Finishing in the Champions League qualification spots is always vital for a top club. Even more so for the Blues, who posted losses in the region of £264 million recently. On top of that, Chelsea were fined by UEFA last summer as well and their transfer activity continues to be monitored. As a result, the Blues will be working under financial constraints.
On top of all this, the team have continued to underperform badly. It is remarkable that BlueCo have spent north of a billion pounds on a squad that can’t even qualify for the Champions League on a consistent basis.
Chelsea find themselves seven points behind Liverpool, who are fifth right now. It is hard to imagine that there is any way they can get ahead of the Anfield club by the time the Premier League season comes to an end. In fact, they are a lot more likely not to even finish in the top half of the table and are closer to Newcastle United in 14th, who trail the Blues by six points.
Naturally, it feels like all hope might be lost when it comes to Champions League qualification. In many ways, it is. But then, there is one way by which Chelsea could qualify for the competition without finishing in the top five.
Chelsea can qualify for Champions League without finishing top five in the Premier League
It is still possible. But a lot of things will need to go their way between now and the end of the season. And ultimately, it will all come down to Aston Villa, and of course, Chelsea themselves.
Firstly, Aston Villa would need to finish fifth in the Premier League. Secondly, they would need to win the Europa League. If these two things happen at the same time, and Chelsea finish sixth, it would be enough to secure their spot in the Champions League.
Of course, the chances of all of this falling into place are slim to none. But hope is all we can do at this point in time.
Realistically, Chelsea seem out of Champions League race
Even if Aston Villa do manage to achieve both of those things, what are the chances that Chelsea will have enough in the tank to finish sixth. Bournemouth and Brentford are already level on points, and in much better form.
Chelsea have struggled for weeks now. They have not scored in their last four Premier League games, without scoring in any of them. That has not happened since 1998. If there is a repeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, that would match a feat last witnessed in 1912 in the club’s history.
One can be fairly certain that Chelsea won’t be playing Champions League football next season. Of course, it will be interesting to see how they handle their managerial situation and summer transfer targets if or when that becomes official.
