Chelsea is experiencing one of the most difficult seasons in its history. They are ninth in the standings and ten points behind fifth place (which qualifies for the Champions League) with three matches left. They could still qualify, but it would require several conditions to align: they would need to finish sixth (a position currently four points away), and in the meantime, Aston Villa would need to win the Europa League and remain in fifth place. In short: the Blues need a miracle to play in the next Champions League. However, at least they could limit the damage caused by lost revenues thanks to special clauses included in the players’ contracts.
According to an anonymous source reported to the Telegraph, Chelsea players “do not have high base salaries like their colleagues at other top clubs, but they receive large bonuses for qualifying for the Champions.” It is evident, therefore, how the six defeats suffered in the league represent a loss not only for the fans and the club but also for the players themselves. According to theTelegraph , they will end up losing a fifth of their current earnings if they fail to qualify for the Champions. The recent contract renewals of captain Reece James and Moisés Caicedo seem to align with this direction, as the club has defined them as “aligned” with its strategy. This decision by Chelsea is uncommon in the football world. But it allows the club to avoid having to sell – or rather: undervalue – its best players in case of a difficult season.
The future of Chelsea, therefore, looks quite complex. Also, simply put, a player who ends up earning less money may feel more “attracted,” so to speak, to other clubs that are seeking him in the market. In any case, however, this disastrous season for the Blues could still end with the victory of a trophy: the team temporarily managed by Calum McFarlane will face Manchester City at Wembley on May 16, in the FA Cup final. Success in the national cup has eluded Chelsea since the 2017/18 season, and it would guarantee the Stamford Bridge club qualification for the upcoming Europa League. Which is not the Champions, of course, but at least it could be a starting point for the rebuilding that will take place next year.