Where will Chelsea finish this season? Independent readers doubt top-four ambitions

POLL RESULTS: The reigning champions suffered yet another setback at the weekend leaving readers pessimistic on how high up the table Jose Mourinho's men will finish

Tuesday 08 December 2015 19:22 GMT

Chelsea pair Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic (GETTY IMAGES)

Just nine per cent of readers of the Independent believe Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League following their dismal season to date.

The reigning Premier League champions suffered yet another setback at the weekend when they were beaten 1-0 at home to newly promoted Bournemouth, their eighth loss of the campaign.

In the aftermath of the match, which left Chelsea 17 points from the summit of the table but just two from the relegation zone, manager Jose Mourinho suggested his club might have to re-evaluate their ambitions for the season.

"Our objective is to finish top four," he told Sky Sports. "Before this game it was realistic to think that our quality would take us out of this position, but maybe now we have to think about top six."

The result and Mourinho's comments prompted us to ask readers where they thought Chelsea would end the campaign.

With 5967 people taking part, just nine per cent believed the Blues would finish in the top four. Four per cent backed them to win the title and another five per cent placed them in the qualification places for the Champions League.

15 per cent of those who participated backed Mourinho's side to qualify for the Europa League by finishing in the top six.

Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

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1/12Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10

For most of the game, he proved just why Mourinho said Chelsea have sorely missed him these last three months. The Belgian returned from injury to make multiple saves and deny Bournemouth as the visitors dominated the play in the first half and looked assured and confident in goal. But he has to take a lot of the blame for Bournemouth's winner after deciding to come out and being left stranded.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Branislav Ivanovic - 5 out of 10

Struggled to deal with the pace of Stanislas on the right flank early on, with the Bournemouth winger nearly scoring twice in the first period. Contained him as the game progressed and then began to push forwards - nearly creating a goal in the process. However, he didn't do enough to stop Cook from crossing in the ball from which Murray scored.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Gary Cahill - 6 out of 10

Was forced to produce some last-ditch defending to deny Bournemouth in the first half, and regularly came out of position to try and clear the danger. But should have done more to follow the run of Murray or at least communicate better with Zouma to ensure he was marked in the build-up to the winner.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Kurt Zouma - 6 out of 10

Didn't have the best of games and failed to mark Murray before he scored although his pace was important in tracking back and defending when the visitors went on the counter.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Bab Rahman - 6 out of 10

Did well, as ever, going forwards and contributing to Chelsea's attacking play but left spaces behind that Smith and Ritchie exploited, particularly in the first half. Will need to work on that area of his game if he wants to cement his spot in Mourinho's team.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Nemanja Matic - 5 out of 10

Really struggled to impose himself in midfield and allowed the likes of Surman, Arter and Gosling to run riot early on. Should have headed in the opener later, but didn't seem ready for Willian's cross and ended up directing the ball high.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Cesc Fabregas - 4 out of 10

Failed to control proceedings in the middle of the park and made a hash of an early chance when he kicked the ball out instead of to one of his teammates in the box. His struggles this season continue.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Willian - 6 out of 10

Started the game on the right flank but was shifted into the hole behind Costa at half time. Proved a threat at times, but didn't have the kind of impact he has had in previous games.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Oscar - 5 out of 10

Endured a largely disappointing 45 minutes after tamely driving Hazard's cross at goal towards Boruc and then seeing his best effort saved by the Bournemouth goalkeeper minutes later. Despite growing into the game as it progressed, he was brought off for Costa at half time.

Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10

Worked really hard to get forward and try and create goal-scoring opportunities - coming close to scoring on several occasions - while setting up Hazard for a superb chance. Tracked back and defended too, which earned him a yellow card.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10

Didn't have the same impact up front in the lone striker position as he did against Tottenham. While he certainly tried to score - forcing Boruc into a superb save after he had cut in and driven at goal - he kept dropping onto the flank or deep to collect the ball leaving a gap up front. Saw his effectiveness wane when Costa came on, but Mourinho will be pleased to see the Belgian contributing to Chelsea's defensive play, although he was dispossessed which nearly resulted in Bournemouth scoring.

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Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth

<b>Best off the bench:</b> Diego Costa - 6 out of 10

Was kept on the bench, similar to against Tottenham, but was brought on at half-time to replace the ineffective Oscar. Was denied a penalty when his low shot hit Francis' arm in the area, and then was cautioned seconds later for a pull on Ritchie. Seemed to let his frustration get the better of him although he provided Chelsea with a more attacking threat up front.

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But many more, 36 per cent, are only expecting the reigning champions to finish top half of the table - an ambition more often associated with teams such as Stoke or Crystal Palace.

28 per cent of readers do not think Chelsea will escape the bottom half of the table while 12 per cent think they will be relegated.

Chelsea's next Premier League game is against table-topping Leicester on Monday night.

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