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Bold predictions for Chelsea and the Premier League in 2022/23

By The Pride of London Staff

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JULY 23: Jorginho of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JULY 23: Jorginho of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 20: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 20: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

7. Who will be Chelsea’s best signing (or returning loanee) of the season?

Abhishek: Raheem Sterling. Unless we go on and sign one of Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar, Sterling will finish the season as Chelsea’s top scorer and assist provider. The England international immediately becomes the most potent weapon in the club’s armory, leaving close to £200 million worth of attacking talent scrambling for the remaining two spots in the Blues’ forward line.

Anthony: Raheem Sterling. He will offer experience and proven track record in front goal, which is needed with the inconsistent wingers currently at Chelsea. If he can get double digit goals then I believe he will be considered a success.

Barrett: Raheem Sterling. Everything about Sterling is in place to be a perfect signing. Him returning to London and being the main man in a team after a lot of time learning under some of the best in the game. He’s a great player—fantastic signing.

Bryan: Kalidou Koulibaly. Easy to say Sterling here, but I’m actually going to go with Koulibaly. There is a desperate need for quality and consistency at the back, and Koulibaly has every chance to emerge as an elite Premier League defender by the end of the season.

Caden: Kalidou Koulibaly. It has to be Koulibaly. After losing two key centerbacks, Chelsea signing one of the best in the world is going to make a massive difference in the end. He will not only be the Blues’ best player this season, but arguably the best defender in the Premier League when the season ends. Raheem Sterling is going to be a great addition, but with all the youth in the back and how much Tuchel takes pride in defense, the former Napoli star will make a statement during the 2022/23 season.

Gabe: Raheem Sterling. This is honestly a coin flip. The Blues lost two key defenders, so it’s hard to overstate the importance of Kalidou Koulibaly next season. Regardless, Sterling is going to be a game-changer in attack. For that reason, I think he’ll be slightly more important than his new teammate and fellow dressing room leader.

Leighton: Kalidou Koulibaly. Another calm presence at the back alongside veteran Thiago Silva will only boost the back line. Koulibaly adds several defensive qualities to the team and also his arial treat from set pieces makes him a mainstay in the team.

Mike: Raheem Sterling. There aren’t too many choices at the moment, but it has to be Sterling for me. Chelsea’s attack was dreadful for the second half of last season, and signing an experienced forward with a strong goalscoring record for one of the top teams in the Premier League is a fantastic way to remedy that. I hope Raz will bring some dynamism and creativity to this Blues’ front line. Otherwise, we might be in for another unwatchable campaign.

Nate: Kalidou Koulibaly. I love Thiago Silva with every fiber of my being, and I consider him the second best centerback in the club’s recent history. That said, I think Koulibaly might be even better. He’s the perfect blend of Silva’s intelligence and technique, as well as Rudiger’s physicality and boldness; an absolutely perfect addition to the team.

Olaoluwa: Kalidou Koulibaly. The first game Koulibaly played for Chelsea revealed several things. One thing that stood out is that he has impeccable positioning. His anticipation is excellent. He will be key in breaking up opposition’s play. His passing is also superb, which means that he’ll adequately replace Antonio Rudiger. Chelsea needs to get back the defensive solidity it had in the early months of Thomas Tuchel’s reign.

Tom: Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese is an imposing opponent to attackers—before the games even begin. I expect him to seamlessly fill Antonio Rudiger’s role.

Travis: Raheem Sterling. At the moment, Sterling. Not sure I buy that the attackers simply aren’t good enough, but Sterling is clearly better and he’ll put down some markers this season, even if Koulibaly is a brick wall at the back.

Varun: Kalidou Koulibaly. There’s a new No. 26 in town and he’s going to live up to the legacy of the jersey (in only a good way). Chelsea was not its most solid under Tuchel in 2022, but in Koulibaly the club has a world class defensive leader in his prime, ready to be the bedrock of any success this year.

Yi Hao: Raheem Sterling. There are currently only three signings to choose from, but I would go for Sterling. If preseason is anything to go by, the Englishman’s trickery could prove to be the much needed X factor in Chelsea’s attacking play this season.

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