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Four managers, £600m in a season of upheavals at Stamford Bridge

June 2, 2023, 5:39 pm

Tuesday signifies the one-year commemoration of Chelsea’s acquisition by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which took over from Roman Abramovich. The consortium initially disbursed £2.5 billion to purchase the club, along with a commitment to invest an additional £1.75 billion to support its advancement.

Under the leadership of the new owners, Chelsea experienced a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League, recording their lowest points total (44) since the 1987-88 season (42), which resulted in relegation. In addition, they have dismissed two managers, and for only the second time since 2016, the team ended the season without winning any trophies. Furthermore, Chelsea will not be participating in any European competitions in the upcoming season.

Over the past year, Todd Boehly, who also holds ownership in the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with Clearlake, a private equity firm based in California, have invested over £600 million in acquiring 17 players. This approach includes breaking the British transfer record with the signing of Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez for £106.8 million. Their strategy revolves around building a talented and youthful squad capable of achieving long-term success. However, in their pursuit of future success, Chelsea has encountered difficulties in the present moment.

Pochettino’s appointment, accompanied by his long-time assistant manager Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez, and his sports scientist son, Sebastiano, marks just one aspect of the ongoing restructuring at Chelsea. The changes extend beyond the coaching staff, with Chris Jurasek assuming the role of chief executive officer, and the recruitment team welcoming former Stoke City scout Andy Cousins.

The club is also actively pursuing plans to revamp Stamford Bridge, engaging in discussions with residents regarding the redevelopment proposals. However, there is currently no definitive decision on whether to renovate the existing location or seek an alternative site. Considering the aforementioned developments, it is evident that Chelsea has had a busy and eventful first year, with multiple initiatives and changes taking place.

Joao Felix set to return to Atletico Madrid as Chelsea’s loan spell ends

May 31, 2023, 4:04 pm

Joao Felix’s uncertainty regarding his future destination appears to be clearing up, as the Portuguese star is now set to return to Atletico Madrid after his loan spell ends with Chelsea.

Atletico Madrid’s president, Enrique Cerezo, has announced that the Blues will not take up the option to sign Felix on a permanent basis, under the orders of newly-appointed head coach Pochettino. “We have known for less than 24 hours, so we don’t have anything planned. The Chelsea manager doesn’t want him; he will return when his commitment ends in a matter of weeks, and we’ll see what happens. But he is an Atletico de Madrid player.” Cerezo stated.

In the past four months, Felix has featured for the London club 16 times. He scored four goals in the Premier League. Along with this, he made four Champions League appearances wearing shades of dark blue, but he failed to open his account in the European competition. The young forward made a move to Chelsea in order to play in a style that suited his style of play, but in the end, he failed to leave his mark under Graham Potter as well as Frank Lampard.

With the appointment of Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino, he would be eager to bring in players that suit his preferences as well as his playing style. Chelsea’s future signings remain unclear, but they are being linked to a few players. As the summer transfer window approaches, their plan for the next season will become more clear.

Chelsea appoints Mauricio Pochettino as head coach

May 30, 2023, 4:13 pm

Chelsea Football Club announced on Monday that Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed the new head coach of the side, and his tenure will start at the beginning of the 2023–24 season.

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard joined the club as a caretaker manager last month after the Blues decided to part ways with their newly appointed manager, Graham Potter. But his stint with the club did not bear fruit. Chelsea finished their Premier League campaign in 12th place with 11 wins, 11 draws, and 16 losses in 38 matches, with just 44 points to their name. “Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm Mauricio Pochettino will become head coach of the men’s team from the beginning of the 2023–24 season,” said a statement from the club on their official website.

Mauricio will start his new role on July 1. He has a two-year deal with the club, with the option of extending it for another year. Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said: “Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities, and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward. He is a winning coach who has worked at the highest levels in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach, and commitment to development all made him an exceptional candidate.”

Owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Jose E. Feliciano, Mark Walter, and Hansjorg Wyss added, “The sporting team conducted a diligent and thoughtful process that the Board is proud of. We are delighted that Mauricio will be joining Chelsea. Mauricio is a world-class coach with an outstanding track record. We are all looking forward to having him on board.”

Pochettino is a coach known for the high-energy and captivating style of his teams, and he has developed a reputation for assisting young players in reaching their full potential with a strong collective mentality.

