CHELSEA managed to confirm their Champions League slot for next season on a final day of league drama, to the relief of American Todd Boehly who hopes he now has a springboard for his consortium's takeover.

It would have taken an 18-0 win by Spurs at Norwich, and a defeat for the Blues at home to relegated Watford, for Tottenham to overtake Chelsea.

But as Manchester City won the title, a late Ross Barkley goal gave the Stamford Bridge crowd victory.

It's been a crazy season for Chelsea after the sanctioned Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club following an unprecedented two decades of success and silverware.

Now it's a case of starting over again in August, with a huge churn of talent as key players - notably Tony Rudiger - leave.

The pitch parades and end-of-season ballyhoo after the match against Watford felt surreal.

It was Roy Hodgson's last appearance in a dugout, and he was given a warm reception by fans from both sides as he finally retires for good.

Frankly, August can’t come soon enough as Thomas Tuchel prepares to rebuild.