Mark Bosnich is tipping Chelsea to return to their former glories after watching them make history by completing the full set of European trophies on Thursday (AEST).
Chelsea came from 1-0 down to thump Real Betis 4-1 in the Conference League final in Wrocław as England midfielder Cole Palmer underlined his status as one of the world's best young players by providing two classy assists.
It was the London club's first trophy since the Roman Abramovich era ended in 2022 and partly justified some exorbitant spending by the new American owners.
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Chelsea celebrates with the trophy at the end of the UEFA Conference League final.
Chelsea celebrates with the trophy at the end of the UEFA Conference League final. Getty
The Conference League is Europe's third tier competition behind the Champions League and Europa League.
Chelsea will play in the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League.
"Watching that second half, watch out for this team," Bosnich said on Stan Sport's coverage.
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"Next season, Champions League will be a good test for them, but the following season, I really feel that they can challenge for the Premier League.. the Champions League might take a little bit longer for a serious challenge, but definitely the Premier League."
Bosnich played for Chelsea between 2001-03.
"Tremendous result for Chelsea, tremendous result for the Premier League, to win this trophy and to win the Europa League (Tottenham Hotspur) as well."
Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy.
Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy. Getty
Craig Foster also noted that Chelsea were the youngest team in Premier League history with their starting XIs having an average age of just 24.
Chelsea are the first team to have all five of UEFA's club competitions in their trophy collection.
Aside from the 1971 and 1998 titles in the now defunct Cup Winners Cup, Chelsea's other European silverware - the Champions League in 2012 and 2021 and the Europa League in 2013 and 2019 - came in the trophy laden tenure of Russian oligarch Abramovich.
The Abramovich era ended following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Chelsea was bought by a consortium fronted by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly that has since spent around $2 billion on new players in a high risk move to remodel the squad with mostly young stars.
Some of them delivered in the turnaround against Betis, with Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson converting pinpoint crosses from Palmer in the 65th and 70th minutes, respectively, before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo added more goals in Poland.
Boehly went on the pitch after the final whistle to congratulate Chelsea's players after club captain Reece James lifted the trophy to a backdrop of ticker tape and loud roars from teammates in the middle of the field.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates with the trophy.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates with the trophy. Getty
"Coming into this competition, it was something we had to win," James said of Europe's often maligned league.
"Next season we go again in the Champions League."
That elite competition is where Chelsea feels it belongs.
Playing in its first European final, Betis went ahead through Abdessamad Ezzalzouli's goal in the ninth minute and were the better team in a first half of few chances.
The Seville club faded in the second half, however, as Chelsea's strength off the bench showed.
One of those influential substitutes was James, a 25-year-old right back who joined the club at the age of six and has suffered many long-term injuries in recent years.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea is challenged by Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea is challenged by Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis. Getty
He said he was "devastated" not to be picked to start the final but had a big impact when he came on as a halftime replacement.
"In the first half we were flat," James said.
"The game didn't go our way early on and it looked like it took a lot out of us. We needed a reaction in the second half, and we got it."
The result ended a remarkable run of successes for Spanish teams in European men's title matches.
Before this game, all 23 continental finals featuring Spanish clubs since the start of the 2001-02 season had been won by a Spanish team.
That included four all-Spanish matchups.
Betis couldn't maintain it in a bid to win a European title for the first time.
Palmer is one of the shining lights in Chelsea's team and the playmaker inspired the turnaround by setting up Fernandez's equaliser with an inviting, inswinging cross that the Argentina midfielder glanced past flat-footed Betis goalkeeper Adrian.
Palmer then delivered a brilliant piece of skill to spin his marker with a feint and cross with his weaker right foot to Jackson, who bundled the ball home off his shoulder.
Betis folded and Chelsea flooded forward for more goals, with Jackson over-running the ball when through one-on-one with Adrian.
Sancho made no mistake by cutting inside and curling a shot into the far corner in the 83rd minute for the last goal of his loan spell from Manchester United that might be made permanent this summer.
Caicedo - arguably Chelsea's star player this season - got in on the act with a deflected stoppage-time strike from the edge of the area.
"We struggled a bit first half, second half we were much better and now we are very happy," Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said.
The match was preceded by fan disorder in the Polish city that led to 28 people being arrested.
Police used stun grenades and a water cannon against the teams' fans who were disturbing public order in the city, Polish state news agency PAP reported.