Conference League can be launching pad for Chelsea, says Maresca
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is hoping that winning the UEFA Conference League can act as a starting point to a new era of success for the Blues.
Maresca's men roared back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to thrash Real Betis 4-1 on Wednesday to collect their first trophy since an American consortium bought the club from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022.
Victory in Wroclaw rounded off a fine first season in charge for Maresca after also securing a return to the Champions League next season by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
Chelsea captain Reece James conceded anything other than winning Europe's third tier competition would have been perceived as a failure given the English giants' financial advantage.
In the three years since the consortium, fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity group Clearlake Capital, took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have splashed out over £1 billion ($1.4 billion) on transfer fees on promising young talent.
"The club invest lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results," Maresca told TNT Sports.
"Hopefully this can be a starting point and from tonight, from this season, (we are) building something important."
James came off the bench to help inspire a second-half comeback as goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo broke Betis hearts.
"Coming into this competition, it was something we had to win," James told TNT Sports. "Next season we go again in the Champions League."
Victory also meant Chelsea became the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions after the Champions League, Europa League and disbanded Cup Winners' Cup.
"To be the only team in history (to win all four), it is a great feeling," said Cole Palmer, who helped turn the game with two assists for Chelsea's first two goals.
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans toasted Wednesday's Conference League triumph with varying views on the trophy's prestige, but all were united on at least one front, that the future looks bright for the London club.
Chelsea are now the first English side to win all four major European trophies, having twice claimed both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League as well as the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won two UEFA Super Cups.
"A trophy always feels good," said lifelong Chelsea fan Martin as he was celebrating in the old town of the Polish city.
"Of course it is a real trophy. We haven't had the best season, but we completed the set, we won everything in Europe there is to win," said another supporter, James.
Still, there were murmurs among the fans about the tournament's lack of prestige and competitiveness.
"During the whole tournament, I did not feel like it was a competition. It was obvious Chelsea was going to win," Chelsea fan Marip said.
"Hopefully next year we will get some stronger teams to play against."
"Not really a big thing. We usually win a major trophy," said a 10-year-old Chelsea supporter from London.
Though there were differing views, all agreed that the club is on an upward trajectory.
"I hope we get more interesting players in the transfer window, but we are in good shape for what comes," Marip added.
"We have come in the top four in the Premier League and are ready for Champions League. It's all good," James said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Cricket Council
2 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
ICC World Test Championship Final: A guide to Lord's
A unique sporting venue set to host the ICC World Test Championship Final for the first time in 2025, the history and grandeur of Lord's has to be experienced first-hand to be truly understood. With its famous pavilion and Long Room, it stands alone as a sporting venue for its heritage and tradition. Nestled in St John's Wood, a prosperous area of north west London, Lord's has hosted Test matches since 1884 and has witnessed a litany of iconic moments befitting of its affectionate nickname, 'The Home of Cricket'. The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 will join a storied list of cricket matches to take place at Lord's when South Africa face Australia from 11 to 15 June. Lord's held its first international Test between England and Australia in 1884, though the origin of the ground itself dates back to 1814. The hallowed turf has since staged feats such as Don Bradman's famous 254 during the 1930 Ashes and Graham Gooch's 333 for England against India in 1990, still the highest individual Test score at the ground. Lord's has hosted the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Final five times, most recently the remarkable 2019 final between England and New Zealand. It has also twice been the venue for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Final, including the 2017 edition that saw England beat India in a thrilling final. Stars from South Africa and Australia will hope to join some of the game's finest players on the famous honours boards at Lord's, that sit in the pavilion to commemorate centurions and bowlers who have taken five wickets in an innings or 10 in a match. It is one of the many traditions at the famous ground, that also includes the notorious walk batters must make through the Long Room when called to the crease. The Long Room is also host to a number of portraits commemorating the great and the good of both English and international cricket, with the likes of W.G. Grace, Charlotte Edwards, Sir Ian Botham and Shane Warne all honoured. Some traditions are newer at the historic venue, with the now ceremonial ringing of the five-minute bell introduced in 2007, an honour now bestowed to figures within the sport. Those looking for an extra slice of history do not have to venture far, with Lord's home to the MCC Museum, one of the oldest sports museums in the world. Its collection includes the original Ashes urn and the first Men's and Women's Cricket World Cup trophies. Cricket is not the only sport Lord's has hosted, with real tennis and rackets still played on the same site while baseball, hockey and lacrosse have all previously taken place. It also memorably hosted archery at the London 2012 Olympics. ENDS
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Gulf Today
England chase down big total to seal three-match Twenty 20 series against Windies
