Maresca aiming to build 'winning mentality' at Chelsea
Enzo Maresca believes success in the Conference League will benefit Chelsea's approach to all competitions as he looks to build a "winning mentality", with Newcastle United next up in the Premier League.
Chelsea are through to the Conference League final, having completed a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgarden with a 1-0 victory in the semi-final second leg on Thursday, thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal.
They are still in the fight for a Champions League place in the Premier League, though, currently sitting fifth, just below Newcastle, having scored fewer goals.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six league matches, including a big 3-1 win over champions Liverpool last weekend, and Maresca hopes they can continue growing as a club as their European success continues.
"I try to convince the players that day by day you have to build the winning mentality, win the small-sided games, because winning shapes you," said Maresca.
"We want this club winning trophies, and it's nice to win a trophy because you learn how to win.
"Chelsea are a big club with important trophies in the past, but we need to learn how to win with this squad."
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 8, 2025
Newcastle, meanwhile, are making their own strong case to clinch a spot in the Champions League next season.
They have lost just one of their last eight Premier League matches (W6 D1), though they drew with Brighton last time out, scoring a late penalty to earn a vital point.
Eddie Howe has found his winning formula in recent weeks, but Sean Longstaff has not been a part of those plans, having made just eight starts in the league this season.
Howe is sure Longstaff remains motivated to regain a regular starting place and hopes he will seize the next opportunity when it comes.
"I don't have to motivate him," Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle. "He should motivate himself - he is here representing the club he loves.
"He has to be ready to take his chance when it comes. But Sean is motivated. He has been brilliant behind the scenes, he is training well, and he's got undoubted qualities."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has recorded the most goals (19) and non-penalty goals (15) in the Premier League since the start of December, while he is second only to Mohamed Salah (30) for goal involvements (23).
The Swede could score in a fourth successive league game against Chelsea, something he has only done before in the competition against Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez
No Chelsea player has been directly involved in more Premier League goals in 2025 than Enzo Fernandez (six – three goals, three assists), scoring (one) or assisting (two) in each of his last three games in the competition.
Since the turn of the year, he is second in the Premier League for chances created from open play (34), behind Mohamed Salah (45), and joint-third for possession won in the final third (15).
Bring the noise on Sunday.
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 7, 2025
#NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/lRNH64NWaB
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE UNITED WIN
Newcastle have won seven of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea (D1 L3), including both under manager Eddie Howe.
Newcastle have already beaten Chelsea 2-0 at St James' Park this season in the EFL Cup. They last beat the Blues twice in the same campaign in 1986-87 (both in the league), while they last beat them in two different competitions in 1931-32 (league and FA Cup).
However, Chelsea have won 31 Premier League games against Newcastle, only beating Tottenham (37) and West Ham (32) more often in the competition.
After winning three of their previous eight Premier League games (D2 L3), Chelsea have won each of their last three matches in the competition, only enjoying a longer winning run in the competition this season between November and December (five games).
But across the last 20 league games for each current Premier League side, only Liverpool (46) have accumulated more points than Newcastle (43 – W14 D1 L5). Indeed, it is the most points they have collected over a run of 20 games in the competition since between September 2002 and January 2003 (44).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United – 44.8%
Draw – 24.6%
Chelsea – 30.6%