Why are Chelsea playing in the Conference League Playoffs?
Chelsea Football Club, a giant of English football with a rich history of European triumphs, is embarking on a journey few expected: the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, a position that would typically secure a spot in the more prestigious UEFA Europa League, the Blues now find themselves competing in Europe’s third-tier competition.
But how did one of England’s top clubs end up here, and what does this mean for their season?
The answer lies in a combination of factors, with Manchester United’s FA Cup victory playing a pivotal role. United, who finished eighth in the Premier League, earned direct entry into the Europa League by winning the domestic cup, a rule that pushed Chelsea down the European pecking order.
The knock-on effect saw Chelsea’s European prospects recalibrated, forcing them to contend with a competition far removed from the glamour of the Champions League, where they were once regulars.
Enzo Maresca, who took the reins at Chelsea following the club’s turbulent season, now faces the challenge of leading his side through the uncharted waters of the Europa Conference League.
The tournament’s format adds an extra layer of complexity, as Chelsea must first navigate a playoff round before they can even think about the group stage. This week, they will face Swiss side Servette, with the tie being broadcast live on talkSPORT.
A victory over two legs would secure their progression to the next phase.
The Conference League, established by UEFA to give more clubs the chance to experience European football, has a unique structure. It begins with a grueling 48-team playoff round, where Chelsea is one of only five teams that qualified based on their league positions in their domestic competitions.
The rest are made up of 30 teams that advanced from earlier qualifying rounds and 13 that dropped out of the Europa League qualifiers.
These 48 teams are divided into two paths: the Champions Path, for clubs that won their domestic leagues but did not qualify for the Champions League or Europa League, and the League Path, where Chelsea finds itself.
Should Maresca’s men overcome Servette, they will join the group of winners from the playoff round, along with 12 teams eliminated from the Europa League playoffs, to form what is now called the ‘League Stage’ of the competition.
Chelsea’s potential League Stage campaign is scheduled to begin on October 3, with six matchdays running through to December. For a club with Chelsea’s pedigree, the Conference League offers a platform to rebuild confidence after a disappointing absence from European football last season.
The last time Chelsea played on the continent, they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a far cry from the position they find themselves in now.
Yet, for a team of Chelsea’s stature, anything less than a deep run in this competition would be seen as underachievement.
The road ahead might not be paved with the same prestige as their previous European campaigns, but for Chelsea, the Conference League represents an opportunity to reassert their dominance on the international stage.
It also offers Maresca a chance to build his own legacy, starting with a crucial tie against Servette that could set the tone for the rest of their European adventure.
Why are Chelsea playing in the Conference League Playoffs?