Chelsea

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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I hate ending the season on a downer, but we need to consider which club has had the most awful campaign, considering their resources and history.

It can't be Burnley or Wolves; they are with all due respect 'yo-yo' clubs. Spurs can obviously try to claim the booby prize not only for abject performances but a lack of spirit for large parts of the campaign.

West Ham take the official prize as they have been relegated, but the post-Christmas reawakening under Nuno means that there will be great hope they can bounce straight back up.

Though the manager will get some abuse from a section of angry fans, their ire should be and generally has been aimed higher up in the West Ham food chain.

For pure underperformance at vast expense with some incredible talent available, Newcastle get a shout but Chelsea must also be well in the frame for the wooden spoon. Tenth in the league is beyond the pale with the one possible hope remaining.

Hopefully Xabi Alonso might be a Chelsea manager at last allowed to do his job without constant controlling by a group that have got rid of a host of top football people.

They have done this with a total lack of the ability, or personal insight, to see where the real problem lay all along.

The rest of my column has a new home – on the BBC Sport website.

‌Click through as I decide who is the manager of the season, whether we should ditch in-game guards of honour and I say goodbye to Pep Guardiola

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 4th

Chelsea's poor season contained one final insult when they were beaten at Sunderland on the final day, meaning they have no European football under new manager Xabi Alonso next season.

They started the season as Club World Cup champions with Enzo Maresca in charge. He was gone in January following the breakdown of his relationship with Chelsea's hierarchy.

Liam Rosenior lasted only three months amid acrimony - a head coach out of his depth - before Calum McFarlane stepped in to take Chelsea to the FA Cup final, which they lost to Manchester City.

A very underwhelming campaign from a club that have seemed lost.

What I said in August: "They usually find a way to win silverware and I expect them to do so again, but not the Premier League."

Check out the rest of my review here

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has emerged as Manchester City's top summer transfer target. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on Chelsea's defeat at Sunderland which resulted in them missing out on a place in Europe.

Here are some of your comments:

Stephen: This performance completely sums up the whole season. Disjointed, inept, no commitment and players under-achieving. There needs to be a big turnover of players to progress next season and good luck to Alonso.

James: Caps off a very poor season. The appointment of Alonso is merely the start of what needs to be a major review and reset. Chelsea should be in Europe but this season we must admit they just didn't deserve it.

Phil: No more than expected following our disastrous season. It looked as though most didn't even want to try and qualify for Europe. Alonso has to instil a winning mentality, and quickly, as well as improve the team spirit, the desire to win and playing with pride for the shirt. There's certainly going to be a number of players moving on in the summer.

Nick: I'm 66-years-old and that's the worst team and group of players that have ever played for the club - and I've seen some bad ones. They just don't care. Good luck Alonso, you have certainly got your work cut out to get them to play as a team.

Alex: If the players put as much energy into trying to compete with the opposition as they do arguing with the referee and rolling around, they might just be half decent. It's like watching a group of petulant children who can't get their way.

Adrian: Strong foundation is a key to consistency. An experienced leader is required to captain the side and drive the team forward. Chelsea this season have had neither of the above, and until they find this formula, they will continue to flounder outside the top five best teams in England.

Chris: Woeful display yet again, topped off with another red card. Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato are the only two I would keep from our starting 11, any offers for the remainder need grabbing with both hands. It is 59 years I've been supporting Chelsea and it's the worst side ever.

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Chelsea's failure to qualify for Europe will help them become "a real threat" in the Premier League next season, says former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.

A 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on Sunday brought down the curtain on a disappointing season for the Blues, who have sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior along the way.

Chelsea, who started the day above Sunderland in eighth, slipped to 10th, to also finish a point and two spots behind Brighton, who qualified for the Conference League.

It is only the third time since 1995-96 that Chelsea have ended a top-flight season in 10th place or lower.

However, they notably recovered to win the title in 2016-17 having been in exactly the same position at the conclusion of the previous season.

