Can Pochettino Get Chelsea To Gel?

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Todd Boehly’s millions continue to be piled into recruitment at Stamford Bridge as the 2023/24 season approaches, but he has so far failed to get much bang for his buck. So, what can we expect at the club this season? 

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Reasons To Be Cheerful

A Top Class Manager

Finally, a world-class manager will be sitting in the dugout at Stamford Bridge once again. His reputation took a knock in France, but Pochettino is still a top-level coach that can lift the team spirit at the club.

Despite this, bookmaker Paddy Power are still not confident of a surge back to the upper echelons of the table, with a price of 14/1 available for The Blues to win the league next season.

Man City are, of course, favourites to retain their title at 8/13, whilst Arsenal (11/2), Liverpool (7/1), and Man Utd (9/1) are all ahead of Chelsea in the betting. Many pundits, experts, and sports betting tips providers are more confident, but in the main, it seems that fans are expected to experience another frustrating time.

It Can’t Get Any Worse!

Let’s face it, things couldn’t get any worse. Just 44 points were gathered in last season’s campaign, with their 12th-place finish being the worst since Roman Abramovich changed the fortunes of the club many years ago. 

Todd Boehly naively thought that throwing money at the club would bring instant success, but there were too many signings in a short space of time, most of which turned out to be poor investments. Graham Potter ultimately failed in his efforts to create a new style of play, whilst the decision to bring Frank Lampard back into the fray towards the end of the season was shambolic, to say the least.

Reasons To Be Fearful

Overflowing Squad

Despite some bodies having left Stamford Bridge already this summer, they have been quickly replaced, meaning that the same problem of an overflowing squad of players remains. More bodies need to be moved on quickly to allow Pochettino to concentrate on the players he wants to work with.

Rivals Getting Stronger

As it stands, Man City are head and shoulders above everyone in the league, whilst Arsenal are backing up their fine campaign last year by investing heavily in top players. Even more worryingly for Chelsea is that the chasing pack are also improving. Liverpool are investing wisely to rejuvenate their midfield, Man Utd and Newcastle are close-knit teams, and Aston Villa and Brighton can now be considered as top clubs in their own right.

It is hard to imagine what Chelsea fans must be feeling as the new season approaches. Shocked to their core by last season’s disaster, they will be hoping that the heavy investment in their beloved club will finally begin to bare fruit, something that the owner and manager will also be crossing their fingers for.