Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer believes that securing European qualification would be a significant step forward for the club. After their 2-1 victory over Brighton, Chelsea climbed to sixth place in the Premier League. If they manage to earn at least a point in their final game against Bournemouth, they will secure a spot in Europe next season.
Palmer, who scored his 22nd goal of the season in the match against Brighton, expressed his excitement about the possibility of finishing in sixth place. He acknowledged that Chelsea is a big club and that they aspire to finish higher, but considering their difficult start to the season, securing a European spot would be a significant achievement.
Indeed, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has made an impressive recovery after a poor start to the campaign. As recently as April 3rd, they were languishing in 12th place. Palmer commended the manager for turning things around and credited him for the team’s positive spirit and determination.
The question arises, which positions in the Premier League would secure European qualification this season? A fifth or sixth-place finish would guarantee Chelsea a spot in the Europa League. However, if Manchester United finishes outside the top six but wins the FA Cup, they would still claim a Europa League place. In this scenario, the team finishing fifth would also enter the Europa League, while sixth place would earn a spot in the newly established Europa Conference League. A seventh-placed finish would result in no European qualification at all.
Despite being three points behind Tottenham, Chelsea still have a chance to finish as high as fifth if results go their way on the final day of the season. This would be an incredible recovery considering they were ninth and 13 points behind Spurs after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal last month.
Pochettino emphasized the importance of patience and time in building something significant. He acknowledged that at a big club like Chelsea, this can often be seen as an excuse. However, he expressed his pride in the team’s hard work and positive attitude, hoping to finish the season on a high note for the benefit of the club.
Securing European qualification would not only be a step in the right direction for Chelsea but also a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite the challenges they faced earlier in the season, they have managed to turn things around and put themselves in a position to compete in European competitions next season. The final game against Bournemouth will be crucial, and Chelsea will need to remain focused and determined to achieve their goal.