Chelsea have had their season defined by inconsistency and supporters are growing restless after another disappointing 12 months.
The Blues looked to be on course to secure Champions League football with ease for next season, spending most of the campaign in and around the qualification spots.
However, over the last two months, they have catastrophically fallen down the table, suffering six consecutive Premier League defeats before their 1-1 draw with Liverpool yesterday.
Chelsea are now ninth in the Premier League table with two league games remaining and are 10 points adrift of Aston Villa in fifth, making Champions League qualification almost impossible to secure.
The West Londoners would need to win both of their remaining games to stand a chance of catching AFC Bournemouth in sixth, while also needing Villa to win the Europa League to open up the possibility of an additional qualification spot.
Between Bournemouth losing both of their games, goal difference remaining in Chelsea’s favour and Villa potentially securing European glory, the Blues are relying on a lot of moving pieces to return to Europe’s elite stage.
The summer transfer window will present a number of challenges and difficult decisions for the hierarchy as they attempt to get the club back on track, including the appointment of a permanent manager.
The uncertainty and potential lack of Champions League football has led to reports of several key players assessing their future, with Cole Palmer allegedly unsettled and Enzo Fernández being eyed by several European clubs.
According to SPORT, Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is keen to make himself available to La Liga giants Barcelona ahead of the summer window.
The Spanish outlet claims that the forward would be interested in the move should Barcelona struggle to secure a deal for Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid.
Will Joao Pedro leave Chelsea?
There is no doubt that Pedro has been one of the few beacons of hope at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea struggling to recruit a reliable focal point in their forward line over the last few years.
The 24-year-old Brazilian – once hailed as “world class” by Liam Rosenior – has scored 20 goals and registered nine assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, making him Chelsea’s highest-scoring player this season.
Losing his output and consistency would be catastrophic for the Blues, but the hierarchy have long been ruthless in both recruitment and player sales since BlueCo took the reins, and it would come as no surprise if they chose to cash in on the star.
If the reports are true that Pedro has offered himself to Barcelona, Chelsea may have bigger problems than missing out on Champions League football next season.
Having key players unsettled can spread discontent through the dressing room, and others could follow his lead.
With uncertainty surrounding both the squad and the dugout, Chelsea are approaching one of the most important summers in their recent history.
The coming months will not only define whether the club can recover from another disappointing campaign, but also whether they can convince their biggest stars that Stamford Bridge is still the right place to build their future.
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