A delighted Enzo Maresca declared that Chelsea had emphatically silenced their critics by securing qualification for the Champions League, telling those who doubted his team to “eff-off.” A 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season confirmed Chelsea’s return to Europe’s premier club competition next campaign. With their sights now set on the Conference League final on Wednesday, Maresca urged his squad to finish the season on a high.
Chelsea secured fourth place in the Premier League thanks to Levi Colwill’s decisive goal at the City Ground. The win allowed them to leapfrog Newcastle United, who suffered a defeat at home to Everton on the same day. This marks Maresca’s first season in charge after his arrival from Leicester, and he praised his young team the youngest in Premier League history, averaging just 24 years and 36 days old.
“I never had any doubt about the players,” Maresca said. “The doubt was from outside. All the so-called experts, the ones who claim to have the answers or the truth, said we were too young, not good enough, inexperienced, and incapable of winning on this pitch.”
He added, “Unfortunately for them, they were all wrong. So to all of them, as they say in English eff-off because the players deserve that. The effort they have put in has been fantastic. Most of the noise came from outside, saying we were not good enough, too young, lacking leaders blah, blah, blah.”
Maresca reflected on the harsh reality of football, where judgment is often based purely on results. “We are in a business where people judge us because of results. Today, if we had failed to win, probably all of you would have labeled the season a disaster. But it was not a disaster.”
Despite the disappointment of defeat for Nottingham Forest, their manager Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged that his players deserved rest after securing a return to European competition for the first time since the 1995-96 season. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s focus has shifted fully to the upcoming Conference League final against Real Betis in Wroclaw.
“If we manage to win on Wednesday, I think we can say overall it has been a very good season,” Maresca said. “I already considered this season a good one, but it can become very good if we are able to win the Champions League spot through the league and, hopefully, lift the trophy on Wednesday.”
Chelsea’s journey back to the Champions League has been characterized by resilience and a youthful energy that defied widespread skepticism. Critics had doubted the ability of such a young squad to compete consistently at the highest level, particularly in high-pressure situations. Yet, Maresca’s team has proved them wrong, finishing ahead of more experienced sides and securing European football.
The significance of qualifying for the Champions League cannot be overstated for a club of Chelsea’s stature. It provides financial benefits, increases the club’s attractiveness to potential signings, and enhances their standing in European football. For Maresca, it also validates the trust placed in him to lead a young, dynamic team through a demanding Premier League campaign.
The upcoming Conference League final represents an opportunity to add silverware to their achievements this season. A victory would not only bring a trophy but also further cement the progress the team has made under Maresca’s guidance.
In his first year at the helm, Maresca has fostered a team spirit that has become evident on the pitch, with a group of young players developing into a confident and competitive unit. Their Champions League qualification and the chance to win European silverware signal a promising future for the Blues.
With the Premier League season concluded and the Conference League final looming, Chelsea’s young squad is preparing to demonstrate once more that their age is an asset, not a liability. The journey from doubters’ skepticism to Champions League qualification is a testament to their determination and Maresca’s leadership a story far from finished.