With Xabi Alonso taking the reins in July as their new manager, Rooney believes Chelsea will become a major force.

"I think they'll be a real threat next season," Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast.

"Obviously having one game a week, and then with Alonso coming in, I think it's exciting for the Premier League because I think he's got the potential to be a top manager.

"It gives him a period of time to feel his way into the club and get his ideas across. So I think it will benefit the football club."

You can listen to the full podcast here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Chelsea interim head coach McFarlane has admitted they "let down" supporters after failing to qualify for Europe following defeat by Sunderland.

Trai Hume and a Malo Gusto own goal gave the Black Cats a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light, despite Cole Palmer pulling one back for the Blues.

Asked about missing out on Europe and finishing 10th, McFarlane said: "We didn't get the performance we wanted or the result.

"The message to the fans - we're as disappointed as they are, and we're gutted we couldn't do it for them. They've been brilliant this year, especially in the past couple of weeks when we needed to win games.

"We felt their presence, and unfortunately we've let them down. We weren't able to produce the performance they deserved."

McFarlane insisted his players did "give everything" but said Chelsea had been "too inconsistent" and should be competing in the Champions League.

Chelsea have appointed former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as manager from 1 July.

It is understood McFarlane will be part of his staff at Stamford Bridge, and the Englishman said there are positives despite a bitterly disappointing day.

"This group has shown that, at their best and when we're in the right place, we are a match for anyone in Europe. It hasn't been seen enough throughout the season - especially in the second half," he said.

"But we have some real quality players, a new manager with a brilliant reputation and we've still seen flashes in the last month of what this team can do."

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane, speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "It's a disappointing result and performance. We didn't hit the levels this group is capable of.

"Sunderland deserved to win the game. I thought they started well and we didn't match their tempo and intensity. I was hoping we would get momentum after Cole Palmer's goal.

"We are gutted, disappointed and haven't performed well enough. This club needs to be in Europe and these players need to be in Europe. We'll need to review the season and reflect to give the new manager the best opportunity to attack the new season."

Did you know?

• Since the start of March, Chelsea have lost more Premier League games than any other side (eight).

• Pedro Neto has had a hand in 11 Premier League goals this season (five goals, six assists), his joint best return in a campaign in the competition.

• Malo Gusto's own goal was the first time Chelsea have put through their own net in the Premier League since the final day of last season (Benoit Badiashile v Bournemouth).

• Chelsea are only the third team to go through an entire Premier League season without fielding a single player aged 30+ after Middlesbrough in 2008-09 and the Blues last season.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This was a fitting end to a chaotic season as Chelsea found themselves outfought, out-thought and looking ill-disciplined after their latest red card.

Everything that has gone wrong with Chelsea's season was crammed into 90 minutes.

They were toppled by a team they were expected to beat, with Wesley Fofana the latest to get sent off.

It is remarkable to think that optimism had not been higher in years at Chelsea when the season began.

They had just won the Conference League and Club World Cup and had qualified for the Champions League under Enzo Maresca.

However, Maresca's falling-out with the hierarchy and decision to walk out on New Year's Day has proven pivotal.

His replacement, Liam Rosenior, lasted less than four months and departed after six defeats in a row without scoring, while interim replacement Calum McFarlane failed to win the FA Cup or qualify for Europe.

It was just two wins in 13 league matches under the Blues' final two head coaches of the season, turning likely Champions League qualification into mid-table nothingness.

The decline has left players like Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella criticising their own club while even captain Reece James said earlier this week that "stability is key".

All involved are responsible for this group of players, assembled for £1.6billion over Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's ownership, to achieve so little in their fourth season since buying the club in 2022.

A return of 52 points is the fifth-lowest total Chelsea have had in the Premier League era.

Chelsea not only missed out on their minimum pre-season goal of qualifying for the Champions League, but this is now the second time in four seasons under the BlueCo ownership that they have failed to qualify for Europe.

