After losing out on four points in their last two Premier League matches, Chelsea have fallen to the sixth position on the league table and are now at the risk of losing out on a top-five finish and missing out on a Champions League slot. While failing to qualify for the Champions League might not affect manager Maresca's position at the club, the Italian coach could see his transfer budget slashed to £70 million ($90m).

 The Blues cannot afford to miss out on Champions League football for three seasons in a row due to their declining financial health. While a top-five finish this year and subsequent progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League in the 2025-26 campaign will see the club pocket £90m, a stint in the Europa League will see them earn just £20m.

 Maresca's men will be back in action on Thursday as they host Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final fixture.