Three reasons it should be Europa League or bust for Chelsea

Why the Blues should sack off the Premier League

Chelsea could have made a huge statement of intent when they faced Everton last Sunday.

The Blues were the only side in the top-four chase to play at the weekend and a win would have really heaped pressure on the teams around them.

But following their 2-0 loss to the Toffees at Goodison Park it’s left them three points short and at 15/8 to grab a Champions League berth through the league.

However, they’ve got a favourable tie against Slavia Prague in the Europa League quarter-finals, so we take a look at why Chelsea should put all their eggs in the Europa-shaped basket.

Has the team hit the limit?

Following the weekend’s defeat to Everton, boss Maurizio Sarri sent out yet another damnation of his players, suggesting they’ve reached a “limit” in their progression this season.

A win could have seen them go joint-fourth with Arsenal, but Sarri claimed his players having suffered a “mental block” – one similar to their loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign.

This drop off in performance has been a notable distinction of Chelsea’s season so far and one that could ultimately derail a top-four finish.

Chelsea have signed promising USA forward Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund, however their looming transfer ban has sharpened the need for Champions League qualification.

Fixture List

Chelsea’s remaining fixture list looks tough, perhaps one of the toughest in the run in.