Enzo Maresca insists winning the Conference League trophy this season would be a ‘statement’ that says ‘Chelsea is back’ as they bid to complete the clean sweep of European silverware.
The Blues are set to face Swedish side Djurgarden on Thursday in their semi-final second leg with a 4-1 lead from the first leg in Stockholm. With Thursday evening’s clash expected to be a formality, either Real Betis or Fiorentina will await in the May 28 final in Wroclaw, Poland.
While the fanbase may be more used to winning in the Champions League and Europa League, Maresca is not among those sniffing at the possibility of picking up a trophy this month.
‘Important, because we would be the only club in Europe (to have won every competition they have entered),’ Maresca said. ‘It’s important to start to build a winning mentality with this club.
‘For me, winning a Conference League trophy this season is a statement where you can say “Chelsea is back”, because you win a trophy.
‘If Real Madrid or different clubs didn’t play the Conference League, it’s because the Conference League is not the level they were at. If we play in the Conference League, it’s because that’s where we are.
Enzo Maresca has issued a rallying cry to his Chelsea players to continue their European tour
Chelsea have the opportunity to become the only club in European football to complete a clean sweep of trophies
The Blues return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night with a 4-1 advantage from Stockholm
‘If you play in the Conference League, you cannot win the Champions League or the Europa League. The only trophy you can win is the Conference League.
‘We are going to try our best to reach the final and then to reach the trophy. From there, it’s a good starting point to win games and trophies.’
While Maresca wants to treat this competition with respect, he is hoping Chelsea will not have to call themselves a Conference League club as of next season and for the foreseeable.
‘We have to try to win this competition,’ Maresca said. ‘Hopefully in the future we can be in different competitions, but at the moment the reality is the reality.’
