What happens if....

[theHotHead]

Fulham are second in the form table. The more and more I think about it, the more I think Fulham can do something.

Jol will have his team fired up, especially after getting the sack from Spurs.

As for Piskie - he's lost umpteen arguments but never admits it, Jayram, just be content that everybody knows Piskie lost that one - and the proof is there for all to see - there are no decent players available in January - says Piskie - as we watch Cisse score more goals in the 2nd half of the season than anyone else - including 2 goal of the season contenders

 

[EmirAleks]

It is good commercially to have a defending Cup winner in the competition. It just adds intrigue and attracts more casual viewers. That's why.

 

[Samurai]

Surely Chelsea will have to play in the qualifiers, and not in the group stage straightaway, otherwise some team who all season have been thinking "Yay, we're straight into the group stage!" will have to qualify...

...having said that, it'll be at the expense of some minnow who UEFA don't give a **** about.

 

[Arsenal4life]

The winners go straight into the group stage and a team from their country that usually would not have to qualify has to. So if we finish third and Chelsea beat Bayern, we have to qualify.

Thats what I thought but SJW says different

 

[Sanj]

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/fans/faqs/who-qualifies-to-play-in-europe/

English winners of the UEFA Champions League who do not qualify through their domestic position go forward as Winners to the group stage, with the team finishing fourth dropping to the UEFA Europa League. In this case, the national association of the title-holder is entitled to one additional place in the UEFA Europa League.

This does not mention the fact, that the third placed team would drop into a qualifier if Chelsea win it despite not finishing in the top 4. There was a better link about it on Arsenal.com, but I can't find that link. I have yet to see a source which says that the third placed team drops into the qualifier should Chelsea win the CL despite not finishing in the top 4.

 

[Arsenal4life]

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/fans/faqs/who-qualifies-to-play-in-europe/



This does not mention the fact, that the third placed team would drop into the qualifier if Chelsea win it despite not finishing in the top 4. There was a better link about it on Arsenal.com, but I can't find that link. I have yet to see a source which says that third placed team drops into the qualifier should Chelsea win the CL despite not finishing in the top 4.

Also at present tv money is divided on the basis of where you finish in the previous season. Si, as it stands, 40% to city, 30% to united, 20% to arsenal, 10% to spuds.

WOuld be interesting to see what % chelsea take if they win it.