Europe a ‘step in right direction’ for Chelsea – Cole Palmer
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer believes that securing European qualification would be a “step in the right direction” for the club.
Following their 2-1 victory over Brighton on Wednesday, the Blues have climbed to sixth place in the Premier League.
Despite a challenging season, Chelsea can guarantee a spot in European competition next season if they secure at least a point in their final game at home against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“For it to be in our hands to get sixth place is a big thing for us,” said Palmer, who scored his 22nd goal of the season with the opener against the Seagulls.
“Chelsea are a big club and everyone wants to finish higher than sixth but you have to look at where we were at the start of the season.”
Mauricio Pochettino’s side has rebounded from a poor start to the campaign, having been in 12th place as recently as April 3.
Palmer, 22, added: “To get back into Europe would be a step in the right direction.
“All credit to the manager. All the players love the manager and want to fight for him.”
Which places get you into Europe this season?
A fifth or sixth-place finish in the Premier League could secure the Blues a spot in next season’s Europa League, while seventh place might be enough for the Europa Conference League.
However, if rivals Manchester United finish outside the top six, they could still claim a Europa League spot by winning the FA Cup.
In that scenario, the team finishing fifth would enter the Europa League, sixth place would qualify for the Conference League, and a seventh-place finish would miss out on European competition entirely.
With a three-point gap to Tottenham, Chelsea could potentially finish as high as fifth if results go their way on the final day.
This would mark an incredible turnaround, considering the Blues were ninth and 13 points behind Spurs after their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal last month.
“We talked about patience and when you need to build something you need time,” Chelsea boss Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.
“But it always looks like an excuse at a big club. We have kept working and being positive and to finish in a good way would be good for the club.”