The Premier League is back! Following a long few months without club football, the 2022/23 season is set to get underway when Arsenal takes on Crystal Palace to kick off the campaign. There is a lot of excitement around the league for the upcoming season, but with the transfer window remaining open until the end of the month and a World Cup break in December, there are also a lot of uncertainties. There are some clubs—Chelsea, for example—that are benefitting from these unique circumstances.
It’s been a long summer for the Blues’ fans as they’ve had to stick with their club through thick and thin during the transfer of power. This season will be the club’s first without now-former owner Roman Abramovich in nearly two decades. Thus, there are a lot of mixed feelings amongst supporters. Chelsea seems to be in safe hands with Todd Boehly and Co. though. While a lot of things have changed during the course of the year, Thomas Tuchel is returning for his third season (second full campaign) in west London. He’s given fans a lot to look forward to in the past and that continues to ring true. Regardless of what the upcoming season holds for spectators, it’s certainly going to be another memorable year in SW6.
Here are The Pride of London team’s predictions for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign:
1. Who will finish top four in the Premier League?
Abhishek Pancholi: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham
Anthony Gatt: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea
Barrett Rouen: Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea
Bryan Martin: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham
Caden Charpentier: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham
Gabe Henderson: Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea
Leighton September: Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham
Mike Malley: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal
Nate Hofmann: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea
Thomas Bradley Alderman: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur
Travis Tyler: Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham
Varun Dani: Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal
Tan Yi Hao: Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal
2. Who will finish bottom three in the Premier League?
Abhishek: Leeds United, Brentford, Bournemouth
Anthony: Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth
Barrett: Bournemouth, Fulham, Leeds United
Bryan: Everton, Southampton, Bournemouth
Caden: Everton, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest
Gabe: Bournemouth, Southampton, Fulham
Leighton: Southampton, Everton, Bournemouth
Mike: Southampton, Leeds United, Fulham
Nate: Everton, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest
Olaoluwa: Everton, Bournemouth, Fulham
Tom: Fulham, Bournemouth, Everton
Travis: Leeds United, Fulham, Nottingham Forest
Varun: Leeds United, Bournemouth, Fulham
Yi Hao: Wolves, Fulham, Bournemouth
3. Who will win the Premier League’s major awards? (Manager of the Year, Player of the Year, Playmaker of the Year, Golden Boot, Golden Glove)
Abhishek: Jurgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, David de Gea
Anthony: Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Mason Mount, Erling Haaland, Ederson
Barrett: Antonio Conte, Raheem Sterling, James Maddison, Harry Kane, Edouard Mendy
Bryan: Jurgen Klopp, Harry Kane, Mason Mount, Harry Kane, Alisson
Caden: Jurgen Klopp, Son Heung-min, Kevin De Bruyne, Son Heung-min, Alisson
Gabe: Jurgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Mason Mount, Darwin Nunez, Alisson
Leighton: Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Edouard Mendy
Mike: Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Son Heung-min, Erling Haaland, Alisson
Nate: Antonio Conte, Phil Foden, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Hugo Lloris
Olaoluwa: Pep Guardiola, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Edouard Mendy
Tom: Jurgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Mason Mount, Harry Kane, Edouard Mendy
Travis: Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Alisson
Varun: Jurgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Darwin Nunez, Edouard Mendy
Yi Hao: Antonio Conte, Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Hugo Lloris
4. Who will be the first manager to be sacked in the Premier League?
Abhishek: Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers has been flirting with an unceremonious ejection from the managerial seat at Leicester City for a while now, barely hanging on to his job by Christmas. If the Foxes were to sell their prized assets this summer and reinvest that money in the squad, Rodgers can have no excuses for his team languishing in the bottom half of the table at any point during the season.
Anthony: Ralph Hasenhuttl. I do not know who is going to score goals for Southampton. This team lost Armando Broja and Shane Long, and it has not brought anyone in that has a proven goalscoring record. We finally saw Burnley get relegated last season and I think it will be similar for Southampton this year with Hasenhuttl being sacked in the new year.
Barrett: Jesse Marsch. I don’t see much of a tangible plan at Leeds United and I think Marsch will pay for that. Leeds is a tough club to manage, and a big and important one that takes a huge amount of understanding and experience to harness. I don’t know that Leeds has that in the management structure.
