Chelsea 2022-23: Under New Ownership (And New Management)

HowBoutDemSox

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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:
  • 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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teddykgb

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You can’t assume health for anyone and Chelsea are capable of challenging for the title depending on how the summer market shakes out. The questions obviously are around how much Chelsea can spend and how many players leave. Iirc you’re linked to Kounde and Gvardiol and I think both are very good. But what money would be left after rebuilding the back line? May end up needing to sell a few to buy more and you change too many pieces it can take a while to gel. In a league where the standard is about 3 losses and a half dozen draws to win the title it doesn’t leave a team a lot of room to lose points while they come together. City have done a lot of late business and started slowly and worked it out but it’s a tough path.

My biggest concern with Chelsea remains Tuchels defensive orientation. I think I said it last year but I’d worry that Chelsea just don’t commit enough men forward to avoid draws enough to really title challenge. Once you prove yourself a top squad teams will park a bus against you and Chelsea certainly attack but seldom have 5 or 6 who you want in attacking positions on the pitch at the same time.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I'm interested to see what happens (if anything) with Pulisic this summer. On a pure footballing level, I think it would make sense to sell him. He is only contracted until 2024 so this is the summer you'd usually either want to sell or renew. I'm not sure he is quite good enough to be more than a rotational player for a club like Chelsea and physically he may be better suited for Spain or Italy anyway. Unlike Lukaku, Werner, and Havertz, he isn't on huge wages and unlike Ziyech he is young, so moving him also seems easier than it will be for some of the other forwards at the club.

But I can also see why Boehly and his partners might hesitate to sell America's biggest star as one of their first moves as new owners and he clearly has some real marketing value for the club. In general I think Boehly is smart enough to let the football people make the football-related decisions but this might be an exception.
 

tmracht

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Will be interesting who moves with the World Cup on the horizon. Does Pulisic angle to move if he thinks it will get him guaranteed time in the run up etc. I think there was some angst on his part already about game time/positioning even if he said the right things, his dad was not so maybe there is more behind the scenes. Should be an interesting summer for sure for Pulisic.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Sounds like Lukaku will be back at Inter on a loan deal for this season, for a fee of €8 million plus add-ons. Kicks the can down the road for what’s going on with the rest of his contract and (depending on the add-on details) a relative pittance for a loan fee given the transfer fee last summer, but apparently he and Tuchel weren’t able to work things out and the new ownership backed Tuchel rather than trying to keep Lukaku around. Also gets his wages off the books for the year.

It seems like they were waiting for that business to get settled before making any incoming moves, which may or may not have hurt them as other options went off the board. So far I’ve seen them linked to Dembele (who played under Tuchel at Dortmund before his move to Barca) on a free, various City players (Sterling most solidly, but apparently they’ve also expressed some interest in Jesus and Ake), the Jules Kounde saga continues from last summer, and Jonathan Clauss from Len has also been rumored. With the Lukaku situation seemingly coming to the finish line for the summer, we’ll see if anything of note happens in terms or either purchases or sales.
 

OCST

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This is all from Everton Twitter and chats- not linking because I’m too tired but these things are floating out there. All caveats re transfer rumors (ie Bullshit)

Chelsea is in on Richarlison. Some talk of either Gallagher or Pulisic going the other way, Gallagher wants to try to crack the xi at Chelsea and Everton would ordinarily be a stretch to get either, but Lampard has pull with both and could persuade them, or so the rumor mill says.
 

TheRealness

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With all the rumors swirling around Sterling and Dembele to Chelsea, and now Lukaku to Inter on loan seemingly done, it appears Chelsea will forgo adding mid-field depth and CB depth they sorely need to be the first team in premier league history to start 11 wingers at the same time.

I fear the management has no plan, and at this point am actively rooting for them to let Pulisic go so he can thrive elsewhere.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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With all the rumors swirling around Sterling and Dembele to Chelsea, and now Lukaku to Inter on loan seemingly done, it appears Chelsea will forgo adding mid-field depth and CB depth they sorely need to be the first team in premier league history to start 11 wingers at the same time.

