The primary yr of Todd Boehly’s regime has been an absolute catastrophe. The 2022/23 Premier League marketing campaign ended with the Blues languishing in twelfth place with their worst Premier League factors tally ever and their worst end within the high flight since 1994.
That in itself is dangerous sufficient however when you think about the £600 million spent within the final two switch home windows and the rotation of 4 totally different managers by means of the Bridge’s revolving door for the reason that begin of the marketing campaign, this season will go down as one of many greatest calamities in membership historical past. The house owners overtly acknowledged the disappointing season the membership endured and vowed to construct a squad to compete subsequent yr; whether or not he delivers on that promise is one other story.
Merely put, Boehly must get a deal with on issues shortly if they’re to keep away from repeating the identical errors in 2023/24. His first step in addressing the mounting issues in West London was a optimistic one although. In appointing Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea now have one of the extremely wanted managers on the earth with pedigree find untapped potential and giving path to gamers with low morale, a well-documented function of the present squad.
Photograph by Karim Jaafar/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The Argentine is the one charged with fixing this mess however he’s the proper man for the job, and if Boehly can mood his impulses within the switch market this summer time then they are going to be on the right track to considerably enhance subsequent marketing campaign. Right here’s a have a look at what Chelsea have to prioritize this pre-season to attain success in 2023/24.
It’s no secret that the squad is just too large. The Blues have over 30 gamers on the books and that’s earlier than the return of loanees and the arrival of pre-agreed signings. Pochettino and the board have their work lower out making an attempt to rally this squad low on confidence whereas additionally eradicating some notable names from the roster of gamers. Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic are among the many gamers going through unsure futures whereas Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and membership captain Cesar Azpilicueta all look unlikely to remain.
That’s just some on an extended record of high-profile gamers heading for an exit but it surely’s a necessity of the place Chelsea discover themselves in; the 51-year-old boss is not going to discover one of the best out of this squad if the membership doesn’t observe by means of. When at Spurs Pochettino moulded the membership right into a dominant power that went unbeaten at house for a whole league marketing campaign. That aspect was constructed on real competitors for locations and the mixing of academy abilities who have been able to making the step as much as first staff soccer.
Given the assets at his disposal at Chelsea he’s greater than able to repeating the feat, however that received’t be achievable until the chance is there and it actually received’t be with greater than 30 gamers combating for simply 11 spots. So supplied the Blues’ erratic proprietor doesn’t go on one other uncontrollable spending spree once more, count on there to be extra outgoings than incomings this summer time.
Having mentioned that, the membership have additionally made identified their intentions to herald a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker earlier than pre-season will get underway. Of these, the precedence ought to be discovering an out-and-out goalscorer. Chelsea scored 38 targets final season; relegated Leicester Metropolis and Leeds United netted 10 targets or greater than that and even backside aspect Southampton managed to attain solely two fewer than the Blues’ tally. The necessity for an everyday supply of targets is obvious and the arrival of Christopher Nkunku will definitely assist with that. Chelsea followers shall be hoping the previous RB Leipzig talisman can ship on the potential he has proven on the Bundesliga outfit so far.
He’ll be underneath plenty of stress to ship however he unquestionably possesses the expertise Chelsea are in determined want of in entrance of purpose. Who shall be pushing him for a spot within the beginning lineup is unknown with Romelu Lukaku’s future unsure. The membership have made it clear they need the Belgian worldwide off the books and are bidding to recoup a big switch charge.
The Nerazurri expressed their curiosity in retaining the ahead’s companies after spectacular kind scoring seven targets in his final seven Serie A appearances. Monetary issues on the membership imply that they’re unlikely to desk a suggestion to accumulate him on a full-time foundation and Chelsea’s refusal to mortgage him out implies that negotiations are unlikely to progress between the 2 golf equipment.
His high quality is plain however his fractured relationship with the fanbase makes London an unappealing and unlikely vacation spot for him this summer time. In Lukaku’s stead, Victor Osimhen has emerged as the highest goal. At high on-line bookmakers, Chelsea are 2/1 to signal Osimhen in the summertime. The Nigerian has developed into considered one of Europe’s most prolific strikers in Naples, scoring 30 targets in 38 video games throughout all competitions throughout the 2022/23 season as Napoli received their first Serie A title in 33 years. Any main membership price their salt is in for the ahead and so he’s anticipated to fetch a hefty charge however that’s unlikely to discourage Pochettino from signing the talismanic striker.
Elsewhere on the pitch Enzo Fernandez has confirmed to be one of many only a few brilliant sparks in Chelsea’s aspect over the past 12 months. The 22-year-old is virtually the one participant assured a spot for the approaching season after matching the lofty expectations placed on him courtesy of his mammoth switch charge. The Argentine is legitimately one of many world’s greatest midfielders and may he be accompanied by a stable and commanding presence alongside him subsequent season then Chelsea may have a midfield pairing the envy of the league. The participant who suits that mould one of the best out of probably the most viable choices is Moises Caicedo.
Photograph by David Horton – CameraSport by way of Getty Photographs
There are many suitors eager on buying the Ecuadorian’s companies however Chelsea are the almost definitely to throw the kitchen sink at signing the 21-year-old. The Brighton midfielder has been sensational for the south coast membership and has helped the Seagulls soar their means into Europe subsequent season for the primary time within the membership’s historical past. He’s not a typical holding midfielder and there are maybe gamers on the market who would permit Fernandez to point out off extra of his attacking aptitude however he possesses all the mandatory attributes to be successful at Chelsea and would greater than justify the hefty price ticket Brighton have positioned on him this summer time.