Bryan: Frank Lampard. This will get me in hot water with our audience, but the reality is that I’m not sure that Lampard will be properly backed by Everton’s front office. Nor do I think he’s able to adapt his system to optimize Everton’s very scarce talent. I expect the club to struggle out of the gate and consider a a change at the mid-season break.
Caden: Frank Lampard. Tough to say, but Everton frankly is not that good, and Lampard will receive the brunt of the blame.
Gabe: Marco Silva. There were 14 PoL writers who made predictions here, I honestly cannot believe that I was one of two to make this prediction. The reality is Silva’s track record in the Premier League—scratch that, everywhere—stinks. The Portuguese coach hasn’t stayed in a job for more than a year since his first managerial position, Estoril (2011-2014). Factor in Fulham’s terrible history with the English top flight, it’s yo-yo status as a club and mix it with Silva’s CV. Now you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Leighton: Frank Lampard. Last season under Lampard, Everton never looked to have improved. The Toffees were dreadfully close to relegation and seemed to live off moments to see them safe for another season. Another poor start for Lampard could see him be the first managerial casualty.
Mike: Jesse Marsch. Unfortunately, I think Marsch will be the first managerial casualty of the 2022/23 season. Americans never last long in the Premier League, and considering Marsch just lost his two best players in the same transfer window, I don’t have much confidence in the Whites improving on last year’s great escape. Expect Leeds to be in the relegation zone and Marsch to be in the unemployment line before Christmas.
Nate: Frank Lampard. This will have less to do with Lampard himself and more to do with a panicky board trying to salvage a club that can’t afford to be relegated. Ultimately, it will be too little too late, and Everton will be welcoming Championship sides into its fancy new stadium in no time.
Olaoluwa: Frank Lampard. Lampard seems not to have learnt much from his time as Chelsea head coach. Everton barely survived relegation and the team is worse now. Other teams around Everton have tried to improve and Lampard still doesn’t know how to get a team to be defensively solid. Recently, he has recently gone to his tactic of insinuating the problem is from the players. We’ve seen this one before, and it ends only one way.
Tom: Frank Lampard. I don’t think the Chelsea legend has or will be backed sufficiently at Everton. Then the undeservedly poorly run club will sack Lampard. He and the Toffees deserve better.
Travis: Ralph Hasenhuttl. It’s a World Cup year with a midseason break, so most clubs likely hold out to see who becomes available then. That being said, the Ralphaloution at Southampton will likely end beforehand with Saints pulling the plug on Hasenhuttl and running with an interim until the World Cup shake up. This likely comes after a heavy defeat sometime in October.
Varun: Marco Silva. The lad just won’t catch a break in the Premier League. Definitely the first to be blamed for Fulham being winless in 10, given his marching orders during the World Cup.
Yi Hao: Frank Lampard. The Everton manager just has not been backed enough this window. A couple of poor results could very well spell trouble for the Englishman.
5. Where will Chelsea finish in all competitions? (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup)
Abhishek: Third, quarterfinalists, winners, runners-up
Anthony: Fourth, semifinalists, winners, winners
Barrett: Fourth, winners, winners, “something embarrassing”
Bryan: Third, quarterfinalists, winners, winners
Caden: Third, semifinalists, winners, runners-up
Gabe: Fourth, semifinalists, winners, semifinalists
Leighton: Second, winners, winners, quarterfinalists
Mike: Fifth, round of 16, winners, quarterfinalists
Nate: Fifth, group stage (Europa League winners), semifinalists, winners
Olaoluwa: Fourth, semifinalists, winners, winners
Tom: Third, runners-up, semifinalists, quarterfinalists
Travis: Third, quarterfinalists, winners, semifinalists
Varun: Second, winners, winners, winners
Yi Hao: Second, quarterfinalists, winners, winners
6. What is considered a successful season for Chelsea?
Abhishek: A comfortable qualification for next season’s Champions League, and maybe a trophy to add to Thomas Tuchel’s ever-growing collection. Regardless of what happens with the centerback situation, Todd Boehly and Co. will expect their new club to remain in the top four places throughout the season without ever looking in danger of missing out on the lucre of top tier European football.
Anthony: Winning domestic titles and challenging in Europe. With this current squad at the moment, I don’t see us being competitive in the league. Chelsea will finish fourth and possibly fall out of the top four if Arsenal reaches a different level.
