Just recently Chelsea won the Champions League, and as champions of Europe, came with a significantly big profile. However, a completely unrelated issue would turn their glory into turmoil, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a response to the geopolitical trends around the war, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s assets were frozen by the UK government, making it hard for him to continue in his role at the Blues. His exit was swift and with it went the fortunes. Under a new management, a slide down was expected and a number of factors conspired to see Chelsea have a very poor season in 2022/23. As a result, the Blues will not be in Europe in 2023/24, having finished surprisingly in 12th position despite a heavy investment in the squad. Experience dictates that rising from such lows takes a massive effort and investment in players and this is just what a much-changed Chelsea is about to learn.
Player departures
The club has seen the departure of many key players, including N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Edouard Mendy, Christian Pulisic, Matteo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount. Romelu Lukaku’s position remains unclear as the striker seeks an exit after a season with Inter Milan. It is not in doubt that Lukaku leaving is the best for both parties. The transfer activity in the last six months could only mean one thing, the west London side is seeking a new face and that is that they need to end the turmoil seen at the club in the previous season. Chelsea will start their season with a home game against Liverpool and thereafter play two London derbies by Match Day 4. It can only mean they need a good regime in preseason, where they are scheduled to play five games. A new man in charge, Mauricio Pochettino, gives it a whole new angle and you can stay ahead with daily football predictions for direct wins especially where Chelsea is involved. All these and more are available on Wincomparator. The new manager will also be forced to deal with the matters of Kepa and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who are not really seen as part of the long-term solution.
Changes witnessed
All the changes witnessed at Chelsea from last season haven’t only been on the playing unit. The technical teams and executive leadership have also had a change of faces, and this is part of the turmoil that the club has had to deal with. Apart from the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, his successor Graham Potter and the short-term arrival of Frank Lampard, which also realized little success, the club also fired chairman Bruce Buck, Sporting Director Marina Granovskaia. New appointments made have clearly not worked and what the Blues need now is to sit back, reflect and start afresh. While preseason may present new rigors, their tour of the USA should form the basis for this rethink at both management and team levels. A new manager will be expected to stamp in his style and with the senior players departed, Pochettino will never find a better chance to bring order.
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