Pep Guardiola has given his verdict on the strength of the Premier League in a message that is a warning for Chelsea heading into next season.
The Blues have dropped off this year and face a tough task to finish in the top half of the table let alone in a European spot. It has been over four weeks since their last point in the league and two months since their last victory, they have been 11th or lower ever since.
Despite this, there is room for cautious optimism heading into the next season. Under the expected tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino there is a foundation for a quick recovery from this torrid campaign.
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With the right summer transfer window, ample time to address the team in pre-season and a track record for improving sides, Pochettino has plenty to work with at Stamford Bridge should he take over.
It is still far from a certainty that their trajectory will be upward enough to challenge the clubs that they have been on par with over the past decade. Liverpool and Tottenham have had drop-offs this term in an unexpected manner but Manchester United have rebuilt strongly under Erik ten Hag.
Then there are the new sides looking to gatecrash the top six. Brighton, Fulham and Brentford have all had tremendous years and are set for top-half finishes whilst Aston Villa's bounceback under Unai Emery has been nothing short of miraculous.
There is an expectation that Chelsea and Liverpool will be back on song next season, though, which further creates an even bigger list of teams with Champions League ambitions. For Guardiola, there is certainly enough competition to keep things interesting.
"We [City and Arsenal] are both in line to be in the Champions League next season which is amazing because people take it for granted," he said before kicking off against West Ham.
"It's not for granted, Newcastle arrive to stay and the steps for United this season and many, many incredible clubs being there, that's why."
For Todd Boehly and Pochettino, this is a word of caution. Even Chelsea recovering next season in a best-case scenario would only push them into the ever-growing mass of teams looking to get their names into Europe's premier club competition.
It means that even a successful rebuild could leave Chelsea empty-handed once more and that isn't something that the club is used to.
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