Carragher and Neville assess Chelsea’s Champions League qualification chances in 2026/27
By Luke Oluoch, August 24, 2026There has been an increased wave of optimism about Chelsea’s performance ahead of their Premier League opening match against Fulham FC this Monday, August 24, 2026.
The reigning Club World Cup champions approach their first match with a revamped team, having made over ten player signings under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Londoners finished tenth last season as Liam Rosenior, who was brought in from Strasbourg, failed to meet expectations before he was sacked 107 days later in April 2026.
Ahead of the new season, pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville assessed their potential for a return to Europe, sharing the similar optimistic view held by former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney.
No European football
“I just think if you’ve still got good players, which they have, and you’re training to get yourselves ready to be at it every weekend,” Carragher said on Sky Sports when speaking about Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the Champions League spots this season.
“The problem the biggest teams have is that sometimes you can catch them on Saturday 3 o’clock games when they have already played in midweek, and they are not quite there; they will draw a game or lose.
“You have never got that thing when you have got no European football.
“I think Chelsea are certain for Champions League spots,” he concluded.
Neville on Chelsea’s UCL chances
Similar views were shared by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who backed Chelsea to challenge for the title.
“I completely agree with Jamie; I think they’re certain to finish in a Champions League place.”
According to Neville, the Blues could emerge as the main challengers to champions Arsenal, who are strong favourites for the new season after clinching the league in 2026 and opening their league on an emphatic 3-0 win over Coventry City on Friday.
“I think they could even be second. They could get nearest to Arsenal.
“I think the signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson bring standards, discipline, organization, and guardianship to the dressing room.”
In his assessment in May 2026, just before the start of the league, Rooney opined that Chelsea’s failure to qualify for Europe would help them become “a real threat” in the Premier League.
“I think they will 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.