Keeping the focus on two major tournaments when a club’s players have only proven “decent” so far is a difficult task, and Maurizio Sarri must prioritize the competition which serves the bigger purpose.
The Europa League, although tricky, should be the go-to competition for the Blues instead of the more appealing dream of leapfrogging Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham into the top four of the Premier League. The Blues sit sixth in the standings, one point behind Man United, two below Arsenal and three adrift of Tottenham.
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With nine games to go for Maurizio Sarri’s side – an extra game advantage over their rivals – Chelsea would be wiser to focus on the easier route to Champions League football. The Europa League now consists of eight teams and luck has favored the London club.
They face Slavia Prague now after thrashing Dynamo Kiev in the last-16 round. With one of Arsenal and Napoli set to exit the competition, having been paired together, Chelsea’s best chance of a trophy has presented itself.
The battle to enter the Premier League’s top four will get even tougher and Europe’s second tier football competition might just end up being Chelsea’s salvation.
