Chelsea have gone full circle as far as the 2021-2022 Premier League season is concerned. They started the season as Premier League contenders but demoted themselves to a club that was contented with a top-four finish due to inconsistent results.
But after three defeats and two draws in their last seven Premier League games, Chelsea have moved from a club that was contented with a 3rd spot finish to a team that might likely use their remaining games in the season to fight for a top-four finish.
Before now, Chelsea’s 3rd spot on the Premier League table looked untouchable for other teams aspiring to finish in the top four. But a recent run of poor results have changed such a narrative.
The 2-2 draw coach Thomas Tuchel and his players recorded at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 7, 2022, against Wolves made things worse than expected.
During the game, Romelu Lukaku scored two goals to give Chelsea the lead in the first hand, and coach Tuchel was expected to either defend the lead or cautiously make his team extend the lead. Unfortunately, the last 15 minutes of the game were enough for Wolves to turn things around thanks to a 79th-minute goal from Francisco Trincão and a 97th-minute goal from Conor Coady.
After the game, coach Thomas Tuchel said: “Of course [it feels like a defeat]. We started both halves very well and controlled the match with a very offensive approach to this game today with a 5-3-2 formation.
“We knew about the risk to avoid counter-attacks and we needed to show discipline. We did for most parts of the first half but in some situations, we took too much risk and lost discipline in the formation.
“That cost us some dangerous moments at the end of the first half when we were lucky not to concede.”
🗣 "We want to be at our very best level no matter what the news around the club is."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 7, 2022
Thomas Tuchel on whether the sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly's consortium meant the team wanted to perform at their best today pic.twitter.com/aiF6VNtNit
Is top-four finish in the 2021-2022 Premier League season certain for Chelsea?
The draw Chelsea recorded at Stamford Bridge against Wolves has left the reigning UEFA Champions League winners on the 3rd spot with 67 points in 35 games, four points above 4th placed Arsenal and five points above 5th placed Tottenham Hotspur.
As it stands, if Arsenal defeat Leeds United today, May 8, 2022, the north London club would be a point below Chelsea. At the time of publishing this report, Arsenal were leading Leeds United 2-0. If the game ends that way, Chelsea will be under more pressure.
Based on how things are going for Chelsea, coach Thomas Tuchel and his boys are condemned to win their last three league games of the season. If they lose two out of their remaining two games, and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will their remaining games, Tuchel and his boys could drop to the fifth spot which would mean that no Champions League football for The Blues next season.
The Blue’s last three Premier League games are against Leeds United on Wednesday, May 11, Leicester City on May 19, and Watford on May 22, 2022.
Coach Thomas Tuchel and his boys can only guarantee a top-four finish in the 2021-2022 season if they ensure that they don’t drop points in the aforementioned games. Hence, Chelsea’s top-four finish this season is no longer guaranteed but is still under the club’s control.
🗣 "What do you want to see from him?"
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 7, 2022
Tuchel 🗣 "Goals." 🤣
Thomas Tuchel on starting Romelu Lukaku against Wolves pic.twitter.com/9u43CCLbm5
