Manchester City was to serve a two-year European ban which would have put Chelsea on course for UCL football. However, the ban has been lifted by the CAS.
Chelsea would have certainly been one of the more interested parties in the case as its qualification for the Champions League depended on the decision. Frank Lampard’s men are currently five points clear of Wolves, who would have been its nearest challengers for a UCL spot had the ban been upheld. The Blues now have their work cut out if they are to return to Europe’s premier club-competition next season.
Albeit being in third at the moment, Chelsea has played one more game than Manchester United and could drop to fourth if the Red Devils defeat the Saints later tonight.
The remainder of the season is finely poised for a three-horse race for the remaining two Champions League spots. Chelsea hosts Norwich tomorrow knowing that the game now has greater ramifications than it did 24 hours ago. Having being relegated already, the Canaries have nothing to lose can afford to be fearless in their visit to west London. This could make a supposed walk in the park another nervy contest for Chelsea.
After an FA Cup semi-final against fellow top four contenders Manchester United, a trip to Anfield immediately follows for the Blues before the Visit of Wolves on the final day of the season. However, with Chelsea’s nearest challengers still to play each other, as little as four points may be enough.
Leicester City still awaits the visit of Sheffield United, which would leave them with Spurs and Manchester United to play. Sheffield will be no push-overs as their recent schooling of Chelsea suggests. United go to the ever-difficult Selhurst Park next before hosting relegation-threatened West Ham and finally, a trip to the King Power.
The Foxes’ failure to defeat Bournemouth means that once again, Chelsea has its fate in its own hand. This time, which will probably be the last time, Chelsea must take full control and complete the job. The race could go down to the wire and Chelsea needs to ensure it stays in it. The Blues have shown inconsistency in major phases of the season, but they now need to get their act right more than ever before.
From here on out, everything has to be spot-on. Ranging from starting XIs to substitutions to in-game management. Horror shows at Bramall Lane and the London Stadium simply cannot be repeated. Series of ghastly errors have been made during the course of the season but any further ones could be fatal. The entire season comes down to its last three chapters. Everyone needs to rise up to the occasion.
Cries of “Come on Chelsea” will be ringing from the Stamford Bridge faithful worldwide and the Blues simply cannot disappoint. As the season comes to an end, Chelsea most now rally itself to complete the mission which it set out to achieve at the beginning starting with Norwich’s visit to Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Up the Chels!