Europa Conference League

MYKHAILO MUDRYK was left out of Chelsea’s trophy celebrations – despite travelling to Poland for the Conference League final.The Blues came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-1 in Wroclaw.Chelsea lifted the Conference League after beating Real BetisCredit: GettyMykhailo Mudryk did not get a medal despite being in PolandCole Palmer inspired the comeback with two superb assists – for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson – before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo rounded off the victory.It meant Chelsea got their hands on the Conference League trophy and completed the set of European silverware after their Champions League and Europa League triumphs.But Mudryk did not pick up a medal or get to join in the celebrations with the rest of his team-mates.Mudryk, 24, is currently suspended from playing after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium while on international duty in November.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSIt has not been made official whether Mudryk’s B-sample was also contaminated but he has not played for them in 2025.However, he turned up unannounced in Wroclaw on the eve of the final.The Ukrainian winger was spotted wearing a club gilet in a steakhouse.His shock appearance even took manager Enzo Maresca by surprise.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMaresca said: “To be honest, I just… Is he here or is he coming? He’s here. I’m happy for Misha to be here.”I don’t know, I just said that. I’m happy for Misha to be here.”Banned Mykhailo Mudryk turns up in Chelsea kit unannounced on eve of Conference League final to shock of clubBut SunSport understands Mudryk made the journey to Poland in order to pick up a medal.He played in six Conference League matches during the league phase before his shock suspension, scoring three goals. However, he was nowehere to be seen after the full-time whistle as Chelsea’s players collected their winner’s medals from Aleksander Ceferin.Mudryk has not played since November 28 after testing positive for a banned substanceCredit: APHe was all smiles in a steakhouse in Wroclaw wearing a Chelsea gilet More

ANTONY burst into tears after Real Betis suffered defeat in the Conference League final.The Spanish side were ahead at half-time but Chelsea fought back to win 4-1 in Wroclaw, Poland.Antony was in tears at full-timeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialDejected Antony failed to make an impact on the gameCredit: TNT SPORTSAntony and Jadon Sancho shared a hug at full-timeCredit: TNT SPORTSAntony, who is on loan from Manchester United, was seen sobbing at full-time.He sat on the pitch heartbroken only for goalscorer Jadon Sancho to rush over and console him.The two ex-United team-mates embraced in touching scenes.Several Betis stars were also seen crying, including former West Ham duo Adrian and Pablo Fornals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAntony joined the club in January and has become a fans’ favourite in Seville, scoring nine goals in 26 games.But he could not replicate his good form in the final against Chelsea and he lost his temper late in the game.The Brazilian winger picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Enzo Fernandez as the pair then squared up to each other and clashed heads.Antony has made it clear he wants to stay at Betis but it is unclear if they can afford to keep him.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMan Utd will reportedly not accept a cut-price deal and they have been paying 16 per cent of his £200,000-a-week salary.After beating Fiorentina in the Conference League semi-final, Betis fans chanted “Antony stay”.’Leaving Man Utd works wonders’ – Fans love Antony’s wild Real Betis celebrations as he goes topless and waves huge flagAnd club legend Joaquin even joked he would help his kidnapping to ensure he does not return to Old Trafford.He said: “I’ll provide the car if he has to be kidnapped, but let him stay no matter what.”Jadon Sancho scored Chelsea’s third of the nightCredit: AFPAntony lost his temper and clashed with Enzo Fernandez at the end of the finalCredit: TNT Sports More

