Why Chelsea are in the Conference League Playoffs as Blues begin campaign

Chelsea are set to begin their Europa Conference League campaign despite finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. 

The Blues made a late push towards the top four last term with their crucial change in form during the run-in securing a place in Europe. 

Usually in the English top flight, a sixth-placed finish would be enough to qualify for the Europa League, but that wasn’t the case for them. 

Enzo Maresca will instead lead his side into the Conference League and talkSPORT.com has taken a look at why…

Why are Chelsea playing in the Conference League Playoffs?

Chelsea are playing in the Conference League Playoffs due to Manchester United’s success. 

By winning the FA Cup, Man United claimed a spot in the Europa League despite finishing eighth in the Premier League. 

It meant that the Blues were forced to drop down into the third-tier competition and Newcastle were also impacted too, as they missed out on Europe altogether. 

The Conference League has a unique format which means Chelsea do not go straight into the group stage – which is now a ‘League Stage’. 

They will take part in Playoffs first, facing Swiss side Servette live on talkSPORT this week, with a win over two legs securing progression.

There will be 48 teams in the Conference League Playoffs this season with Maresca’s men one of five teams from domestic leagues qualifying by league position. 

There will also be 30 sides who have come through the qualifying round and another 13 who were eliminated from the Europa League qualifying rounds. 

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Those 48 teams will be split into a Champions Path and a League Path with Chelsea part of the 38 who will be in the latter. 

If they win their game against Servette, they will join the ‘League Stage’ alongside all the other winners as well as 12 teams eliminated from the Europa League Playoff round. 

Should the Blues make it, their opening game will be played on October 3, with six matchdays planned throughout October, November and December. 

Chelsea are making their return to European football after going without last season. 

They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last time they played on the continent so they will certainly have high hopes for the Conference League.