Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Chelsea’s previous campaign was their inability to qualify for any kind of European football.
The Premier League Champion’s of 2014/15 slumped to their worst ever league finish as they placed a dismal 10th position, 12 points behind their closet hope of European football – West Ham in 7th place.
While the campaign will most likely not dampen the clubs reputation as one of the biggest and best in Europe, the absence of football on the continent presents some of its own problems that the Blue’s will have to tackle this coming summer.
Not only will it be difficult for Chelsea to attract the biggest names in Europe to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, it could be that a number of their own look for pastures new also as they search for football at the highest level.
Incoming manager Antonio Conte may do something to mitigate the damage – with many current a new players sure to be keen to player under the charismatic Italian – however whether or not he can hold on to his biggest stars is a another question.
These THREE Chelsea players should really be playing at a Champions League club next season according to our landlord, do you agree?
Eden Hazard
There he is! The Eden Hazard we know and love has finally seemed to manage to put his boots back on the right feet and re-find the form that saw him named the 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year.
A terrific end to the season for the Blue’s has been followed by an electric few games at Euro 2016 so far, in which the Belgian has caused all sorts of problems for the continent’s defences with his dazzling dribbling and running with the ball
. Still one of the top players in world football – Hazard should really be flaunting his stuff in the Champions League.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Subject to interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Azpilicueta is finally getting the attention he deserves as one of Europe’s best and most consistent full backs.
With Dani Alves having left Barcelona for Juventus, the Spaniard seems a suitable fit for the Camp Nou.
Since his move to Stamford Bridge from Marseille, ‘Dave’ as he is better known at Chelsea made the switch from right to left back to accommodate from Branislav Ivanovic, but has out shone his Serbian counterpart, offering both excellent service down the left flank but solid defensive cover too, something not too many fullbacks in Europe are capable of doing.
Oscar
The Brazilian’s debut goal in the Champion’s League was always going to one to remember. The cut inside and curled shot into the top scorer announced Oscar onto the Chelsea and European scene in fine fashion.
Despite struggling for form recently in England, you can’t help but notice that Oscar is a player who is certainly more suited to European football as he often shines when on the biggest stage.
His deft-touches and tiki-taka style perfectly compliment the style of the Champions League.
