European absence can make Chelsea a threat - Rooney

Chelsea finished 10th after a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland ended their season. The loss cost them the final Europa League spot, with Sunderland taking it and Brighton qualifying for the Conference League. Chelsea sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during the campaign. The club ended a top-flight season in 10th or lower for only the third time since 1995-96, despite previously winning the title in 2016-17 after finishing in the same position the year before. With Xabi Alonso set to take over in July, Wayne Rooney expects Chelsea to become a major Premier League threat. A reduced fixture schedule from missing Europe is expected to help the team.

"Chelsea’s failure to qualify for Europe will help them become “a real threat” in the Premier League next season, says former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney. A 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on Sunday brought down the curtain on a disappointing season for the Blues, who have sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior along the way."

"“I think they’ll be a real threat next season,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast. “Obviously having one game a week, and then with Alonso coming in, I think it’s exciting for the Premier League because I think he’s got the potential to be a top manager.” “It gives him a period of time to feel his way into the club and get his ideas across. So I think it will benefit the football club.”"

"Chelsea, who started the day above Sunderland in eighth, slipped to 10th, to also finish a point and two spots behind Brighton, who qualified for the Conference League. It is only the third time since 1995-96 that Chelsea have ended a top-flight season in 10th place or lower. However, they notably recovered to win the title in 2016-17 having been in exactly the same position at the conclusion of the previous season."

"Chelsea advanced through the league phase of the Champions League this term before suffering their joint-heaviest defeat in a two-leg European tie, losing 8-2 on aggregate at the hands of holders Paris St-Germain in the last 16. Rooney stressed that a less congested fixture list will only serve to benefit the Blues, wh"

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