For as long as I’ve been alive, Chelsea have garnered an unusual amount of stick, both on and off the pitch. This has never been more true than in the present with our current state of mid-table fever.
Aside from our present woeful streak of on-pitch performances, Chelsea fans have historically not helped their issue of widespread unpopularity. The 2015 racial abuse incident on the Paris metro immediately springs to mind. Footage captured Chelsea fans shunting a black man off the train, whilst unabashedly chanting: ‘we’re racist, we’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it.’ What a horrible time to be a Chelsea fan this was. Chelsea’s partnership with charity Right to Play as an on-kit sponsor a few seasons prior, has always left me with a slight added sense of cringing remorse.
In recent years, the public’s anti-Chelsea sentiment has sprung from abominable league form, magnified by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s $1 billion shopping spree (or there abouts). So far it is safe to say that we feel a bit short changed, much to the rest of the country’s delight.
The Abramovich era bred an elite mentality within the club where winning was the only option. And win we did. Without falling into the pitfalls of geo-political debate, our Russian chief was beloved by the club for what he led Chelsea to achieve. His secretive oligarchy and shady misgivings with you-know-who took a back seat to the glory days of Jose Mourinho’s ascendancy.
There is no doubt that Todd and his investor buddies were always going to have massive shoes to fill. Say what you like about Abramovich, he set the precedent for what a modern football club owner should look like. He was unequivocally passionate about the game, had tremendously deep pockets, and remained sternly involved from afar so as to not interfere with the day-to-day.
By contrast, after spending an eye watering sum of money since the takeover in May 2022, things have not been plain sailing for Todd and Co. Chelsea currently sit 11th in the league, with a goal difference of + 1 keeping us dominant over the likes of our west London rivals Fulham...Dire league form have raised serious doubts over Chelsea’s new ownership structure being utterly clueless about the world of football. Throwing lumps of money at the problem, although nice to see as a fan, if not slightly embarrassing at this point, is clearly not working (in the short term at least).
Perhaps it was the habitual nature of celebrating a trophy every few years that exacerbates our current predicament. This, coupled with the fact that Chelsea spend more on defence than some countries in Africa, all amounts to a club stranded in no-man’s land, drowning in sackings, heavy defeats and FFP breaches.
But the question I wish to raise is whether this should come as a surprise? And should Chelsea fans be worried about our newfound status as a mid-table club?
In short, no. I see this as but a blip. As a re-building project.
Aside from a new ownership structure, the roster of current Chelsea players are largely young unknowns with names few had heard of. U-G-O-C-H-U-K-W-U. Certainly a challenge after a few sharpeners.
Joking aside, new ownership structures and complete squad rebuilds require time to take shape. Chelsea’s deck has experienced a complete re-shuffle over the past four transfer windows, making the current team not only in-experienced in the English league, but, more importantly, an un-synchronised outfit.
Talent is clearly present amongst these signings with ‘Cold’ Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi and Petrovic all showing glimpses of excellence in recent weeks. The big money signings, however, are yet to prove their weight in gold. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk have all had unremarkable starts in blue. A heavy price tag provides an unfairly high expectation for these young bucks, however, sympathy does not go very far towards those earning copious amounts of dosh.
Yet we know these players can perform to the level required. Enzo won the World Cup at the age of 21, whilst picking up Best Young Player of the Tournament. Caicedo proved invaluable to a highly impressive and well-oiled Brighton side pre-Chelsea. And Mudryk grabbed the attention of major clubs across Europe prior to his Chelsea move, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. Surely he has something!
Seemingly endless transfers, then, have certainly disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm and stability, both from those who signed to the club, and those who departed. It was out with the old and in with the new. The likes of Caesar ‘Dave’ Azpilicueta, a cornerstone of Chelsea’s success over the past decade, and many players like him moving on from the club, certainly added fuel to the fire.
If we look at complete squad re-builds amongst teams with a similar stature to Chelsea, we see the same story over and over. Arsenal being the perfect case in point. It was not too long ago that Arsenal fans were calling for Arteta to get the sack (rather amusingly if I must say so). Two consecutive 8th place finishes in the league, followed by a stint at 5th in the 21/22 season, finally culminated in Arsenal positioning themselves as league challengers over the past two seasons. A mass influx of youth talent saw precarious league standings develop over time into an outfit whose playing style and win-ratios are Rolls-Royce.
I believe it is only a matter of time before the same can be said for Chelsea, we just need to be patient. Only time can produce a well-gelled team capable of putting together a winning-
streak.
Pochettino certainly knows how to manoeuvre clubs into trophy winning scenarios and should be given the time to do just that. The Argentinian steered Tottenham, yes Tottenham, to the 2019 Champion League Final. Granted they lost out to Liverpool when push came to shove in true Spurs fashion, but the fact is they got there nonetheless. This was an especially incredible feat if you look at who they had running the middle of the park: Harry Winks and Mousssa Sissoko. Not exactly an almighty powerhouse.
Poch also led PSG to a Ligue 1 title in the 21/22 season. A farmers league perhaps, but still a trophy requiring management of big time players and consistent league form. Winning these opportunities when they arise is still something Pochettino needs to prove, however, as far as his experience goes at elite level clubs, his CV is certainly sufficient, for now anyway.
For reasons aforementioned, I don’t think there is any reason to be worried as a Chelsea fan and not only this, but this current poor showing should be expected. New ownership, new management and a completely new background staff were always going to bring a certain amount of turmoil and anyone who can’t see that should be challenged, in my humble opinion.
Roll on the 24/25 season I say where Champions League football is a dead cert. With Reece fully fit, Palmer causing havoc on the flanks, Enzo and Moises actually talking to each other, and Nkunku firing on all cylinders, I see no reason why Chelsea can’t propel themselves out of this hole in the not-so-distant future.
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