Wrexham manager takes pointed dig at Chelsea’s transfer spending after 2-2 draw in pre-season friendly
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson aimed a sly dig at Chelsea's spending following their 2-2 pre-season friendly draw on Wednesday (July 24). The Blues brought in several players for incredible transfer fees last summer but failed to make an impact in the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo was signed from Brighton for a reported fee of £115 million and Christopher Nkunku was brought in from RB Leipzig for £52 million, among others. However, the west London side finished sixth in the English top flight, five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
The Blues opened the scoring through Nkunku in the 35th minute. Luke Bolton netted an equalizer within the first 15 minutes of the second half before Jack Marriott (71') gave Wrexham the lead.
Chelsea got their equalizer from Lesley Ugochukwu eight minutes from time. Speaking after the game, Parkinson said (via @NizaarKinsella):
"You have to put it into context, they spent so much money that team and we were in the national league two years ago and we went toe-to-toe and could have won the game."
Wrexham are gearing up for their campaign in League One, while Enzo Maresca's team are preparing for the start of the new Premier League campaign. Their first match of the league season is against champions Manchester City on August 18. Up next is a friendly against Celtic on Saturday (July 27).
New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca opens up about his philosophy on football
Chelsea decided to part ways with Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino this summer, after which it was decided to onboard former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.
Now, the 44-year-old manager has provided a glimpse of what the club's footballing philosophy will be like during his tenure. He said in a recent press conference (via the club's official website):
"My philosophy is quite clear. We try to dominate the game, we try to keep the ball as much as we can. It is difficult and not easy but overall the idea is to be aggressive on the ball and off the ball."
Maresca was true to his word in the team's first match against Wrexham, keeping 75% possession. The Blues took 11 shots compared to the opposition's six, while the Premier League side hit the target three times, one fewer than Wrexham.