Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has made it clear that Chelsea’s Europa Conference League campaign will be deemed a failure unless the Blues lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Following Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Astana in Kazakhstan on Thursday, the Blues maintained their perfect record in the league phase, topping the table with five wins from five. With one game remaining, Chelsea have already qualified for the knockout stages and are close to securing a top-eight finish.

Speaking after the match, Dewsbury-Hall set the bar high for Chelsea’s European ambitions. “To win it, simple as that. If we don’t win it, then it’s a failure,” the midfielder declared.

The 26-year-old has featured predominantly in cup competitions this season, including Europe, where head coach Enzo Maresca has rotated his squad extensively.

Dewsbury-Hall, a £30 million summer signing from Leicester City, has struggled to break into the Premier League squad, making only three matchday squads and clocking just 55 minutes in the league all season.

However, in Europe, Dewsbury-Hall has been a consistent starter, featuring in four of the five matches and playing a key role in Chelsea’s success.

Against Astana, in freezing -12 degree conditions, he lasted the full 90 minutes and recorded his first assist of the campaign, setting up Renato Veiga for Chelsea’s third goal in the 39th minute.