The Japan Times - Conference League can be launching pad for Chelsea, says Maresca

Maresca's men roared back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to thrash Real Betis 4-1 on Wednesday to collect their first trophy since an American consortium bought the club from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022.

Victory in Wroclaw rounded off a fine first season in charge for Maresca after also securing a return to the Champions League next season by finishing fourth in the Premier League.

Chelsea captain Reece James conceded anything other than winning Europe's third tier competition would have been perceived as a failure given the English giants' financial advantage.

In the three years since the consortium, fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity group Clearlake Capital, took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have splashed out over £1 billion ($1.4 billion) on transfer fees on promising young talent.

"The club invest lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results," Maresca told TNT Sports.

"Hopefully this can be a starting point and from tonight, from this season, (we are) building something important."

James came off the bench to help inspire a second-half comeback as goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo broke Betis hearts.

"Coming into this competition, it was something we had to win," James told TNT Sports. "Next season we go again in the Champions League."

Victory also meant Chelsea became the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions after the Champions League, Europa League and disbanded Cup Winners' Cup.

"To be the only team in history (to win all four), it is a great feeling," said Cole Palmer, who helped turn the game with two assists for Chelsea's first two goals.

T.Ikeda--JT