Chelsea have made their way to the Conference League final after a disciplined performance at Stamford Bridge, defeating Djurgården 1-0 last night, 5-1 on aggregate. The match was a significant milestone for Chelsea, marking their return to European finals and showcasing the depth of their squad.

Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying, ‘Very happy, the first step is done, the job is done tonight. Now we have almost 20 days to prepare for the final, and hopefully, we can win this trophy.’ Maresca also highlighted the importance of involving young players, remarking that many of them played like ‘almost a second team’ and praising their professionalism.

One of the standout moments was the debut of 16-year-old Reggie Walsh, who became Chelsea’s youngest-ever European starter at just 16 years and 200 days old. His performance drew commendations from Maresca, who said, ‘He’s a talent. Very good. His technique is fantastic.’

Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, reiterated the team’s ambitions, stating, ‘We’re happy, we’re in another final but it’s something we probably expected coming into the game. We expect to win the competition as well.’ James, who has also been enjoying a lengthy spell of good health, emphasized the team’s confidence and readiness.

The semi-final victory followed a recent winning streak for Chelsea, which includes victories over Fulham, Everton, and Liverpool, reflecting their upward momentum as they aim for both the Conference League trophy and a top-five finish in the Premier League.

Chelsea will now await the winner of the semi-final between Real Betis and Fiorentina, with the match in Italy currently tied on aggregate, heading into extra-time. The final is scheduled for 28 May in Wroclaw, Poland.

In other European news, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur secured their spots in the Europa League final, marking an exciting end to the European club competitions for the season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s recent success has called attention to former manager Rafael Benitez, who was spotted watching from the stands during the semi-final. Benitez, who led Chelsea to a Europa League title in 2013, left the club in a controversial manner, voicing dissatisfaction about his interim manager status and fan negativity.

Enzo Maresca’s focus remains on leading Chelsea to their first European trophy in several years. His goal is to establish the club’s reputation in Europe anew and to emulate the success of past managers who have secured continental silverware.

As Chelsea prepares for the final, the club’s fans and management are hopeful of lifting the trophy and making history. The upcoming climax of the season will be a test of their resilience, youth development, and tactical execution. Will Chelsea bring home their first European trophy in years? Fans and football analysts alike will be watching closely.