Funny old game - Last night we scored the quickest premier league goal of the season, and marched on as the team who's now on the longest unbeaten streak in the league.

Who'd have thought that a month or two ago?

If we keep the run going we're still not making top 4 (probably), but we will be getting closer to the Europa league places!

Would you rather come 10th rather than 5th or 6th?

A clean run at the league next year would be ideal for me, I think...

The Europa League has a 'Thursday Night, Channel 5' reputation but Spurs showed last year that it is a great venue to blood youngsters in a 'safe' environment so I'd take it. Plus you get to visit some places that aren't the same old, same old which is always a bonus.

 

I don't think the lack of European football is going to be a deciding factor in the league next season either. If we treat next season as a year to build a good foundation then the Europa League offers additional games to try new things which could be ideal.

Edited March 2, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

We need Bidet, he was an expert on how to 'blood youngsters'.

Never thought about that! If the manager did that it would be brilliant.

One thing however, which I do love about Chelsea, is that we always go for every competition and treat it with respect. Hopefully the new guy doesn't just pick the same bunch every game.

Would rather miss europa league, as you said a nice clean run at the league sounds pretty good!

 

Am I being unrealistic for secretly hoping that we'll make 4th? Aren't we only 8 points away now... I know it's extremely unlikely but we are Chelsea!

Never thought about that! If the manager did that it would be brilliant.

One thing however, which I do love about Chelsea, is that we always go for every competition and treat it with respect. Hopefully the new guy doesn't just pick the same bunch every game.

 

That's the problem with the need to win now - it impedes your ability to build for the future. Used right the Europa League can be a nice stepping stone in improving the team.

Ideally would like to use it for the youngsters and fringe players as it would be great experience.

If we start to struggle in the early part of the season then the EL will become more important as it could be seen as an easier way to CL football than finishing top 4 against some strong rejuvenated clubs like United.

I was never a fan of the Europa league till we won it a few years back. Like others have said the step down from big European games might be a good opportunity for the youngsters to experience those long cold nights around Europe. Plus the relative ease with which we won it has me convinced we could have another decent crack at it

Would rather miss europa league, as you said a nice clean run at the league sounds pretty good!

 

Am I being unrealistic for secretly hoping that we'll make 4th? Aren't we only 8 points away now... I know it's extremely unlikely but we are Chelsea!

You are ignoring games in hand for the teams in the top 4.

I absolutely hate the fact that some clubs think they're bigger than a European competition, I hate the low importance that the Europa league is given.  Yes if we finish high enough in the league to get a European place for next season I hope we win that competition - with a good few fringe players in the team!

Would rather miss europa league, as you said a nice clean run at the league sounds pretty good!

 

Am I being unrealistic for secretly hoping that we'll make 4th? Aren't we only 8 points away now... I know it's extremely unlikely but we are Chelsea!

 

It doesn't seem to be doing any harm to Tottenham, if they win tonight, they are top of the league. The only reason clubs league form get's affected by the Europa League is because it's all in their heads. If you can't cope with the league and Europa League then the players you have just ain't mentally strong enough. When we won it, we still finished in the top 4. I would never say no to any kind of European football.

I do think every year it’s getting harder to finish top 4 especially with the money involved in the EPL these days.

You would think United, Liverpool and City will all spend big next season revamping their squads while the likes of Everton have a new billionaire owner who will be looking to get them to the next level. Then you have Arsenal and Spurs who will certainly improve their squads as will we of course.

There isn’t going to me much between the top 5/6 clubs, will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

If we get in it I would want us to win it, simple as that.

I think top 4 is achievable!!! We just have to continue this amazing run.

I think top 4 is achievable!!! We just have to continue this amazing run.

 

We would need to win all of our games and for one of the title chasers, United and West Ham to lose most of their games too. I just don't see it happening. We have left it far too late.

how many matches we have left?

City: 47

Chelsea: 39

That's only 8 points

If United and West Ham lose 2 next matches and we will win them, we will jump ahead of them. The thing is we need just keep wining.

Edited March 2, 201610 yr by Michael440

Whilst a distraction, if nothing else the EL could prove (if we get it) a really good place to try out new tactics and the youngsters. Plus even if we return to form theres no guarantee that we'll have top 4 next season and might need a push for the trophy to get into the Champions League the year after that.

Whilst a distraction, if nothing else the EL could prove (if we get it) a really good place to try out new tactics and the youngsters. Plus even if we return to form theres no guarantee that we'll have top 4 next season and might need a push for the trophy to get into the Champions League the year after that.

This is the biggest incentive to get in IMO, even above blooding in young players. Maybe we get ahead by a few points in the first few group stage matches and then send in the kids to get some experience so we at least know we'll qualify for the next round.

I'm really torn, on one hand it feels like a waste of time but on the other if we use it to play our youngsters then it's worth it.

Another point to consider- the European coefficients for English teams. Do we honestly believe Leicester or Spurs will perform well in Europe next season? Even arsenal for that matter? I think it will be vital for Chelsea to get a European spot (in either competition) in order to maintain the coefficient England has at the moment

Edited March 2, 201610 yr by Haz139

If we use that tournament to blood youngsters then I am perfectly fine being in it

Plus even if we return to form theres no guarantee that we'll have top 4 next season and might need a push for the trophy to get into the Champions League the year after that.

Good point. The competition for the top 4 is getting more crowded. Everton got a sugar daddy, and Leicester have inspired smaller teams to aim higher. Even if we play well, there is no guarantee that we'll make top 4. Europa provides another path.

very hard to win and we are the only english club to win it in how many years? i can not understand how belittled it has become 

Top 4 is still a possibility-We have momentum and most of our squad have basically had half a season off so they'll be fresher than most of the others.

Top 4 is still a possibility-We have momentum and most of our squad have basically had half a season off so they'll be fresher than most of the others.

 

8 points behind City who have a game in hand, but it's not just City who we will need to keep dropping points. There is United, West Ham, Stoke, Liverpool and Southampton too, we also need to win all of our games. I think we need a miracle to be honest.