Chelsea is committing to a change in style with or without Maurizio Sarri

Since Jose Mourinho, Chelsea has primarily been an organized defensive unit. Now the Blues are committing to a change, regardless of managerial tenure.

Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea for his first stint at a vital time. The club had recently become rich, but was still very much the plucky underdog. He tuned into that and created one of the most highly organized and defensive teams in the world who always felt the world was against them.

More or less, that became Chelsea’s culture. Managers that played into it succeeded. Those that tried to reject it failed. Some managers toed the line like Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte, but both came down on the wrong side too soon.

So when Maurizio Sarri was appointed as Chelsea manager it felt like a step too large for Chelsea. But the board supported him in the market and reshaped the team. They also held on to suited players and allowed unsuited ones to depart. And now, regardless of what happens with Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea is committed to a new culture of football.

The signings of Jorginho and Kepa Arrizabalaga are very much signings for an attacking team. Jorginho is a midfield general who dictates play with the ball and uses his teammates’ high pressing as a shield. Would he have succeeded under a more defensively oriented manager at Chelsea? Maybe, but like Cesc Fabregas before him, he would eventually struggle with the lack of possession. As for Arrizabalaga, he is the modern type of keeper that most are turning to these days. Cool on the ball and willing to leave the box, he was a natural move into a new era.

Furthermore, holding on to Willian and many of the youth players signals the new attacking style is here to stay. Willian is a work horse who can fit into many types of teams, but allowing him to show his Brazilian flair is usually a better idea than forcing him to shuttle up and down the pitch. And the academy has been producing technically proficient footballers for years that had little in common with the first team ahead of them. But if Chelsea as a whole is leaning towards the technical side, then the academy suddenly has a clearer pathway.

Tiemoue Bakayoko’s loan with an option to buy is perhaps the clearest indicator that Chelsea is committing to something new. He is young and still has loads of potential despite a bad season. But he is far more suited for a defensively minded team. It simply has not been modus operandi to give up on a player so quickly. But if the Blues are not expecting to return to defense first, then the buy clause on the loan makes far more sense.

The moves have been made in support of Sarri’s new style. But it also hints that the Blues are prepared to commit to the change regardless if Sarri stays long term or not. The board reworked to the squad and now it is very much in an attacking mold. It is too late to go back to defensive managers who can insure safety.

The Blues have made their move. Sarri is the leader of the movement for now, but Chelsea has likely prepared for after him departure as well. The new culture at Stamford Bridge is beginning. If it has the staying power of the last culture, it will remain for years to come.