I fear the management has no plan, and at this point am actively rooting for them to let Pulisic go so he can thrive elsewhere.
They have been linked to some CBs, though we’ll see what deals actually gets done. On midfield, though, they are returning Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, and RLC, and only really losing Saul, who didn’t play much, plus Connor Gallagher is back from loan and should be an option, so it makes sense they haven’t been linked to major acquisitions there unless there are more moving parts going out.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tuchel switches to a 4-3-3, and moves Mount to midfield, which makes sense if they have more playable midfielders than center backs and helps alleviate the logjam in the attacking positions. It also seems like Ziyech is primed for a move to AC Milan for at least the season (loan with an option to buy), so with him and Lukaku out and Mount playing more midfield, that would certainly open up playing time for whoever they bring in, plus Pulisic, Havertz, and Werner (to the extent Werner is considered a viable option).

As to whether there’s a plan, this is certainly a transition period. After initial reports that Marina would stick around through the window at least, it’s now confirmed that she’s out, and Bruce Buck too, with Boehly taking an active role until they have a new head of football operations, working closely with Tuchel. What that means in both the short and long term remains to be seen, but for now it will certainly seem a bit chaotic as they course correct from the previous regime’s plans and style. Other than Mount, James and Silva, I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone is on the way out at this point (there’s apparently even loan interest in Kepa).
 

SocrManiac

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I don't understand the interest in Sterling outside of his being British. I don't think Werner leaves Chelsea with a deficit of mistimed offside runs and missed sitters.
 

tmracht

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We are attempting to assemble the all missed sitters squad just think of:

Dembele - Werner - Sterling

All missing sitters together.
 

Kliq

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It hasn't been for lack of trying on Chelsea's end. They needed a striker so they go out and get Werner, coming off a 28 goal season for Leipzig; and he just immediately turns into a pumpkin. You could argue despite his goal output that he wasn't a truly natural #9 and he was better more on the wing. So they go out next year and sign Lukaku, coming off his best season of his career at Inter, and unlike Werner, a true #9 with a proven pedigree of scoring in the EPL. Lukaku is almost immediately a bust, clashing with the head coach and being unproductive on the field. At the same time, Chelsea has thrown gobs of money at supporting attacking players who should be funneling easy chances to these world class players that they paid a fortune for.

I wonder if the Lewandowksi-to-Barca move falls through due to Barca finances, Chelsea could be in the mix for him; that would be a scary thought.
 

Philip Jeff Frye

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I wonder if the Lewandowksi-to-Barca move falls through due to Barca finances, Chelsea could be in the mix for him; that would be a scary thought.
For Chelsea's opponents or for Lewandowski?

Seems like Chelsea have been swinging and missing with forwards since the days of Sheva. Curse of the Drogba?
 

Kliq

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For Chelsea's opponents or for Lewandowski?

Seems like Chelsea have been swinging and missing with forwards since the days of Sheva. Curse of the Drogba?
They also signed Tammy Abraham, he produced pretty well for a 21 year old, then they signed Werner, stopped playing Abraham, and then sent him off to Roma (where he scored 17 goals this season for Mourinho).
 

Philip Jeff Frye

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They also signed Tammy Abraham, he produced pretty well for a 21 year old, then they signed Werner, stopped playing Abraham, and then sent him off to Roma (where he scored 17 goals this season for Mourinho).
Yeah, my statement is a bit of hyperbole. Nicholas Anelka and Diego Costa certainly had some moments for them (even though Costa was a crazy person too). But it's pretty amazing the amount of money they have spent on bust strikers in the last 20 years.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Is that Pochettino’s music I hear? He’s the only high profile candidate that I can think of. Maybe they are expecting Rodgers to be sacked soon (which is, obviously highly likely) . Not sure if he’d be considered anyways.
 

