With two matches of the season left to play, Chelsea’s Premier League season is still up in the air. The Blues lost to Newcastle United last time out, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side with work to do in order to qualify for the Champions League.
If they miss out, it would be three seasons in a row Chelsea haven’t finished inside the Champions League spots - an outcome that could have a devastating impact on their summer transfer plans. As part of the new look Champions League format, where clubs play eight league phase matches instead of the previous six group stage clashes, teams are guaranteed £15m for just turning up.
That figure increases exponentially based on results and performances throughout the competition. It’s exactly why Manchester United, who are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, are so desperate to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, in order to book their spot in next year’s edition.
Given that United have no other access to European competition if they don’t win next week’s Europa League final, it’s been reported that the Red Devils could miss out on pre-planned transfer targets should they lose to Spurs in Bilbao. Among those touted is Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who is believed to be available for around £60million this summer.
But while United’s transfer dealings might be dependent on Champions League football, Chelsea will have access to an exclusive windfall from this summer’s Club World Cup. Manchester City are the only other Premier League side competing in the Stateside tournament, with millions of pounds on offer to the qualified teams.
Overall, Chelsea could land as much as £97m, should they go the distance and win the inaugural tournament. Even if they don’t lift the trophy, it’s estimated that the Blues could pocket somewhere in the region of £50m for their exploits in the United States.
It marks a major boost for Chelsea’s transfer plans and a safety net that Ruben Amorim and United aren’t privy to heading into the final few matches of the 2024/25 season. Not that Maresca or the Chelsea hierarchy will be counting on it though, with their bid to finish inside the Champions League qualification spots continuing on Friday night against United at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are level on points with sixth-placed Aston Villa, boasting a +12 goal difference swing in their favour.