The English media agree: Chelsea does not belong in the Conference League. On Thursday, The Blues secured the biggest victory ever in the European tournament, as FC Noah suffered an 8-0 defeat before heading home.
After a disappointing Premier League season that fell well short of expectations, Chelsea managed to salvage a sixth-place finish, securing a spot in the UEFA Conference League the third tier of European club competitions.
It was seen as a consolation prize for a club accustomed to competing in the Champions League. Despite the initial disappointment, Chelsea has taken the tournament seriously under the guidance of new coach Enzo Maresca, who has instilled a professional mindset within the squad.
So far, Maresca’s Chelsea has steamrolled past their opponents, showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen in this competition. Their journey began with resounding victories over Gent and Panathinaikos, both solid European sides, but the real statement came on Thursday night when they demolished Armenian club FC Noah with an emphatic 8-0 victory, setting a new record for the largest margin of victory in the history of the tournament.
The one-sided nature of these games has sparked debate among pundits and fans alike. Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sport, didn’t hold back in his assessment: “Chelsea doesn’t belong in this tournament,” he stated bluntly. “But this is where they find themselves now, due to their poor league finish last season.” Peter Crouch, the former England and Liverpool striker, echoed Cole’s sentiments. “Just look at their roster,” Crouch remarked. “It’s filled with top-quality players who could easily compete at the highest level in Europe. I can’t see how they could possibly lose in this competition.”
One of the standout performers in Chelsea’s rout of FC Noah was João Félix, who has struggled to find consistent form since his high-profile move to England. The Guardian praised his display, noting, “João Félix leads Chelsea in the thrashing of Noah.” The article went on to highlight the irony of the situation, suggesting that this was not the intended outcome when UEFA introduced the Conference League. “When UEFA created the Conference League, it was meant to give smaller clubs across Europe a chance to shine,” the outlet pointed out. “No one in Nyon could have imagined a powerhouse like Chelsea scoring six goals in a single half against an Armenian team that was only founded seven years ago.”
Despite the overwhelming victory, Maresca was quick to temper expectations and maintain focus. He acknowledged the ease of the win but emphasized the importance of professionalism. “You have to take it seriously,” he said in the post-match interview. “If you’re not mentally prepared, you can drop points against any team, no matter the level. The most important thing is that we stay serious and professional throughout the campaign. Football is full of surprises, and I asked the boys beforehand to show professionalism and they did just that.”
The historical implications of a successful Conference League run are not lost on Chelsea’s fans and players. If they manage to lift the trophy, Chelsea would become the first club ever to complete the set by winning the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. It would be a unique achievement that underscores the club’s rich history in European competitions.
The BBC provided some perspective on the vast disparity between the two clubs during Chelsea’s latest triumph. Ranked eighth in UEFA’s club rankings, Chelsea is a global powerhouse with a roster filled with international stars. In stark contrast, FC Noah, their Armenian opponents, sit at 311th in the same rankings, highlighting the mismatch. The Armenian club, established only seven years ago, was simply no match for the experienced English side.
Chelsea’s unbeaten streak in the Conference League places them among the tournament’s top performers, though they are not the only team to have won all their matches so far. Legia Warsaw, Jagiellonia Bialystok, Rapid Vienna, Vitória de Guimarães, and FC Heidenheim have also maintained a perfect record in the group stage, showcasing the level of competition still present in the tournament. Chelsea’s next challenge will be against FC Heidenheim on November 28, a match that promises to be more competitive as Maresca’s squad continues their pursuit of European silverware.
With the knockout stages on the horizon, Chelsea’s dominant performances have raised questions about their true level and whether this competition can offer them a real test. However, for Enzo Maresca and his players, the goal remains clear: to win every match, maintain their professional approach, and secure another European trophy for the club’s illustrious collection. The road ahead may seem straightforward on paper, but as Maresca wisely noted, “Football is full of surprises.”
