Now Chelsea Football Club is in danger of losing it all as the Premier League season nears its dramatic conclusion. The team has a challenging stretch of games coming up. They sit fifth with two games in hand, and those pivotal matches come against Manchester United and Brentford. They need to win both to reach next season’s Champions League. Chelsea’s competition is really stiff, with rivals Manchester City and Arsenal resourcing their squads to the teeth. Their hopes of getting back into the top six are fading fast.
With the squad continuing to face the loss of injured players and those who have been loaned out, the pressure is mounting. Chelsea have one of the biggest squads in world football. Yet, they find themselves quite far off from truly competing for the Premier League title. With performances such as those against Ipswich Town and most recently Fulham, the team’s early season form has worried supporters and pundits across the country.
Current Standing and Competition
Chelsea’s league position is of utmost importance as they risk missing out on European competition entirely. Championship winning-hero, Merson – the often cynical pundit and ex-pro footballer – doubled down on the significance of Champions League qualification to the club’s future.
“Getting into the Champions League has to be the be all and end all. They have to be in it. If they come sixth in the Premier League and win the Europa Conference League, it would be a shocker. A shocker.” – Paul Merson
Those three signings may do little to redeem Chelsea’s disastrous league showing. They’ll need to overcome the performance that Manchester City and Arsenal have exhibited the past two years. The club is at present a million miles away from contending for the title. This makes their route to Champions League qualification even more difficult.
Chelsea’s upcoming matches are crucial. They have to play Manchester United twice, which means their future positioning in the league could be up in the air. A League Cup match against Brentford next week that’s a must-win, as well. A victory is vital to keep their dreams alive of a continuing top-six finish.
The Importance of European Competitions
The Europa Conference League would provide Chelsea with another route to European football next season. The victory in this fledgling tournament would definitely see them qualify for the group stages of the Europa League. It would crown them the first team in history to win every major UEFA competition. Winning this accolade would be a perfect cherry on top of an otherwise highly eventful and often rocky season.
Even with a disappointing season so far in the Premier League, Chelsea still has an opportunity for glory this year with the European competitions. With six high-profile players out on loan, their depth is still so remarkable it’s almost laughable. It displays both their talent and ability to compete at a deep and broad level on the world stage.
Chelsea’s hierarchy knows full well that winning the Europa Conference League would help ease much of the pain from their domestic efforts. Chelsea AFP via Getty Images The stakes are enormous, as missing out on European football next season may very well send the club into an all-consuming crisis.
Challenges Ahead
Chelsea’s next few matches are absolutely vital, especially against teams that have been in-form over the last few months. The club will need to win against Brentford to keep their hopes of finishing in the top six alive. That terrible run leaves their last two fixtures against Manchester United particularly important. One false move and they risk undermining their hopes of competing for the title next year.
Beyond all these tangible issues, Chelsea’s erratic display this season have been difficult for fans and pundits to watch. After a string of poor recent results, critics have emerged, questioning the team’s capability of performing strongly at the top echelons of English football.
The very real specter of failing to qualify for European competitions is felt. Missing out on Champions League football would be financially catastrophic for Chelsea. It will further endanger the club’s competitive standing within the world football landscape.
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