CHELSEA might be better off pulling out of the Conference League next season.
And one journalist has suggested the board may have a discussion on the subject after Man Utd’s shock FA Cup final win saw them downgraded from the Europa League.
The Blues were demoted to the Conference League following the Wembley clash.
A decision will now have to be made on whether or not they decide to accept a spot in the competition.
Should they choose to take the opportunity, Chelsea will have to comply with stricter Financial Fair Play rules.
And football writer Matt Law stated back in April that he felt the Blues hierarchy may hold talks on the matter.
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He told the London is Blue podcast: “The Conference League, they have a decision to make over whether they’d enter it.
“Because of the European FFP being different to the English PSR, the chances of breaching European FFP may not be worth taking for the very very miniscule amount of money you can make on playing in the Conference League for a year.
“AC Milan. I think, did it one year [the Italians pulled out of the Europa League in the 2019/20 season].
“Chelsea will have a decision to make on that because European Financial Fair Play is harder to meet than PSR.
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“You have to weigh up the risk and reward of ‘if we got a two-year ban, is it worth it to play in the Conference League or is it actually worth giving ourselves an extra year to get into a situation where we can get back into Europe, into a better competition, and not be at risk of getting a European ban?’
“I don’t think there’s a question on the Europa League or Champions League. I think the Conference League would spark a discussion.”
Chelsea have spent around £1billion on player transfers over the last two years, meaning they are now at risk of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
If found guilty of a breach, they could receive a significant points deduction.
Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.
The Blues are currently on the verge of appointing a new manager following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.
Poch left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent last week despite having a positive end to the season.
Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is understood to be the frontrunner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
