Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted where he thinks Chelsea will end up in the Premier League next season.
Les Bleus have enjoyed a crusade of ups and downs under Mauricio Pochettino, and after a disappointing first part of the season, they have taken a big step forward in the new year, finishing with five straight wins to move into the top six and return to European football.
Pochettino has since left the team and Les Bleus appointed Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a five-year contract.
He will be at Maresca from day one and will be tasked with leading Chelsea back to the Champions League and bringing the cutlery to Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old guided Leicester City to the league title last season, but the build-up to the Premier League is huge, and even more so for a manager with just a full season of senior control experience under his belt.
It looks like the race for the top four is wide open next season, and while Manchester City and Arsenal are obviously the two most productive teams in the league, the Blues will be keen to give it a try.
Chelsea will be under pressure to return to the Champions League next season.
In transition will be Liverpool Arne Slot, it remains to be seen how Aston Villa will face the demands of the Champions League and there are very few differences between Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Merson gave his predictions for next season and believes Les Bleus will be back in the top four, although he added that it would be difficult.
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“I think the four most sensible, Chelsea, will be there. Man Utd can only improve, the four most sensible are tricky now,” he told Sky Sports.
Chelsea will want their side to give Maresca the best chance of breaking into the last four, and they have already reached an agreement to sign defender Tosin Adarabioyo in a loose move from Fulham, while there are also strong links with a move by RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has a £55m release clause.
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