Chelsea are in a battle to secure a top four place between now and the end of the season and Ian Wright has now given his verdict on the fight for the Champions League spots
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Ian Wright
Ian Wright has issued a worrying prediction to Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
Ian Wright believes Chelsea could drop out of the top four after sending a worrying message to Enzo Maresca. The Blues occupy the final automatic Champions League spot with just nine games of the season left to play.
But the weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal has left them vulnerable. Manchester City are just one point behind, while a host of the chasing pack could potentially cut the gap to Chelsea over the coming weeks. And Wright has suggested that a lack of threat from Maresca’s side amid an attacking injury crisis could see them lose out.
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Speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, the ex-Arsenal man said: “I watched Chelsea against Arsenal and I thought they were really poor in every aspect. Obviously, they’re very much missing Noni Maduke and Nicolas Jackson and obviously, Cole Palmer didn’t play. They haven’t got anyone to stretch the team or anyone to control the game so as you can pass to these players who were doing so well at the start of the season.
“They didn’t look like they were going to score yesterday and there’s no way you can be confident as a defender playing in front of Robert Sanchez.”
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And in a worrying assessment, Wright has predicted a collapse so severe that even tenth-placed Bournemouth could overtake Chelsea before the end of the season. He added: “There’s no way sitting here right now I can see a scenario as to how they are going to do it [get in the top four].
“For me, if I’m Newcastle or Bournemouth or Brighton or anybody, I’m thinking this is the best chance we’ll have because I don’t think Chelsea will make it.”
A lack of a Champions League place would be devastating for both Chelsea and boss Maresca. The Italian has been under pressure from fans for the majority of the season due to his style of play.
Enzo Maresca
Chelsea have been inconsistent under Enzo Maresca this season
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His position could really come under serious question should the Blues miss out on the Champions League having not played in the competition since the 2022/23 campaign. Luckily, the Premier League look set to receive a fifth place at Europe’s top table due to their superior UEFA co-efficient.
Chelsea also have a route into the Europa League next season should they win the Conference League. Maresca’s side will play Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals of that competition, while they resume their Premier League commitments against London rivals Tottenham after the international break.
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