Chelsea and Liam Rosenior fully know they have to qualify for Champions League football again for next season and not go another season without it.
It means so much financially and it can effect new signings coming in, sponsorship, the new stadium plans (if that ever happens), keeping within financial rules, general reputation of the club, and much more.
Liam knows how important it is, but we have reached a crucial stage in trying to get it, and it’s very much hanging in the balance.
Rosenior said: “A successful season for this club has to be to qualify for the Champions League. It has to be. That’s the level of this club.
“Where we are, we still have a very, very good chance of achieving that. Also to win a trophy would be amazing and it’s something that’s achievable. It’s funny today, it’s the first time we trained with the white balls. That’s normally a sign we’re into that [run-in] period. For me, when those white balls come out, we can’t make those mistakes that we’re making. Because you’re running out of time and that’s the message myself and my staff have given the players this morning.”
Matt Law of The Telegraph has looked into what it means if Chelsea miss out on UCL again.
He says:
‘It is estimated that Chelsea have already made around £80m for reaching the last 16 of this season’s Champions League.
‘Failure to qualify for the Champions League would make a move for Morgan Rogers, or anybody of his quality, almost impossible and not just financially.
‘Chelsea are adamant that the club will not be forced into the sale of any star players, whether or not they qualify for the Champions League.
‘Doomsday predictions of having to sell Cole Palmer to Manchester United or Moisés Caicedo to Real Madrid have been completely dismissed by insiders.
‘Players would miss out on their healthy Champions League bonuses for next season, with Chelsea’s wage structure set up to reward success and playing time.
‘But anybody who might feel aggrieved at their wages essentially dropping would have to look in the mirror or at the seven players who have been sent off in the league this season.
‘Make no mistake, missing out on Champions League qualification – while wearing the “world champions” crests on their shirts – would be embarrassing.
‘Chelsea are already in the market for front-of-shirt and sleeve sponsors for next season, as their sleeve deal with FPT also only runs until the end of the current campaign.
‘This summer’s sponsorship market is expected to be crowded with clubs no longer allowed to have betting brands on the front of their shirts from next season, so qualifying for the Champions League would clearly give Chelsea an advantage.
‘Qualifying for the Champions League would be seen as a feather in the cap for Rosenior, but failure to do so would be unlikely to alter the esteem with which he is currently held by the owners and sporting directors.’
Chelsea still very much have it in their hands because they play all the teams they are up against in the fight for UCL places. They are also very lucky because those teams are just as inconsistent as we are and are all currently fighting to give away their UCL places!! Crazy, crazy, crap season. But Chelsea need UCL.