Based on the current situation, it is hard to imagine how Chelsea could qualify for the Champions League. It would take Liam Rosenior’s side to go on a brilliant run of form and win pretty much every Premier League game remaining while somebody above them in the table endures a collapse in the final weeks of the campaign. Both seem extremely unlikely.
Of course, Chelsea have missed their fair share of Champions League campaigns under BlueCo. So, it might be hard to understand the gravity of the situation and the impact that it could have on the club.
Chelsea have posted losses north of £250 million recently. They are expected to do much better for this current campaign, thanks to Champions League and Club World Cup money being in the frame. But if that won’t be the case for the upcoming season.
Also, let’s not forget that Chelsea were fined by UEFA last summer for financial rules. They are still being monitored and need to work under some constraints. So, if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League, what sort of impact would it have?
Chelsea tipped to take ban if they fail to make Champions League
Missing out on the Champions League would not only hurt the club financially, but it would also impact their ability to return to it in the future as well. That is because it would be difficult to attract ‘ready-made’ players, and they might not even have the financial ability to do so, even if they were able to convince them somehow.
According to talkSPORT, football finance expert Stefan Borson said regarding the situation of Chelsea:
“The big issue they’re going to have is if they fall into the Conference League.
“They’ve got a very, very challenging situation with the settlement they agreed with UEFA, if they’re not in the Champions League.
“That is a settlement agreement, which I’ll just speculate now… I think there’s a chance that if they fall into the Conference League, or even Europa League, that they take the decision to breach the settlement agreement and to take a ban like Juventus did in 2023.
“So they’d admit the breach by more than €20m, they pay the fine, the settlement agreement is ripped up, they drop out of Europe for a year, because who wants Conference League anyway, and they reset the settlement agreement going forward.
“Because to me, the settlement agreement that’s currently drafted looks extremely challenging for the next season, particularly if they’re not in the Champions League, but even if they are, it’s the season after.”
BlueCo model has painted Chelsea into a corner
Over the past four years under BlueCo, Chelsea have constantly recruited youngsters. Well, most of them have not proven good enough. As a result, it feels like they have wasted significant financial resources while not being able to build a squad that is anywhere near good enough.
Lately, the club have seemed more open to signing ‘ready-made’ players, however they define that. But it might very well be a bit too late. The damage might already be done.
Now, Chelsea are in a situation where they might not be able to sign the players they need or want. Not just because of financial constraints. But also because it is no longer an attractive destination, especially without Champions League football on offer. Now, BlueCo find themselves staring at a potential rebuild with success potentially years down the line.
