crunchblue wrote:
I think qualifying for the last 16 of the CL was a bit of a blow for Chelsea. That sounds ridiculous I know, but they aren't going to win or even come close to winning it this season, I know they fluked it a few years ago but there are better teams in it this time.
But had they finished 3rd in their group and qualified for the Europa League, with that squad and a new manager, they could realistically win that tournament, meaning qualification for next season's champions league, meaning finishing outside the top 4 this season isn't such a disaster.
If they want Pep, and pep has offers on the table in the summer from Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd... The 2 manc clubs have a big advantage of being in the champions league next season.
Certainly taken on a new angle now the Europa League with the winners getting in the CL. After the draw they got and others got United will fancy it a bit, won't take that much winning really - lot of the better sides will go out this next round. Must be hard to manage for Clubs that are not a cert to finish top 4 but still in that etc. All it has done really mind is guarantee another Club from the big leagues is in the CL, been great having this format without the CL Clubs dropping in to it.