Chelsea’s preseason adversity overshadows Blues’ resilience, potential
By Joel Slagle
Chelsea’s preparations for the new season have been less than ideal. There is still plenty to look forward to this year, however.
Chelsea is operating with a skeleton crew, and it was on full display in last weekend’s Community Shield. Antonio Conte wants more signings. Gary Cahill wants more signings. Fans want more signings. Presumably, Michael Emenalo and Marina Granovskaia want more signings, but only at the right price. It is a smart way to do business, but a frustrating way to run a football club.
As frustrating as it is, there is still much to look forward to this season. While the club may lack depth in midfield, it does have two incomparable stars and one intriguing new arrival. N’golo Kante is the reigning Player of the Year for a reason. Watching Kante dominate the midfield is like watching Picasso paint. He is an artist and tackling is his medium.
If Kante is an artist, then Cesc Fabregas is a wizard. He does, after all, wear a magic hat. He led the team last year in assists despite not starting most of the season. That is sorcery of some sort. Fabregas’ passing is a joy to behold, and his ability to ping the ball around the park animates the team. Eden Hazard’s absence gives Fabregas an opportunity to showcase his creativity.
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Unfortunately, Fabregas cannot tackle. He tries, bless his heart, but it simply is not his gift. Enter Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Frenchman provides much-needed height and power to compliment Fabregas and Kante. Chelsea finally has a midfield bully again.
Alvaro Morata’s signing ensures the Diego Costa situation remains a sideshow. Chelsea fans coveted him for years, and now he is finally here. He has the talent and tactical nous to thrive in any league. Morata did it in Italy. He did it in Spain. He will do it in England (and a portion of Wales).
Chelsea kept 16 clean sheets last season. Andreas Christensen’s return and Antonio Rudiger’s arrival should see the Blues keep even more this year. The lack of competition at left wing-back is worrying, but if anyone can figure out a solution it is Antonio Conte.
Another Italian manager once said, “A good manager makes a team 10% better and a bad manager makes it 30% worse.” Conte contributed much, much more than 10% last year. His leadership and bold tactical shift won the title for the Blues in a season meant for rebuilding.
Moving Victor Moses to wing-back was an absurd bit of genius. What does he have up his sleeve for 2017/2018?
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It may seem dark right now, but this club has always been at its best with its back against the wall. Munich 2012, anyone? Before Conte made the shift to the 3-4-3 and Chelsea began their romp to the title, some bookies had already suspended betting on his sacking. These preseason preparations have not been great, but they could provide just enough adversity to bring out the best in the defending champions.