Chelsea news: Future is bright for Chelsea according to Melchiot

Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes the club’s Conference League victory is “a great starting point” for Enzo Maresca’s young side.

The club have rotated throughout the competition in order to give youth a chance, and fielded the youngest ever Premier League side earlier this season – with their Premier League XI average also setting a new record at 24 years and 36 days.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Melchiot said: “You have to compliment him [Maresca] a little bit. The investment was heavy but [if] you get a lot of young boys together, you have to build a team. The experience is not [yet] in the team and then you have to gel it.

“I think Maresca made some key changes [last night] and the changes that he made, made a hell of a difference. One of the biggest was putting Reece James on and it became a different game,” he added.

One criticism of Chelsea has been the quality of opposition they have faced in the Conference League, as well as their form in the Premier League since the turn of the year, but Melchiot thinks this has been a good season.

“He [Maresca] got the team playing well until December and then they had a dip,” he added. “I said at the beginning at the season that to get Champions League football was the most important thing – that’s what he achieved – and then he brings home a trophy as well.

“West Ham won it [Conference League] in 2023, and they were so happy. I know that you are Chelsea and you have to win the big prizes but this is a great start for a team that is built to achieve bigger and better things because they are young and there is longevity [within the squad]. It’s a great starting point.”