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Bold predictions for Chelsea and the Premier League in 2021/22

By The Pride of London Staff

Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (R) during the pre-season friendly football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on August 4, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Moroccan midfielder Hakim Ziyech (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (R) during the pre-season friendly football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London on August 4, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on May 15, 2021. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touchline during the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on May 15, 2021. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

5. What is considered a successful season for Chelsea?

Abhishek: A sustained title challenge right until matchday 38 and at least one trophy. Champions League qualification is non-negotiable.

Anthony: I believe a successful season for Chelsea is closing the gap on Man City in the league, being competitive right to the end and also dominating cup competitions like last season. This year, winning the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Club World Cup while reaching another Champions League final.

Akshat: Given that Chelsea will compete in at least six competitions next season, winning a third of them should be considered a success. Realistically, a title challenge until the end of the league and a semifinal run in the Champions League will be adequate. Anything above that is a bonus.

Barrett: The prism of power in football has shifted up to the north in recent years with Chelsea really the only side south of Birmingham to offer anything to fight them. People have forgotten this. Chelsea must break up that dominance in the table and win at least two meaningful trophies. You don’t buy a £100 million striker on the back of a Champions League win to not win trophies. The Blues must compete with City and Liverpool for the title and hopefully take advantage of City’s focus on the Champions League to win it.

Daniel: I believe Chelsea can win it. Structurally, the Blues’ system has been proven to be efficient and a striker finishing off the chances that they create propels them into a situation where they are challenging on all fronts. A successful season is one with silverware/one that has shown Chelsea has competed until the end.

Gabe: Trophies. At the very least, Chelsea needs to compete until the dying days in the Premier League and win two other trophies (in addition to the Super Cup). The Club World Cup is non-negotiable and an early Champions League exit (anything pre-quarterfinals) would be an embarrassment.

Kevin: Any cup and a top four finish can be considered a successful season. A special season involves winning the Premier League or Champions League. Bringing youth players through can contribute to successful season for the club too.

Leighton: A successful season would be to go deep into every competition Chelsea competes in. In the Premier League, the Blues need to close the gap to Man City and I believe Chelsea will surpass City to go on and win the league.

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Mike: Trophies. Winning silverware is undoubtedly the most important objective for the upcoming Chelsea season, especially considering how high expectations are in west London following the club’s triumphant Champions League campaign. A Premier League title would be particularly sweet, seeing as the Blues have not won the English top flight since 2016/17.

Nate: Goals. If Chelsea finishes within 10 points of the eventual league champion and picks up a trophy or two elsewhere, I’ll live. I’m just praying for something a bit wilder and more aesthetically pleasing. There’s no reason Chelsea shouldn’t be the top scorers in the league.

Olaoluwa: 80 points. Chelsea making a 13-point jump from last season will be considered a success. This is isn’t so low, as 80-point has guaranteed a second place finish or better over the last few seasons. This is going to be another tough season for the Blues, though they have the squad depth to handle any injuries, provided they don’t sell someone they’re not supposed to. A semifinal Champions League place will be expected, as well. English domestic cup competitions are a coin toss mostly, so no one should pay any mind to that.

Olly: Normally it is just titles, titles, titles with Chelsea and even when that wasn’t on the cards last year, the Blues still came away with a major trophy. Chelsea, more than anything, needs to nail down second place this year and continue its upward momentum. The Blues don’t need to win it all, but they need to be consistent. Chelsea needs to separate itself from the ‘lower top four’ and it has to be contending for everything come next summer.

Travis: Chelsea is, theoretically, two years into what was supposed to be a three-year plan. Winning the Champions League may have accelerated that, but it would be wise not to jump too many steps in the expectations of the club because of the Champions League win. Chelsea should make top four long before MD38 and that should put the Blues in the title race, as well.

Yi Hao: One word: competitiveness. Chelsea has to compete on all fronts, regardless of the kind of reinforcements that can or will be brought into the club this summer. Winning a cup or two along the way would be good, of course, and it would most certainly allow Tuchel more time to build upon his success from last season.

Vansh: Chelsea needs to finish very close to the top spot and win a couple of trophies on the way. The Club World Cup and Carabao Cup are good chances, and the club has a strong squad to compete on multiple fronts.

Varun: 85 points. I expect Chelsea to mount a title challenge, and not lose by a huge margin. If we do lose (which we won’t), we can’t let our rivals (City) run away with the title. It has to be a title race, not a one-sided gallop—unless it’s us doing the galloping.

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