Barrett: A successful year for Chelsea is finishing off the transition to the new regime and giving everyone a breather to just focus on football again. Not politics, not economics, not anything other than what they’re supposed to do. We’ll likely see a few weeks where the club breathes out and relaxes and probably get smacked, but then they’ll get down to just being a well-run club again.
Bryan: New owners should involve some patience. Chelsea qualifying for UCL and being competitive in the late stages of the domestic cups (semifinals) should be considered a very successful season. This club is trending up, but it’ll take time to get to the finished product.
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Caden: Tough question to be honest, but in reality, a top four finish and at least a domestic trophy (FA Cup). With the way Chelsea has lost the FA Cup final the past three years, there is no excuse the club should not win the competition this season. Champions League is a bonus, but the Blues always seem to show up in this competition, especially Tuchel.
Gabe: I think it’s easy to look at this season and immediately compare it to Frank Lampard’s first year at the helm due to all of the off-field issues that have crept their way onto the pitch in the last few months. The expectations should be low. Of course, this is Chelsea we’re talking about here, so low is a relative term. Depending on the spending situation (the Blues have signed just four players at the time of publishing) and the squad, a comfortable season can be judged by where Chelsea finishes in the Premier League. Fourth or fifth is successful, although the latter must be accompanied by a trophy and deep cup runs to be deemed any sort of success.
Leighton: The Blues were not a million miles off second place Liverpool last season. The Reds never beat Chelsea in four 90-minute matches (two league, two cup finals). A one-place improvement in the league and a couple of trophies along the way could be considered a successful season.
Mike: That is a tremendous question. I think, despite how silly this sounds to some fans, the vibes around the club at the end of the season will be a better barometer for success than position in the league table or number of trophies. This time of transition is going to be difficult, so Chelsea continuing to operate as an elite European football club, both on and off the pitch, is crucial for me.
Nate: Unless Chelsea nails the second half of the transfer window, we’re talking about a squad that has just about made up for its departures, while the clubs who were hot on the Blues’ tail at the end of the season have both improved significantly. That being the case, a top four finish would be enough to establish a bit of firm footing for this new regime to continue to build upon, with the understanding that this is Liverpool and Manchester City’s league until they deign to relinquish their iron grip on the top two spots. Right now, the squad just isn’t there, but there’s still time to fix that this summer.
Olaoluwa: An on-point league season or better. The Blues hit 76 points last season, but they have to improve on that this season. Chelsea has lost Antonio Rudiger, a key centerback last season. The Blues have a better centerback in Kalidou Koulibaly now. Tuchel has gotten two key players to add to the squad. Raheem Sterling has also come in, which means that Tuchel now has Sterling, along with every forward he had available to him last season bar Romelu Lukaku.
Tom: This is a momentous, as well as brand new era for the Blues. Looking forward is better than pining for the past. While the rebuild won’t be finished for a couple of years, I expect Chelsea to continue lifting silverware.
Travis: If Chelsea can replicate last season’s form before the Ben Chilwell and Reece James injuries then all will be well and top four will be a matter of when, not if. Ideally, top four feels secure in March, even if the title race is out of reach.
Varun: Finishing comfortably third with any piece of silverware and progressing until at least the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Yi Hao: A couple of cup runs, hopefully a cup win or two, and a top four finish in the Prem would be considered a decent season for Chelsea. At this point of the transfer window, Tuchel is in possession of a squad that is somewhat similar in strength and depth as compared to last season. This season will most probably end in a similar fashion to the one just past.
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.
8. Who will be a surprise player for Chelsea this season?
Abhishek: Christian Pulisic. The American winger, when not injured, has shown a spark that is yet to ignite into a flame. This could be the season he finally comes good for Chelsea and remains injury-free for most of the season.
Anthony: Conor Gallagher. He will show his quality like he did at Crystal Palace last season, but he won’t be as relied upon like he was at Selhurst Park in terms of scoring goals. This saw a dip in form in the latter part of the last season, which won’t be present now. If given a chance, I think he will surprise a lot of people and show that he belongs in the first team.
Barrett: Trevoh Chalobah. I think the defense is going to have an injury crisis and we’ll be forced to play some young players who actually get to make a difference.
Bryan: Jorginho. The Italian has been the subject of a lot of fan discourse, but when he’s healthy and focused, he can be an absolute maestro. I think Jorginho is going to perform at a very high level and prove once and for all his importance to this squad. He’ll be critical to stability in the midfield and Chelsea’s push toward trophies.
