Chelsea being ranked among Europe’s biggest underachievers this season should not really surprise any fan who has watched the team closely.
But seeing the Blues officially placed sixth in the rankings of Europe’s worst-performing clubs still makes for uncomfortable reading given the amount of money spent and the number of players within the squad.
Transfermarkt’s ranking is based on the gap between where clubs should finish according to squad market value and where they actually sit in their domestic leagues.
Chelsea, along with Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, have received a score of -6 after a series of disappointing performances have led to underwhelming campaigns for both clubs.
Unsurprisingly, Spurs are the team with the worst ranking overall after a humiliating season has left them fighting for Premier League survival with just two games to go.
Chelsea among Europe's worst teams this season
One of the biggest problems for Chelsea this season has been their complete lack of balance, and experienced leadership, because it's obvious the squad has huge potential.
Players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Estevao represent the type of elite-level quality many clubs across Europe would love to build around moving forward. But potential alone has never guaranteed silverware.
The Blues have been far too fragile this season and this is proven by the fact they've conceded goals inside the first 10 minutes in nine Premier League matches.
That is exactly why BlueCo are expected to pivot from their usual youth transfer model to a more experienced recruitment strategy this summer.
This season has highlighted how difficult it is to build a winning team around potential while still expecting immediate success at the highest level, and Transfermarkt's ranking only reinforces that reality.
Chelsea’s position may actually flatter how bad things became
In some ways, Chelsea ranking sixth on the list of Europe's most disappointing clubs flatters them. Despite preparing for an FA Cup final against Manchester City this weekend, saying the team have had a poor campaign is an understatement.
The Blues aren't an underdog story. They have one of the most expensive, and biggest, squads in world football and were expected to compete in Europe as well as qualify for it again next season. They have failed at both.
Instead, Chelsea have spent most of the campaign invisible in matches, lacking identity and changing managers more times than they have their underwear. It's been a total mess from start to near-finish.
Winning the FA Cup on Sunday would not erase the wider problems which still clearly exist at Stamford Bridge, but it would at least provide momentum heading into another crucial summer under BlueCo.
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