Chelsea are back in UEFA Europa Conference League action on Thursday night.
The Blues are viewed as the favourites to win the competition and the next step to lifting the trophy is to overcome Polish side Legia Warsaw in their quarter-final tie.
The two clubs have never faced each other before, but Warsaw should not be too much of a challenge for Enzo Maresca’s men as they currently sit fifth in the Polish league, winning just 12 out of the 27 games they have competed in.
One potential challenge Chelsea’s young stars may find problematic is the atmosphere that will be generated at the Estadi de l’Exèrcit Polonès, with one Blues talent already warning his teammates about what to expect in Poland.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall speaks on Legia Warsaw challenge
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea last summer and is the only person associated with West London outfit who knows what it is like to play against Legia Warsaw as the Polish side were part of Leicester City’s Europa League group during the 2021/22 campaign.
The Foxes beat Warsaw 3-1 at the King Power Stadium, however, they would fall to defeat in Poland with the home side overcoming their English opposition 1-0.
Remembering how difficult it was to play in front of the Warsaw fans, Dewsbury-Hall has already warned his Chelsea teammates about what to expect.
“I have let them know what to expect. The home fans are going to help them,” the midfielder told the press via Ben Jacobs. “It was a little bit hostile. They are passionate Polish fans.
“I haven’t experienced that kind of atmosphere before. That’s the amazing thing about playing in Europe. It was hostile, but in a good way. Even though we lost the game, it was a good experience.”
A win against Warsaw on Thursday night would send Chelsea on their way to advancing to the semi-finals, which would be big for Maresca, as the Blues boss may need to win the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea targeting European record
Despite a positive start to life at Chelsea, Maresca is under pressure at Stamford Bridge as the London club’s performances and results have taken a downturn in recent months.
Chelsea sacked Mauricio Pochettino last summer and would have been expecting more this season, however, Champions League football and the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy should be enough to save his job.
Should Chelsea win the third tier of European competition, they would become the first to win every major trophy on offer to an English club, which is what is motivating the Blues, admits Dewsbury-Hall.
“It would be nice to be the first team in European football to win every single major trophy. That’s enough motivation in itself,” the midfielder said via Ben Jacobs.
Thursday night is a big one in Chelsea’s season and it will be interesting to see how they respond to the hostile atmosphere awaiting them in Warsaw.
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