Caden: Trevoh Chalobah. The Blues have yet to lose a 90-minute match with Chalobah in the starting line-up, what is the hold up for him to constantly play?
Gabe: Ben Chilwell. This seems absurd to say considering Chilwell has been the Blues’ starting left back/left wingback for years now. However, every fan seems to have written him off ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. I think he’ll come back a brand new player who looks ready to set the world ablaze with his all-around talent from the left fullback role.
Leighton: Kai Havertz. The German will surprise everybody and be the main man in attack, scoring a bunch of the Blues’ goals this season. This could really be his “breakout” campaign in a Chelsea shirt and leading the attack.
Mike: Armando Broja. The Albanian hitman showed he is more than capable of finding the back of the net in the English top flight while on loan at Southampton last year, where he totaled six goals in 32 appearances. Broja’s aggression and attitude are reminiscent of Diego Costa during his time at the Bridge, so I can only hope his output will mimic the Spaniard as well. I don’t think he’ll be entrusted to lead the line from the jump, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Broja ends the campaign as Tuchel’s preferred No. 9.
Nate: Armando Broja. I want to be excited for him, I really do. But I think there’s too much hype for someone who had limited success in a bad—but attack-minded—Southampton side last season. Mix that with the fact that he doesn’t really match the skillsets of the presumptive starting forward line, and I think he’ll struggle for goals and, eventually, minutes.
Olaoluwa: Kenedy. Kenedy is going to find himself contributing more than Chelsea fans want. He’d be very good though, especially after what he has shown in preseason. He has the energy to occupy the wingback position. His left-footedness may help him with crossing and passing angles.
Travis: Armando Broja. If Broja stays, many will be surprised that a six-goal season at a poor Southampton side last year isn’t really reflective of his overall quality. The other side of that coin will be this is the year that fans really start to question why the club spent so much on Kai Havertz as he continues to look like a square peg in a round hole up top.
Varun: Dembele … No. Raphinha … No. Kounde … No. Diaby … maybe?: I strongly believe that we should sign Moussa Diaby as the perfect replacement for outgoing forwards. If he does sign, he’ll pleasantly surprise a lot of fans. If he doesn’t sign, he’ll definitely have earned the surprise player of the season for never getting here.
Yi Hao: Kenedy. Considering Ben Chilwell’s rustiness and Marcos Alonso’s limitations, Kenedy could yet have an important role filling in at left wingback this season.
9. What will be the wackiest personnel decision made by Thomas Tuchel?
Abhishek: KAI Havertz at centerback. He is tall and he can handle himself. What more do you need in a Premier League centerback, amirite? He can also chip in with a goal or two when needed.
Anthony: Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Raheem Sterling at wingback.
Barrett: It’s hard to suggest anyone being more out of position than the sort of thing that has become regular for Tuchel at this point. Ben Chilwell is going to get time at LCB this season and it’s really not crazy that he plays wingers in the wingback position. The modern wingback is just an old-school winger. Ruben Loftus-Cheek at wingback was an interesting move.
Bryan: This is a two-way tie for me—I think Connor Gallagher and Mason Mount will both be used across the formation. Specifically, I could see Gallagher and Mount both being used one the wing, as a false nine and in the double pivot. Both of these players have the versatility to be successful anywhere and Tuchel will be willing to move them around once new attackers are brought in.
Caden: Christian Pulisic and/or Raheem Sterling at wingback. Sterling as a wingback would not surprise me, and neither would Pulisic in that position once again. Tuchel loves the wingback position in general and if he convinces Sterling that it is not attack-centric, it could happen.
Gabe: Carney Chukwuemeka as a false nine, anyone? As things stand on August 5, Chelsea is short of real options as a No. 9. Armando Broja and Kai Havertz will either be injured, not in the line-up or brought off already when the young Chukwuemeka gets his opportunity to lead the line late in one of the Blues’ matches.
Leighton: Mason Mount at left wingback. Somewhere during the season in a must-not-lose match Thomas Tuchel will play Mount as a LWB. Mount tends to track back well last season on occasions and moves well up and down the field.
Mike: This one is tricky. The obvious choice is Christian Pulisic being used as a wingback, which he did multiple times last season, but I want to be more adventurous. If he stays at Chelsea, I predict Emerson will be deployed at left winger as he was during the Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in 2020/21. The Italian international’s left foot isn’t as good as Marcos Alonso’s, but he can give the ball a whack with pace and accuracy.
