Chelsea finish the 2018-19 Premier League season in third position with 72 points, courtesy of a stale 0-0 draw against Leicester City — hardly an inspiring result, but it got the job done.
On the final day, Spurs dropped points as well, which means that Chelsea’s 6 points from the last 5 games was far and away the best record in the ... “race”? ... for the top four. Chelsea finish the season two points and two places better off than last year, but in reality the end of season has been more about which team would bottle it the least.
Hurray us!
tHe RaCE foR tHE toP FoUR pic.twitter.com/X2GPkuJMKr
— Graham MacAree (@MacAree) May 12, 2019
Either way, the target for the season has been achieved and focus shifts towards winning the last game of the season, the Europa League final against Arsenal. Maurizio Sarri was certainly glad to have reached a happy ending in the league, but knows that winning that final could make things even happier.
“The season was very difficult for us but at the end we are happy. We were in trouble three months ago but we reacted very well.
“We have finished in third position, we reached the target of the club to get back in the Champions League and we played a final against Manchester City in the League Cup after beating Liverpool and Tottenham, the two Champions League finalists.
“Now we have to play a very important match in the Europa League final. Right now the season is very good but hopefully it can become wonderful.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool, with 97 points, became the highest point scorers in Premier League history to not win the title. (Ed.note: HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!) Sarri could certainly relate to such a situation having seen his Napoli side finish with 91 points last season, which in any other year delivers the Serie A title, but still fall short to Juventus. Sarri had some warm commiserations for Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp.
“Every match in England is difficult and so competitive because the Premier League is the best in the world. It’s why I think now of Klopp because to get 96 points in this league without winning it is very difficult. I thought I was unlucky last season finishing second with 91 points so I can understand how he is feeling.”
But back to Chelsea, who are back in the Champions League, and are set for a summer overhaul, especially if Chelsea’s appeal to the CAS turns out the way we’re expecting. Some developments may not depend on Chelsea’s transfer ban being suspended for a window however, such as Eden Hazard’s most uncertain future.
Eden has spent seven, mostly wonderful years at Chelsea and has been a massive part of Chelsea’s successes (and failures). For Sarri, the decision to stay or leave has to be the player’s — he has to know where his heart lies and what he’s willing to commit to.
“Eden has played seven years in England and done very well. He has become one of the best players in the world but we have to respect him and his decision. I hope like every Chelsea fan that he will remain with us.”
- Maurizio Sarri; source: Chelsea FC
Chelsea now travel to Massachusetts to take on New England Revolution for a charity game on May 15 before packing their bags for Baku, Azerbaijan to play the Europa League final on May 29.
Let’s go!