Versuchen GOLD - Frei
The next chapter for the world champions
Soccer Laduma
|July 24, 2025
Chelsea enjoyed a strong 2024/25 campaign under Enzo Maresca in what was the Italian’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
-
A top-four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League were complemented by silverware in both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. So, what’s next for the Blues? Building on their recent Club World Cup success, there is hope that Maresca can continue this run and bring more trophies back to the London giants. With new signings arriving to complement an established young core, there is cautious optimism for the future at Chelsea. Soccer Laduma’s Matthew Petersen looks ahead to Chelsea’s 2025/26 season, with expert views from football journalist and lifelong Chelsea fan, Nick Feinberg.
Enzo Maresca’s first season
When a new Chelsea manager delivers a trophy in his debut season, it’s usually considered a success. Maresca delivered two - winning the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup while also guiding the Blues back into the top four.
Nick Feinberg, who has supported the club for more than 50 years, reflected on Maresca’s impressive debut campaign.
“With any coach coming into Stamford Bridge, it’s going to be like shock and awe,” Feinberg said, noting that fans often expect immediate results, which can be unrealistic. However, he gave Maresca his due.
“It was especially difficult for him coming into a club with new owners who have an unusual policy on buying players, with an average age of 23 or 24. There are a lot of new players in the squad, and there was a bloated squad. So, given all the difficulties and the circumstances, I think he's done incredibly well,” he added.
Feinberg believes the Italian is the right man to lead Chelsea forward.
“I think there've been a few moments in the opening part of his tenure when we were watching him and thinking, 'What the heck is he doing?' But as time went on, we saw more expansive play and kind of understood a bit more about what he was trying to achieve,” he admitted.
Club World Cup Glory
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 24, 2025-Ausgabe von Soccer Laduma.
Abonnieren Sie Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierter Premium-Geschichten und über 9.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Sie sind bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON Soccer Laduma
Soccer Laduma
The loss against France was a wake-up call
On the Amajita World Cup team Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka has assembled a balanced squad of talented players, most of whom were part of the squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year.
4 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
My Soccer Laduma My favourite thing about Soccer Laduma...
“My favourite thing about Soccer Laduma is the stories you hear from the dressing rooms.
1 min
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
Nobody saw that result coming
Last week I said that this tournament has a way of surprising everyone, and once again, it didn’t disappoint.
1 min
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
They don't have that winning mentality
For many South African football fans, the name Manti Moholo—now known as Manti Mekoa—evokes memories of a fearless, hard-tackling midfielder who gave his all for clubs like Orlando Pirates, Free State Stars, Chippa United and Cape Umoya United. Yet, since hanging up his boots, the former midfield general has taken an unexpected path away from the game that once defined him. In this rare and candid interview with Soccer Laduma’s Delmain Faver, Manti opens up about why he deliberately distanced himself from football, his disillusionment with the way the sport is run, and his rediscovered purpose in business. Still, the love for the game never truly leaves; he remains an avid follower of the Betway Premiership and offers sharp insight into Orlando Pirates’ midfield, Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance, and the mentality gap he believes exists in modern players.
4 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
Still InTouch With.
“Papi,” welcome back to the second instalment of our Still in Touch With. We heard all about your days at Bush Bucks and your former teammate James Chamanga. What do you have in store for us this week?
3 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
Who's the next Chiefs coach?
As Kaizer Chiefs find their plans for the season disrupted by coach Nasreddine Nabi's departure, the hierarchy will surely be thinking of long-term solutions in the head coach role. Whilst Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze are at the helm now, few would consider this solution as anything more than a stopgap. As with all vacancies in the country's big three clubs, the names of Pitso Mosimane, Benni McCarthy and Rhulani Mokwena are linked with the role. All three coaches were consistently named as options for Orlando Pirates in the off-season, but the Sea Robbers went in another direction. Would any of the trio suit the Kaizer Chiefs hotseat? In this feature, we look at what each mentor would bring to the table.
6 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
In Touch With...
RHULANI MANZINI - PHALABORWA UNITED
3 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
All the connections went down the drain
Carrying one of the most iconic surnames in Southern African football, Mike Lota has long lived in the shadow of his late father, the legendary Dennis \"Chesa Mpama\" Lota. Yet for Mike, the name is not a burden, it's a responsibility. The young Zambian-born footballer grew up surrounded by the game, but unlike his father's era, his journey has been shaped by modern challenges, missed opportunities, and a relentless passion to make his own mark. After stints with clubs like Highlands Park and Lioli FC in Lesotho, Mike has found new purpose in the fast-rising world of five-a-side football, where he now represents Pirates Fives, a team dominating the local scene and making waves abroad. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, Mike opens up about growing up as the son of a former Orlando Pirates striker, his own setbacks and sacrifices, and how he's determined to build a legacy that's entirely his own.
4 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
Chiefs can get back to the top
Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in another period of transition. With head coach Nasreddine Nabi absent from the team according to the club's latest update last month, Amakhosi have been navigating the campaign under the guidance of assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze. Their recent Carling Knockout exit at the hands of Stellenbosch FC - decided via a penalty shootout this past weekend - only underlined the need for stability and direction. For Swedish coach Alan Melke, the situation at Naturena is one he has observed with keen interest. Melke has built a reputation for taking struggling sides and turning them into stable, competitive outfits - a skillset that resonates with Chiefs' current reality. His resume stretches from the grassroots of Sweden's Sixth Division to the elite stage of two FIFA World Cups. One of his links to the PSL comes through Ivan Bukenya, the Ugandan defender he once coached before the player went on to wear the Gold and Black of Amakhosi. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, Melke speaks highly of the technical quality of local players, although he believes there is room for improvement. He also reflects on his coaching philosophy, reveals why the Betway Premiership appeals to him, and what attracts him specifically to the Glamour Boys.
6 mins
October 09, 2025
Soccer Laduma
Is the clock ticking for Cardoso?
Miguel Cardoso may have won the Betway Premiership and led Mamelodi Sundowns to the CAF Champions League final, but he is believed to be living on borrowed time at Chloorkop, with pressure mounting following the club's indifferent start to the 2025/26 campaign. Soccer Laduma looks into what's happening behind the scenes at Chloorkop.
4 mins
October 09, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size