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Chelsea<\/b><\/a>‘s failure to qualify for Europe will help them become “a real threat” in the Premier League next season, says former <\/b>Manchester United<\/b><\/a> and England striker Wayne Rooney.<\/b><\/p>\n A 2-1 defeat at Sunderland<\/a> on Sunday brought down the curtain on a disappointing season for the Blues, who have sacked Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior along the way.<\/p>\n While they began the campaign fresh from being crowned Club World Cup winners in July,<\/a> the result on Wearside allowed the Black Cats to claim the final Europa League spot at Chelsea<\/a>‘s expense.<\/p>\n Chelsea<\/a>, who started the day above Sunderland<\/a> in eighth, slipped to 10th, to also finish a point and two spots behind Brighton<\/a>, who qualified for the Conference League.<\/p>\n It is only the third time since 1995-96 that Chelsea<\/a> have ended a top-flight season in 10th place or lower.<\/p>\n However, they notably recovered to win the title in 2016-17 having been in exactly the same position at the conclusion of the previous season.<\/p>\n With Xabi Alonso taking the reins in July<\/a> as their new manager, Rooney believes Chelsea<\/a> will become a major force.<\/p>\n “I think they’ll be a real threat next season,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n “Obviously having one game a week, and then with Alonso coming in, I think it’s exciting for the Premier League because I think he’s got the potential to be a top manager.<\/p>\n “It gives him a period of time to feel his way into the club and get his ideas across. So I think it will benefit the football club.”<\/p>\n Rooney’s old club Manchester United<\/a> had no European commitments this season and finished the campaign strongly to take third place in the Premier League.<\/p>\n