The lack of European tournaments for the 2026/27 season may prove advantageous for Chelsea. Asmir Begovic, a former Premier League shot-stopper, believes the club can dedicate more attention to domestic affairs while working through a less congested fixture list.
This season, Xabi Alonso's team is not participating in either the Champions League or other European competitions. According to Begovic, this absence allows Chelsea to concentrate on the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup.
Begovic: Absence of Europe could work in Chelsea's favour
Reflecting on Chelsea's title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte, Begovic noted that the current situation might also have its positives.
"It's always nice to remember the title win under Antonio Conte. Those memories are something I really value. We had a very strong squad and were well positioned to achieve success."
The former goalkeeper pointed out that competing in European tournaments can burden a team with midweek fixtures and extensive travel.
"The lack of European football can be a good thing. Everyone wants to play in the Champions League and experience those special European nights, but it allows them to focus on domestic cups and achieve good results in all those tournaments."
Returning to Europe will require a deeper squad
Begovic believes the dynamics will change once Chelsea finds themselves back in European competition.
"When they return to Europe, they'll need to expand their squad to cope with matches every week. Playing at such a high level and the associated travel necessitates having options for rotation and making necessary changes in the team."
This current calendar gives Alonso the chance to primarily focus on domestic tournaments without spreading his resources too thin.
Begovic praises transfer strategy
The former goalkeeper also commended Chelsea's recent activity in the transfer market, specifically highlighting the signings of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
He believes that having players with considerable Premier League experience can be crucial for the team.
"Signing players with proven Premier League experience is massively important. I think it's better to focus on that rather than bringing in aging players who may have limited impact."
Begovic added:
"These signings make a serious statement. In my view, that's how a club like Chelsea should operate."
As the season progresses, Chelsea will continue to operate under Xabi Alonso, with the opportunity to fully channel their efforts into the Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
