Chelsea have missed out on Champions League qualification this season, but it really could be a different story in the 2024/25 campaign.
Right now, there is reason for Chelsea supporters to be optimistic about their team finishing in the top four next term.
Mauricio Pochettino finally looks to have got the team to click, guiding them to their fourth consecutive win after their 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.
But as well as that, the Argentine has a player who looks like he could be so effective for Chelsea next season after his display at the Amex Stadium.
Why could Chelsea not secure Champions League football this season?
Chelsea made quite a poor start to this campaign and were never really able to recover.
From their first five Premier League games, they managed to win just one match, a 3-0 win against newly-promoted Luton Town.
Pochettino will also highlight the amount of injuries his side have had this term.
The likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Christopher Nkunku have all had injury problems to name a few players.
The trio were in the matchday squad for the Brighton squad, with Nkunku able to make a real impact.
Christopher Nkunku can fire Chelsea to a top four finish next season
Nkunku was brought on in the first half after Mykhailo Mudryk had to be taken off because of a concussion, and the forward did not disappoint.
He was not even playing in his best position and still managed to be a serious threat on the night.
Nkunku was placed on the left and really managed to hurt Roberto De Zerbi’s side with some of his runs.
The Frenchman, who arrived at Chelsea from RB Leipzig in a £52m deal, scored what proved to be the decisive goal for his team.
His goal record at Leipzig was impressive. For example, back in the 2021/22 season, he scored 35 goals in 52 appearances.
If Nkunku can stay fit next term, that really would increase Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League. The France international showed against Brighton how deadly he can be even when he is not playing in his preferred position.