Despite currently sitting in the top four of the Premier League, Chelsea is facing significant pressure from teams below them.
The club has experienced a tough run under Enzo Maresca, effectively ending any hopes of competing for the title this season. With their elimination from domestic cup competitions, all focus now shifts to securing Premier League success and winning the Conference League.
However, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that missing out on Champions League football next season would be disastrous for Chelsea. Speaking on “The Overlap,” Carragher expressed disappointment with Chelsea’s performance, citing weaknesses in key positions such as goalkeeper and center-backs.
He noted: “I’ve got to say I’ve been really disappointed with them… But this drop-off will be a real worry for the people at the top of the club. If they don’t get Champions League football next season… that’s a disaster.”
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is likely to be particularly concerned given his significant investment in recent transfers. Criticism has mounted over some signings made during his tenure as interim sporting director following his takeover. Notably, missed opportunities like failing to secure Raphinha (now thriving at Barcelona) and Ousmane Dembele (excelling at PSG) have highlighted potential missteps in their recruitment strategy.
With so much financial commitment involved, failing to secure Champions League participation could have profound implications for both Boehly and Chelsea’s future ambitions.