Paul Parker sends warning to Chelsea ahead of UEFA Conference League final
Chelsea will head into Wednesday night’s UEFA Conference League final full of confidence, having already secured Champions League football for next season.
The Blues confirmed their place in the Premier League’s top five with a final day win over Nottingham Forest and now look to complete an impressive season for Enzo Maresca by adding silverware to their 2024-25 campaign.
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Maresca’s side will be favourites when they take on Real Betis in Poland, but former Blues defender Paul Parker has issued a warning to the West Londoners.
Speaking exclusively to DAZN News courtesy of Betano, Parker feels the Spaniards have enough nous about them to cause Chelsea problems.
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“One thing they have got is experienced players,” Parker said.
“Isco is one of them that they've got. They've got quite a few players who have won tournaments, and they've got a few Champions League winners as well.
“So, it isn't going to be that easy.”
One man who could be facing Chelsea is Manchester United’s on-loan Brazilian Anthony, who may not have impressed during his time at Old Trafford, but has been a standout star for Betis since joining them in January – and Parker thinks he could be out to prove a point.
He said, “Anthony's gone there and become like a revelation now. He's found his home, it's just something different for him.
“So, it's going to be big for him to play against Chelsea. You might just feel like he's got a point to prove in the sense, because Chelsea fans are going to be having a go at him because of what was deemed as poor times at United.”
"So, he's going to want to do that. I don't know if he's going to overemphasise it, but I'm quite sure in his mind that he's going to want to prove himself.
“In the clips I've seen of him, he does look a different player, which you would expect because there isn't as much impact in that league as what there is in leagues here.
“But, he's gone there and he has done himself justice.”
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Anthony is just one of the dangermen that could spring a surprise on Chelsea, and it’s the defence that has Parker most worried.
The former England full-back thinks that if there’s a weakness in the Blues’ team, then it’s their frailty in the middle of the back four.
Adding: “But it is going to be a difficult game for Chelsea, a difficult game defensively as well, because if there's a place that's going to be exploited at Chelsea, it's going to be through the middle of their defence.”
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