Chelsea Captain Reece James Confident Ahead Of Conference League Final Against Real Betis

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Chelsea captain Reece James is confident that the team can secure victory in the Conference League final. After defeating Djurgarden 1-0 in the second leg, Chelsea advanced with a 5-1 aggregate win. They will face Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28. This marks Chelsea's first European final since their Champions League triumph in 2020-21 under Thomas Tuchel.

James, the only current squad member from that victorious campaign, is eager to add another European trophy to his achievements. "We're happy. We're in another final, but it is probably something we expected coming into the game, and we expect to win the competition as well," James stated. He emphasised that winning would be a significant accomplishment for the club.

With Champions League qualification a priority, Chelsea have found form at an ideal time, securing five consecutive wins across all competitions. Currently fifth in the Premier League, they are two points ahead of their closest rivals. Upcoming matches against Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest will be crucial for maintaining their position.

Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with his team's performance at Stamford Bridge but acknowledged upcoming challenges. "Very happy, the job is done tonight, and now we have almost 20 days to prepare for this final," Maresca told TNT Sports. He highlighted the importance of focusing on their next match against Newcastle.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was instrumental in securing Chelsea's place in the final by scoring the decisive goal against Djurgarden. His performance included creating three chances, having three shots on target, and completing 22 passes in the final third. Dewsbury-Hall expressed his excitement about reaching the final: "Amazing to be in the final."

The Opta supercomputer gives Chelsea a 60% chance of winning against Betis, who defeated Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate. Dewsbury-Hall noted that reaching this stage was a season-long goal: "We set our sights at the start of the season to get as far as we can in this tournament."

Preparation and Expectations

Maresca is optimistic about Chelsea's preparation time before facing Real Betis. He believes that with nearly three weeks until the final, they can focus on refining their strategy and maintaining their winning momentum. The team aims to continue their strong performance into these critical fixtures.

Dewsbury-Hall acknowledged the pressure faced throughout the tournament but praised his teammates' professionalism and dedication: "We have had pressure from the first match day." He hopes that winning would bring deserved recognition to both players and staff.

As Chelsea approach this pivotal moment, they remain focused on achieving success both domestically and in Europe. With confidence high among players like James and Dewsbury-Hall, they aim to cap off their season with silverware while securing Champions League football for next year.