With a dominant 4-1 away victory over Sweden's Djugardens IF in the first leg of the semi-final, the Blues are on the brink of reaching the final in Wroclaw on 28 May.
Should they progress, Chelsea will face either Real Betis or Fiorentina in the final. Securing the trophy would not only mark the club's first European silverware since 2021 but also guarantee qualification for next season's Europa League - providing a potential safety net if they fall short in the Premier League.
"For me, winning a trophy this season - and the Conference League trophy - is a statement that you can say: Chelsea is back," said Maresca.
"From there, it's a good starting point to building the winning mentality and winning trophies."
However, Maresca's men remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League football. Chelsea currently sit fifth in the table, holding a two-point advantage over sixth-placed Nottingham Forest with just three league matches remaining.
A top-five finish would seal a return to Europe's premier competition, making the final run-in crucial.
Maresca has made clear that his mission goes beyond qualifying for Europe.
Sandro Tonali will be central to the narrative as Newcastle United host Chelsea at St James' Park on Sunday in a match with huge implications for Champions League qualification.
Mason Mount's hard work and determination were on full display as he sealed a memorable 4-1 victory for Manchester United in their Europa League semi-final clash with Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Chelsea have booked their spot in the UEFA Conference League final, setting up a showdown with Real Betis later this month, after a composed and confident performance saw them ease past Djurgarden 5-1 on aggregate.
Cole Palmer hit back at 'social media idiots' on Sunday, ending a 13-game goal drought with a cool stoppage-time penalty in Chelsea's impressive 3–1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
