Chelsea now 'expect' to win Conference League final, says James

Chelsea captain Reece James believes the Blues now expect to win the Conference League after booking their place in this month's final on Thursday. 

Enzo Maresca's team will face Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28 after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal earned a 1-0 second-leg victory over Djurgarden, winning 5-1 on aggregate. 

Indeed, it is Chelsea's first European final since winning the 2020-21 Champions League, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the showpiece match under Thomas Tuchel. 

James is the only player within the current Blues squad who was part of that success in Porto four years ago, and is keen to add more European silverware to his collection. 

"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 said. 

"Winning the trophy would be a huge achievement. We are definitely moving in the right direction.

"We're knocking on the door of the Champions League next season, the table is tight, and I have no doubts.

"We had a good result against Liverpool, and hopefully we can keep momentum going and finish the season strongly."

Chelsea are given a 60% chance of winning the competition, while Betis, who beat Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate, are handed a 40% win probability by the Opta supercomputer.

With Champions League football a priority for next season, Chelsea have hit their stride at the perfect moment, with this win their fifth straight in all competitions. 

The Blues sit fifth in the Premier League, two points clear of the chasing pack, but face Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in their remaining games. 

Maresca was pleased his side were able to get the job done in the second leg at Stamford Bridge, but acknowledged his team have some difficult fixtures to come. 

"Very happy, the job is done tonight, and now we have almost 20 days to prepare for this final, and hopefully we can win this trophy," Maresca told TNT Sports. 

"We are in a good mood, a good run of results, but now we have another game in less than 72 hours, so we have to focus on that.

"[Newcastle] is a huge game. We have three more games, and they are all important."

It was also an impressive game for Dewsbury-Hall, who grabbed the all-important goal for the Blues, taking his tally to four in the competition this season. 

He also ended the match with team-high totals for chances created (three), shots on target (three) and passes in the final third (22). 

"Amazing to be in the final," Dewsbury-Hall said. "We set our sights at the start of the season to get as far as we can in this tournament. 

"It has been a long couple of months, but one more game to go, and hopefully we can lift that trophy.

"It would mean everything. A lot of people would have said we should do this at the start of the season, but I think if we do, we deserve a lot of credit. 

"I know what football is like, it's not easy. If we do win it, which I hope we can, the players and staff deserve a lot of credit.

"We have had pressure from the first match day, we have been professional and dedicated, and now we have one more game."