Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he’s pleased to have a fully fit squad as the Blues prepare to face Djurgarden in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League semi-final on Thursday.
Chelsea head into the tie with a strong advantage, having secured a 4-1 victory in the first leg. Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke scored in the first half, before Nicholas Jackson added two more after the break.
“We have no new injuries,” Maresca confirmed at Wednesday’s press conference.
“This is good for us. Everyone is fit and (striker) Marc Guiu could be involved in the squad. We are not sure yet, we will make a decision on him, but he is getting closer.”
Guiu, the Spanish teenager who joined from Barcelona last summer, is Chelsea’s top scorer in the competition with six goals. He has missed the last three months due to a hamstring injury.
“Maybe it’s better for Marc to have a few more days of training, but he is very close to being back with us,” Maresca added.
Chelsea, who qualified for the competition through the playoffs, are eyeing history. A win in the final would make them the first club to lift all three major UEFA trophies, having already claimed the Champions League in 2021 with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
“It’s very important for us, for different reasons. But mainly because we want this club winning trophies,” Maresca said.
When asked whether winning the Conference League would mark a turnaround for Chelsea, the Italian replied, “Winning a trophy is a statement and you (could then) say Chelsea are back. If we play in the Conference it’s because it’s where we are. (And) if you play Conference, the only trophy you can win is the Conference. I think it’s a good starting point.”
Chelsea will look to seal their place in the final when they host the Swedish side at Stamford Bridge.
