Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen will be starting in the UEFA Europa Conference League final against Real Betis. Although Jorgensen has primarily served as the second choice goalkeeper behind Robert Sanchez in domestic competitions, he has been the first choice in the Conference League, starting 13 out of 14 matches.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper has made a total of 22 appearances since transferring from Villarreal last summer and boasts an impressive nine clean sheets, five of which were recorded in European play. Maresca stated that it would be “unfair” to replace Jorgensen for such a significant match, emphasizing his contribution throughout the tournament. “Filip is going to play in the final. He’s played all competition, it would be unfair to take him out now,” he affirmed.
Before facing Betis, Chelsea will have their Premier League finale against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. With a Champions League spot on the line, Chelsea is currently fourth in the league with 66 points, tied with fifth-place Aston Villa, while Manchester City and Nottingham Forest closely trail them in the standings.
Additionally, Maresca expressed his concern regarding the scheduling of the finals, noting that Betis will have 48 hours more preparation time than Chelsea since they will play their last La Liga fixture on Friday. He argued that such a disparity is “not correct” and that it is essential for teams competing at this level to have equal rest leading up to such important matches.
This focus on player preparation and competitive fairness highlights the ongoing discussions in football regarding equitable scheduling for teams participating in high-stakes tournaments. As Chelsea gears up for two critical matches, the team’s resilience and preparation will be central to their hopes of a successful finish to the season.