Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas doesn’t think his former club will finish in the top four.

Speaking to Prime Casino, Gallas said that the Blues lack consistency under head coach Enzo Maresca and he feels a top-six position is more realistic:

“There will be matches where everything clicks, but there will be more matches where it doesn’t. I don’t think Chelsea will finish in the top four this season. Top six? Yes.”

After ending last season in 6th place, finishing in the same position this campaign would undoubtedly disappoint supporters.

What do the statisticians say?

It is a bit too early in the season to make a precise calculation as to where Chelsea will end up in the table but Opta’s Supercomputer actually has them finishing 6th, which puts Gallas bang on the money.

While they have the highest probability (17.7%) for finishing 4th, Newcastle (26%) are actually favourites for the final Champions League place at the moment, with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool above them.

Enzo Maresca’s team have the highest probability (15.3%) of any team in the Premier League for 6th place.

Chelsea do need to find consistency

Gallas has put his finger on the problem that Chelsea are facing. You can’t thrash Wolves 6-2 away and then drop points to Palace at home in your next league fixture if you want to be competing for the top four.

It is still very early on in the campaign so fans would hope that Maresca can get his team playing more consistently as the week and months progress, with the Italian having had more time to work with this group of players.

This squad is, though, very young and you do wonder whether they are capable of playing to the same level, week in and week out, even if they are very well coached.

Find out who is in Chelsea’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here