Are Chelsea Too Dominant for the UEFA Conference League

Chelsea’s recent performance in the UEFA Conference League has sparked discussions about whether a club of their caliber belongs in the competition at all. Their recent 8-0 win over Armenian side Noah, marking the joint second-biggest victory in Chelsea’s history, has underscored a sense that the Blues might simply be too big for Europe’s third-tier tournament.

Under the guidance of manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have transformed from a struggling squad last season into a powerhouse, even while playing what many would consider their “B team” in the Conference League. Notably, star player Cole Palmer isn’t even registered for the competition, yet the team has been dominating their opponents with ease. Thursday’s 8-0 victory was a Conference League record, surpassing the previous biggest margin of victory by two goals. After three games, Chelsea have netted 16 goals double the tally of the next highest-scoring team.

The one-sided nature of Chelsea’s matches in the Conference League has led some commentators to question if the competition will only truly challenge them in the later stages, such as the quarter-finals or semi-finals. Chelsea are clear favorites to win the tournament, and if they succeed, they would be the first club to capture the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League titles.

But how did a club of Chelsea’s stature end up in the Conference League? Their journey into UEFA’s third tournament was by no means straightforward. Finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, they clinched a Conference League playoff spot with a late surge of five consecutive wins under then-manager Mauricio Pochettino. Even in the play-off round, they faced a tough challenge from Swiss side Servette, narrowly winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Now firmly in the tournament, Chelsea have continued to display their dominance. They opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Gent, followed by a 4-1 victory at Panathinaikos. Following the Noah game, Chelsea are three points clear at the top of the standings, virtually securing their spot in the knockout stages. Their remaining opponents in this initial stage include Heidenheim, Shamrock Rovers, and Astana all of whom will likely struggle to compete with Chelsea’s firepower.

In terms of scale and resources, Chelsea stand out sharply in the Conference League. The team they faced on Thursday, Noah, is a relatively new club, founded only seven years ago, and they hold a UEFA ranking of 311th. In contrast, Chelsea are ranked eighth, and the value of Chelsea’s squad is around £800 million compared to Noah’s £6.5 million. The disparity was evident on the field, as Chelsea scored six goals in the first half alone.

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Chelsea are not the first major club to participate in the Conference League, but they are arguably the most dominant. Previous winners, such as Roma and West Ham United, were strong teams but did not hold the European pedigree that Chelsea brings as a former Champions League and Europa League winner. Clubs like Roma, Villarreal, and Fiorentina have all competed in the Conference League, but none of them boast the same UEFA ranking or squad depth that Chelsea possesses.

The dominance Chelsea has shown so far has already put them in position to break multiple records in the competition. With 16 goals after just three games, they are two goals away from matching Roma’s record of 18 goals in a single group stage, achieved when Jose Mourinho led Roma to victory in 2021. Chelsea also look set to beat Club Brugge’s group stage record for goal difference, currently holding a goal differential of 13 after only three games.

Although Chelsea secured the Conference League record for largest victory, they still fell short of their own club record for the biggest win in European competition. That record remains a 13-0 thrashing of Jeunesse Hautcharage in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. Against Noah, Chelsea seemed capable of reaching double digits in the scoreline, but they added just two more goals after half-time, finishing with a total of eight.

After the game, Maresca emphasized the importance of remaining “serious” and professional despite the lopsided scoreline. Noah’s manager, Rui Mota, acknowledged the significant gap in quality between the two teams, admitting it was difficult to see his team go down 8-0. But he suggested that if Noah had capitalized on an early chance, the game might have been more competitive.

Chelsea’s success in the Conference League has also highlighted the depth of their squad. Maresca has rotated his team for each of the three Conference League games, and even in domestic cup competitions, he has been able to field entirely different lineups while maintaining a high level of performance. In addition to scoring twice in the Noah game, Christopher Nkunku has become Chelsea’s top scorer this season despite limited Premier League appearances. Joao Felix has also shone in the competition, leading the Conference League goal tally alongside Nkunku.

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One standout player, Enzo Fernandez, who began the season as a Premier League starter but has recently taken a substitute role, started against Noah and provided three assists. However, he was replaced at halftime a decision Maresca described as “technical.” Fernandez’s form has sparked speculation over whether he might retain his starting spot in Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash with Arsenal, as Chelsea look to continue their positive momentum domestically as well as in Europe.