{"id":11701,"date":"2026-05-22T05:01:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=11701"},"modified":"2026-05-22T05:01:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:01:09","slug":"chelsea-learn-new-route-to-europe-as-premier-league-final-day-permutations-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=11701","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea learn new route to Europe as Premier League final day permutations explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_f16c80\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea can salvage what has been a miserable season by clinching qualification to either the Europa League or the Conference League on the final day of the Premier League season.<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33980443\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chelsea's Argentinian midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on May 19, 2026\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33980443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2276590818.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33980443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2276590818.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33980443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2276590818.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33980443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2276590818.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Enzo Fernandez during Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Enzo Fernandez during Chelsea&#8217;s clash against Tottenham Hotspur<cite aria-label=\"Image: Photo by Adrian Dennis \/ AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Photo by Adrian Dennis \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea can clinch qualification to either the Europa League or the Conference League on the final day of the Premier League season. On Sunday afternoon, the Blues will lock horns with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as they look to squeeze into either of UEFA&#8217;s club competitions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Following Brentford&#8217;s draw to Crystal Palace at the weekend, Chelsea climbed to 8th in the English top-flight when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night. The Blues leapfrogged Keith Andrews&#8217; side on goal difference, with only a point separating them both from Sunderland in 10th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Bournemouth snatched a point from Manchester City, meaning Chelsea can finish no higher than seventh. Ahead of the final day of the season, Brighton are 7th with 53 points, Chelsea are 8th with 52 points, Brentford are 9th with 52 points, and Sunderland are 10th with 51 points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Newcastle United, Everton, and Fulham are all on 49 points in 11th, 12th, and 13th, respectively. Although either the Magpies or the Cottagers, who will lock horns, and the Toffees could match the Blues&#8217; tally, they would have to make up at least a seven-goal difference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">So, with that being said, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> has weighed up Chelsea&#8217;s chances of qualifying for either the Europa League or the Conference League:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\">\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">If Chelsea beat Sunderland, they are guaranteed to finish no lower than 8th in the Premier League and subsequently seal a place in either the Europa League or the Conference League. If Brighton drop points when they face Manchester United, the Blues will climb into 7th and qualify for the Europa League.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">If Chelsea draw to Sunderland, they can finish 8th and qualify for the Conference League, so long as Brentford lose or draw to Liverpool. If Calum McFarlane&#8217;s side were to only bank a point, they would, however, drop to ninth if the Bees win all three points at Anfield.<\/li>\n<li class=\"LiItem_li-item__IF4xI\">If Chelsea lose to Sunderland, they will be overtaken by R\u00e9gis Le Bris&#8217; side and fail to qualify for either the Europa League or the Conference League.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to reporters at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, the interim Chelsea boss commented on the race for European football. McFarlane said: &#8220;I said it at the beginning of the game, and we said it after the City game that we need to put that behind us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The cup final&#8217;s gone. We need to try and win two games out of two. We&#8217;ve done one now, and we&#8217;ve got to go again on Sunday and do that again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He continued: &#8220;I genuinely think that they&#8217;ve shown that. The results haven&#8217;t been good enough recently. We know that everyone&#8217;s spoken about that. But the fight and determination has been questioned at times, and some of the performance, maybe that&#8217;s right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s extra motivation. I think this group wants to win every single game of football, and we just haven&#8217;t been able to do that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But that will give us confidence. We haven&#8217;t won in a while in the Premier League. We haven&#8217;t won at the Bridge in a while. So that&#8217;s something to definitely go off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Up to 70% off Chelsea kits and merch<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32733589.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-1jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Fanatics<\/p>\n<p>Buy Now on Fanatics<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fanatics has slashed the price of Chelsea kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea can salvage what has been a miserable season by clinching qualification to either the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11701\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}