ENZO MARESCA emerged triumphant from football’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.Chelsea’s boss will enjoy winning the Conference League, his first trophy at the end of his first season in charge and making history.Chelsea have won the Conference LeagueCredit: GettyAbde Ezzalzouli scored the opening goal for Betis within 10 minutesCredit: GettyEnzo Fernandez headed home the equaliser from close rangeCredit: ReutersBut he now wants nothing to do with this tinpot competition ever again as he sets his and the club’s sights on much loftier ambitions in the Champions League next season.It’s a notable achievement to become the first club to win all four existing European competitions as Chelsea have now done.Maresca also believes that however minor this third-tier tournament is, he hopes it will ignite the fires for long term success within his youthful squad.But in five years’ time it’s highly unlikely many people will remember the heady night in Poland when the youngest squad in the Premier League this season came of age by coming from behind to see off Real Betis.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe trophy itself will easily masquerade as a waste-paper bin in the manager’s office and time will move on for a club convinced it is on the way back to greatness as it should be after more than £1billion of investment in the squad.Yet it almost wasn’t so. Maresca had to make drastic changes to his team and to the mentality in order to get over the line.His young team was a bag of nerves in the first half and as such went behind inside ten minutes to a team comprised of veterans and cast offs, managed by a bloke exactly the same age as Maresca’s dad.They were run ragged by the sublime skills of Isco, a former Real Madrid great who showed Chelsea what it is to stay cool and calm on a big night.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeThey shot themselves in the foot with nervy, slack passing as they struggled to get to grips with the occasion and could have been more than the one goal down they were at half time.But when you play with kids you can win things and they learn quickly.Moment Chelsea & Real Betis fans CLASH in Poland launching bottles & smoke grenades hours before Europa Conference finalNicolas Jackson scored the second for ChelseaCredit: APJadon Sancho fired the third into the top-right cornerCredit: GettyMaresca pulled the plug on right back Malo Gusto at half time, the architect of destruction for the first goal and it brought certainty and surety. He surgically removed Benoit Badiashile and Pedro Neto and Chelsea grew into the game.To the extent that Cole Palmer, who had been taught a lesson in dribbling and poise by the elder statesman of Isco suddenly sprang to life with vigour and confidence instead of being an interested spectator.Two goals in five minutes, the 65th and 70th, saw Chelsea come roaring back and both were teed up by Palmer from the right hand side.The first was a delicately floated cross that found the head of midfielder Enzo Fernandez who nipped in ahead of defender Marc Bartra and glanced the ball into the back of the net.The Argentinian World Cup winner has been at this club for more than two years and is part of the furniture now. Despite scoring he knew the nerves had been there for all to see and immediately called for calm among the delirious celebrations.But he needn’t have worried because Palmer, who had mustered the only shot on target for Chelsea in a dreadful first half, was in full flow now.A roll of a defender on the edge of the box and he dashed in a cross for Nicolas Jackson to divert the ball past ex-West Ham and Liverpool keeper Adrian.It was a sweet moment for the striker who was drafted back in to the team to redeem himself after getting sent off in a crucial Premier League match at Newcastle earlier this month.He’ll tell you he headed it but it came off his left breast but it counted and from then on it was Betis trying to stem the tide of a rampant Chelsea side suddenly believing in themselves.Sub Jadon Sancho came on to make it 3-1 with seven to go before Moises Caicedo added a fourth for good measure on the stroke of 90.Chelsea have now officially won it, or bought it all depending on your viewpoint. But their squad is priced at around £750 million, more than five times that of their opponents here.Next season instead of Betis it will be Barcelona or Bayern Munich at the other end of the pitch which means it will be considerably harderNot that they didn’t struggle when faced with the first decent team to confront them the entire time. It shows there is still a lot to do.Read More on The SunBut goodbye to Shamrock Rovers, Noah of Armenia and Astana of Kazakhstan, the 15 game, 9,800 mile odyssey to win a competition Chelsea never wanted to be in in the first place has come to a successful conclusion.Oh and good riddance.Reece James lifted the trophyCredit: GettyThe players will be celebrating long into the nightCredit: AFPChelsea have become the first team to win every European trophyCredit: GettyIt was heartbreak for Real BetisCredit: EPAMoises Caicedo sealed the win in added timeCredit: AP More

