Step down for Chelsea has a silver lining for Maresca

IT IS only three years since Chelsea conquered Europe and won the Champions League, so they might otherwise turn their noses up at the Conference League.

- Simon Collings

But the competition has taken on real importance for the Blues this season as Enzo Maresca looks to make his mark at Stamford Bridge.

It represents arguably their best chance of winning a trophy and, in the short term, gives Maresca a chance to build momentum amid a difficult start to life in the Chelsea hotseat.

The Blues face Servette at Stamford Bridge tonight in the first leg of a playoff to reach the group stage.

After losing to Manchester City in their Premier League opener on Sunday, defeat over two legs against the Swiss side could quickly turn the heat on Maresca.

The Raheem Sterling saga and a chaotic week has dominated the build-up, but Maresca insists the club is "not the mess it looks from the outside".