At least the campaign is over for angry supporters, and the appointment of Xabi Alonso offers some optimism, with both fans and players seemingly able to get behind his incoming arrival on July 1.

Chelsea need stability, but at such a low ebb, with reduced transfer budgets and need to slim down the squad, Alonso will need patience.

Chelsea have missed out on a place in Europe after ending the season with a defeat at Sunderland.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Luke O'Nien starts ahead of Omar Alderete in defence for Sunderland.

That's the only change made by manager Regis le Bris for the final match of the season taking place at the Stadium of Light from the 3-1 away win at Everton last weekend.

Alderete is among the substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Geertruida, Mukiele, O'Nien, Mandova, Xhaka, Sadiki, Hume, Le Fee, Angulo, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Alderete, Cirkin, Mayenda, Rigg, Diarra, Traore, Isador, Ta Bi

Chelsea make three changes from the team that beat Tottenham on Tuesday, including drafting striker Joao Pedro back in ahead of Liam Delap.

Levi Colwill also returns to the backline as Calum McFarlane switches back to a three man defence again.

Malo Gusto comes in at wing-back with Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong also dropping back onto the bench.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, James, Derry, Essugo, Santos, Garnacho, Delap

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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There are many at Chelsea who will be happy to see the back of another turbulent, disappointing season.

It was a year in which Chelsea were talked about as potential title contenders under Enzo Maresca in November, but a shock falling-out after a poor run in December led to the Italian leaving the club on New Year's Day. He is now set to join Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's successor.

Although the logic behind appointing Liam Rosenior from partner club Strasbourg made sense, it left both clubs in the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership model damaged by a chaotic situation.

The appointment of Xabi Alonso as his successor, after four underwhelming months, has brought renewed optimism.

Attention has now turned to whether these players, under interim head coach Calum McFarlane, can salvage European qualification, with Champions League football already out of reach.

Having already enjoyed success in Europe's third-tier competition, the Conference League, last season, there is little appetite among fans, players or even the club's accountants to return to it.

Qualification for the Europa League would at least be viewed more positively and would make Alonso's job easier next season.

That would require Chelsea to win away at Sunderland - yet the hosts could themselves leapfrog the Blues with a victory - and also requires results elsewhere to go their way on the final day of the season on Sunday.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, meaning they will either qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.

At present, sixth and seventh will qualify for Uefa's second-tier competition because of Manchester City winning the FA Cup and England winning one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS).

If English clubs get six Champions League spots, they will lose a Europa League spot in exchange. That would mean only seventh place would qualify for the Europa League.

Brighton are currently seventh and have a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford, the two teams directly below them.

A win for the Seagulls would guarantee them Europa League football at least.

If Brighton fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Anfield.

Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven. For that to happen, they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.

What about Conference League qualification?

It is a similar story in qualification for the one place available for the play-off qualifying round of next season's Conference League.

Chelsea are in eighth and currently possess that available spot. Eighth place qualifies for the Conference League because of City winning the EFL Cup and the EPS to an English club.

Chelsea will secure European football in at least the Conference League with a win over Sunderland.

Brentford will secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea's result.

Sunderland in 10th would leapfrog both if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.

Sunderland will finish above Chelsea if they win this and that would hardly count as a surprise.

The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football.

That is what Chelsea are playing for too, after that run of six straight league defeats saw them fall away from the Champions League places.

Chelsea got a good win over Tottenham on Tuesday but I am expecting this to be close, and I can see it ending up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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On the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison and former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison spoke about incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso and the personality he will bring to the Premier League.

Morrison said: "Xabi Alonso will be good. If Chelsea can get recruitment sorted in the summer, I think they will surprise a lot of people.

"I would have loved Xabi Alonso to go to Liverpool but Arne Slot is still in a job so when a job like Chelsea comes along, you have to grab it with both hands."

The former Liverpool midfielder will start work at Stamford Bridge on 1 July, despite being heavily linked with the managerial position at Anfield after leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent back in January.

