Chelsea crowned Conference League champions with dominant win over Betis

On a humid Wednesday night in Wroclaw, Chelsea lifted the UEFA Conference League after a comprehensive 4-1 win over Real Betis in the final. It marks a positive end to a largely encouraging debut season for head coach Enzo Maresca.

The first half was one to forget for the English side. Chelsea started sluggishly and fell behind to an opener by striker Abde Ezzalzouli after nine minutes. Former Real Madrid star Isco showed his quality, driving Betis attacks and forcing Chelsea on the back foot going into halftime.

After changes to the team – particularly the introductions of Reece James and Levi Colwill – Chelsea took full control of the game. Star man Cole Palmer produced a cross for Enzo Fernandez to head home just past the hour mark. Palmer wouldn’t stop there however – the Englishman produced a moment of magic to set up Nicolas Jackson and give Chelsea the lead.

Chelsea have become the only club to win all five major UEFA club competitions

From there, it was all blue. Loanee Jadon Sancho put the result beyond doubt after a fine curling effort and, in stoppage time, Moises Caicedo would score to complete the comeback.

The victory meant that Chelsea are now able to add to their illustrious European collection. They have become the only club to win all five major UEFA club competitions – the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup, Super Cup, and now the Conference League.

Speaking to club media after the game, Enzo Maresca expressed his thoughts on the first half. “I expected a little bit the way we played in the first half. The reason why – and I said a week ago – you can’t give any advantage to a team and between them and us, 48 hours is a very [big] difference.”

But ultimately, he was happy with his side’s comeback. “At half time, we adjusted something tactically, we changed something and second half we were much better in the second half. We are very happy.”

There is not only extensive quality but now a synergy within the team

Captain Reece James also spoke on the victory. “It’s a great feeling. As the game went on we grew into it and thankfully we scored four goals in the second half. Coming into this competition was something we had to win. Next season we go again in the Champions League.”

This will add to a successful season for Maresca and his team given the circumstances. Chelsea faltered after a blistering start to the season that placed them second at Christmas. After a lacklustre run of form to begin the calendar year, the Blues rallied and put together a winning run that saw off the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea would finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

But what is most striking about this side is their youth. Chelsea ended the season with the youngest squad in Premier League history, with an average age of 24 years and 36 days. The ability to compete, combined with their age and growing experience in big games, will only work in Chelsea’s favour. Despite criticism for the owners’ perceived ‘scattergun’ transfer approach, there is not only extensive quality but now a synergy within the team – which is what many have felt they lacked.

Ultimately, the Conference League is not the main goal for a club like Chelsea. Their fans still wait for the ‘old’ Chelsea to reemerge – the team that was fiercely competitive on the biggest stages and won at all costs. However, this team commands a lot of optimism and promise – and with victories like these, Chelsea will surely become a force to be reckoned with again.