Enzo Maresca gets his first real shot at silverware when Chelsea takes on Real Betis in Wednesday’s Conference League final. The question isn’t whether he wants to win – it’s what this trophy actually means for a club that once ruled Europe.
More Than Just Another Cup
Chelsea could make history by becoming the first team to win all three major European trophies. Sounds impressive until you remember they’re playing in UEFA’s third-tier competition. Still, Maresca sees the bigger picture here.
“Winning a trophy this season – and the Conference League trophy – is a statement that you can say: Chelsea is back,” the Italian manager explained. Former Blues defender Paul Parker puts it more bluntly – Maresca needs this win to shut up his critics.
The 45-year-old has taken plenty of heat this season. His tactics got questioned, his team selections criticized, and his future debated. But securing Champions League football for next season gave him ammunition to fire back at doubters.
Youth Gets Its Chance
Maresca has treated this tournament like an extended trial for Chelsea’s next generation. Players like Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got their European debuts. That’s smart business for a club rebuilding from the ground up.
Filip Jorgensen epitomizes this approach. The Danish keeper has played almost every Conference League match while Robert Sanchez handles Premier League duties. Maresca confirmed Jorgensen starts the final, saying it would be “unfair” to drop him now.
These young players needed competitive minutes they wouldn’t get elsewhere. The Conference League provided that platform without derailing Chelsea’s domestic ambitions.
Preparation Problems
Maresca isn’t happy about the scheduling mess UEFA created. Real Betis finished their league season Friday while Chelsea played Sunday – giving the Spanish side 48 extra hours to prepare.
“You cannot allow a team 48 hours more than the other team when you play the final of a European competition,” Maresca complained. Fair point, though complaining won’t change anything now.
Chelsea had to balance their Forest game with final preparations. Winning that match secured Champions Leaguequalification but left limited time for tactical work. Nicolas Jackson returns from suspension, adding another selection headache.
What Victory Actually Means
Winning in Poland would cap off Maresca’s solid first season. Champions League qualification plus European silverware represents genuine progress for a club that finished 12th two years ago.
But let’s be honest about Chelsea’s real ambitions. Club sources acknowledge the ultimate targets remain the Premier League and Champions League trophies. This competition sits well below those standards.
Maresca brings relevant experience from winning UEFA Cups with Sevilla. He learned about winning mentality during four years at Juventus, where “even in training sessions, you want to win the small-sided games.”
Squad Psychology Matters
This final means more to Chelsea’s players than outsiders might think. Many have endured tough periods since the ownership change. Silverware would boost confidence and prove they’re moving forward.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s surprise appearance in Poland adds intrigue. The Ukrainian hasn’t played since December due to his doping investigation, but he could still get a medal for his early contributions.
The Real Test Ahead
Chelsea’s Conference League run reflects their current reality – rebuilding rather than challenging for football’s biggest prizes. Some might consider this tournament beneath the Blues’ usual standards, but Maresca correctly identifies it as necessary progress.
Victory would provide perfect momentum for next season’s Champions League return. Whether people view this as genuine achievement or consolation prize doesn’t matter much to Maresca.
The Italian knows winning breeds winning. His young squad needs to learn that habit, and Wednesday offers the perfect classroom. Success in Wroclaw won’t fix everything at Stamford Bridge, but it beats going home empty-handed.