"Alonso is a top manager. He won't be one of those characters like [Roberto] De Zerbi on the touchline but he thinks about the game, he is a student of the game," Morrison continued.

"I know it didn't work out for him at Real Madrid, but it's a big club and these things can happen. I think he will be a very good appointment for Chelsea and I think we will be talking about a lot about Xabi Alonso next season."

Hutchinson said: "He needs to have a lot more control than previous managers have had and I think he will get it because he commands respect. He's not a rookie coach, he's not a young guy. He is well respected as a footballer and a manager."

Alonso will be Chelsea's third boss in a year, after the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

"Chelsea's hierarchy need to back down and listen to the professionals now. The sports scientists and the owners need to take a step back and listen to what Xabi Alonso wants, his needs, his experience on the pitch," Hutchinson added.

"There could be a scenario where Chelsea have no European football whatsoever. Then, if that's the case, they could be in a fantastic position to make some sort of title charge next year.

"Depending on what happens to Chelsea in terms of where they finish, they could be real dark horses if they've got no European football whatsoever next year - but he needs control."

Listen to the full conversation here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland and Chelsea collide on the final day with plenty on the line. The Black Cats are chasing a European spot, while Chelsea are desperate to sign off on a high after a disappointing season.

Sunderland eye European breakthrough

Sunderland's season has already exceeded expectations. Promoted via last year's play offs, they sit 10th and still have a chance of climbing to seventh. Victory would take them to 54 points and move them above Chelsea and potentially securing European football next season.

Their 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge in October remains one of the standout results of their campaign.

Completing a first league double over Chelsea since 2000–01 would underline the progress made under Regis Le Bris, who has been shortlisted for the manager of the season awards.

Resilience has been a defining feature. Sunderland have recovered 22 points from losing positions — the most in the Premier League — and that ability to stay in matches was evident again in their 3–1 win at Everton last weekend.

Another victory would give them back to back league wins for only the third time this season.

They are also only the fifth promoted side in the past 16 years to reach the 50 point mark, joining Wolves, Sheffield United, Leeds and Fulham.

Final days have not always been kind to Sunderland, though. They have won just one of their 16 previous Premier League season finales.

Chelsea look to finish with momentum

Chelsea's 2–1 win over Tottenham on Tuesday ended a run of seven league matches without a victory. It offered a glimpse of improvement in a season marked by inconsistency and managerial change.

Xabi Alonso will not be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, but the incoming manager will be watching closely as he assesses the squad he inherits.

For now, Chelsea have the chance to record consecutive league wins for the first time since early in the year.

Their record away at Sunderland is strong, with just one defeat in their last 13 league visits.

Individual performances have also shown signs of progress: Enzo Fernandez is enjoying his most productive Premier League campaign, while João Pedro has been directly involved in seven goals across his last nine appearances.

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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. The problem lies financially as it is hard to attract crowds to matches against poor opposition.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Legendary defender Thiago Silva is still weighing up his options after announcing his decision to leave Porto.

Sources close to the 41-year-old say a final decision has yet to be made, while a coaching role at Chelsea's academy is not understood to be on the table at present.

That is not to say one could not be offered at a later date, with Silva maintaining positive relationships at Stamford Bridge. He was recently welcomed as a guest in the directors' box for Chelsea's home defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Silva is also known to be keen to embark on a coaching career, having completed his Uefa B licence, and has retained his family home near Chelsea's training ground in Cobham.

However, it has been further explained that Silva wanted to weigh up all his options having been omitted from Brazil's squad.

It remains unclear whether that will be to retire and go into coaching or continue playing, with reported interest from AC Milan.

Silva made 14 appearances for Porto having joined from his boyhood club Fluminense in January, winning the Portuguese league title.

Speaking about his departure, Porto boss Francesco Farioli said: "Thiago Silva would love to be a coach in the future and I think he will become a great one."