Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair has admitted that winning the Europa League looks like the best route to return to the Champions League for the Blues now.
Maurizio Sarri’s men were handed their biggest defeat in the Premier League when they were thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
The west Londoners were comprehensively put to the sword by the hosts, who returned to the summit of the league table after their emphatic victory.
And in the wake of Chelsea’s agonising defeat away from home, Sinclair admitted that winning the Europa League could be their best hope of returning to the Champions League next season.
The result allowed Manchester United to climb above Chelsea with a slender one-point lead and the Blues, who are level on points with Arsenal, will face a stern battle for a top four finish this term.
“It seems the obvious route now”, Sinclair said on Chelsea TV after the match.
“Especially given how tough it seems like the challenge will be to get in the top four now.
“So you have to take the Europa League seriously.
"We might have to start playing our strongest side.”
Chelsea will next face Swedish side Malmo away from home in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 knockout tie at the Swedbank Stadion on Thursday.
