While Chelsea were busy toasting West Ham at Stamford Bridge, David Ornstein was on NBC Sport with an interesting update on the club’s future.
We’ve heard from all manner of sources that Mauricio Pochettino is expected to qualify for European football if he wants to keep his job. But we hadn’t thought that the level of European football achieved would matter. According to Ornstein, that’s not the case.
“Chelsea are demanding that they qualify for Europe… for the Europa League NOT the Europa Conference League,” Ornstein claimed.
You can see him speaking in the clip embedded here:
With David Moyes and Mauricio Pochettino both facing uncertain futures with their clubs, @David_Ornstein joined NBC Sports to provide the latest on the West Ham and Chelsea manager roles. pic.twitter.com/Z1B6QBYpKU
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 5, 2024
An achievable target
We had basically thought that Europe in some form was all that was required. Ultimately, neither the Europa nor the Conference League is where we want to be, does it really matter which we get into? Apparently yes.
The good news is that today’s big win, along with an equally impressive victory on Thursday, have put us in prime position. We’re now up to 7th, we’ve reeled in Spurs to a mathematically catchable position, and we’re just two points behind Newcastle in 6th.
We’ve got 3 games to play, and suddenly demands of making the Europa League look entirely realistic. In fact, given our final matches are against Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth, we should be favourites to make it.
The top 4 teams in the league will qualify for the Champions League, and that’s sadly beyond us now. 5th place also looks a stretch, for the Europa League. But if Man City beat Man U in the FA Cup final, 6th place will get Europa League football. As it stands, we’re just two points away from that position now, with a great chance to win out and claim it for ourselves. Newcastle face Brighton, Man U and Brentford in their remaining games.
