Enzo Maresca Surprised by Mudryk’s Presence at Conference League Final in Chelsea Gear

Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Chelsea, expressed his astonishment upon discovering that Mykhailo Mudryk, a player currently under suspension, had traveled to Wroclaw wearing Chelsea attire ahead of the Conference League final.

Mudryk made headlines on Tuesday when images emerged of him donning a Chelsea gilet while dining with fans at a steakhouse in Wroclaw. Since being provisionally suspended by the FA in December due to a positive drugs test for a banned substance, Mudryk has not been seen in any Chelsea-related context.

The 24-year-old winger maintains that he did not intentionally consume a prohibited substance, attributing the positive result to possible contamination. As he awaits the results of his B sample, no updates have been released since his initial suspension.

When questioned about Mudryk’s participation and the possibility of him receiving a medal, Maresca stated, “To be honest, I just… I don’t know, is he here or is he coming? He’s here? I don’t know. I’m happy for Misha to be around.”

Mudryk was captured in Wroclaw before Chelsea’s departure from London on Tuesday, but it remains unclear if he will reside at the team hotel or if the club covered his travel expenses. He is expected to attend the final; while his ban prohibits him from participating in any football activities, being present in the stadium is permissible.

He is eligible for a medal, whether as a winner or runner-up, although it has not been determined whether he will access the field to collect it. UEFA typically grants 50 medals to both participating teams, and all players who appeared during the tournament’s season can claim one.

Mudryk is still listed as part of Chelsea’s roster and made four appearances in the tournament prior to his suspension. His last match for the team occurred on November 28 in the Conference League, where he scored during a 2-0 away victory over Heidenheim.

Chelsea aims to become the first club to secure victories in all four major UEFA club competitions as they face Real Betis at Wroclaw Stadium. A win would also mark the club’s first trophy since the 2022 takeover by the BlueCo consortium led by Todd Boehly and ClearLake Capital.

The club began its journey toward this trophy last August and Maresca emphasized that achieving this goal is crucial in fostering a “winning mentality” among players. He noted the importance of getting his team to understand the significance of the competition.

“The toughest part this season regarding the Conference League was persuading the players that this was the best competition in the world for us,” Maresca explained. “Each match has been a challenge, especially in getting the players to recognize the necessity of giving their all in every game.”

Chelsea will have Nicolas Jackson available again after he missed the final three matches of the season due to a red card received against Newcastle United. Maresca is hopeful that Jackson will redeem himself in the final: “I hope so because I think Nico owes it to his teammates, particularly given that the Newcastle match was crucial and he left us a man down for an hour. He’s a good person and has acknowledged his mistake, apologizing to his teammates. I believe he will perform well tomorrow.”

Team captain Reece James expressed hopes that a victory would reinstate a “winning feeling” within the club. “We hope this initiates a winning streak,” he remarked. “It’s been several years since we last secured silverware, and I believe this victory could restore that winning mentality and benefit players who haven’t yet experienced much success in their careers.”

This final will see Manuel Pellegrini go up against his former player and assistant Maresca, who played under Pellegrini at Malaga and later joined his coaching staff at West Ham United. Maresca referred to Pellegrini as his “professional dad” and a pivotal influence in his career. “The most valuable lesson I learned from him was to treat all my players like my own children,” he said.

Betis is making its first appearance in a significant European final. When discussing the differences between the two clubs, midfielder Isco highlighted the financial aspects: “Primarily, they possess greater financial resources, and because of that…”

“Both teams are strong and feature exceptional players, and tomorrow’s match is crucial for everyone involved. What I believe sets Betis apart is our enthusiasm and eagerness about this final and our goal of making a mark in European history.”

Chelsea vs. Real Betis, Wednesday, UEFA Conference League final. Broadcast on TNT Sports starting at 6 PM, with kickoff at 8 PM (BST).