Following the weekend’s dramatic conclusion to our Premier League season, when Levi Colwill’s goal secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and a fourth-place finish, we added silverware in our last match of 2024/25.

We had to work hard in the Conference League final after falling behind to Real Betis, but a second-half fightback, featuring strikes by Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo, meant we were comfortable 4-1 winners by the final whistle.

Our head coach is obviously pleased with the qualification for the Champions League and picking up Chelsea’s first major trophy since the FIFA Club World Cup in early 2022, but it was the manner in which those successes were achieved which convince him we are building towards big things at Stamford Bridge.

‘For sure, we have improved a lot since we started [the season],’ said Maresca after the triumph in Poland.

‘We have also started to win games in an ugly way, which is something that with a young squad you can struggle with. But the Nottingham Forest game, we won a little bit in an ugly way, we found a way to win a game that was very important.

‘The best picture for me in the final, the one that makes me understand we are going in the right direction, is when we scored the first two guys to celebrate were Malo [Gusto] and Benoit [Badiashile], the two guys we changed.

‘This for me, as a manager, when you change players who are not playing their best and they are the first ones to enjoy the celebrations, it means the spirit is good and we are going in the right direction. It shows everyone is helping each other and this is a good place to build something important.’

Of course, that process of building for the future never stops. Already, with the sounds of the celebrations for this trophy still ringing in his ears, Maresca will no doubt be beginning to turn his attention to this summer's Club World Cup in the USA, followed by our return to the top tier of European competition in the Champions League next season.

However, for now he can bask in the glory of a trophy won, having helped Chelsea complete our collection of UEFA silverware.

‘We won this competition and I said many times that we would try to win the competition that we play in,' added Enzo.

‘Many times this season, people talked about the Champions League and Europa League, but you cannot win those competitions if you’re in the Conference League. Next season, we are going to play in the Champions league and we will see what happens.’

Mark our Conference League triumph – and the Blues becoming the first club to win every major European trophy! – by clicking here to buy a commemorative t-shirt from our 'We've won it all again' range!