Chelsea’s coach is thrilled by the prospect of becoming the first club to win all four major European tournaments.
In the past 13 years, Chelsea has tasted glory twice in the Champions League and twice in the Europa League. They also lifted the Club World Cup trophy about four years ago. For a team of this caliber, playing in the UEFA Conference League might feel a bit awkward. But coach Enzo Maresca has successfully convinced the squad that this competition is the best in the world for them. Now, they aim to make history by winning it.
Chelsea will face Real Betis in the Conference League final this Wednesday.
Despite spending heavily in recent years, the club has often fallen short of expectations. Since Maresca took charge, he has basically restarted the project. Setting aside sky-high ambitions, he has focused on rebuilding the team gradually and restoring their confidence.
And he’s been quite successful. One of the big goals was to secure a spot back in the Champions League. After a tough battle, Chelsea finished fourth in the English Premier League, earning a place in Europe’s top competition next season.
But this season, one more big match remains—a win would add another European trophy to their cabinet. Although the Conference League is the third-tier continental competition and Maresca has had to work hard to motivate the team, the entire squad is excited by the chance to create history.
“The Conference Cup is important. It has been important for us right from the start. Probably the hardest task this season was convincing the players that for us, the Conference League is the best competition in the world, because this is the tournament we are playing in Europe,” Maresca said.
“If we win, I’ll be very happy, especially for this club and its supporters. Also, because Chelsea will become the first club to win the top four European trophies. Winning it would also help us build a winning mentality.”
Before their Champions League and Europa League triumphs, Chelsea won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 and 1998—a tournament that no longer exists. By the “top four European trophies,” Maresca is referring to that trophy alongside the others.
Maresca is satisfied with the team’s performance so far this season, especially considering their youth. But for him, winning the Conference League is crucial to strengthening their winning mentality.
“Every match is an opportunity to show how much we’ve improved and how much we want to win trophies. We are the youngest team in Premier League history, but we are mature enough to fight.”
“My message to the team in the last 48 hours was: yes, we have achieved a very important goal by qualifying for the Champions League. But if we want to make sure we become an important club, then winning this trophy and the hunger to win match after match must show in our performance.”
