Would winning the Carabao Cup make season ‘23/’24 a success for Chelsea?
Chelsea have a chance to win a trophy in 2023/24 having made the Carabao Cup final and what manager is under pressure if his team gets knocked out of the FA Cup?
EPL
Don't miss out on the headlines from EPL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The FA Cup is front and centre in English football this weekend, with round four taking place, while Liverpool and Chelsea meet at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final after winning their semi-finals during the week. Australia also finished the group stages of the Asian Cup atop of the table and face Indonesia in the round of 16. Plus is Kalvin Phillips finally going to play some football? Read on and listen to the Football Today Podcast for your FA Cup Round Four preview.
DOES WINNING A TROPHY MAKE A SEASON SUCCESSFUL REGARDLESS OF LEAGUE POSITION?
The Football Today Podcast’s opening ‘Yeah / Nah’ question is posed by panelist Marcus Bazzano regarding his beloved Chelsea: “If Chelsea win the Carabao Cup and finish 10th in the English Premier League this season, does it equate to a successful season?”
Host Alex Donnelly was quick on his answer, looking at the status of the Carabao Cup in terms of the three trophies on offer for all Premier League teams.
“For a club the size of Chelsea,” Donnelly explains, “its an inconvenience for next season.”
That’s because, as he goes on, Carabao Cup winners - if they do not qualify for the Europa League or Champions League - “having to play in a Europa Conference League playoff where games are played all over Europe and not necessarily in big cities.”
As an example, Aston Villa had to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina this season due to playing in the Conference League.
Football Today panelist Liam McAllion adds that, since chairman Todd Boehly took over at Chelsea, the Blues have managed to spend over a billion pounds in the transfer market, “Finishing 10th in the Premier League for a club like Chelsea is a failure, given the amount of money Chelsea have spent on players in the past two years.”
IMPENDING DOOM FOR HOWE WITH CUP KNOCKOUT
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is under immense pressure with his Magpies currently languishing in 10th, having lost four games in a row in the EPL and finishing last in their Champions League group, knocking them out of European football for the rest of the season.
Despite a long injury list in his squad, if Newcastle lose to Fulham in the FA Cup this weekend, it could spell the end of Howe’s tenure at Newcastle given how quickly they have dropped off this season.
With disappointing loss after disappointing loss to teams like Nottingham Forest and Luton Town in the Premier League - teams that many expect Newcastle to beat - it has pushed them further away from European football in 2024/’25.
Adding to the pressure on Howe is Jose Mourinho being courted by the Saudi-backed club after his dismissal from Roma in recent weeks.
A loss to Fulham this weekend would extend Newcastle’s trophy-less run to 69 years: the Magpies last lifted a trophy in 1955 when winning the FA Cup.
PHILLIPS FINALLY GETS TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH LOAN MOVE
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has had his loan move to West Ham ratified and will be available for West Ham as soon as the midweek Matchweek 22 kicks off in a few days time.
Phillips has endured a torrid time at Manchester City since singing from Leeds United just 18 months ago, failing to nail down a regular starting spot with the Citizens.
Football Today Panelist Liam McAllion believes this is a great move for both Phillips and West Ham.
“Since he came across from Leeds to City, he just has not got any game time whatsoever and he is Declan Rice’s replacement in that midfield for West Ham, if he is fit enough and ready to go he will be a brilliant signing.
Football Today host Alex Donnelly added, that “People will have forgotten just how good Phillips is, he is – when playing the best passer in the league.”
Phillips will be hoping to get regular football for West Ham and push his case for selection in England’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 as so far this season Phillips has only played a total of 89 minutes in the English Premier League.
—— In a sport where emotions run high and narratives shift swiftly, the Football Today Podcast looks at the footballing landscape and delivers engaging discussions and expert insights, making it a must-listen for football fans. ––
Originally published as Would winning the Carabao Cup make season ‘23/’24 a success for Chelsea?
‘Insane’: Postecoglou blows EPL away
Ange Postecoglou is the talk of the Premier League with a wild detail emerging from his team’s demolition job on Manchester United.
Chelsea gun’s historic four-goal blitz as Reds cash in on City slip
Manchester City felt the absence of star midfielder Rodri as the Premier League champions were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Newcastle while a Chelsea star made history.