Nate: N’Golo Kante as a false nine. If Thomas Tuchel wants to press, he could do worse than throwing Kante up top to lead the charge. Kante’s also always been an under-appreciated creator, and using him as a hub for Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling to play around could be a unique twist that works around Chelsea’s distinct allergy to even the idea of a conventional center forward.
Olaoluwa: Armando Broja at right wingback. This is a difficult question to answer because fans have seen Thomas Tuchel play a plethora of players in a plethora of positions. Broja is fast though, so he may play at the right wing forward sometimes, and in a bid to fill in for Reece James occasionally, the Albanian may find himself playing as a wingback.
Tom: Ruben Loftus-Cheek in goal. He’s a towering, seeming guy who already did it as wingback from nowhere.
Travis: Raheem Sterling at right wingback. Wingback for Tuchel just means widest attacking player, so don’t be surprised if Sterling suits up as a RWB at some point this season (also don’t be surprised if it’s clearly not a good idea and Tuchel never does it more than once).
Varun: Reece James as a striker when Chelsea signs Karim Benzema in January for £150 million, but he logically becomes the second-coming of Burak Yilmaz, leaving Thomas Tuchel with no other options.
Yi Hao: Raheem Sterling as a false nine. Sterling is an out-and-out winger for me, and I do not think he necessarily has the height necessary for a typical centre forward—a clear indication that Sterling will somehow end up playing there this season.
10. What will be the biggest threat to Chelsea’s season?
Abhishek: Players who would rather not be here, being here, and bringing down the whole vibe. Anyone who does not want to play for the club should be calling up the people at their preferred destination and imploring them to show us the money.
Anthony: Arsenal. Arsenal beat Chelsea when it was considered “bad,” so what will happen when the Gunners are good? I genuinely think Chelsea will be battling for fourth with Arsenal. The Gunners’ signings so far on paper look a lot better than the Blues’. They now have legitimate goal scorer in Gabriel Jesus, which they didn’t have last season, and their entire team has improved from defense to attack. I have doubts in Mikel Arteta as a manager, but he is has really good young squad to his disposal and I think they will surprise a lot of people. Hopefully not at Chelsea’s expense.
Barrett: It’s Antonio Conte’s Tottenham. I hate that but it’s true. Conte is the best manager I have ever seen and Tottenham is indulging every single wish he has this year. His strike force is a perfect fit for him and he’s had a full preseason, as well. I also think the amount that we depend on Thiago Silva is worrying. He’s amazing and I literally love him, but if anything goes wrong, that’s a huge issue. He and N’Golo Kante are still the most important players in the squad.
Bryan: Player ego. I am of the school of thought that Thomas Tuchel’s system isn’t the issue in this squad and that the real concern is that players aren’t committed enough to the team ethos. If Chelsea is going to be successful this season, it will be because of a willingness of the squad to put individual stats aside and upgrade the vibes exponentially. If the locker room can’t connect and attitudes boil over, this squad could finish as low as seventh.
Caden: Themselves. While a few teams are going to be too talented for the Blues, individual mistakes have killed them, especially last season. If this trend continues, Chelsea is going to be its own worst enemy, preventing all the success that the club desires.
Gabe: Chelsea seemingly shoots itself in the foot a couple of times every year. Is it going to be any different this time around? Todd Boehly has provided Thomas Tuchel with some improvements to the team, hopefully that helps cure this issue long-term.
Leighton: Thank God not a lot of club football will be played during the month of December because December has been a woeful month in the past.
Mike: I can’t stand Jurgen Klopp’s nit-picky complaints, so I’ll do my best not to emulate the Liverpool manager here. The biggest threat to this Chelsea season is continued disorganization as a result of the sale to Todd Boehly, in my opinion. The Blues will need to be operating at the highest level both as a team and as a club if they are going to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title, but transition periods nearly always include unforeseen complications. Boehly and his consortium dealing with these issues will be crucial in allowing the squad to be successful on the pitch.
