Chelsea Faces Crucial Matches: Premier League and UEFA Final Loom

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence ahead of a pivotal period for his team. Chelsea is set to compete for a top-five finish in the Premier League before facing Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. The club will visit Nottingham Forest, who are just one point behind them, on the last day of the English top-flight season. Chelsea still has a chance to finish in the top three, with Manchester City only two points ahead. However, a loss or draw could see them drop out of the top five.

Maresca emphasized the competitive nature of the Premier League, noting that consistency has been key for teams like Liverpool. He stated, “We’re quite lucky in this aspect because if we win, we do our job. We don’t need to pay attention to the other results.” The team may be strengthened by the return of forwards Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu from injury.

Addressing rumors about Enzo Fernández’s potential departure, Maresca confirmed that Fernández would remain at Chelsea next season, highlighting his role as one of the team’s captains.

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s Conference League final in Poland, Maresca acknowledged he would need to make changes due to limited recovery time after Sunday’s match. He expressed concerns about player welfare amid a congested schedule that includes participation in the Club World Cup starting next month.