TNT Sports pundit Robbie Savage is adamant that Chelsea will seal Champions League qualification.
Despite losing twice in their first four league matches, Savage claims that the depth of the Blues’ squad, combined with the lack of European football, will help them finish in the top four this season:
“When Mauricio Pochettino was appointed I thought Chelsea would get in the top four, and I still believe that. They’ve signed so many good, hungry players and with a manager like Pochettino and the way he can develop players and teams, I think that Chelsea will still finish in the top four.”
“With no European football, the extra time on the training pitch is going to be so valuable to Pochettino. When you look at how many players they’ve brought in it is going to take him a lot of time to galvanise this group and to get them playing the way that he wants.”
A lot depends on Pochettino
While Savage makes some sensible points, a lot still rests on Mauricio Pochettino’s shoulders. You can have all the best players in the world, but it is up to the manager to create a team.
Chelsea have played well at times in the opening weeks of the campaign but it will take some time for this squad to gel together.
Fifth place could be enough for Chelsea to seal qualification
Fans may still be unaware that finishing fifth this season could be sufficient for Champions League football. That is because Europe’s top-tier competition is being restructured for the 2024/25 campaign.
There are two extra spots available in the group stage and they will be handed to countries who have performed the best in Europe this season. We will know a few months before the end of the campaign whether England will get the additional place.
