Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole has backed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to start for the Blues in the UEFA Europa Conference League final against Real Betis. Enzo Maresca’s side will take on Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday, May 28, at the Estádio Municipal de Breslávia in Poland.
Chelsea secured a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League on Sunday, May 25, to qualify for UEFA Champions League football next season. However, they have the opportunity to finish the season with a silverware if they can win the UEFA Conference League.
Enzo Maresca has used mostly fringe players throughout the UEFA Conference League this time. However, he is expected to turn towards some of his star players for the Conference League final.
Joe Cole believes Maresca will play a stronger side against Manuel Pellegrini’s side in a European final. The former England international has backed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to start following a stellar Conference League campaign. Cole told Football.London, as quoted by Chelsea.News:
Cole added:
Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea in a deal worth a reported £30 million from Leicester City last summer. However, the Englishman has hardly been used in the Premier League by Maresca this campaign.
Out of his 1657 first-team minutes across competitions this season, 1014 minutes have been in the Conference League. He has four goals and two assists in 12 games in the continental competition this season.
Chelsea are reportedly prioritising a move for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan in the summer following Champions League qualification. As reported by journalist Simon Phillips (via The Chelsea Chronicle), they want the French keeper to bolster their goalkeeping options.
The west London giants have struggled in the goalkeeping department for a while now. Since Thibaut Courtois’ move to Real Madrid in 2018, they have brought in a number of keepers, but none have managed to impress in the long run.
Robert Sanchez is currently the number one at Stamford Bridge and has been error-prone during his time at the club. Maignan, on the other hand, has been a reliable keeper over the years for Lille and AC Milan. The France international’s current deal with the Rossoneri expires in 2026, and he is expected to depart this summer. He is reportedly valued at £34 million by the Serie A giants.
Snehanjan developed an interest in football at a very young age, thanks to his father watching football on TV. His favorite player is club legend Steven Gerrard and his favorite manager is another legend in Jurgen Klopp. The ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ i.e., Liverpool beating AC Milan in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final left an indelible mark on him. He believes that Liverpool is a family unlike other top clubs, which sets them apart.
Snehanjan also follows Indian Super League and the I-League, although the latter is closer to his heart. If he could change a rule in football, it would be VAR not pointing out mistakes of on-field officials unless they are clear and obvious errors. Outside the football world, Snehanjan likes to explore the various genres of music and watch movies and shows on OTT. He’s also a car enthusiast and likes to follow the automobile world.
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