OFFICIAL: Chelsea qualify for Champions League and set new Premier League record
A 1-0 win on the final day against Nottingham Forest has secured the Blues a place in next season's Champions League, the first time in 3 years they will be in the top European competition.
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Chelsea return to top European competition
It was a season of real contrasts. Enzo Maresca's team started hot – after losing on the opening day to Man City, they were only beaten once more (by Liverpool) until Boxing Day. But things really turned on their head at that point. From the 22nd of December to the end of February they only won twice.
From there until the end of the season things have been wobbly, and performances not always convincing, but winning 5 of the last 6, including today's decider, saw the team rack up enough points to get over the line.
Youthful Chelsea break Premier League record
A Chelsea group celebration. (Photo by)
What is particularly impressive is the youth of the team that's done this. BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella Tweeted out this stat from Opta after the teams for the game were announced:
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'The average age of Chelsea's starting XI in the Premier League this season is 24 years and 36 days – the youngest ever by a team in a single campaign in the competition.'
Incredibly, only Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Tosin are over 25 from the most commonly used XI. Of course it bodes well for next season, when this group should improve with more experience and additions made in the summer.
But like most fans, this is not a record we want to break. We want the team to grow older and better together and challenge for major trophies, not just remain perpetually youthful. This is a great starting point for the project – but we can't slip into a mindset where just qualifying for top tournaments is enough.
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