Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are fighting hard to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, but even if the Blues finish in the top four, UEFA regulations could prevent them from participating in the competition.

Chelsea currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League, a position that should guarantee Champions League football next season. However, competition is fierce, with clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa all within striking distance.

But even if Maresca’s side succeeds in this battle, their European hopes could be threatened by an issue closer to home. Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg, is on the rise in Ligue 1 and could also qualify for the Champions League, creating a major UEFA eligibility problem.

Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea’s parent company BlueCo, has been in exceptional form under manager Liam Rosenior. They recently defeated Lyon 4-2, moving up to fifth in Ligue 1. With Chelsea loanees Djordje Petkovic, Diego Moreira, and Andrey Santos—who has been lauded by teammates as “the best player in the world”—leading their charge, Strasbourg looks capable of securing a Champions League spot.

UEFA regulations state that two clubs under the same ownership cannot compete in the same European tournament. If both Chelsea and Strasbourg qualify, only the club that finishes higher in its domestic league will be allowed entry. Currently, Strasbourg is closing in on second place in Ligue 1, while Chelsea may need to settle for fourth in the Premier League.

If both clubs qualify via the same league position, Chelsea would be granted entry due to their superior UEFA coefficient ranking. However, the club missing out could be relegated to the Europa League or miss out on European football altogether.

To prevent this scenario, BlueCo may need to explore alternative solutions. One option could be altering the ownership structure, similar to how Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig navigated UEFA’s regulations. Another solution would be for BlueCo to reduce its stake in Strasbourg, mirroring INEOS’ arrangement with Manchester United and Nice, which allowed both clubs to compete in the Europa League.

With Chelsea’s Champions League future at stake, BlueCo will need to act swiftly to ensure the Blues are not sidelined from Europe’s elite competition next season.