Chelsea and Tottenham enter the 2026/27 Premier League season without European football, but what initially looks like a setback could become an opportunity to rebuild and focus entirely on domestic competition.
Chelsea finished 10th last season and missed out on European football, while Tottenham endured a far more difficult campaign, finishing 17th after narrowly avoiding relegation. Spurs now begin a new era under Roberto De Zerbi, while Chelsea enter a new project led by Xabi Alonso.
European Absence Gives Chelsea and Tottenham a Different Opportunity
European football brings prestige, revenue, and valuable experience, but it also adds matches, travel, physical demands, and pressure throughout the season.
For Chelsea and Tottenham, the absence of those commitments could create more time for training, tactical development, recovery, and squad management.
Fewer Matches and Less Physical Pressure
Without Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League commitments, both teams will face fewer midweek competitive fixtures.
That could allow the coaching staffs to manage workloads more carefully and reduce the need for constant squad rotation.
History Gives the Big Six Reason for Optimism
A review of previous cases involving England’s traditional Big Six clubs suggests that moving from a season with European football to one without continental competition has often been followed by improvement.
In the historical sample, 10 of 11 cases produced an improvement, with an average gain of roughly 16 points and an improvement of around five league positions.
Liverpool Was a Major Exception
The pattern has not been universal.
Liverpool was one of the clearest exceptions, with the club experiencing a decline in both points and league position during one season without European football.
That illustrates an important point: the absence of Europe is not a guarantee of success. It is simply a potential advantage that must be used properly.
Chelsea Has the Strongest Recent Example
The clearest Chelsea example came in 2016/17.
After finishing 10th the previous season, Chelsea entered the campaign without European football under Antonio Conte and produced a remarkable transformation.
The Blues collected 93 points after managing 50 the previous season, an improvement of 43 points, and moved from 10th place to Premier League champions.
Can Xabi Alonso Repeat Conte’s Success?
There is no guarantee that history will repeat itself, but the circumstances give Xabi Alonso an important advantage.
He begins his Chelsea project without European commitments, allowing him more time to work on his tactical ideas, establish a clear structure, and determine his preferred starting group.
The goal is to rebuild Chelsea after a disappointing campaign and return the club to the upper end of the Premier League.
Tottenham Also Has a Historic Example
Tottenham has its own famous example of benefiting from a season without European football.
In 2009/10, Spurs did not have continental competition and enjoyed an outstanding campaign, finishing fourth with 70 points and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
It remains one of the most significant transformations in the modern history of Tottenham.
Tottenham’s Current Situation Is Very Different
The historical example is encouraging, but the circumstances surrounding the 2026/27 season are completely different.
Tottenham finished 17th last season and spent much of the campaign fighting near the bottom of the table before De Zerbi helped secure survival.
Therefore, the first priority for the new season is stability and rebuilding before considering a challenge for European places.
Roberto De Zerbi Has a Chance to Rebuild Tottenham
Roberto De Zerbi arrived at Tottenham in March 2026 and guided the club to Premier League survival after taking charge with the team in serious trouble.
Now, with an entire pre-season and a full campaign ahead of him, the Italian manager has a much better opportunity to implement his ideas.
Why Could the Lack of European Football Help De Zerbi?
De Zerbi’s style requires repetition, positional understanding, structured buildup, and coordinated movement.
Having fewer competitive matches can give him additional training sessions to work on these details and help players understand their responsibilities.
Xabi Alonso Begins a New Chelsea Project
The situation is similar at Chelsea, where Xabi Alonso starts his first full Premier League season in charge after a period of managerial instability.
He needs time to reshape the team, establish his preferred players, and create a more consistent structure.
More Time to Train and Build Stability
Without European competition, Chelsea can dedicate more time during the week to tactical work.
That could help Alonso improve defensive organization, pressing mechanisms, buildup patterns, attacking transitions, and overall team coordination.
It also reduces the burden of repeated international travel during the season.
Does Playing Fewer Matches Guarantee Success?
No.
History suggests that an absence of European football can help, but it cannot guarantee a better league campaign.
Success will also depend on recruitment, coaching stability, player fitness, squad quality, and the ability to use additional recovery and training time effectively.
Quality Remains the Decisive Factor
If Alonso and De Zerbi fail to take advantage of the additional preparation time, the reduced fixture schedule could become less meaningful.
The way the extra time is used may ultimately matter more than the number of matches themselves.
Chelsea and Tottenham Face a Different Kind of Season
The two clubs begin 2026/27 in very different circumstances from many of their traditional rivals.
Chelsea want to climb from 10th and return to the top-four conversation, while Tottenham must rebuild after finishing 17th.
With no European commitments, both clubs can concentrate heavily on domestic football.
Can Chelsea and Tottenham Return to the Top?
The answer will ultimately be decided on the pitch, but both clubs have reasons to be optimistic.
Chelsea have a dramatic example of transforming a season without Europe into a title-winning campaign, while Tottenham have their own historic example of using a European-free season to reach the top four.
Now Alonso and De Zerbi have the benefit of fewer midweek distractions and more time to work.
Conclusion: European Absence Is an Opportunity, Not a Guarantee
Chelsea and Tottenham’s lack of European football in 2026/27 may become an opportunity rather than simply a setback.
Chelsea begin the season under Xabi Alonso after finishing 10th, while Tottenham start under Roberto De Zerbi after a difficult campaign that ended with a 17th-place finish.
Fewer matches and more training time could provide both clubs with useful advantages, but turning those advantages into results will require stability, quality, discipline, and effective management.
History suggests that being free from European commitments can make a difference. The pitch, however, will determine whether Chelsea and Tottenham can turn that advantage into a genuine Premier League revival.
Will Chelsea play European football in 2026/27?
No. Chelsea begin the season without European competition after finishing 10th last season.
Will Tottenham play European football in 2026/27?
No. Tottenham enter the campaign without European football after finishing 17th last season.
Who is Chelsea’s manager in 2026/27?
Spanish coach Xabi Alonso.
Who is Tottenham’s manager in 2026/27?
Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Can the lack of European football help both clubs?
It can reduce the number of matches and travel while creating more training and recovery time, although it does not guarantee success.
