In a move that could have significant consequences for Chelsea’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino, reports suggest that the club is prepared to sack him if they miss out on European qualification this season.
Pochettino joined the club in the summer, hoping to rejuvenate the team after their disappointing performance in the previous league campaign.
Under a combination of managers Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, Chelsea finished in 12th place in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season, marking their lowest position since 1994.
In an effort to strengthen the team, the Blues brought in several high-profile players, including Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea currently has no immediate plans to dismiss Pochettino despite their underwhelming performance in the first half of the 2023-24 season.
However, they are open to parting ways with the Argentine coach if he fails to secure European qualification for the club.
At present, Pochettino’s team sits in 10th place in the Premier League standings after 20 games, trailing Brighton & Hove Albion by three points.
Brighton finished in seventh place last season, which was enough to secure them a spot in the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea still has two potential routes to European competition in the 2024-25 season. The most straightforward option is winning the EFL Cup.
The team has already reached the semi-finals, but they must overcome a one-goal deficit against Middlesbrough to make it to the final at Wembley.
A victory in the final against either Liverpool or Fulham would secure a playoff spot in the Europa Conference League.
Another opportunity for European qualification comes from the FA Cup. If Pochettino and Chelsea win the tournament, they will earn a place in the group stage of the Europa League.
In their recent third-round match against Preston North End, Chelsea comfortably secured a win thanks to goals from Armando Broja, Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Enzo Fernandez. However, they face a challenging fixture against Aston Villa in the fourth round.
To improve their chances of securing European qualification, Pochettino is looking to strengthen his attacking options in the January transfer window. The coach reportedly has an interest in signing Roma striker Paulo Dybala, who is also from Argentina.
A win against Fulham on Saturday afternoon could see Chelsea climb up the Premier League table, potentially overtaking Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Brighton to secure seventh place.