SocrManiac

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They need a well-known name with questionable value that they can grossly overpay for. Poch seems to fit the bill well.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Poch, Zidane, and Potter (has a release clause) are seemingly the first names on the wish list. Zidane turned down PSG because he's holding out for the French national team job, so don't see him as realistic, the other two might make sense.

Never a dull moment (except when they're in possession trying to break down a low block).
 

Jimy Hendrix

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If you believe the CYA articles, this makes it three jobs in a row where Tuchel wins a trophy and then aggressively falls out with his bosses. Notable pattern, and not a bad one for a man in a job that tends to come with payoff clauses for these situations.
 

dirtynine

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I’d like Potter to stick around through the season, if at all possible. Holding out hope he’s the very rare manager that wants to build something unique at a smart, stable club, more than move to any old big job (which I wouldn’t blame him for at all). He’s gone eventually if Brighton’s form keeps up, but a full campaign would be nice.
 

67YAZ

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Brighton have started so…we, brightly? I would be really sad to see Potter walk away at the beginning of what promising to be a banner season.

Zidane will have the France job by year’s end, so that’s moot.

I think the squad has bones of a good Poch side, but who knows where his head is after the PSG ringer. Does Poch want full (or nearly full) control of the roster? Because Boehly doesn’t seem to be that kind of owner at present.
 

Kliq

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It all went downhill for Tuchel after the Conte handshake.
 

wonderland

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I thought with all the whining and erratic behavior from Tuchel was his equivalent to driving around the parking lot with the the World Series trophies dragging behind.
 

teddykgb

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There are only so many big team jobs but I’d be really disappointed to see Potter move to Chelsea right after the season starts. He’s quality and Chelsea should want him but it just feels rotten.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Live by muscling your manager away from Swansea with EPL pull, die by Chelsea doing unto you.

That aside, I do agree that it would feel less all-around icky if he left at the end of this season.
 

OCST

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I’d like Potter to stick around through the season, if at all possible. Holding out hope he’s the very rare manager that wants to build something unique at a smart, stable club, more than move to any old big job (which I wouldn’t blame him for at all). He’s gone eventually if Brighton’s form keeps up, but a full campaign would be nice.
Agree. He's building something special. That organization is a model.

And Chelsea is a poisoned chalice. xAny manager going in there has to deal with the pressure of making this extremely expensive collection of incoherent parts perform to expectations, while dealing with clueless ownership. Read about TT having to explain to the new American VC owners over and over again why he didn't want to sign CR7.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I think Potter takes the job if offered. You only get so many shots to make this kind of leap to a big club. If Chelsea hires another manager, Conte signs a new deal, and ETH doesn't bomb, the big six could be a closed shop next summer. By 2024 maybe Brighton has had a downturn in fortunes and he is no longer seen as the next big thing.

Its a really difficult job to walk into though - huge expectations, roster a bit of a mess, no DoF, and you come in during an insanely congested fixture schedule that gives you very little time to actually train your team.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Sounds like they're moving fast to get Potter in place:
View: https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1567526518233907200


David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
Chelsea meeting Graham Potter this afternoon with view to naming him as head coach. Brighton understood to have granted permission for talks after #CFC indicated readiness to pay release clause + Potter gave blessing to discussions @TheAthleticUK #BHAFC
Hmm - the speed of this would indicate they had already approached him unofficially to sound him out.

This sucks for Brighton. And it will probably suck for Potter as well when he realizes what he’s gotten into.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Selfishly as fan of another club ostensibly in Brightons weight class I should be glad to see them weakened.
 

candylandriots

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@Jimy Hendrix you’ve just guaranteed me at least a week of awful sleep.

Though if I had to bet, that seems a likely landing spot for Tuchel with the start the lawn bowlers have had.

Edit: and I honestly wouldn’t mind swapping Tuchel for Tedesco, at least as long as I don’t have to see the latter’s tight, buttoned-up shirts anymore.
 
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