The Blues will secure a spot in continental competition next term if they avoid defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend and Palmer thinks that the achievement would be a positive way to end a turbulent campaign.

Speaking after the 2-1 win over Brighton on Wednesday (15.05.24) that lifted the Blues to sixth in the Premier League table, he said: "For it to be in our hands to get sixth place is a big thing for us.

"Chelsea are a big club and everyone wants to finish higher than sixth but you have to look at where we were at the start of the season."

The London club are ending the campaign in strong form and Palmer thinks that manager Mauricio Pochettino deserves credit for the side's improvement in recent weeks.

He said: "To get back into Europe would be a step in the right direction.

"All credit to the manager. All the players love the manager and want to fight for him."

Pochettino is keen to finish the season in a positive manner and thinks that the team's improvement shows the importance of giving managers and players the time to succeed.

He told BBC Sport: "We talked about patience and when you need to build something you need time.

"But it always looks like an excuse at a big club. We have kept working and being positive and to finish in a good way would be good for the club."