Chelsea have missed out on qualifying for Europe once again, but this could be a blessing in disguise next season.
The Blues have finished tenth in the Premier League after a 2-1 loss at Sunderland on the final day, one point off the European spots.
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Despite their dismal run-in, Chelsea were still in contention of at least reaching the Europa League went they arrived for matchweek 38.
However, for the second time in four seasons, they have not qualified for continental football.
Former Blues defender Jason Cundy reflected on Sunday’s defeat, in which they finished with ten men due to Wesley Fofana’s red card.
“Sunderland wanted it more, the players wanted it more,” he said on the GameDay Phone-In. “They worked harder, aggressive, athletic.
On Chelsea’s performance, Cundy added: “Didn’t want it, second-best all over the pitch in the first half, second-best.
“It is embarrassing, and I’m not celebrating being in the top half of the table.
“It is disgusting, it is.”
His co-host Jamie O’Hara asked how Chelsea managed to go from top four contenders, to barely making the top half.
Cundy explained: “Well, we got beaten in those six games, those last (Liam) Rosenior (former head coach) games, that defined our season.
“We were in the hunt for top five, top four, we were in the hunt!”
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Looking to the future
An absence of European football does not bode well for a club like Chelsea, who won the Champions League only five years ago.
However, a silver lining from their shortcomings is that they will not have as much of a congested fixture schedule next season.
Chelsea are also set to begin their new era with Xabi Alonso coming in as their manager from July 1.
The Spaniard won the Bundesliga title unbeaten at Bayer Leverkusen and won 24 of 34 matches at Real Madrid before his shock exit.
Cundy feels as though there could be a sense of Deja Vu at Chelsea in the 2026/27 campaign when Alonso joins.
He looked back to their 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte, which is when they won the Premier League with no European football.
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“Listen, just move on now,” Cundy said. “Xabi Alonso coming, no European football… it’s a cheat code.
“We saw Antonio Conte do that, came in and won the title. Now, I’m not saying we’re going to win the title, but I think that he now needs to get us, minimum, fourth.
“This team fell apart, this team was in the hunt. This team, whatever happened, fell of a cliff.”