The 51-year-old has coached in Spain and France in addition to numerous seasons of Premier League experience with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. He most recently served as manager of Paris Saint-Germain, when he led the team to Ligue 1 and Coupe de France championships. Mauricio’s staff will consist of Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, Toni Jimenez, and Sebastiano Pochettino.

Lampard pinpoints key areas for Chelsea’s inconsistency

May 11, 2023, 4:39 pm

Chelsea’s caretaker manager Frank Lampard has pointed out one of the key areas that will help them progress towards more consistency. The instability and constant changes in Chelsea’s playing eleven have proved to be a hindrance to their ability to operate as a team.

“In a broad sense, and I am not just talking about myself, this season the numbers show that we are the team that changes the most; it’s 11 the most, so coming in at this point for me is trying to find the connections within the team, the partnerships within the team, which are crucial,” Frank Lampard said.

“We all know the great teams out there that we have witnessed over the last however many years, and you can name the connections in them. When those things are not settled, it is very hard to get the consistency of what you want, and you end up searching for it. That can be difficult, and that is probably why people call it transition, and that is a challenge.”

The Blues still have four games in their hands, and even though they are likely to miss out on European football, Lampard would still try to lay the groundwork to ensure success for next season.

“In my position now, as much as we want results, because results will get thrown in your face, we also need to try to find those little connections within the team for what will be going forward.”

“Some of the younger players who have come into the club have maybe not had the opportunity to settle, to feel comfortable in the team, to understand that the full-back is going to overlap them or the midfield player is going to support them,” Lampard concluded. Chelsea are set to face Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday.

‘One of the lowest point of my career’, Raheem Sterling

May 6, 2023, 5:01 pm

Raheem Sterling, attacker for England, was acquired by Chelsea from Manchester City during the most recent summer transfer window for a fee of 47.5 million pounds. Chelsea is currently in the bottom half of the Premier League and has lost six straight games overall, therefore the transfer has turned out to be a disappointment for Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling says this season at Chelsea has been “one of the lowest points” of his career, and the club’s next manager must have “the final say on everything”, according to Sky Sports. The 28-year-old has scored only four goals and produced just two assists in 24 league appearances amid a torrid season that has seen him struggle for form and fitness.
“Personally, this is one of the lowest points in my career,” Sterling stated.

After sacking Graham Potter, Frank Lampard is the fourth manager of Chelsea’s season as the new owner, Todd Bohely, looks for a suitable man for the job for the upcoming season. Sterling thinks the next person in the dugout must have full control.

“I’m not one to tell the club what to do, but from what I can gauge from where I was previously, organisation is the most important thing. Having a manager that has the final say on everything and it is his way with everyone having to follow that,” Sterling said.

A hindering factor in Chelsea’s season has been the arrival of many new players, which has made training sessions difficult, and the dressing room seems to be too small to fit the whole squad together. “There’s new ownership, the new manager that came at the start of the season, new players, and some players that were meant to leave but didn’t at the time; it’s been an overload of players,” said Sterling.

Reece James suffers hamstring injury, out of Chelsea’s squad for entire season

April 26, 2023, 4:21 pm

James played the entire Champions League quarterfinal match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. The full-back appears to have suffered from the pressure of the match and having to play every three days. Despite James’ hamstring injury during the game, he made an effort to support Chelsea and change the outcome of the match.

The Blues ultimately lost the tie by a score of 4-0, and as a result, they also lost James for the remainder of the season. James was one of Chelsea’s top players during the game despite sustaining a hamstring injury during play, and Lampard lauded the kid for the efforts he was able to make.

“Knowing him as a lad, I’m not surprised. I think Reece was also possibly the best player on the pitch with a dodgy hamstring, so it goes to show his level as a player. With Reece, we have to find a way that we can get all that capacity he’s got and get more consistent with his availability at times because he’s such a top player. Mason is the same; he has been playing through [an injury] because he wants to contribute to the club, and players who really want to contribute to Chelsea are what it’s all about,” Frank Lampard said, as quoted by Chelsea FC.

James’s desire to perform even in pain defined the pride of a player who loves playing football. ‘I don’t think it’s about loving Chelsea necessarily,’ Lampard clarified. ‘It’s about having pride in what you do and loving playing football, and understanding that it takes real motivation and desire and the basics before you even get to the finer details. It should be a prerequisite for players playing in a team when you want to be a top team in the Premier League,” Lampard added.

