How Chelsea face epic 331-DAY season with whopping 74 games after Man Utd dropped them into Conference League

MANCHESTER UNITED’S shock FA Cup final win has handed Chelsea an incredibly busy calendar.

The sixth-place Blues dropped into the Europa Conference League as the Red Devils joined Tottenham in the Europa League despite finishing eighth thanks to their triumph.

ReutersChelsea’s players are set for a busy season[/caption]

GettyThe Blues could be in action for most of the year[/caption]

And that means Chelsea could rack up an incredible 74 games in a mammoth season.

The incredible figure does not even include five pre-season fixtures, with the Blues potentially in action for 331 days.

Chelsea are on a tour of the USA from July 24 to August 6 and return 11 days before the Premier League season, which finishes on May 25 next year.

The Blues’ Conference League campaign kicks off on August 22 and, if they make the final, that takes place three days after the top-flight finale.

And just when the end is in sight, the Club World Cup is slated to kick off on June 15, with the final on July 13.

To make matters worse, many Blues stars will be in action at this summer’s European Championship.

Chelsea are keen to get their business done early this window and their first priority is bringing in a manager.

Mauricio Pochettino was brutally axed despite winning his final five games and reaching the Carabao Cup final.

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SunSport exclusively revealed that Chelsea have held talks with Leicester boss Enzo Maresca.

Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are also in the frame.

Blues chiefs are keen to have the new man through the door by the end of next week so they can focus on players.

Having a deep squad will be even more important next season due to the return of European football to Stamford Bridge and a jam-packed calendar.

Chelsea are ready to launch a £20million bid for Burnley keeper James Trafford as they seek a long-term answer in goal.