Chelsea could be forced into 'big asset sale' as financial concerns laid bare

Chelsea run the risk of being forced into significant sales if they fail to qualify for next season's , it has been claimed. The Blues have been in the Premier League's top four for much of the season, but dropped to sixth after only drawing with strugglers on Sunday.

A minimum of five teams will play in next season's Champions League, while the figure could be inflated if an English side wins the Champions League or and finishes sixth or lower in the table. Enzo Maresca's side are a point outside the top five, though, and still have to face three of the teams above them in their final six fixtures.

It would be the third successive season without Champions League football. The Blues weren't in Europe at all last season after ending the previous campaign in the bottom half domestically, while they are competing in the Conference League this term.

According to , failure to reach the Champions League next term could cost them as much as £70million. That sum is calculated by taking the £20mlikely headed their way for a Europa League campaign from the estimated £90m from reaching the knockout stages of European football's top club competition.

The Blues' situation has been laid bare by . If they're denied Champions League income for another year, though, it could have a bearing on their transfer plans.

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Professor Rob Wilson, an academic lead at University Campus of Business, told The Sun he believes could well be "on a knife edge" financially - with a 'big asset sale' one potential way out. The same publication also points to a headache which could arise in Europe next term due to Chelsea's owners' multi-club model.

Blues owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali also own Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, currently in the Conference League qualification spot but just three points adrift of second-place Monaco. If Chelsea and Strasbourg find themselves in the same European competition next term, Boehly and Eghbali would be forced to place their shares of the French club into a blind trust - something .

Chelsea do still have another means to boost their coffers, even if they miss out on Champions League qualification. Their involvement in the Club World Cup will give them a share of a nine-figure prize pot, with .

Maresca's team have been drawn in a group with Flamengo and Esperance for the summer tournament. The fourth team in their group is yet to be confirmed, though, with .

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