Chelsea’s disappointing run continues following 0-4 aggregate loss to Madrid in Champions League

April 19, 2023, 4:36 pm

Following a 2-0 loss in the second leg of the quarterfinal match against the reigning champions at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, Chelsea was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after falling behind Real Madrid 0-4 on aggregate.

In what has been a difficult season thus far, Frank Lampard’s team needed to reduce the previous two-goal disadvantage from the first leg to have a chance at the trophy. Yet, Rodrygo’s brace kept the Blues’ turbulent season going. Once Lampard was named interim manager, Chelsea, who had dropped three straight games, got off to a strong start. The team, though, struggled to take chances, and it was the same old narrative for them.

Currently 11th in the Premier League and 17 points away from Champions League spots with seven games left, the Blues face a season outside of Europe’s top competition.
Conor Gallagher was selected as the starting midfielder, and Raheem Sterling was benched by the interim manager instead of filling his team with offensive weapons.

N’Golo Kante spurned two really good opportunities to score as he rushed his first-time shot and ended up hitting it well wide of the goal. Chelsea continued to be a threat, and fans were appreciative of it, but the visitors soon gained a stronghold in the game. Rodrygo forced Kepa Arrizabalaga to make a save from near the post. Luka Modric, the evergreen star, also tested the Blues from that position.

Soon after the interval, Kante missed another opportunity after Militao blocked his effort.
In the build-up, Rodrygo was given a tonne of room on Chelsea’s left flank, and the 22-year-old was then in the ideal spot at the ideal time to score from Vinicius’ selfless cut-back. The scoreline went 1-0 in favour of Real Madrid in the 58th minute.

Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk were added by Lampard, but it was already too late. In the 80th minute, Rodrygo added another goal to his tally, taking his side home and into the semifinal.

Real Madrid is likely to meet Manchester City in the Champions League semifinal, with Pep Guardiola’s team taking a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their quarterfinal match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Chelsea and Liverpool play out 4th consecutive goalless draw

April 5, 2023, 5:19 pm

Chelsea and Liverpool played out their fourth consecutive goalless draw in all competitions on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. It was a fixture that was bound to see someone walk out with three points considering both teams are stuck in the present scenario.

However, even with the presence of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Kai Havertz, and Joao Felix, it was not enough to end their goalless string of results. The attacking intent was there from the first whistle, but in the end, both teams had nothing to show on the scoreboard.

Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker pulled out some crucial saves to keep the scoreline level. Throughout the game, Chelsea possessed more attacking intent. Kovacic had the opportunity to open the scoreline in the opening five minutes of the game, but he was denied by Konate, who cleared the ball before it could get past the goal line.

Chelsea came back in the eleventh minute once again in pursuit of a goal, but Alisson stood tall and denied Havertz to keep the scoreline at bay. In the 23rd minute, Chelsea thought they had the lead through Reece James, but the offside flag went up and the entire Stamford Bridge once again fell into the abyss of silence. Liverpool had a few chances in the final minutes to score against the flow of the game, but Kepa wasn’t in the mood to allow the visitors to undo all their hard work in the first half.

Both teams started to run out of time, but their dream of securing the lead never became a reality. The match ended with a score of 0-0. Even with a point, Chelsea still lies in the bottom half of the table, while Liverpool ended the night in eighth position.

Chelsea and Liverpool clash at Stamford Bridge to solidify their position in EPL

April 4, 2023, 4:53 pm

At the beginning of the season, nobody could have predicted that during the climax of the Premier League, Chelsea would be struggling in the bottom half of the table. Thomas Tuchel parted ways with Chelsea in September and chose Graham Potter as his successor.

However, things didn’t pan out as they would have thought they would. Potter was sacked within 24 hours after Chelsea lost to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on 1 April. The chairman of Chelsea football club, Todd Boehly, has a philosophy at the club that is becoming more complex to understand, as sacking Potter before the end of the Premier League has made their job even harder to achieve than before.

With this backdrop and uncertainties in the management, Chelsea will host Liverpool on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge with the hopes of sealing their place in the top four of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has a golden opportunity to solidify their position in the Premier League after Tottenham played out a draw against Everton on Tuesday.

In the pre-match conference, Jurgen Klopp talked about the managerial change in Chelsea’s camp and what they needed to do against them. “Maybe it will have the normal impact after a manager leaves. I am pretty sure Chelsea, the players, want to show a reaction, whatever it is. When you saw the Bayern game against Dortmund, there was a reaction for whatever reason. That’s it,” Klopp said.

