Pochettino reveals Chelsea's masterplan to qualify for Europe next season

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has tasked his players to use the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup as a route to qualify for Europe next season.

The Blues have been highly inconsistent this season after managing 8 wins, 8 draws and 4 defeats in the Premier League.

Chelsea are currently 11 points adrift Tottenham Hotspurs in 5th place and faces a daunting prospect in their bid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup clash against Championship side Preston at Stamford Bridge, the former PSG and Spurs boss noted that his side will try and win either the FA Cup or the League Cup to secure qualification to Europe next season.

“Of course (we can win the FA Cup),” Pochettino said on Friday. “The Carabao (League) Cup and the FA Cup are competitions we need to try to go far in.

“But we need to build our run step by step and the first step is Saturday. It’s a really important competition for us, because we are not in Europe.

“In the Premier League, we are in a position where we need to grow and improve a lot if we want to be in Europe next season. Through the FA Cup or League Cup we can achieve that.”