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Chelsea: Negativity risks derailing a potentially successful season

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal scores his teams second goal to make it 2-1 during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final Second Leg at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal scores his teams second goal to make it 2-1 during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final Second Leg at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Despite winning the Premier League last season, Chelsea are currently submerged in a sea of negativity regarding results and transfer policy.

This 2017/18 campaign is nowhere near as disastrous as the 2015/16 season. However, with the amount of negativity surrounding Chelsea, you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The current climate appears to have forgotten the Blues’ dominating league triumph last season and risks derailing this campaign even further.

Chelsea crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday night as Antonio Conte once again failed to beat Arsenal. For some reason, Arsene Wenger has the Italian’s number and, with a bit of luck, the Gunners came out on top.

The failure to win added to the growing negativity engulfing the club. With Manchester City making significant headway, Chelsea have disappointed in their title defence. Moreover, the start of 2018 has been particularly lackluster with poor performances leading to poor results.

As the final whistle approached on Wednesday evening, social media was awash with Chelsea fans calling for Conte’s head. There were plenty of people backing the Italian, but the vitriol was noticeable.

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Chelsea won the title last season on the back of a tactical masterclass from Conte. This season, he has not shown the same tactical nous but the Blues are still in two cup competitions. The negativity from the fans adds to the pressure on the players and management staff. Press-conferences become more tense and home performances become nervier.

However, Conte himself has played his part. He has constantly talked about Chelsea’s inability to compete with the Manchester clubs and has cut a visibly frustrated figure in media appearances and on the touchline. Indirectly or directly, he has bemoaned the board for a perceived lack of support in the transfer market. This lends itself to rumours of internal strife and an impending exit.

Many have already written off Chelsea’s chances of winning the Champions League. Those people are quick to forget the 2012 triumph, when an underperforming team with a tactically clueless manager lifted club football’s greatest trophy.

Conte has proven last season and in previous jobs that he can out-think opposition managers. He can set up his team to get a result against supposed superior opponents.

Chelsea are currently sitting comfortably in the top four race. Hence, they have a real chance of winning the FA Cup or Champions League. The key, though, is for the fans, the players and the staff to rally around and believe in it.

Psychology is a big part of sport and starting a game with the current atmosphere is like starting 1-0 down. Chelsea do have the talent to salvage some silverware this season. So, whether Conte leaves in the summer or not, the club as a whole should regroup and place their faith in the manager and the players. Trust the club at least until May, then everyone can reassess the situation.

Next: Chelsea player ratings vs. Arsenal: Blues opened the door for bad luck

What do you think of the negativity? Is it justified? Let us know in the comments below!

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