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Arsenal legend Merson, who's been a Chelsea fan all of his life, doesn't think that Enzo Maresca's team will do enough to finish in the top five.

The Premier League have been allocated an extra Champions League spot thanks to English clubs' performances in Europe.

Despite them being tipped to compete for the league title earlier this season, Merson doesn't rate his boyhood club's chances of being among Europe's elite next term.



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"As it stands at the moment, I would say, I think it'll be Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest," the ex-Villa midfielder told Sky Sports.

"Chelsea, it is in their hands in a way because they've got Newcastle and Forest to play, but if you look at the fixtures, Chelsea haven't got a give-me in any of their fixtures.

For me they're absolute give-me games, so you can give them those games.

"I think Chelsea are up against it, they'll have to go and pull up trees at St James' Park and if they can get down to a last-day shootout against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, I think Chelsea take that now."

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Chelsea have a tricky Premier League run-in(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

Chelsea boss Maresca said following Sunday's 2-1 win against Fulham that his team have had a good season which will become 'very good' should they qualify for the Champions League.

"Personally, the [winning] goal from Pedro [Neto] doesn't change my view of the season," the Blues manager explained post-match.

"I said three or four days ago, and I will repeat, Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spots and this season we spent all season there.

It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt."

"But for sure, today was an important win because first of all it's a derby, second, it gives us the chance to be there.
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