After a season of ups and downs, Chelsea find themselves on the brink of something big—a return to Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the Champions League.
The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League, and all eyes are on their last two games as they chase that coveted spot.
Champions League Spot Within Reach but Not Guaranteed
Chelsea’s position in the table means that if they win both remaining league fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, they will secure a Champions League place for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
It’s been a major goal for the club all year, and the pressure is on.
Right now, they’re just ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference, while Forest lurks just one point behind.
So every point from these final two games will count big time.
Enzo Maresca’s Future Set Despite Uncertain Outcomes
Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly decided to stick with head coach Enzo Maresca no matter what happens with Champions League qualification.
The club’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are said to have full confidence in the Italian manager and plan to give him two full seasons before making any judgment calls.
Maresca, who was appointed last summer on a five-year deal, came to Chelsea after leading Leicester City to a Championship title.
He replaced Mauricio Pochettino, who left after just one season despite having an initial two-year contract.
A Chance for Silverware and Building a Winning Mentality
Aside from chasing Champions League qualification, Chelsea are also pushing for silverware this season.
They’ve made it all the way to the final of the Conference League, where they will face Spain’s Real Betis in Wroclaw on May 28.
Earlier this month, Maresca emphasized how winning the tournament would signal that Chelsea are truly “back” and could help instill a winning mentality within the squad—something the club desperately needs.
Looking Ahead to a Busy Summer for Chelsea
The timing of the final is notable because just 19 days later, Chelsea will kick off their first match in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, held in the United States.
This tournament will bring international competition during a packed schedule and presents yet another challenge for Maresca’s side as they look to rebuild and reassert themselves on the world stage.