Are Chelsea 'being left way behind' other clubs?
[BBC] [Getty Images] In the third and final part of Friday's Chelsea Q&A, we delve into what the Blues would deem a successful season and the Stamford Bridge redevelopment plans. Dan asked: Once again we find ourselves at a bit of a disconnect with the club after recent performances and our unceremonious exit from Europe. How is this season currently being viewed by the board, as surely even if we scrape Champions League football it can't be deemed a success?
Nizaar answered: If you asked those in charge - from the ownership to the sporting directors to the former manager - what success looks like, they would say competing for trophies and securing a top-four or top-five finish to qualify for the Champions League. The reality is that Chelsea need Champions League football to strengthen their financial position, particularly with a sub-par stadium. The club arguably face greater prestige-related pressure to qualify than Manchester United or Liverpool, particularly when it comes to attracting signings and sponsors.
They certainly wanted to either win a trophy or to come very close. Chelsea remain in the FA Cup and have Port Vale at home in the quarter-final. However, the mid-season departure of Enzo Maresca and the appointment of Liam Rosenior was always viewed with some trepidation, as the club knew they might have to take one step back to take two forward, after being pushed into a managerial change they had hoped to avoid.
In my educated guess, I suspect that a top-four finish and an FA Cup semi-final would be considered a positive enough season to build on next year, when Rosenior has had a full pre-season to implement his ideas. Dean asked: What's the latest on redeveloping Stamford Bridge or finding a new location? Things have gone very quiet and this was meant to be a priority for the owners.
Chelsea are being left way behind other clubs and this is also hurting revenue. Nizaar answered: You're right that Chelsea are lagging behind other clubs in terms of revenue and stadium capacity - and the ground remains a major issue. There is still some hope that the club could move to the Earl's Court development site, which is only a stone's throw from Stamford Bridge.