It’s fair to say that when Mauricio Pochettino was announced as the new manager, there would have been a lot of hope among Blues supporters. However, it’s not quite worked out as many would have hoped.
That’s perhaps no surprise. It’s fair to say that since Todd Boehly’s arrival there’s been a very circus-like feel to the club and you never quite know what’s going to happen next.
Like the spin of a Las Vegas roulette wheel, you never know what may happen next. It could be Sterling or Palmer firing, it could be Boehly firing and pointing a finger in Poch’s direction. And if anyone’s used to playing such a game on 777 roulette or the like, then they’ll know just how easy it is for the ball to land on either.
The rest of Chelsea’s season is difficult to call. A run to the Carabao Cup Final could be considered a success, and there are still hopes of silverware in the FA Cup. There’s perhaps even a late charge to the Europa League positions up for grabs.
We take a look at what the bookmakers are anticipating for the rest of the Blues’ season…
The Premier League
Currently 11th, with a game in hand on a few sides above them, the side are only six points behind seventh, so there is the possibility of climbing in the next few months with a solid run. That could put the Europa League in contention.
The bookies have priced them at 7/2 to finish in the top six, ahead of West Ham who are currently six points ahead of them. Newcastle are perhaps the main rivals in positions seven to 11 currently, particularly with Eddie Howe’s men starting to pick up points again. They face off next Monday at Stamford Bridge, which could be an important fixture in Poch’s quest for European football.
Of course, the Conference League is a much more realistic possibility.
FA Cup
The Blues are just one game away from Wembley in the FA Cup and have one of the more favourable draws, despite taking on Leicester, who sit three points clear at the top of the Championship.
They’ve lost their last three though, so Chelsea will go into it firm favourites, and will also see either Manchester City or Newcastle and Manchester United or Liverpool eliminated from the competition after the end of this round.
Chelsea are third favourites to lift the FA Cup at 6/1 behind favourites Manchester City (7/5) and Liverpool (3/1). It’s a great opportunity to claim silverware as well as qualify for Europe.
A New Gaffer?
Of course, much of the conversation at the moment is not on where Chelsea will finish, but who will be in charge come the end of the season. Headlines are suggesting that Pochettino will be sacked in the next week, with a number of replacements already being identified.
There’s talk of a return for Jose Mourinho, who only recently left Roma. He’s priced at 6/1 alongside Robert De Zerbi, who’s being tipped for a number of big roles, including both Liverpool and Barcelona, while Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon is also priced at 6/1.