Chelsea looking for Thomas Tuchel and N'Golo Kante repeat as Enzo Maresca aiming to make history

Chelsea are about to embark on their first European semi-final in four years as the Blues travel to Sweden to take on Djurgarden in the Conference League. Four years ago, the stakes were much higher for the Blues, but European success - in whatever form it may be - still tastes sweet.

A historic night at Stamford Bridge back in May 2021 saw beat European royalty Real Madrid by two goals to nil. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no supporters allowed inside the Blues' home in SW6 in what was one of the most memorable nights in the club's 120-year history.

After drawing the first leg 1-1 in Madrid, the tie was finely poised for both sides but it was Chelsea who made themselves counted at the Bridge. had a goal disallowed early on in front of the Shed End for offside but nothing could get in the way of the German forward getting himself on the score sheet on 28 minutes. 's delicate dink hit the crossbar and Werner was there to head in the rebound into an empty net.

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Los Blancos pushed and pushed for a leveller on the night but Chelsea were the ones who had the better opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. - who won four Man of the Match awards in the knockout stages of the 2020/21 season's Champions League - was dominating the midfield with the Frenchman involved in about everything good from a Blues perspective. He played a huge part in Werner's goal, playing the ball to Havertz, and he played an equally significant role in the second.

The Frenchman, full of energy on 85 minutes, nicked in front of Nacho Fernandez around 35 yards from goal and began charging at the Madrid goal. was to the right of him with on the left. Intelligently, Kante went to his right with Pulisic in a better crossing position and the American laid the ball on a plate for Mount, who tucked the ball in from inside the six-yard box to ensure of Chelsea's place in the Champions League final.

The whole of the Chelsea team ran towards the empty Matthew Harding Stand to celebrate with Mount, apart from , who made his way to for an embrace. A huge moment for the Blues, who went to Porto for the final and, well, you know the rest....

The stakes for the Conference League semis do not seem as big, granted; but this is a key moment for the club, who are looking to get their hands on the first bit of major silverware since and took over almost three years ago. Winning the European competition will not only give the Blues a financial boost but also complete the missing piece of their continental collection.

Should Chelsea lift the trophy in Wroclaw next month, they will become the first club to complete the set of European trophies. The Blues have won the Champions League twice and lifted the Europa League for the second time in 2019. Winning the Conference League would put the west Londoners in a league of their own in that respect.

Not only that, but should Chelsea be crowned champions then will have won silverware in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. While the Italian has not endeared himself to the whole fan base just yet, trophies are the currency of success in football and a triumph would surely relieve some pressure on him from the supporters.

Back in March, Maresca told his Chelsea players that they owe it to the supporters to lift the Conference League trophy in Poland next month. "This club always won trophies in the past and we need to do our best to achieve our target this season. We have to give to the fans and the club a title."

When bought Chelsea in 2003, supporters became so accustomed to winning major honours. In fact, during his 19-year tenure in west London, the club won 19 trophies under the Russian billionaire's ownership. While the Boehly and Clearlake days are completely different to what we saw under Abramovich, the Americans have similar visions of where they want this football club to be.

Given the stature and size of Chelsea, people have mocked and ridiculed the Conference League and the club's involvement in Europe's third tier competition. But for this young group of players, winning this trophy will send out a statement. Not only that, the experience and momentum they will take from going all the way in Europe will prove invaluable in the long run.