A third-place finish in the Premier League and a Europa League final awaiting, yet Maurizio Sarri's future at Chelsea still seems uncertain.

"I think so, but I am not sure. I can say only that the club asked me for the Champions League, and we reached the target," Sarri was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail when asked if he would be at Stamford Bridge next season.

In the long run, the Italian may not be the answer for the west London club, a sentiment the Chelsea hierarchy may also feel.

But having secured Champions League qualification and booked the Blues' ticket to Baku, Sarri deserves the chance to at least enter the second year of his contract.

Whether he remains in west London beyond that is down to him. Next season, the football has to improve and his team have to do better in those away fixtures against the rest of the Premier League top six.

If he cannot accomplish that, then there is more of a reason for Roman Abramovich, Marina Granovskaia and the rest of the Chelsea decision makers to wield the axe.

But before that, even by their standards, it would be extremely harsh.

With the squad they have compared to Manchester City and Liverpool, third was probably always the most realistic place Chelsea could finish.

Now having achieved that, regardless of what happens at Baku's Olympic Stadium against Arsenal, Sarri should be given another crack of the whip.

Chelsea fans, should the club ditch Sarri? Join the discussion by commenting below.