Comfortably being top 4, continuing the good form from last year and building on it, is surely better than another struggle for top 4? Liverpools 97 point season came from a fantastic second half of the season before when they kicked on after Christmas and reached a CL final.
Nobody is going from 60 something points, 3 years in a row to suddenly challenging City in the 90 point range. Its wishful thinking.
If Chelsea were comfortable second, wouldn't that mean Werner etc were definite successes and you had less to do in the summer transfer market? Youre up against West Ham and Leicester, even Everton could make a run. Instead of making fine tunes and adding on, youre going to end up pretending Werner etc will step up and convincing yourselves that the leap isnt that big.
I mean, Chelsea arent even guarenteed top 4, your run in is horrendous. Second means a lot.