Bobby Vincent, football.london: Champions League football 'a must' for Chelsea | OneFootball

Qualifying for the Champions League is "a must" for Chelsea, explains Bobby Vincent, writer for football.london.

The Blues are amongst a host of Premier League clubs vying for the European football spots, ahead of Sunday's visit to face Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium.

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League, with eight games left to play this season. How would you sum up their 2025 to date?

If you had asked the majority of Chelsea supporters before the season started if they would take being fourth with eight games remaining, I think they would have been happy with that.

However, with the way the season has gone; starting off so well and being spoken about as possible title challengers, to now fighting for a place in Europe... that has been underwhelming.

With context, though, it has been a positive campaign for the Blues. Their 2025 has not been as good, though, and they look a shadow of the team that surprised a lot of people in the first half of the season.

With the way the last two seasons have panned out, how much would it mean for them to finish inside the top four again come the end of May?

It would mean so much. Champions League football is an absolute must at a club like Chelsea.

The fans are very demanding and want to be in the conversation with the best sides in Europe. It also means a lot in terms of the players they can lure in the transfer window.

The type of profile Chelsea are after in some areas will demand Champions League football. Obviously, financially, it makes a significant difference as well.

The UEFA Conference League is their only chance of silverware now, and they are in the quarter-finals, having been favourites since the very start. Do you think Enzo Maresca’s future at the club hinges on potential success in that competition, at all?

I do not think so, no. It would be big for Chelsea to win it and for Maresca to have some silverware in his debut season.

However, Chelsea are prepared to back Maresca through thick and thin at the moment.

Trophies help, of course, and the Blues should be winning the competition. But I do not believe his future depends on Conference League success.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on on Sunday?

Moisés Caicedo has been unbelievable this season. Outside of the Chelsea fanbase, I think his performances have gone under the radar up until now.

He does not seem to lose many midfield battles at all - even if it is against the very best. While he is not necessarily going to threaten Brentford going forward, keeping him quiet and out of the game will be integral to the Bees getting a result today.

What should Thomas Frank’s side expect from Chelsea in terms of shape and style?

That is a difficult question because even as a journalist who covers Chelsea on a frequent basis, Maresca keeps people guessing.

He usually likes one of his full-backs to either tuck inside and slot next to Caicedo, or he will use them as an advanced winger - and he has even used Marc Cucurella as an attacking midfielder at times this season!

One thing we know, though, is that he likes two attacking midfielders behind the striker and they tend to be Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández.

In possession, Chelsea move to a three at the back formation usually and, when they do not have the ball, it goes to a more conventional back four.

What’s your score prediction?

Chelsea love a draw and their away form has been so poor in 2025 that I cannot see them winning. I will go for a 2-2 draw.