Fourth-placed Chelsea face a fight to qualify for the Champions League with nine games left in the Premier League. Unfortunately, the fixture list does not get any easier for the Blues.
They welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge on April 3 before facing Ipswich Town, Brentford, Fulham, Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
After losing to Arsenal before the international break, Chelsea must find their groove and start winning games to secure Champions League football next season. After recent developments at Cobham, that will be easier said than done.
The Chelsea first team reportedly lost 3-0 to the Under-21s this week. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was unhappy with the loss and reportedly cancelled a planned day off today.
Disappointed by what he witnessed, Maresca decided to take action. Although it was not a full 90-minute match between the first team and academy players, the less experienced side emerged victorious, with 19-year-old Donnell McNeilly scoring twice.
A worrying sign for Chelsea
It is always an ominous sign when the first team loses games against the junior side, and Chelsea’s case is no different.
The Blues have been dreadful over the past few months, with several players underperforming, and it is no surprise that they were on the pitch during the loss.
Jadon Sancho has not found his mojo since the turn of the year, failing to impact games with goals and assists. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku is also in the midst of an unproductive spell.
Malo Gusto, one of Chelsea’s better performers last term, has struggled this season. Chelsea need inspiration for the menacing fixture list or may have to settle for UEFA’s second or third-tier competition next year.
The return of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson will bolster the team ahead of the crucial run-in, but this may not be enough to fire Chelsea into the Champions League.
