TOalthough it is not a surprise, Chelsea’s umpteenth revolution draws attention. With the nearby departures of Azpilicueta (Atlético de Madrid) and Pulisic (Milan or Lyon), Only three ‘survivors’ of the Champions League final won in 2021 in Porto will remain: Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Reece James. The arrival of Todd Boehly was an ‘earthquake’ at Stamford Bridge. With the millions came the signings, the sales… and the ‘blue’ disintegration.
And it is that although the transfer market officially started on July 1, Chelsea have been working on the arrival operation and the departure operation for a long time. They have already spent almost 100 ‘kilos’ between Nkunku and Nico Jackson… but they have entered more than 220 million with the departures of Havertz, Kovacic, Mount to United or the massive exodus of players to the Saudi league.
With just 44 points in the Premier League (12) and zero titles won, Todd Boehly’s first year in London couldn’t have been worse. The American bought the club from Abramovich more than a year ago, He spent 600 million in the 2022/23 market (the most expensive in history)… and he was shipwrecked. You now have two months to ‘fix’ last year’s bad planning.
Chelsea players celebrate the Champions League won in 2012.
Pochettino leads the ship
Mauricio Pochettino is already working at Cobham to return Chelsea to European competitions in 2023/24. He will have a year with a more ‘light’ calendar (only Premier and cups) but with a very high demand to make Chelsea return to the position that corresponds to it. For history in this 21st century… and for spending in the market. Nobody invests more than them.
Pochettino already works as Chelsea coach: first day at the ‘blues’ facilities
“Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea well as we go forward. He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest level, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to his development made him an exceptional candidate.” This was how Chelsea presented Pochettino, making clear the reasons for the signing of the Argentine.
Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea well as we go forward.
Replicating what was achieved in the past at clubs like Tottenham, when he made an entire squad grow to reach the Champions League final. That is the goal. “I think the size of the squad is something the club will address. I’m sure the new manager will understand what I’m saying.”I had already warned Frank Lampard before leaving the club. And so it was. Departures are already taking place.
I think the size of the squad is something that the club will address
The eleven that Chelsea brought out in the 2021 Champions League final. Only Chilwell, Thiago Silva and James will remain.
Confirmed departures… and pending
Chelsea has put up the ‘for sale’ sign on half of the squad with the aim of complying with the parameters of the Financial Fair Play with UEFA. They will not enter money for the Champions League and that is a hole of at least 60 million that the exits must cover. For now, 156 ‘kilos’ have entered with the marches of Havertz (Arsenal), Kovacic (City), Koulibaly (Al Hilal), Mendy (Al-Ahli), Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Kant (Al-Ittihad) or Bakayoko (free).
Already in January, with Boehly making room for the new signings, Jorginho left for Arsenal. And before, in the summer of 2022, Werner, Emerson Palmieri, Gilmour, Batshuayi, Rídiger or Marcos Alonso had left.
In addition, on the way are the sales of Mount (to Manchester United for 70 ‘kilos’), pulisic (around 25 million euros) or Azpilicueta (He will be released and is on his way to the Metropolitan). In addition, the ‘Ziyech issue’: problems with the medical examination paralyzed his departure to Saudi Arabia.
Havertz poses in Arsenal colours.
Then of course there is the puzzle of the loanees who return to London, with Lukaku as the most notorious case. The Belgian, who cost 114 million euros, returns from Milan… but he doesn’t want to stay. His idea is to return to Inter but Chelsea want to ‘monetize’ his departure with at least 35-40 million euros.
Along with, Malang Sarr, Ethan Ampadu or Hudson-Odoi they return to Stamford Bridge with no forecast of long stay. More departures from a team that is on sale in these first days of summer 2023.
