Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has laid down a challenge to striker Nicolas Jackson ahead of Wednesday night’s UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis, insisting the Senegalese international “owes a debt” to his teammates following a recent suspension.
The Blues will take on the Spanish side in Wrocław at 19:00 GMT, aiming to secure their first major European title since their UEFA Champions League triumph in 2021.
For Maresca, who took over at Stamford Bridge after leaving Leicester City, the final represents not only a chance at silverware but a moment to cap off an otherwise turbulent campaign with a statement victory.
Jackson returns to the squad after serving a two-match Premier League suspension, a consequence of his red card against Newcastle United.
His absence came at a critical juncture in Chelsea’s league season, and the manager made no attempt to downplay the significance of that setback.
“I think Nico owes a debt to his teammates,” Maresca said pointedly in his pre-match press conference. “And the reason is that at that moment, the Newcastle game was the most important for us. He left his teammates with 10 players for an hour. So, for sure, he owes a debt to them.”
The forward, who has had an up-and-down debut season at Chelsea, reportedly addressed the squad to apologise for the incident, a gesture his manager acknowledged positively.
“For sure, he’s a good boy. He admitted his mistake. He apologized to his teammates. That’s very important. And I’m sure that tomorrow (Wednesday), he’ll have a very good game for us.”
Jackson’s performance will be under particular scrutiny as Chelsea look to assert themselves against a well-drilled Betis side.
The Spanish outfit, led by their own ambitions on the European stage, pose a serious test in what will be the fourth final of UEFA’s newest continental competition.
Victory would mark Maresca’s first major honour as a manager and offer a platform for stability after a season defined by inconsistency and adaptation.
The Italian is hoping his words resonate with Jackson and inspire a performance that can help deliver a long-awaited trophy to the club’s supporters.
The pressure is now squarely on the 22-year-old to rise to the occasion—and repay the trust his manager and teammates have placed in him.
