As Chelsea navigates through another intense Premier League season, the goal of securing Champions League football is ever-present. While a top-four finish remains the most straightforward way to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition, there are alternative pathways for Chelsea to secure a spot in the Champions League without finishing in the coveted top four. Here are some ways Chelsea could still make it to the Champions League next season, even if they fall short of a top-four finish.
1. Winning the UEFA Europa League
One of the most realistic paths for Chelsea is to win the UEFA Europa League. If the Blues finish outside the top four in the Premier League, the Europa League title could act as a ticket to the Champions League. The winner of the Europa League earns automatic qualification to the group stages of the following season’s Champions League. Chelsea has a strong European pedigree and has historically performed well in the Europa League, even winning the competition in 2013 and 2019. With a squad full of talent, they are more than capable of mounting a serious challenge in the tournament, particularly with the added motivation of securing Champions League football.
2. Winning the FA Cup
Though the FA Cup does not automatically guarantee a Champions League spot, it can still be a route to European qualification under certain circumstances. If a team that finishes outside the top four wins the FA Cup, they would earn a place in the Europa League. If the winner of the FA Cup also finishes in the top four of the Premier League, then the fifth-placed team would earn a Champions League spot. This means that even if Chelsea ends the league campaign outside the top four, they could potentially grab a Champions League place by lifting the FA Cup. Chelsea’s recent success in the competition, including their 2018 FA Cup triumph, shows they have the necessary pedigree to mount a strong challenge.
3. Winning the UEFA Conference League
The UEFA Conference League, Europe’s third-tier competition, offers another unconventional way for Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League. The winner of the Conference League automatically qualifies for the Europa League group stage, but there’s an added twist. If the winner of the Conference League has already qualified for the Champions League via their domestic league finish or another competition, that spot in the Champions League would go to the next highest-placed team in the league that has not already qualified. If Chelsea were to finish outside the top four but win the Conference League, they could still land in the Champions League, assuming that they fulfill the criteria for this exceptional scenario.
4. Other Teams’ European Success
Sometimes, external factors can create opportunities for teams that miss out on a top-four finish. For instance, if a team outside the Premier League’s top four goes on to win the Champions League or Europa League, they automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League. If a team such as Manchester City or Arsenal wins the Champions League and finishes outside the top four, the Premier League would likely see an additional place awarded to the league. In this case, Chelsea could secure a Champions League spot without finishing in the top four, providing the Premier League’s overall coefficient allows for this bonus spot.
5. Falling Within UEFA’s Fair Play Rankings (A Long Shot)
While unlikely, there is another more obscure method: the UEFA Fair Play rankings. Historically, UEFA has awarded spots in European competitions to clubs that perform well in terms of fair play (e.g., fewest yellow and red cards). Although this route has been significantly reduced in importance and impact over the years, it still remains a theoretical possibility. If Chelsea demonstrates an exemplary level of discipline and sportsmanship, they could theoretically earn a place in the Champions League by being awarded a fair play spot. However, this would be a very unlikely and long-shot scenario, considering the current importance placed on domestic league positions and other European competitions.
Conclusion
While a top-four finish in the Premier League remains the most reliable route for Chelsea to secure Champions League qualification, there are other avenues that could still see them competing with the best in Europe next season. Winning the Europa League, the FA Cup, or even the UEFA Conference League provides Chelsea with the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League without relying solely on league position. Of course, external factors such as other teams’ European success could also work in Chelsea’s favor. Regardless of the route, Chelsea has the talent and experience to challenge for a place in the Champions League, even if their domestic league finish falls short of expectations.
