The Europa League is never what a top side wants to be in.
Not only is it the secondary tier of European competition, but there are approximately 697070 rounds before you even get to the knockout stages, which also seem to drag on for a God forsaken amount of time in remote locations across Europe, which may or may not include Narnia.
So, when Chelsea missed out on the top four, that threw up a myriad of issues. The lack of top European football may well impact which players they can bring in this summer – and more to the point, which manager.
Not only that, but missing out on the Champions League means they have less money to spend, less money coming into the club and another knock to their reputation as one of the very best in Europe.
People point to the last time Chelsea missed out on the top four, and note they won the title the season after – but there's one key difference. The Blues didn't have to worry about the slog of Europa League football, and could use their slim squad to focus on one competition and one alone – the Premier League.
Now, things will be different, and it's almost impossible to put together both a title and Europa League run in the same season. Even pushing for the top four is hard, as Arsenal and Man United have found in the last couple of seasons.
So what are the Blues to do? Should they all but ignore the Europa League or do they accept they're way behind Man City et al and use the Europa to get back into the Champions League and win a trophy?
The new Europa League 18/19 official match ball has been released. And it looks 😎
The answer is actually neither of the above. Chelsea haven't fallen that far – yet, but nor should they ignore the competition. In fact, it's the ideal scenario for them. It provides them with the chance to use their vast amount of young talent and really go for the competition.
They could leave their so called first team to focus on the Premier League, and allow the likes of Kenedy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jay DaSilva, Charly Musonda and many, many more (there really are too many to list) to really go for the Europa League.
It's a running joke that Chelsea have players on loan throughout Europe, and that a loan XI could actually make up a top ten Premier League side, so give them a chance to prove it, with the promise that if they do impress in the Europa, they will have a real shot at Premier League football next term.
It provides them with games, so going on loan is not mandated, and it would also allow them the chance to train with the first team if not week in, week out, then on occasion. That would allow the Chelsea coaches to see if they could really cut the mustard, provide motivation for the players in terms of their future, with Chelsea really giving them a chance, and could also bring some much-needed joy back to the club.
Everyone loves to see youth products do well, and they also love a good cup run. Chelsea could even consider subsidising the tickets for the games, and giving something back to their fans. Is it a long shot? Yes. It's certainly an unorthodox idea, but amid a summer of deep uncertainty and confusion at the club, this could be the ideal solution to a number of issues going into the new season.
