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Chelsea news: Stan Collymore shares incredible Champions League theory
CHELSEA have given up on their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Stan Collymore believes Chelsea have given up on their Champions League hopes
That is the sensational opinion of former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who has described their wild fluctuations in the Premier League in recent years as “embarrassing”.
Jose Mourinho guided Chelsea to the 2014/15 title before being sacked in the following campaign as they flirted with relegation until recovering to finish 10th.
Antonio Conte masterminded last season’s league triumph with largely the same squad but looks set to leave at the end of this term with Chelsea currently fifth in the table, eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
Writing in The People, Collymore said: “Whoever takes over from Antonio Conte at Chelsea in the summer has a massive job on his hands.
“Because if I were going in as the Blues' new boss there'd only be two players I'd confidently hang my hat on.
“You know what you are going to get from N'Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta but the rest of them, I'm not so sure.
“Maybe Thibaut Courtois, because of the fact he showed some backbone in going to Atletico Madrid on loan for three years, would be included as well.
Antonio Conte looks set to leave Chelsea after a difficult season
I'm convinced they've given up on trying for Champions League qualification this season already
“But the others? Their wild inconsistency of the last few years tells you all that you need to know.
“For a team of that talent to be champions, 10th, champions and then whatever they finish this season is embarrassing - and I'm convinced they've given up on trying for Champions League qualification this season already.”
Chelsea’s top-four hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as they lost 3-1 against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Alvaro Morata headed the hosts in front on 30 minutes before Christian Eriksen levelled the scores with a stunner on the stroke of half-time.
Antonio Conte guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season at the club
Spurs claimed all three points thanks to Dele Alli’s quick-fire double after the break.
Conte is now 4/11 to be axed by Chelsea in the summer.
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is the bookies’ favourite to succeed the Italian.