Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are both determined to secure Champions League spots after being absent from the competition last term
Chelsea versus Fulham clash, with Xabi Alonso(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Gordon Strachan believes Chelsea have virtually no hope of securing Champions League qualification. The west London club endured a miserable campaign, ending up 10th in the Premier League and failing to gain entry to any of UEFA’s three continental tournaments.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa occupied the first four positions respectively, thereby guaranteeing participation in Europe’s premier club competition. Following England’s top-two finish in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which assess how clubs from each country perform across European competitions throughout the season, the Premier League received an additional Champions League berth.
The European Performance Spot goes to the next-highest placed club in the domestic league, meaning fifth-placed Liverpool claimed this allocation. Bournemouth and Sunderland secured Europa League qualification from sixth and seventh positions, while Crystal Palace earned a spot by triumphing in the Conference League.
Brighton finished eighth, earning a place in UEFA’s third-tier competition. This campaign, Strachan suggests the Seagulls will push Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur hard in the battle for Champions League qualification, with the former Scot believing Chelsea could find themselves excluded from European competition altogether.
Providing Premier League predictions in a Betway interview, the ex-Manchester United midfielder stated Arsenal head the list of contenders, while questions persist over whether Manchester City can overcome their difficulties under Pep Guardiola.
He questioned whether Manchester United might experience a similar decline to that witnessed after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, describing it as a significant concern when a dominant era ends. He also highlighted Arsenal’s exceptional transfer dealings.
Regarding Manchester United, Strachan anticipated a top-three finish, suggesting the club would possess top-three potential if they recruited a further two midfielders.
Discussing the battle for fifth position, Strachan excluded Chelsea entirely. The 69-year-old remarked the usual contenders would compete, naming Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal as his four picks.
Beyond those clubs, he suggested Brighton could break into the top five, citing their stability and quality of management. Aston Villa also has strong prospects, potentially challenging for a top-three spot.
The subsequent tier includes Brighton as his outside selection for fifth place. Tottenham must feature near the summit this time round, given their substantial transfer investment. The north London side took a risk by completing deals early, accepting premium fees for players.
When asked whether Tottenham might face a third consecutive relegation struggle, Strachan drew comparisons between Roberto De Zerbi and Sir Alex Ferguson. He expressed confidence Spurs would avoid such a fate, citing their considerable expenditure and their manager’s perpetually combative approach, which he views positively.
Reflecting on his time playing under Sir Alex, Strachan noted the demanding environment was less about mandatory victory and more about an overwhelming fear of losing, suggesting De Zerbi instils a similar intensity in opposing teams.