Petr Cech has warned of a 'lost' year at Chelsea if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The goalkeeper, who has starred in the Champions League for eight years of Chelsea's nine-year unbroken run since Roman Abramovich's takeover, admitted their entire season would have been a waste if they do not finish in the top four.
He said: "It is a year lost in the progression of the club. For a big club, you can accept that the team does not win the league because it is in transition. But you can't afford to slip out of the Champions League spots, because the big teams are about the Champions League."
However, Cech was confident Chelsea would not suffer the same fate as Liverpool were they to finish outside the top four.
The Reds have been nowhere near getting back in the Champions League since their last appearance in the competition in 2009.
Cech said: "Liverpool had so many problems within the club, not really on the pitch, so that is why they kind of lost some time. But this club has the structure.
"I believe that one season will make a difference, because it will slow down all the process of being a Champions League club and hunting for trophies, but it will not be the end of Chelsea, because I believe that we will come back."
Liverpool also demonstrated in 2005 that finishing fifth was not a bar to qualifying for the Champions League, provided you win the competition.
But that is arguably an even tougher task.
"The aim is never just to forget about the position in the league, and win the Champions League," Cech said. "It would be great to do that, but the league and finishing in the top four is important for the club as well. We want to make sure that we will be there next season, somehow."
Source: PA
