Chelsea have been handed a significant boost in their hopes of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League, despite having not yet kicked a ball in the Premier League this weekend.
Enzo Maresca 's side kept their hopes of securing silverware alive midweek when they beat FC Copenhagen to reach the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals. It is the success of English clubs in UEFA competition this term that means they are on the verge of receiving a fifth Champions League spot.
Although Liverpool were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties on Tuesday, Arsenal and Aston Villa's progression into the last eight, as well as Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea's qualification to the latter stages of UEFA's secondary competitions, has all but secured that fifth spot.
Two European leagues will be awarded five qualification places and given England have five teams in the quarter-finals across all competitions, they are comfortably ahead of their rivals. Spain is currently in second place with four teams, followed by Germany and Italy on three.
The winners of this season's Champions League and Europa League will also qualify, if not already through their league position. This means that, under the right circumstances, up to seven English clubs could compete in next season's competition.
As things stand, Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League standings ahead of Sunday's meeting with Arsenal. However, Manchester City, Newcastle, Brighton, Villa, Bournemouth and Fulham are all hot on their heels.
Should Chelsea win the Conference League, they will automatically qualify for next season's Europa League. Though, the London club will be determined to go one step further and secure a top five finish to compete in UEFA's premier competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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