For the first time in almost two decades, Chelsea F.C. will no longer be under the ownership of Roman Abramovich.
Roman was many, many things and he leaves a complicated, complex legacy for the club and the sport. The team certainly won trophies: five league titles, five FA Cups, and three League Cups domestically, two Champions League titles and two Europa Leagues in continental play. But there was often a sense of chaos. Lots of spending, not all of it well advised. Managers being hired, fired, re-hired, re-fired (but enough about Jose). Great scouting brought in some tremendous young players, some of whom currently star for league rivals (ok, maybe a little more about Jose). The one thing you could never call this period was boring.
So, what’s in store under the new regime? American private equity money and an American as the face of the consortium could mean a very different club going forward. Quiet competency and a data driven analytic approach? Lavish spending and big moves to win headlines, rather than matches? Something in between?
Time will tell. Maybe what they do this first summer transfer window will give us a glimpse, as there are a lot of choices to be made:
What to expect from the club this season? I think challenging for the league is a pipe dream, especially with City adding Haaland, but top four, a deep run in the domestic cup competitions, and making the knockout stages of the UCL should be reasonable goals. Those results would be the same as this past year, which means treading water, but given the tumultuous season we just saw, I think that’s a good place to start, and if the new ownership makes some moves to exceed those in some way, well, then things will be off to a good start.
Roman was many, many things and he leaves a complicated, complex legacy for the club and the sport. The team certainly won trophies: five league titles, five FA Cups, and three League Cups domestically, two Champions League titles and two Europa Leagues in continental play. But there was often a sense of chaos. Lots of spending, not all of it well advised. Managers being hired, fired, re-hired, re-fired (but enough about Jose). Great scouting brought in some tremendous young players, some of whom currently star for league rivals (ok, maybe a little more about Jose). The one thing you could never call this period was boring.
So, what’s in store under the new regime? American private equity money and an American as the face of the consortium could mean a very different club going forward. Quiet competency and a data driven analytic approach? Lavish spending and big moves to win headlines, rather than matches? Something in between?
Time will tell. Maybe what they do this first summer transfer window will give us a glimpse, as there are a lot of choices to be made:
- Many players who were important to the latest UCL title are already gone (Rudiger, Christiansen, Alonso) or out of contract (Azpilicueta). The back line in particular looks to be in need of help, though re-signing Silva for another year was important, and I’m generally bullish on Trevoh Chalobah. Rumors of a big acquisition like Jules Kounde could be a decent test case for how the new leadership goes about its business.
- There are rumors that United is making a play for Kante, who when fit makes Tuchel’s defensive scheme really sing with his domination of the middle of the pitch, but he’s getting older and the injuries are piling up. Do you sell the guy who may be your best player when fit? Conor Gallagher should be back from loan and part of the first team this year, ready to challenge for a starting spot. Jorginho, who is generally reliable, cost the team with some uncharacteristic mistakes at times this year. Kovacic is a good player, and RLC looked decent, but neither are really the first choice for big matches. The Saul deal looks good now, inasmuch as it was an option and not an obligation to buy, as the EPL may have proved a bit too much for him.
- Wingbacks seem like the strongest position when James and Chilwell can play, but the lack of depth there when one or both were out was iffy, and about to get iffier if one or both of Alonso and Azpilicueta are gone.
- What to say about the attack? They break their club transfer record to bring back Lukaku, who has a disappointing year and makes some comments to the Italian press. Prior signings have shown flashes but need to work on consistency (Havertz, Pulisic) and simple things like understanding the offside rule (Werner) and putting the ball in the net (Werner again, sometimes Pulisic). How do you rotate all those guys, plus Ziyech and Mount, and make sure everyone is both happy and sharp when they get inserted in the XI? Maybe some sales are in order here, and Tuchel will have to pick the right personnel to commit to, one way or another.
- Keeper is another interesting position. Mendy looked a bit less sharp this year than last, but part of that could just be the defense looking worse than it did in the stretch run last year. Rumors have the club trying to pry young American Gabriel Slonina from the Chicago Fire [edit: now it looks like he may be off to Madrid instead]. And what the hell to do with Kepa?
- And what about Tuchel? Will he think about a change in shape, perhaps driven by these personnel moves? He experimented with a 4-3-3 a bit this season, with mixed results, and with a deleted CB group it may be something we see more than the 3-4-3 that worked great when everyone was fit. And from a larger perspective, will he happy and productive here long term?
What to expect from the club this season? I think challenging for the league is a pipe dream, especially with City adding Haaland, but top four, a deep run in the domestic cup competitions, and making the knockout stages of the UCL should be reasonable goals. Those results would be the same as this past year, which means treading water, but given the tumultuous season we just saw, I think that’s a good place to start, and if the new ownership makes some moves to exceed those in some way, well, then things will be off to a good start.
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