Chelsea handed Europa League incentive as prize money would ease FFP worries

There will be a lot to play for on the final day of the Premier League with several European spots still up for grabs as Chelsea target a Europa League finish.

Chelsea have enjoyed a resurgent end to a difficult campaign, claiming a third-consecutive win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson were on the scoresheet as the Blues closed the gap to sixth-placed Newcastle.

Eddie Howe's side were unable to overcome Brighton & Hove Albion and had to settle for a 1-1 draw at St James' Park. Chelsea and the Magpies are now level on 57 points.

With that said, eighth-placed United suddenly face competition for sixth place. Elsewhere, Aston Villa are in driving seat to secure the fourth Champions League place, while Spurs are still mathematically in with a shout.

They have a tough match to come against Manchester City on Wednesday, though. Premier League teams have had to settle for the usual four Champions League places after Serie A and the Bundesliga grabbed an extra spot following the changes to the competition's format next season because of their better coefficient standing.

Chelsea are battling Premier League spending rules and European football would ease the strain in whatever form it comes in. Owner Todd Boehly knows this amid rumours suggesting Mauricio Pochettino’s future rests on securing a European place.

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Chelsea actually had a chance to secure Europa Conference League football earlier in the season if they had beaten Liverpool in the League Cup final. The winners of the FA Cup, meanwhile, are handed a place in the Europa League, if they have not already qualified by league position.

Should United win the FA Cup and finish fifth, the Europa League spot also passes to sixth place. But if United win and finish sixth, nothing changes.

Given Liverpool won the League Cup, the Europa Conference League play-off spot is handed down to the next highest-ranked team, such as seventh place. Clubs that qualify for the UEFA competitions, the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League will benefit from a financial boost.

Sixth is still achievable, with the Blues level on points with Newcastle. They will play United next while Chelsea face Brighton and Bournemouth in their final two fixtures. Victories in both of games would give them a huge boost to securing qualification for Europe.

UEFA are said to have kept the 2023/24 prize money for each tournament the same level as 2022/23. However, there is significantly more to be earned in the Champions League than the Europa League.

The gross revenue from the 2023/24 Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League is about £3billion (€3.5bn). As for the Europa League, there is a hefty difference for teams.

According to 90min, £397million (€465m) of £2.37bn is handed out to Europa League qualifiers. . That is £1.34bn less than the Champions League.

The prize money breakdown

Group stage - £3.2m

Group stage draw - £179k

Group stage win - £538k

Group stage winner - £940k

Group stage runner-up - £470k

Knockout round play-offs - £427k

Round of 16 - £1m

Quarter-finals - £1.5m

Semi-finals - £2.4m

Runner-up - £3.9m

Winner - £7.3m