Pat Nevin has been previewing the two games that will define Enzo Maresca and Chelsea’s season.
First up is a Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the domestic campaign. Win that, and Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League.
The Blues then take on Real Betis in the Conference League final, with the club looking for their first piece of silverware since being taken over by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
Chelsea are at a disadvantage going into the final after Real Betis’ game against Valencia was pushed back to Friday, giving Manuel Pellegrini’s side another two days to prepare for the showdown in Wroclaw.
Pat Nevin warns Enzo Maresca not to rest key players for Conference League final
Before Chelsea take on Real Betis, there is obviously still a job to be done against Forest. It is going to be a tricky tie for the Blues, who will be travelling to a “bouncing” City Ground.
Nevin has now warned Maresca not to even think about resting any of his key players for the Real Betis game, with Chelsea needing to beat Forest and secure Champions League football.
Speaking to the South London Press, he said: “I don’t expect Chelsea to rest any players for either of these games. They need to go all out to win both.
“Firstly, they will not rest anyone for the Nottingham Forest game, full stop. They need to give that game everything they’ve got in order to secure Champions League football. Apart from Nicolas Jackson, every other key player needs to be on the pitch in that game.”
Moises Caicedo is one of Chelsea’s key players, and Nevin spoke about the midfielder earlier this month.
Nevin questioned the use of Caicedo at right-back during Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United, and it will now be interesting to see where the 23-year-old plays in his side’s final league game of the season.
Pat Nevin explains why Chelsea have to win the Conference League
While Nevin does not think Maresca should be resting anyone for next week’s Conference League final, the former winger still clearly feels that it is a game that Chelsea have to win at all costs.
For Nevin, this group of players need to experience winning a trophy, with the club’s last one coming back in 2022.
In the same interview with the South London Press, he said: “The difficulty for Enzo Maresca is the expectation after a lot of time, money and effort has been put into this season. You’ve got to remember there’s only Reece James in the squad who has played in the Champions League final, so it’s massive for the players. They need the experience of winning silverware.
“It’s time for Chelsea to start winning competitions. Jose Mourinho knew the importance of winning the first trophy with a squad and always said the League Cup – which was his first trophy at Chelsea — was the most important. That was how they knew they were winners, rather than just thinking they were.”
If Chelsea can get their hands on the Conference League trophy and qualify for the Champions League, Maresca can be more than pleased with his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