Jos Buttler top-scored again as England chased down an imposing target and beat West Indies by four wickets in the second T20 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead and seal the three-match series, continuing their excellent form under new captain Harry Brook. Former captain Buttler's 47 from 36 balls at Bristol's County Ground came on the back of his 96 in the first T20 in Durham and set the platform for England to hunt down West Indies' total of 196-6 with nine balls to spare. It was a second straight series victory for England under the captaincy of Brook after they secured a 3-0 series sweep in the one-dayers. Jacob Bethell hit a thrilling 26 from 10 balls, which included three sixes, as England spread the runs throughout the team with Ben Duckett (30), Brook (34) and Tom Banton (30) providing solid backup. England, who won the toss and chose to bowl, got off to the perfect start with Luke Wood, who was the hosts' standout bowler with 2-25, striking Evin Lewis on the pads with the day's first delivery, but the tourists quickly steadied the ship. Shai Hope took the fight to England with 49 off 38 balls, while Johnson Charles started patiently before he also fell just short of his half century, with 47 from 39 deliveries. The West Indies innings threatened to stall at that point but a rollicking finish peppered with sixes from Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder saw them power to a healthy total, even considering the County Ground's short boundaries. England's Dawson relishing return from international wilderness: Liam Dawson is determined to make the most of his surprise recall to international duty after believing his England career had come to an end. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner had won just 20 caps across all three formats since making his debut in 2016. He appeared surplus to requirements as England selected a succession of other slow bowlers in red and white-ball cricket, many of whom had inferior county records to Hampshire mainstay Dawson. But he produced a reminder of his quality with 4-20 and a player-of-the-match award as England marked Harry Brook's first T20 as captain with a 21-run win over the West Indies at Chester-le-Street on Friday. 'I had got to an age where I probably thought international cricket was gone,' said Dawson after taking his best figures in T20 internationals. 'In my domestic career, I've tried to go out there and just enjoy playing for whoever I'm playing for. It was about going out there and not worrying about playing for England. 'I think that can hamper you sometimes so I've not really worried about that. I'm at an age now where I know that I'm close to finishing.' Brook gave Dawson the new ball in Durham, a sign of his confidence in the bowler, and perhaps a marker for next year's T20 World Cup on turning pitches in India and Sri Lanka. 'Personally, I think he's been knocking on the door for years to try and solidify that spot and the performance we saw from him was awesome,' said Brook of Dawson. 'Him and Adil Rashid working in tandem at both ends is going be good to watch in the coming years. He can also help the younger lads along the way, to have him in the inner circle when they are bowling is going to help us a lot.' The three-match series continues in Bristol on Sunday before finishing at Dawson's home ground in Southampton on Tuesday. Well though he bowled in Durham, Dawson is taking nothing for granted. 'I know how cricket works, you've got to be consistent and it's only one game,' he said. 'So I'll park this and go again. It would be nice to play at my home ground, if selected.' Agencies
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Tearful Cristiano Ronaldo revels in Portugal's Nations League triumph
There were tears again. But this time, they were of joy, not heartbreak. At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo – the eternal talisman of Portuguese football – knelt on the turf, overwhelmed, as Portugal lifted another international trophy on Sunday night. The Uefa Nations League was theirs. And with it, more records, more legacy, and one more moment in a career already bursting with them. It was Ronaldo's 138th goal in a Portugal shirt in 221 appearances that sent Sunday's final against Spain to extra time. He latched onto a deflected Nuno Mendes cross in the 61st minute and buried it, sending the Portuguese crowd into raptures. It was the kind of moment that has defined Ronaldo's career – clinical, theatrical, inevitable. Spain had led twice-through Martin Zubimendi and then Mikel Oyarzabal – but Portugal never folded. Mendes had struck once to cancel the opener, and when Ronaldo levelled again, it was left to the penalty shoot-out. He didn't take one-having already exited to a standing ovation in the 88th minute – but he didn't need to. His teammates converted all five penalties. Portugal triumphed 5-3. 'I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,' he said afterwards, voice cracking. 'These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much love.' Ronaldo admitted he entered the match carrying an injury, one he had felt for some time. But the five-time Ballon d'Or said there was any danger of him not playing. 'For the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,' he said. 'I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling." Ronaldo was met by a deafening roar as he emerged from the tunnel for his pre-match warm-up. Fans pointed phones, wore shirts bearing his name, and clung to every movement as if it might be the last. His future at club looks uncertain, with his contract at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr ending this month and speculation swirling about his next move. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star has also ruled out a Club World Cup cameo, despite, he says, fielding offers from participating clubs. And though he won't beat father time, it seems highly unlikely, with another World Cup on the horizon next year in North America, that the Portuguese great will hang up his boots. His worth to the national team coach Roberto Martinez has borne out this past week, with Ronaldo scoring the winning goal against Germany in the semi-finals and equalising against Spain to take the game to penalties. "A captain with the type of experience he has is essential, to show the necessary values and personality," said Martinez. "Spain was ahead on the scoreboard twice, but the captain has a lot of experience and we used his experience to show we are ready to win." Nuno Mendes, who scored Portugal's first, set up Ronaldo's goal and converted a penalty in the shoot-out, praised the veteran's impact. "He deserves everything. He helps us a lot on the pitch and off it," Mendes said. "He's got a winner mentality. He's a role model. We're happy we've got him." On Sunday, Portugal lifted a trophy. But more than that, they witnessed a legend doing what he does best.
