Maurizio Sarri led the Stamford Bridge side to third place in the Premier League and a European trophy. But he may not realise which other fans were celebrating.
In recent years, the winner of the Europa League has had an extra incentive. As well as picking up the European trophy and the esteem that goes with it, the club would also enter the Champions League, at the group stage. Wednesday's final in Baku carried various knock-on effects for other clubs on the continent.
Unbeknownst to many watching the final, there were other clubs around Europe keeping a close eye on proceedings for their own purposes. And the great beneficiary of Chelsea's win is Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon, who ended their domestic campaign in third place, who now enter the Champions League in the group stage rather than the third qualifying round.
The trickle down effect also sees two other teams gain with Istanbul Basaksehir (second in Turkey) and LASK Linz (second in Austria) skipping a qualifying round.
Another benefit for the actual winners of the Europa League is that they will move from a second to a first seed in the 2019/20 group draw. Chelsea join the top seeds.
Wildcat05
403
only team in europe to qualify for the Champions league twice 😀
JOHNSTON4U
202
Not only are Chelsea the Europa league champions......... They are also Super Heroes to other Clubs
Kondwani_Nkana
157
Chelsea Manager Kepa lifting his first trophy..... 😂😂🤣🤣
Handsome Mike
102
I see a brighter future with Sarri..The whole squad improved towards the end of the season.. We played one of the most beautiful football in the second half. And both Kante, Kovacic, Loftus and Jorginho showed signs of improvement. I'm glad Sarri finally saw in Ederson what a lot of fans saw in him. I think Sarri would continue because he seems to like it in England and Chelsea and I don't see Chelsea sacking him.