Enzo Maresca eyes Conference League glory as Chelsea close in on final

With a dominant 4-1 away victory over Sweden's Djugardens IF in the first leg of the semi-final, the Blues are on the brink of reaching the final in Wroclaw on 28 May.

Should they progress, Chelsea will face either Real Betis or Fiorentina in the final. Securing the trophy would not only mark the club's first European silverware since 2021 but also guarantee qualification for next season's Europa League - providing a potential safety net if they fall short in the Premier League.

"For me, winning a trophy this season - and the Conference League trophy - is a statement that you can say: Chelsea is back," said Maresca.

"From there, it's a good starting point to building the winning mentality and winning trophies."

However, Maresca's men remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League football. Chelsea currently sit fifth in the table, holding a two-point advantage over sixth-placed Nottingham Forest with just three league matches remaining.

A top-five finish would seal a return to Europe's premier competition, making the final run-in crucial.

Maresca has made clear that his mission goes beyond qualifying for Europe.  

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