Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton was probably Liam Rosenior’s worst day as Chelsea manager, but there was one silver lining and it was Liverpool losing to Brighton earlier on.
In fact, those of a Chelsea persuasion that made their way to Merseyside to cheer Chelsea on will have entered the ground full of optimism, knowing a win would have taken the Blues above Liverpool.
Like last season, the European coefficient favours the Premier League, and it looks as if England’s top tier will be awarded a fifth Champions League slot. That means fifth place will get Champions League football.
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Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis
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With seven Premier League games to play, it looks to be a direct scrap between Chelsea and Liverpool for fifth. But how much will the loser miss out on in terms of cash, if they fail to qualify for the competition?
The amount Chelsea will miss out on if they don’t secure fifth
This season, Chelsea earned £36.9m in prize money from Champions League matches. But qualifying for the competition is much more than just prize money; it is attendance and television money on top, too.
Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
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According to Sky Sports, Chelsea will miss out on £100m if they fail to win a place in the Champions League this season. So it is simply not qualifying for the competition, but the financial implications, too.
With Chelsea being fined the Premier League’s biggest fine of £10.75m, and Todd Boehly always looking for additional revenue streams after playing a part in the LA Dodgers’ pitch sale, £100m is a very big deal.
What percentage would you give Chelsea’s chances of Champions League qualification?
Opta say 10%…
What are Chelsea’s chances of toppling Liverpool into fifth?
Things are not going to plan for Chelsea, but they are not the only ones. Over at Liverpool, there have also been murmurs of Arne Slot being sacked. On Saturday, Liverpool lost again, this time at Brighton.
The issue Chelsea have, is the fixture list. Next up for Chelsea, both Manchester clubs and after facing Nottingham Forest, they then go to Anfield to take on Liverpool. It means it remains in Chelsea’s hands.
But it feels incredibly unlikely that Chelsea are going to be able to salvage their season with wins against second and third place in Man City and Man United before they go to Anfield, requiring another victory.
Ultimately, the race for the top five looks close. But Chelsea’s fixture list means they are a lot further away from getting above Liverpool into fifth than the table suggests. Rosenior’s job is on the line.
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