Can Chelsea get back to the top four this season?

The Decline of Chelsea: What Went Wrong Last Season?

The Blues have been an integral part of the Premier League’s Big Four during the 2000s and have also been one of the most successful clubs in the Big Six during the past decade.

But what has happened to Chelsea Football Club and what’s the reason behind them finishing 12th with a -9 goal difference and 44 points – only 10 above the relegation zone last season?

Mauricio Pochettino: The Turnaround Specialist

With the arrival of an already-established manager, Mauricio Pochettino, the new owners are still working on bolstering an already packed squad that will hopefully lead the club to one of the Champions League spots.

The Argentinian is known for his high-pressing game and emphasis on quick ball movement, and his tactics could be the fresh approach Chelsea needs. Pochettino is keen on building from the back, utilizing the full-backs in more advanced roles, and allowing the midfielders to join the attack more frequently. His system encourages a team-oriented approach, which may be beneficial for a Chelsea squad filled with individual talents but lacking a cohesive strategy last season.

Pochettino’s tactical flexibility could be a key differentiator when competing against other top-four contenders. His ability to switch between different formations depending on the opponent adds an element of unpredictability that has often been missing from Chelsea’s play.

Factors Behind Chelsea’s Struggles: Bad Management and New Ownership

There are many arguments as to why Chelsea struggled to finish in the top half season – one of them being bad club management. Something quite unusual when it comes to the only London-based club that has ever won the Champions League.

The constant search for a new manager that will make all the difference, the overspending on young talents that may or may not pay out in the long term, and the fact that the new owners are completely new to the European football culture are something to think about.

The Blues won’t be a part of the best European club competition this season. It’s certainly not something that the fans are excited about, but on the positive side of things, the club will solely focus on domestic competitions and will have an easier schedule compared to other clubs competing for the top four.

A New Dawn: Recent Signings and What They Mean for Chelsea

When it comes to new arrivals, the list is quite long. Starting from the winter transfer window during the previous season, Chelsea has brought nine new players, and eighteen new players in total since Todd Boehly overtook the club during the summer of 2022. Some of the most notable names here being Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, to name a few. The new ownership has shown a willingness to invest in young talent, a strategy that, although risky, has high rewards if executed well. Mauricio Pochettino has a good track record of developing young players into stars. Talents like aforementioned Jackson and Fernandez are the kind of players who could flourish under his tutelage, offering long-term benefits both on and off the pitch.

Nicolas Jackson’s transfer, although probably not the one in focus, could potentially be the one with the largest impact. The former Villarreal forward looks like the complete number 9 that Chelsea has been looking for ever since the legendary Didier Drogba left the Blues in 2012.

Jackson should be a good addition to Pochettino’s squad since the Argentinian prefers somewhat more technical forwards that can bring the best out of the wingers and attacking midfielders. With Ben Chilwell and Mykhailo Mudryk on the left flank, Chelsea will look to pursue a more attacking-oriented football. Something that the club lacked the previous season.

Chelsea’s Depth: A Potential Edge for Top Four Finish

The squad depth is quite large, and when it comes to quality, it’s safe to say that only Manchester City has a better bench.

Of course, Chelsea is currently under reconstruction as a whole and only time will tell if the project will be successful or if the new owners are just experimenting with a sport they don’t know much about. There’s no doubt that Chelsea will have a better next season compared to the previous one, and the chances are still solid when it comes to them finishing in the top four.

With the combination of an experienced manager, a squad brimming with both young prospects and seasoned pros, and a less hectic schedule, Chelsea appears to be in a solid position to reclaim their place in the top four. However, the season is long and unpredictable; the real challenge will be maintaining form and cohesion throughout the year. Only time will tell if Chelsea can live up to the expectations or if this is another season of false dawns.