CHELSEA'S 4-0 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid leaves them with nothing to play for this season — except avoiding relegation.
Of course, that outcome seems unlikely given they're 12 points clear of trouble, with a vastly expensive playing squad and legendary player in temporary charge.
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But the fact of the matter is, they're out of every competition and closer to third-bottom Nottingham Forest than Tottenham in fifth spot.
Sat in 11th just now, their top half contenders and London rivals, Fulham and Brentford have shown better form, with Liverpool and Brighton above them still with hopes of European football.
So Chelsea — four defeats on the bounce and just one goal scored since Frank Lampard took interim charge — will sensationally find it hard to even break into that top ten.
In fact, bookmakers Betfair make it a 50/50 chance they do so, pricing them up at Evens for a bottom-half finish.
It would act as an significant dent to Lampard's long-term chances of returning as Chelsea boss on a full-time basis, if they weren't already damaged, if they did finish in the bottom ten.
The England legend became the club's first manager in its 118-year history to lose their opening four games in charge, with just one goal scored in that time.
Chelsea odds
From Betfair
- Chelsea to finish bottom half of Premier League table: Evens
- Chelsea to lose or draw each of remaining seven Premier League matches: 14/1
Next manager
- Julian Nagelsmann 9/4
- Mauricio Pochettino 3/1
- Luis Enrique 3/1
- Frank Lampard 10/1 (was 13/2 before Champions League exit)
- Marcelo Gallardo 14/1
- Jose Mourinho 16/1
- Brendan Rodgers 18/1
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With a trip to Arsenal sandwiched between games against Brentford and in-form Bournemouth, it's not inconceivable for this winless run to drag on.
A home clash with Nottingham Forest could provide some respite before an away clash at Manchester City and home encounter with Champions League hopefuls Newcastle to finish.
Betfair are offering odds of 14/1 that they don't win any of their remaining games.
Lampard's odds of remaining in charge for next season have drifted to 10/1 from 13/2 before the home Madrid tie.
Julian Nagelsmann (9/4), Mauricio Pochettino (3/1) and Luis Enrique (3/1) the frontrunners there.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Odds on Frank Lampard being the Chelsea manager for the start of the 2022/23 Premier League season have drifted to 10/1 from 13/2 after his side were knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.
"Julian Nagelsmann is the 9/4 favourite for the permanent job, while Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique are both 3/1.
"Lampard has lost his opening four games in temporary charge and Chelsea are 14/1 to remain winless under their former player for the rest of the season.”
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