Noni Madueke believes Chelsea have “taken a leap” and “come of age” with their superb end to the season, after adding silverware to Champions League qualification in Wroclaw.
Inspired by Cole Palmer, the Blues came from a goal down to thrash Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final and become the first club to complete a sweep of the major European trophies.
That victory came just three days after a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season secured a top-four finish.
Enzo Maresca’s side - the youngest in Premier League history - won five of their last six league matches to finish the Italian’s debut campaign in style and Madueke believes they have shown their maturity in a run capped by Wednesday night’s triumph.
“I feel like we’ve come of age, don’t you?” the winger said. “I feel like we have, you know. I think the last few weeks, we’ve taken a leap in that sense.
“You look at the Nottingham Forest game and we came through that. The Liverpool game at home, the [Manchester] United game at home and then this final.
“Of course, [the season is] a success. Especially where we’ve come from in the last few years. We know that Chelsea is a winning club. But there has been nothing in our minds apart from winning and we did that.”
Maresca has come under heavy criticism at times during his first season at Stamford Bridge, including from the club’s own supporters, over his style of play.
However, the 45-year-old - who led Leicester to promotion from the Championship last term - has ended the campaign with his first major trophy, while for many of his young players this is also a first taste of senior silverware.
"The gaffer is top, man,” Madueke added. “He won last year at Leicester and he won this year in his first year at Chelsea - and qualified for the Champions League. I don’t understand why there would be criticism of him.
“Of course, [winning] becomes infectious. Of course it does. It’s a lot of the boys’ first major trophy and we are super happy that we’ve done it.”
