Is 'Europe's a distraction' or good for 'fringe players'?
[BBC] [Getty Images] We asked for your views on whether Chelsea would be better off having a season without European football next season under new manager Xabi Alonso. Here are some of your comments: Kevin: I'd rather miss Europe for the year and give Alonso the chance to bed his team and style down. One game a week hasn't done Manchester United any harm and I hope we could do same.
Graham: As much as it is important financially for the club to have European football next season, players are not machines and they need a proper rest. Most of the squad got just three weeks last summer and those involved in the World Cup will again be limited to the amount of time they have off before next season. Chelsea would benefit physically from having no extra European games next season, but the club would suffer financially, and perhaps with the recruitment of new players.
James: Other than Champions League, Europe is a distraction from the core task at Chelsea next year. It is better to invest in improving their game domestically under Alonso (if he is up to the task) and set sights on creating the sustainable platform to reach Champions League again. Jerome: We need to go for a win in this last game, regardless of what type of European cup we may end up with.
I know the Conference League doesn't add much revenue to the club, but it doesn't matter. Even if we're genuinely worried about fixture congestion, or key player fatigue, we should see it as an opportunity to give fringe players more minutes. A cup is a cup, and we should embrace it.
Colin: Conference League was good for giving fringe players a run-out. It kept them interested and it gave management a chance to see what they could do. It also gave the main players a rest between important matches.