Rivals worried by Chelsea comeback

A first Champions League success for Chelsea may still be some bit away, but the possibility already has the likes of London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham worried.

Roberto di Matteo must overcome Benfica and possibly Barcelona to make the final in Munich in May, but ultimate success would change the dynamic of Premier League qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Presuming Chelsea didn’t finish in the top four in the Premier League, winning the Champions League would see the team that finishes third in the league go down the pre-qualifying route. And the fourth-placed Premier League side would lose out entirely and drop into the lesser Europa League.