Chelsea in May: Blues have five games to avoid the unthinkable

Chelsea are enduring one of the most miserable seasons in their history.

Despite spending more than £600 million on new recruits and repeatedly changing their managers, they are 12th in the Premier League.

The Blues appointed Graham Potter as manager after dismissing Thomas Tuchel in September, but the decision failed as they picked up one disappointing result after another.

They regressed even further since Frank Lampard replaced Potter, with the Londoners losing all six matches in all competitions.  

Following Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at Arsenal, the unthinkable scenario of relegation has also become a possibility.

It is unlikely that Chelsea will go down to the Championship, but it could happen.

The Blues are only nine points off 18th-placed Nottingham Forest, but losing all their remaining five matches could see them drop into the bottom three.

Considering their current form, Chelsea could lose their remaining four matches, but the chances of several other relegation-threatened sides hitting 40 points is highly improbable. 

Let’s look at Chelsea’s final fixtures this month to gain a clearer idea. 

Bournemouth vs Chelsea (May 6, 2023)

Bournemouth have seen a remarkable uptick in form in recent weeks and are now almost safe from relegation.

Manager Gary O’Neil has led them to four wins from five league matches, with the Cherries’ winning their most recent home clash against Leeds United 4-1. 

With home advantage in their favour, Bournemouth are likely to pick up three points at the expense of Chelsea on May 6. 

Prediction: Lose

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest (May 13, 2023)

The home game against Forest is the one fixture we could confidently say Frank Lampard’s men can win.

The Tricky Trees have picked up just one victory from their last 13 league matches and are one of the top candidates to suffer the drop. 

Prediction: Win

Manchester City vs Chelsea (May 21, 2023)  

City are in imperious form at the moment with a historic treble on the cards for the reigning English champions.

They are unlikely to lose any of their remaining Premier League fixtures, including the Etihad Stadium encounter against Chelsea.

Prediction: Lose

Manchester United vs Chelsea (May 25, 2023)

Erik ten Hag’s side have been hit hard by recent injuries but they still boast plenty of quality in their squad.

However, United are more balanced than Chelsea and have a world-class manager in Ten Hag. This will be another defeat for the Blues.

Prediction: Lose

Chelsea vs Newcastle United (May 28, 2023)

The Blues would have been the overwhelming favourites against Newcastle a year ago. But times have changed as the Magpies are now a force to be reckoned with.

The fixture will be at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea’s recent performances suggest they are unlikely to pick up a good result even on home soil. 

Prediction: Lose 

Conclusion

Chelsea are unlikely to drop into the Championship, but they will probably lose most of their remaining fixtures.

The fact that we are even talking about their chances of relegation shows how much they have regressed.

The club were the Champions League winners just two years ago and are now set for one of their worst finishes in the Premier League.