Go on flashscore and look at PL table. Click form last 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 rounds and we are always top4. Early part of the season made difference for us. And that is normal new manager a lot of new young players in first games. Still huge improvement over season before when we had all these experienced players like Kante, Kovacic, Jorginho, Azpi CL winners Mount, Havertz etc...
Also I'm not losing any sleep over missing CL. Teams like Brest, Bologna, Stuttgart, Aston Villa, Girona, Sturm Graz and probably Red Star, Twente will play there... Nothing special.
I think next season is 3rd and last one in our process and playing Europa League where we are number one favorites is gonna be great ride and experience for our young squad. Step by step.