Chelsea FC clear of FFP issues with upcoming European competition incentive

There is plenty to compete for on the final weekend of the English Premier League, with many European berths still available as Chelsea aims for a Europa League berth. Chelsea FC finished a challenging season on a high note, defeating Nottingham Forest for the third time in a row on Saturday. Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, and Nicolas Jackson scored to help the Blues reduce the distance on sixth-place Newcastle.

Eddie Howe's team was unable to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion and forced to compromise for a 1-1 tie at St James' Park. Chelsea and Newcastle are now equal on 57 points. Having said that, eighth-placed United now faces pressure for sixth place. Aston Villa are leading the race for the final Champions League spot, although Spurs are still technically in contention.

They face a difficult battle versus Manchester City on Wednesday, however. The teams in the Premier League have had to settle with the normal four Champions League spots as Serie A and the Bundesliga gained an extra slot after modifications in the competition's format for the coming season due to their higher coefficient standing.

Chelsea is struggling to meet Premier League expenditure limits, and European football, in whatever form it takes, would help. Todd Boehly is aware of this, as speculations say that Mauricio Pochettino's future is dependent on obtaining a European place.

Chelsea looking for financial push by qualifying for Europe next season

Chelsea had the opportunity to earn Europa Conference League football previously in the season should they had defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final. Meanwhile, FA Cup winners are guaranteed a spot in the Europa League if they have not previously qualified via league position. If Manchester United win the FA Cup and finishes fifth, the Europa League place will move to sixth place. But if United wins and finishes sixth, nothing will change. 

Given that Liverpool clinched the League Cup, the Europa Conference League play-off slot is awarded to the next highest-ranked team, such as seventh place. Clubs that qualify for UEFA competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League will receive a financial boost.