
- Chelsea has made significant signings, including Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, since the new ownership took over in 2022.
- The upcoming match against Brighton will test how players handle the pressure of their transfer fees and expectations.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed concerns about the pressure that large transfer fees place on players, which he believes can hinder their performance. The club has made significant investments in new talent, including Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Jadon Sancho, since the Todd Boehly-led Clearlake consortium took over in 2022. Notably, Chelsea has set Premier League transfer records with the acquisitions of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Maresca emphasized that players often feel burdened by the expectations tied to their transfer fees, which can negatively impact their game. Marc Cucurella, who joined Chelsea for £62 million in 2022, initially struggled but has shown improvement under Maresca's guidance. The manager praised Cucurella's intelligence and versatility, highlighting his ability to adapt to various positions on the field. This adaptability is crucial as Chelsea prepares for their upcoming match against Brighton, where several players, including Cucurella and Caicedo, will face their former club. The match is expected to be intense, especially considering the mixed reactions from Brighton fans towards the players who left the club. Maresca acknowledged the fans' dissatisfaction but pointed out that the players' previous performances at Brighton warranted their high transfer fees. As Chelsea gears up for this Premier League clash, the focus will be on how the players handle the pressure of their transfer fees and the expectations that come with them, as well as their ability to perform against a familiar opponent.