The Blues are well-placed to reach the final as they head into Thursday's (08.05.25) semi-final second leg with a 4-1 advantage over Swedish side Djurgarden and the manager believes that winning a first major honour since 2021 can help re-establish the club as a footballing force.

Maresca said: "Winning the Conference League trophy this season is a statement that you can say Chelsea is back.

"If (Real) Madrid or different clubs don't play in the Conference, it's because they don't deserve to play in the Conference. If we play in it, it's because it's where we are. We need to start from there.

"If you're in the Conference, that is the only trophy you can win. We are going to try our best (on Thursday). It's a good starting point for a winning mentality."

Maresca believes that success in Europe's third competition can give Chelsea's inexperienced squad the taste of winning trophies.

The Italian coach said: "It's important because it shapes you.

"It's nice to win trophies because you learn how to win. Chelsea is a big club with many important trophies in the past, but we need to learn how to win with this squad.

"I try to convince the players that day by day you have to build a winning mentality, to try (in training) to win small-sided games."

Chelsea are widely expected to book their place in the final in the Polish city of Wroclaw later this month but Maresca is refusing to look ahead.

He said: "No, it's one game.

"The target now is [to reach] the final, and then hopefully we can play the final and try to win the final."