‘Nailing that fourth spot’… Scott Minto backs Chelsea to finish in top four if they sign ‘massive talent’

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Top four will be the bare minimum expected of Chelsea and Enzo Maresca in the new season.

The club’s owners will be desperate for a return to the Champions League after missing out on qualification these past two years now.

Following Manchester United’s win in the FA Cup final last season, Chelsea are not even in the Europa League.

Instead, Chelsea are having to settle for the UEFA Conference League. Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho spoke highly of the Conference League after winning it with AS Roma in 2022.

However, it is not a competition that Maresca and his men will want to be in.

• READ MORE: What Victor Osimhen’s family have been saying about a move to England amid reports of Chelsea interest

Victor Osimhen could fire Chelsea back into the Champions League

Right now, Chelsea are being heavily linked with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen isn’t exactly buzzing about Chelsea’s interest, but if the Blues end up signing him, Scott Minto thinks that would guarantee his old side a top-four finish.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Chelsea defender said: “I still feel if they can get someone like Victor Osimhen, who I do believe is a massive talent, then I think Chelsea could absolutely be nailing that fourth spot. It’s up for grabs, the fourth spot, this season.”

However, Stan Collymore fears Osimhen would flop at Chelsea if he moves to west London this summer.

Enzo Maresca has to get Chelsea back into the top four

With or without Osimhen, Maresca and Chelsea really should be finishing in the Champions League spots.

On paper, you would say that the Blues have a better squad than Aston Villa, who finished in fourth last season.

Now without Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool may also not be the outfit they once were — only time will tell.

Those are already two clubs the new Chelsea manager and his side should be looking to finish above in the 2024/25 season.

Fifth or sixth place and a trophy would not be the end of the world, and Chelsea have a great chance to win one after qualifying for the Conference League. But are the Chelsea owners going to see that as a successful campaign? If Champions League football was the aim, then no.