Not many knew what Chelsea’s non participation in the Champion’s League cost the club. Chelsea finished 10th in the 2015/2016 Premier League season.
The 2015-16 season threw up some major surprises, with Manchester United only managing to qualify for the Europa League as reigning champions Leicester City joined Tottenham in breaking into the top four.
Below are 3 things the Blues lost in failing to qualify:
1. £65 million
The £65m that the Blues would have received for qualifying would have covered the cost of last season’s midfield gem N’Golo Kante twice over, with the Frenchman having moved to Stamford Bridge over the summer in a £32m deal.
Chelsea earned over £50m per year across the last five seasons in the Champions League – more than any other English side – but Manchester City are likely to overtake them after a failure to qualify for the 2016-17 term.
2. Top flight football
Chelsea’s tenth-place finish in the Premier League last year also cost them the chance to face Europe’s best clubs in the Champions League. For the first time I like 10 years, the Stamford Bridge will not play host to the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG and others.
3. Mid-week excitement
While Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Leicester City fans savour the pleasure of Champions League football on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Chelsea fans sleep at home or watch other team’s matches. What could be more boring?
The 2015-16 season threw up some major surprises, with Manchester United only managing to qualify for the Europa League as reigning champions Leicester City joined Tottenham in breaking into the top four.
Below are 3 things the Blues lost in failing to qualify:
1. £65 million
The £65m that the Blues would have received for qualifying would have covered the cost of last season’s midfield gem N’Golo Kante twice over, with the Frenchman having moved to Stamford Bridge over the summer in a £32m deal.
Chelsea earned over £50m per year across the last five seasons in the Champions League – more than any other English side – but Manchester City are likely to overtake them after a failure to qualify for the 2016-17 term.
2. Top flight football
Chelsea’s tenth-place finish in the Premier League last year also cost them the chance to face Europe’s best clubs in the Champions League. For the first time I like 10 years, the Stamford Bridge will not play host to the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG and others.
3. Mid-week excitement
While Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Leicester City fans savour the pleasure of Champions League football on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Chelsea fans sleep at home or watch other team’s matches. What could be more boring?