CHELSEA star Malo Gusto was hooked at half-time following a horror performance in tonight’s Conference League final.The Frenchman, 22, had been selected ahead of Reece James for the clash with Real Betis.Malo Gusto endured a difficult evening in PolandCredit: APGusto was guilty of giving the ball away in the build-up to Abde Ezzalzouli’s ninth minute opener.The former Lyon ace then failed to atone for his error, with Ezzalzouli running him ragged.Travelling Chelsea supporters sang James’ name ahead of half-time.And they were granted their wish after the interval, with boss Enzo Maresca turning to his skipper.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSSupporters watching on at home were also relieved to see Gusto hooked.One wrote on X: “This is a generational disasterclass from Malo Gusto, my eyes are literally hurting, Enzo Maresca this is 100% on you especially when Reece James has been on insane form. Ridiculous.”While a second huffed: “Sell him this summer.”And another added: “That’s why you don’t play Malo Gusto over your captain.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAhead of the final, Gusto admitted that he has endured a difficult season.The France Under-21 international told L’Equipe: “There is competition, you can’t hide behind that. But on my season… there were events that meant that I played a lot and then less. Fuming Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca delivers two-word X-rated response to critics in fiery press conference”Those are the risks of playing at a big club. The objective is now to remain well established. I have confidence in myself.”I haven’t always shown it, and I haven’t always had the attitude to reflect that. You have to first convince yourself before convincing others.””Doubts? Never. I know that, if I am here, it is because I deserve to be. You have to make steps to be even better.”In the first season, everything was beautiful and rosy, everything went well.”This year has been a lot more difficult, especially from a personal point of view, for different reasons.”It has allowed me to learn, especially to understand what my priorities should be. I am very far away from where I should be. It is my responsibility.”Read More on The SunJames’ introduction helped Chelsea turn the contest around.Goals by Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo saw the Blues run out 4-1 winners to lift the Conference League. More

MYKHAILO MUDRYK is Chelsea’s forgotten man heading into the Uefa Conference League final. The Ukrainian was banned from playing in December after failing a provisional drugs test. Mykhaylo Mudryk is in Wroclaw ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Real BetisCredit: GettyThe 24-year-old is currently banned from playing but featured in Conference League games earlier this seasonCredit: GettyMudryk turned up in Chelsea kit unannounced in Poland, stunning fans and his manager Enzo MarescaMudryk played five times in the competition during the early stages of the season. The 24-year-old scored three goals and notched four assists in those games.But he has not featured for Chelsea since netting in a 2-0 win against Heidenheim on November 28.The Blues take on Real Betis tonight in Wroclaw for the trophy.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd Mudryk was a surprise arrival in the city on Tuesday ahead of the big clash. Will Mykhailo Mudryk receive a medal if Chelsea win the Conference League final?Under Uefa rules, every player who has featured in Chelsea’s Conference League games is eligible for a medal.As such, Mudryk WILL be awarded either a winner’s or runners-up gong after tonight’s match. CHELSEA VS REAL BETIS – CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL LIVEBETTING TIPS AND FREE BETS FOR THE FINALIt is not known whether he will be on the field with his Chelsea teammates to receive his prize. Most read in FootballThe club could opt to give Mudryk his medal privately. Fuming Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca delivers two-word X-rated response to critics in fiery press conferenceWhy was Mudryk banned from playing?The Chelsea forward tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium in early December. Mudryk has insisted he never knowingly used any banned substances.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe has been unable to train with the squad while suspended. The ban remains provisional but if found guilty, Mudryk could face a lengthy period on the sidelines.He stunned even his manager Enzo Maresca by turning up in Wroclaw earlier this week.CHELSEA RATINGS: Colwill gets perfect revenge on Forest but Sancho performance won’t convince Blues to splash out £25mCHELSEA sealed Champions League football with a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest.The Blues have been absent from Europe’s elite competition for two years but finally, the billion-pound boys will be back next season.It was unlikely source Levi Colwill with the goal to give Chelsea a boost of confidence ahead of flying to Poland for Wednesday’s Conference League final against Real Betis.Find out how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the performances here…Dressed in Chelsea attire, £88million Mudryk rubbed shoulders with fans at a steak restaurant in the Polish city. Asked about the moment, which went viral, Maresca said: To be honest, I don’t know he is here or is coming? “He is here? I don’t know. I am happy for Mischa to be here.”Read More on The SunMudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.He penned an eight-and-a-half-year deal with the club, which runs until 2031. More