Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League table — six points off top four with just seven games to play — but could still qualify for next season's Champions League even if they finish outside of the top four places.
The Blues' season has largely been a disappointment. Losing in the Carabao Cup's semi finals against Arsenal and then exiting the Champions League at the first knockout phase has meant the side's only hope of silverware rest on the FA Cup.
Last weekend's emphatic 7-0 quarter final win over League One's Port Vale has set Chelsea up for a semi final against Leeds United later this month. Focus must remain on their league position, though.
And even though they may not catch up to third place Manchester United and fourth place Aston Villa, the Blues will hope the European stars align so they can still book their place in next season's Champions League.; a target Liam Rosenior set his players earlier this year.
Chelsea could still qualify for next season's Champions League
In order for the Blues to book their spot in the 2026-27 Champions League, a few things will need to happen.
Firstly, assuming England retains it's place as one of the top two nations in UEFA's Coefficient Table, as well as secures a European Performance Spot, as it did last season, then Chelsea will want to see Liverpool go all the way.
That's because if the Reds lift their seventh European trophy domestic qualification will move as far down as sixth place in the Premier League.
And if Aston Villa slip down to sixth in the league table but win the Europa League, Unai Emery's men will also qualify for the Champions League. Consequently, the team in seventh place would also secure a spot in the Champions League; a record-breaking number for a single nation.
Not just the Champions League that could be affected
It wouldn't just be the Champions League spots that are affected should Liverpool and Aston Villa achieve European glory. There would also be two Europa League spots and a Conference League space up for grabs.
Should Crystal Palace — currently 14th in the table — finish the season in the bottom half but go on to lift the Conference League, European qualification spots will extend down to 11th in the table.
If these events are fulfilled, this would put the likes of Sunderland, Fulham, Bournemouth and Brighton all in with a chance of playing in a UEFA competition next season.