Fresh off sealing a return to the Champions League, Chelsea are aiming to crown their campaign with silverware as they prepare to face Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday. It’s a chance for Enzo Maresca to win a trophy in his first season in charge—and for Chelsea to complete the full set of UEFA competitions.
Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest was enough to confirm Champions League qualification, prompting a defiant response from Maresca to the club’s critics. Now, with less pressure and expectations lifted, Chelsea have a unique opportunity to secure the first title of the BlueCo era.
Though the Conference League holds little prestige for a squad assembled at a cost of over £1bn, Chelsea’s journey has been dominant. They breezed through the group stages and overcame FC Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw, and Djurgården in the knockouts with rotated sides. Now, a win in Wrocław would make them the first English club to win all four European competitions.
Maresca, who played under Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini at Málaga and considers him a mentor, won’t underestimate his former boss. Pellegrini has rejuvenated Betis, leading them to their first-ever European final, powered by a mix of experience and flair, including former Premier League names like Isco, Pablo Fornals, Giovani Lo Celso, and a revitalised Antony, on loan from Manchester United.
This isn’t just about a trophy. It’s a moment for Chelsea to validate their rebuild and begin laying foundations for sustained success. Maresca’s patient, positional style—shaped by his coaching thesis and mentorship under Pep Guardiola—is beginning to take shape. A Conference League triumph won’t rewrite Chelsea’s status, but it could mark the start of something significant.
