Chelsea needs to hit the market to get ready for the Champions League

Chelsea is qualified for the Champions League. If the ban is delayed or lifted, much remains to be done to become ready for the Champions League.

Chelsea has qualified for the Champions League because they have stumbled less than Arsenal and Manchester United. This should not be considered a massive feat when the team is compared to Arsenal or United, but it's still good.

Nevertheless, the current team can not cope with the football of the Champions League in the current state of things. Of course, Chelsea are in the semifinals of the Europa League, but his toughest opponent is Eintracht Frankfurt. Frankfurt had a much more difficult run to the same semifinal and could also end up in the Champions League next season. This shows that the Blues need reinforcements to cope with the increased quality of their European opponents.

Few players will stay in the best XI today, anyway. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante can all feel safe considering their contracts and stature at the club. If Eden Hazard decided to stay, he would join this group as well.

Then there are the needs that Chelsea can not escape. The Blues need a new left back. Neither Emerson nor Marcos Alonso are numerous enough to hold on. Who remains as the backup is largely academic.

The Blues must also buy a world-class striker. Since Diego Costa, they either made short-term decisions (which also brought Didier Drogba closer to Costa), or uninformed decisions (like Alvaro Morata). The Blues need someone young and who already scores goals week after week. It will cost a bonus, but all the players that Chelsea needs will be too.

After that, we reinforce areas that would be more eager than necessary. These are roles that Chelsea can survive with current staff and should only be strengthened if the price is right.

At the back would be a new back and center back. Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are fantastic players and should not be easily dismissed. But Azpilicueta is getting older and it's hard to say how much Reece James is behind him. As for Christensen, he's still young, but if a truly world-class option is on the table, it would not hurt to have this player rotate with Christensen and Rudiger.

Higher on the field is a new left winger. Callum Hudson-Odoi is full of promise, even with his injury. But it's hard to tell what potential a young player has and how long he can reach his peak. Again, if the right player is available, it would not hurt to get him into the rotation.

Any signature after that should be a really perfect deal. A unicorn of a signature. Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have their places of departure for the years to come. Christian Pulisic will surely come in and trust the right wing. But if a true culture player is available and enthusiastic, the Blues should not refuse. Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester City have not arrived where they are by refusing to stack their 18 years to the brim.

The left rear and the attacker are non-negotiable. After that, strengthening the rear, center and wing would be fine, but only if it makes sense and if the price is right. Finally, luxury buys where Chelsea is already very strong, but it would be hard to say no to the good player.

Chelsea will have to become a stronger team to compete on the Champions League front. The path is free, no matter who supports the campaign. The only question is whether the board will make the necessary purchases before additional purchases.