How Chelsea Can Qualify for Europa League As Club Make Huge Demand of Pochettino

• Chelsea's recent form could lead to the Europa League qualification next season
• After a loss to Arsenal, they've since earned seven out of a possible nine points
• Sports Brief explains how the London club can qualify for the UEFA competition

Chelsea's latest surge could see Mauricio Pochettino's first year in West London end more positively than it started.

The Blues have been thoroughly inconsistent under the Argentine manager, flirting with midtable for the entire season.

But after their latest 5-0 victory over West Ham on May 5, Chelsea rose to seventh place, above Manchester United on goal difference, and all of a sudden, European football next season looks like a reality again.

What Chelsea have asked of Mauricio Pochettino

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The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that Pochettino has been given the minimum target of qualifying for the Europa League next season, not the Conference League.

As things stand, a Europa League place finish is not in Chelsea's hands - they will need results elsewhere to go their way.

After England lost out to Italy and Germany in the battle for extra spots in next season's Champions League, only fifth place, currently occupied by Tottenham, will qualify for the Europa League. But sixth place could also be enough for the Europa League, and that's what Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United will be targeting.

How Chelsea can qualify for the Europa League

For starters, Manchester United could qualify for the second-fiddle competition if they were to win the FA Cup, irrespective of where they finish in the league.

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Should the Red Devils beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the team that finishes sixth would have to contend with a place in the Conference League.

However, should Pep Guardiola's side defend their FA Cup title, it means that sixth place would open up a Europa League spot, given that Manchester City have already qualified for the Champions League.

Additionally, the team that finishes seventh is assured of a Conference League spot via play-offs because Liverpool won the Carabao Cup. Like Manchester City, the Reds are already in the Champions League, and thus, their place is handed to the next available team.

Winning the FA Cup qualifies you for the Europa League, while winning the Carabao Cup qualifies you for the third-tier UEFA competition.

Remaining fixtures of Europa League contenders

Pochettino's charges will be buoyed by the fact that Manchester United and Newcastle United still have to play each other. Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton have a 'kingmaker' role to play as they will play all three teams in the remaining fixtures.

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The Magpies lead with 56 points after 35 games played. Their remaining games are Brighton, Manchester United, and Brentford.

Chelsea are on 54 points after 35 games and are yet to play relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth.

Erik ten Hag's side have 54 points after 34 games. After Crystal Palace on Monday night, they will play title-chasing Arsenal, and Newcastle before wrapping up their campaign against Brighton.

In short, Newcastle need to maintain their place on the log while Chelsea have to keep winning and hope for results elsewhere to go their way. Manchester United will seek the assurance of finishing as high as they can on the bale, but they have the insurance of the FA Cup final on May 25.

Premier League Golden Boot race

Sports Brief has also reported that Erling Haaland has taken a commanding charge of the Premier League Golden Boot race.

The Norwegian pumped in four goals in Manchester City's 5-1 win over Wolves. The reigning holder now leads Chelsea's Cole Palmer, Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.