In a time of great uncertainty, the Europa League has provided a real sense of purpose for everyone inside the Chelsea dressing room.
There are a number of questions being asked about what is happening at Stamford Bridge right now. Will coach Maurizio Sarri be in charge next term? Is owner Roman Abramovich going to sell Chelsea and are the club going to get FIFA’s transfer ban delayed or overturned?
Those three queries alone would provide too much for most teams to handle, but there is also a massive doubt over how many players will remain with the Blues.
Everyone in the game is aware that Eden Hazard is likely to leave for Real Madrid, but several others could join him in heading through the exit door. Seven — including loanees Mateo Kovacic and Gonzalo Higuain — are out of contract this summer. Willian, Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have already been linked with moves away, have just over 12 months remaining on their contracts and there are others on longer deals who might also depart.
There have been signs this term that all these distractions have had a negative impact on the mood of the squad and translated into performances on the pitch. But the prospect of lifting the Europa League trophy is something that is uniting them and helping to put such worries to one side.
That is why, despite boasting a one-goal lead going into the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Slavia Prague at home tonight, there is no sense of complacency.
Striker Olivier Giroud is one of those who may be playing elsewhere after this summer and he says there is a determination within the group to make sure they achieve Euro success before possibly going their separate ways.
“One more time, as competitors we want to win a trophy this year,” said the striker. “This is our last chance, basically. We want to make it.
“Even if some of the players don’t know where they’ll be next year, it doesn’t matter. We want to win this for our fans. They deserve it. They bring us great support from the first minute of the season.
“We know what kind of team we will face. They’re not going to give up, so we must be cautious. We have to pay attention.”
The majority of clubs across the continent already have an eye on their plans for next term. Players are being targeted and managers are thinking about how to tinker with their systems to get the best out of their squads.
But Chelsea are in no such position. They can discuss plans A, B or C, but without knowing 100 per cent yet what the status of the club is going to be.
Even if the Fifa transfer embargo is delayed or lifted, qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish or by lifting the Europa League makes a massive difference to who can be retained and recruited.
As assistant manager Gianfranco Zola said: “There is a lot of talking around this team. I realise that. We, as a coaching staff, cannot be distracted from what we have to do on the pitch. That is what we’re trying to do: focus on our jobs and do them as best we can.
“We hope Hazard will stay with us — he’s such an important player for all of us. Giroud has been performing magnificently.
“There is the ban going on, too. I understand that these are not easy circumstances, but we need to maintain focus because I’ve heard talk about this being a bad season.
“Yet, if we can win the Europa League and finish fourth (in the Premier League), it could be a remarkable season. That’s where the focus is.
“I wouldn’t say there will be many changes (against Slavia). It’s a tough match. We knew that before the first game, and that confirmed it. We have to play a good team and be at our best.”
Central defender Gary Cahill has been named in Sarri’s squad as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
