Chelsea Wins Conference League, Secures Champions League Return

Chelsea won the 2025 UEFA Conference League by defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the final held in Wroclaw, marking the first major trophy under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Key contributions came from Cole Palmer, who provided two crucial assists, as well as goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo. The victory ended Chelsea's three-year trophy drought and capped a season that also saw them secure Champions League qualification with a fourth-place Premier League finish. Despite the triumph, Chelsea must adhere to strict UEFA rules regarding the trophy, receiving only a replica that cannot leave England without permission. The win highlighted the financial disparity between the Conference League and Champions League, with Chelsea's prize money slightly surpassing the revenue of a Champions League team like Slovan Bratislava, who lost all their matches. Meanwhile, Real Betis's defeat impacted Manchester United financially due to clauses in Antony's loan contract, limiting potential earnings tied to Betis's European success.