Chelsea travel to Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season knowing they have a strong record on the final day of the season.
Calum McFarlane’s Blues need a win on the final day of the campaign to guarantee their place in Europe next season, avoiding a reliance on other results to go their way.
There is a debate that Chelsea would actually be better off without European football for the first season of the Xabi Alonso era to provide no distractions to his first Premier League campaign.
Where will Chelsea be in the table by 6pm on Sunday afternoon?😬
7th and 8th are the European places!
Chelsea Premier League table on final day of the season
Via – GRV Media
Chelsea’s excellent final day record in the Premier League
The finances would suggest the Blues cannot afford to miss out on this payday from UEFA though, meaning there will be pressure on the players at the Stadium of Light.
Chelsea can boast a strong record on the final day of the season in history. They have won their last two games which both secured European football, including the 1-0 win at high-flying Nottingham Forest last season.
Nottingham Forest FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Levi Colwill’s goal secured Chelsea a place in the Champions League for this season, and was proof that this group of players could step up when it really mattered.
In fact, the Blues have only lost twice in their final game in the past 15 years, with one of those signalling the end of Antonio Conte’s time in charge in 2018.
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Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Chelsea have played Sunderland twice on the final day of the season in that time period, including a 5-1 victory in 2017 where they celebrated winning the Premier League title.
The game was also infamous for John Terry being substituted off in the 26th minute in his final appearance for the club.
Chelsea need to find more of that brilliance this weekend if they want to qualify for the Europa League or Conference League next season, and hand Alonso a great chance at winning his first trophy at Stamford Bridge.
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