Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was delighted with his side's performance after thrashing Shamrock Rovers 5-1 to complete the Conference League group stage in perfect form for the favourites.
Marc Guyot scored a first-half hat-trick to confirm Chelsea's top spot, meaning they won't play in the competition again until March.
Joining Chelsea in the top eight places in the round of 16 qualifiers are Vitoria, Fiorentina, Rapid Vienna, Djurgården, Lugano, Legia Warsaw and Cercle Brugge.
“I'm very happy with the performance and the results,” Maresca said. “In this type of game, it's easy not to do that. They showed how professional they are and this is the right way.”
“Since we started we have tried to share minutes – tonight was for the young players.
“Josh Acheampong and Tyreek George are still very young, but we are very happy with them.”
“Mark is unhappy”
Joey took advantage of two mistakes in the defense to score before scoring a wonderful header with a hat-trick, putting him at the top of the competition's top scorers list.
It's a first-half hat-trick for 18-year-old Marc Guillot on his way home to give Chelsea a 4-1 lead 😮💨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qYWeqUgbIn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 19, 2024
The 18-year-old has six goals in the Conference League, but has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League so far.
“Mark is a bit unhappy because Nicholas (Jackson) and Christopher (Nkonkwo) are doing well,” Mareska said.
“When you are nine and nine others are doing well, it is a matter of being questioned. It is important that they work hard day in and day out and then get the opportunity.
“In January, we don't want to sell players, but players who don't play much will be a bit unhappy.
“It depends on what happens in January and then we decide.”
