Supporting Chelsea over the last 20+ years has to rank quite high amongst the most exciting things. The drama is endless, from oligarch owner, multiple managers, unexpected success, all the way to the Americans and an outrageous rebuild/restructuring.
Going into the season after the disaster the previous one was, the least that was expected was a return to European football. A Champions League place preferably, but Europa or Conference would really do , all factors considered.
Nkunku had a great pre season and looked to be the key man in attack, but picked an injury on the last day of pre season. I think from there, the manager decided to change his whole game plan, starting the season in shapes that we didn’t see throughout pre season.
Strange decisions like Chilwell playing high up in left wing when both Sterling and Mudryk were available, Colwill playing at left back when 3 left backs were on the books were just ridiculous. Yet, that was what we had to deal with in the early part of the season. At this point, a lot of people, myself included became disillusioned with the manager.
Individual player performances and an unusual number of injuries are deserving of a whole chapter of a really big book about this season for Chelsea. The season can however be divided into two for the club- a first and a second half.
Enter Cole Palmer- The signing Chelsea didn’t even know they needed. Infact, only Joe Shields (who had worked with he and Lavia at Man City) knew that Chelsea needed that signing. Chelsea’s player of the season, PL young player of the season, most points in the fantasy Premier league. Considering the boy didn’t start a game till matchday 7, just stunning.
In the end, after a mixed season, heavily underperforming XG, but still scoring a lot of goals. Also conceding just too many goals, Chelsea managed to nick European football. United winning the FA Cup means the Conference League, a chance to be the only Club to have won every single European trophy. Truth is that around the midway point of the season, Chelsea didn’t even look like they’ll be anywhere near the top 6, so in that context, it’s hard not to feel a sense of gratitude for how it all ended
Going into the 24/25 season, Chelsea are yet again in the unknown, just like last season. It felt like Poch was unto something, many of the young players like Gusto, Caicedo and Jackson were finally coming alive. Gallagher, Nkunku and Cucurella also looked bright. Players like Madueke, Badashille and Disasi look set to be very useful squad players. Yet, with the arrival of a new manager imminent, we can’t really forecast much until we know who.
This summer, the club will probably be looking at bringing in a goalkeeper, a Centre back (because Chalobah might leave to help with FFP), and a striker to compete with Jackson (not necessarily big money, just a different profile of striker, perhaps like Madrid have in Joselu)
Lastly, on the little matter of the next manager, I felt Poch was unto something, but sadly, he couldn’t find common ground with the owners. So, a lack of continuity probably hurts. Amongst the names thrown around as possible replacements, none jump at me with particularly big pedigrees. However, pedigree is something that is earned, I don’t knock young managers until I see them for a while. You never really know what most of them will offer until they begin offering it, so fingers crossed again for another season.
It is my opinion that Chelsea will surely be stronger in the 24/25 season. The least expectations should be winning the Conference league and a top 4 finish in the league.