The likes of Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara will remain unavailable for the Reds. On the other hand, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Armando Broja will remain sidelined due to injuries.

Chelsea sacks Graham Potter after a disappointing seven months run

April 3, 2023, 4:30 pm

Chelsea sacked head coach Graham Potter on Sunday after less than seven months in charge. Chelsea fell into the bottom half of the Premier League following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, Potter’s 11th defeat in 31 games since replacing Thomas Tuchel in September.

Bruno Saltor has been named interim head coach after leaving Brighton with Potter to join Chelsea. Chelsea’s ownership group was eager to back Potter after naming him to succeed Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel, but they were forced to back down.

After a sluggish start to his reign in west London, Potter was expected to show some signs of progress, but it became impossible to ignore regression on the pitch and the fact that faith was eroding among those in the stands.

Potter had been under pressure for some time because results had been poor despite the new owners spending more than £550 million on new players since taking over the club last May. Just two months ago, they broke the British transfer record by signing midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8 million.

He leaves having won just seven of his 22 league games and having a win rate of 39% overall, the lowest of any permanent Chelsea manager this century.

Chelsea considering to terminate Aubameyang’s contract

March 22, 2023, 5:12 pm

According to reports, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract with Chelsea could be terminated in the summer after the striker for the Blues visited the locker room of his previous team, Barcelona. On March 12, Aubameyang, 33, was present at the Camp Nou to witness Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the El Clasico. After the victory, the Gabonese frontman also visited the club’s locker room. The forward allegedly expressed a wish to return to Barcelona during the visit. Even taking a pay cut in exchange for a transfer is acceptable to him.

Aubameyang joined Chelsea following an impressive spell with Barcelona. He only spent half a season with the Blaugrana but became a hit at the Camp Nou. His attitude in training and positive influence on the team were held in high regard by the Blaugrana.

However, Barcelona lured Robert Lewandowski to Catalonia, meaning the Gabonese frontman would lack game time. Chelsea came into the equation, with former manager Thomas Tuchel keen to reunite with his ex-Borussia Dortmund striker.

Aubameyang only joined the west London giants from Barcelona last summer for £12 million. He was one of Thomas Tuchel’s signings, but the German was sacked just weeks after his arrival, with Graham Potter preferring Kai Havertz as his first choice at No. 9. However, he has lacked game time, starting just ten of 19 games across competitions and scoring three times after Graham Potter’s arrival.

Aubameyang is viewed by Graham Potter as surplus to requirements. That became more evident when he was left off the Blues’ squad for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. Although his contract is set to expire in 2024, it appears the Premier League club is eager to cut short his miserable tenure at Stamford Bridge. It’s possible that he’ll move back to Barcelona, where he scored 13 goals in 24 appearances.

TAMMY HELPS CHELSEA REACH TOP FOUR AFTER 3-0 WIN OVER WEST HAM UNITED

December 23, 2020, 4:33 am

LONDON: Tammy Abraham scored a late opportunist double to secure a 3-0 home win for Chelsea over West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday after Brazilian defender Thiago Silva had fired them in front with an early header.

The result lifted Chelsea to fifth on 25 points from 14 games, a point behind fourth-placed Everton, while West Ham stayed 10th on 21 points after failing to rack up a third successive away win.

It was a welcome victory for Chelsea after two successive defeats and Abraham acknowledged there was a rallying cry in the dressing room before the kick off.

“The boys said we needed a performance and that’s what we did today,” the 23-year-old told Sky Sports.

“As a striker, scoring goals gives you confidence, my team mates created a lot of chances and we defended well as a team.

“It’s something you do in the park, get in the right areas and be ready when the ball lands. It’s still early doors to be looking at the table, we have to just keep picking up three points.”

West Ham’s Declan Rice had a goal disallowed for offside before 36-year-old centre back Thiago Silva planted a thumping header past visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the 10th minute as he met a Mason Mount corner.

The Hammers twice came close as Aaron Cresswell shot across the face of goal and Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma cleared a dangerous raid before Fabianski denied Timo Werner at the other end in the closing stages of the first half.

But Abraham settled Chelsea’s nerves when he made it 2-0 in the 78th minute after Werner’s scuffed shot from the edge of the penalty area fell kindly for the England forward, who diverted it into the net with the slightest of touches.

With West Ham reeling, Abraham added the third two minutes later when he side-footed in a rebound from a tight angle after Christian Pulisic’s close-range header was parried by Fabianski.