Player Ratings: Chelsea Secure Spot in Warsaw After Beating Djurgarden | OneFootball

Chelsea Ease Past Djurgarden to Reach Europa Conference League Final

Youth, Composure and One Final Step

Stamford Bridge often expects, but on this occasion, it observed with quiet satisfaction. Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Djurgarden in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final never needed fireworks. With a 4-1 lead from the first leg already secured, Enzo Maresca’s team were efficient rather than exuberant, calm rather than cavalier. The job, to all intents and purposes, was done before a ball was kicked in west London.

Still, there was history made. Sixteen-year-old Reggie Walsh, a name previously buried in the academy pages, became Chelsea’s youngest ever European starter. In a side blended with youth and second-string starters, the focus was not on a performance to dazzle, but one to ensure safe passage to Warsaw for the final on 28 May.

Dewsbury-Hall Delivers, Djurgarden Fade

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a symbol of the squad’s quiet consistency, grabbed the only goal of the night – his measured strike sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory. There was little resistance from the Swedish visitors, who arrived at Stamford Bridge with injuries, fatigue, and a mountain to climb.

This was no epic contest; rather, a controlled evening where Chelsea, fully aware of the bigger battles in the Premier League and the final in Poland ahead, did not chase unnecessary risk.

Djurgarden’s fightback never materialised, but this was not unexpected. Their first-leg collapse in Stockholm had already drawn a curtain on their European ambitions.

Maresca’s Calculated Gamble Pays Off

Chelsea’s rotation throughout this Conference League campaign has been deliberate, and here again, it was evident. Maresca handed valuable minutes to youngsters, offering a glimpse into what the next era of Stamford Bridge may look like. The manager’s long-term plan, under scrutiny at times this season, now has a continental final to validate its trajectory.

With Real Betis awaiting in Warsaw – victors over Fiorentina after extra-time – the focus will soon return to silverware. But for Chelsea, and for Maresca, there’s a sense that this run has been about more than just a trophy. It’s been about evolution, restoration, and finding a rhythm after seasons of turbulence.

Player Ratings: Chelsea vs Djurgarden

Starting XI (4-2-3-1)GK: Filip Jorgensen – 7RB: Malo Gusto – 8CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – 7CB: Benoit Badiashile – 7LB: Josh Acheampong – 7CM: Reece James (c) – 8CM: Marc Cucurella – 7RM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 9AM: Reggie Walsh – 6LM: Jadon Sancho – 7ST: Tyrique George – 7

SubstitutesShumaria Mheuka (46’ for Cucurella) – 6Genesis Antwi (70’ for Sancho) – 7Trevoh Chalobah (70’ for James) – 6