After their Champions League exit to PSG, Chelsea’s target for the rest of the season is to qualify for next season’s version of the competition.
They currently have just one win in their last five Premier League games, with that coming in emphatic fashion against rivals Aston Villa.
Liam Rosenior is reportedly not at risk of losing his job, however not qualifying for the Champions League would pose serious financial issues for the club.
It’s time to bin the five-year plan, Todd 😡
Joe Cole is absolutely right.
Chelsea could finish sixth and still qualify for Champions League
Their closest rivals, Villa and Liverpool, are both still competing in Europe, with Unai Emery’s side the favourites to win the Europa League.
If Villa were to finish in the top five and win the competition, then according to journalist Dale Johnson, the top six sides in the Premier League will qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea v Newcastle United - Premier League
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This would mean that Chelsea could actually miss out on one of those coveted top five places in the table, and still walk away with the same prize that greets whoever finishes second.
Johnson goes on to say that this would be complicated somewhat if the FA Cup winner is not one of top five, however with Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all still in action there, it feels unlikely that would happen at this stage.
Chelsea to offer Enzo Fernandez over £400k-per-week, eclipsing Reece James’ new deal 👀
Is this a step too far?
Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s tricky end of season run in
Around an FA Cup quarter-final with Port Vale, Chelsea have a difficult run of fixtures between now and the end of the season.
The Blues still have to host both Manchester clubs in their next three games, as well as a trip to Anfield before the season is over.
There is a lot of reliance on the likes of Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer at the minute, and that will only go up with the current absence of Reece James.
Chelsea are targeting an April 18 return for James, however his history with hamstring injuries will no doubt be on the club’s mind.
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