Missing out on European football felt like a disaster for Chelsea on Sunday after defeat against Sunderland confirmed the club’s miserable campaign would end without European qualification.
The Blues suffered a 2-1 away defeat against the Black Cats with Wesley Fofana the latest player to be a shown a red card. Fofana's sending off on Sunday was the 11th time this season a Chelsea player had seen red.
The financial impact their European exile will have is concerning, but interestingly, not everybody believes the situation is a total disaster.
In fact, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney actually believes Chelsea’s absence from Europe could become a major advantage once Xabi Alonso officially arrives at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Wayne Rooney thinks Chelsea could be Premier League's dark horses next season
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show after Chelsea’s defeat against Sunderland, Rooney admitted he believes Alonso’s arrival and a lighter fixture schedule could make Chelsea extremely dangerous next season.
“I think they'll be a real threat next season. Obviously having one game a week, and then with Alonso coming in, I think it's exciting for the Premier League because I think he's got the potential to be a top manager," he said.
Rooney also highlighted how important a full uninterrupted domestic schedule could become for Alonso specifically during his first season in English football.
He added: “It gives him a period of time to feel his way into the club and get his ideas across. So I think it will benefit the football club.”
As hard as it is to admit, there is definitely some truth to Rooney’s point, because Alonso’s systems are notoriously demanding physically and structurally, meaning as much time on the training ground as possible will be vital to getting the squad up and running as quickly as possible.
And time is something Chelsea managers rarely get, so an easier schedule, which will see the Blues play once a week, will definitely help Alonso get off to the best possible start.
Rooney's old club, Manchester United, are the perfect example of when this has happened. The Red Devils finished 17th last season during an awful campaign which also involved European football and a relentless fixture schedule.
However, without Europe this year, United, led by Michael Carrick, suddenly looked fresher, more organised and a lot more competitive again on their way to finishing third. Chelsea will hope something similar happens to them under Alonso.
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