Chelsea will just be glad that Man Utd didn’t capitalise on their latest defeat as Carrick’s men were stunned by Leeds at Old Trafford on Monday nightkeeping the gap at seven points rather than 10. But anything less than a victory on Saturday and the Blues will have no chance of catching their rivals, while their top-five hopes will have been all-but extinguished.
United, meanwhile, are already almost certain to return to Europe’s premier club competition, and after some belated smart business last summer, they will be in a position to strengthen further in the transfer market with the lure of Champions League football, potentially leaving Chelsea trailing in their wake.
The rumours of discontent behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge suggest it is going to be another summer of seismic change, but the club will have little chance of competing for big-name signings such as Julian Alvarez, Morgan Rogers or Adam Wharton if they can’t offer the same.
There is a real threat that they could be cut adrift, both in the short and long-term, meaning victory on Saturday night is imperative.