Nate: The Chelsea Twittersphere. It’s a bit silly to think that the impossibly toxic world of ‘ChelsTwit’ won’t funnel back to the players at some point. Unfortunately, I think Raheem Sterling’s status as a well-spoken social justice figure is just the sort of target that Chelsea’s most vile and reprehensible “supporters” will take aim at the minute he or the team hits a rough patch. Anonymous trolls hurling racist abuse at a player who could be Chelsea’s standout contributor might cascade into a collapse of form and morale in the squad.
Olaoluwa: Still decision making in the final third. Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech were two of the Blues’ most efficient forwards last season. They played very little and produced a relatively high amount. The rest of the forwards and even midfielders have generally poor decision making skills, which is why the Blues have been having chance creation issues for several years running.
Tom: The monumental funding of Newcastle United. The Magpies will eventually redefine the big six drastically. Whether upheaval is next season or in five years, nobody knows.
Travis: A poor preseason can quickly be forgotten with results, so anything less than 12 points (assuming good performances, as well) before the transfer window shuts will cast a dark cloud over the rest of the season. Similar to that, if Thomas Tuchel starts calling out players like he did after the Arsenal preseason loss, it won’t be long before their loyalty post Champions League win turns into rapid disdain and that only ever ends one way at Chelsea.
Varun: Timo Werner leaving and taking his accidental comedy with him. The man knows how to make people laugh, be it on or off the field—just watch Werner’s day in Universal. His departure will suck the joy out of the squad and threaten the entire season.
Yi Hao: Injuries to any of Chelsea’s key midfielders. Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are top, top players on their day. With the Blues’ recruitment so focused on both the defence and attack, any long-term injuries in midfield could severely derail Chelsea’s season.
11. How many different scorers does Chelsea finish with next season? BONUS: List those who will not find the back of the net
Abhishek: 12. Unless Edouard Mendy is promoted to the designated penalty taker, I doubt his name will be on the scoresheet. Mateo Kovacic is likely to join him on the list.
Anthony: 18.
Barrett: 12.
Bryan: 15. This is hard because I’m not sure we know what the final squad make-up will be post-August. That said, I’ll say 15 goalscorers and I’ll say that neither Ben Chilwell nor Callum Hudson-Odoi will net this year.
Caden: 14. That sounds like a lot, but there are so many different competitions for this to happen. Timo Werner—if he stays—won’t score until October. I love his work ethic, but I do not trust him in front of the net whatsoever.
Gabe: 19. I’ll go with 19, slightly less than last season’s tally of 20+. The keepers don’t score, nor does Callum Hudson-Odoi or Emerson (if he stays).
Leighton: 18. There will be a total of 18 different goalscorers for the club in all competitions. I will give a shout and say Conor Gallagher will not score for Chelsea this season.
Mike: 21. According to the Premier League website, there are currently 31 outfield players in Chelsea’s squad. Assuming a few are no longer with the team by the beginning of the season, I would guess that 21 players will find the back of the net at some point. Someone who won’t: Cesar Azpilicueta.
Nate: 19. Without doing any meaningful math, I’ll guess 19. Among those who will fail to score: Cesar Azpilicueta, Mateo Kovacic and Armando Broja (womp womp).
Olaoluwa: 22. Any player can get a goal at anytime. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where the centerbacks score or the midfielders. The other reason Chelsea will have many different scorers is that the Blues’ best chances fall to random players on the pitch, rather than falling to the main goal outlet. Yes, there should be a main goal outlet. Just Edouard Mendy, Marcus Bettinelli and any other goalkeeper on the roster will finish the season without goals.
Tom: I can see most of the senior roster on the scoresheet with all the competitions that will be played, rotation and calibre of player. A few Development Squad defenders may not contribute goals though.
Travis: 12. Every wingback will score, every forward will score and every midfielder will score, so ballpark that all out to 12 players. The only ones that won’t score will be the centerbacks as a dark set piece drought looms over them.
Varun: Everyone except Armando Broja, Kai Havertz and whoever wants to try to be Chelsea’s next striker.
Yi Hao: 21. Emerson and the goalkeepers will probably be the only ones who will not find the net next season.
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12. Which Chelsea centerback finishes as the club’s top scoring defender (Wingbacks not included)
Abhishek: Kalidou Koulibaly. A legitimate threat on set-pieces alongside Thiago Silva, who could easily get five goals by the time the season ends.
Anthony: Thiago Silva. He scores a couple headers from corners every season, so why not again this season? Also, Antonio Rudiger is gone, so he will be needed in terms of goals from corners.
Barrett: Thiago Silva. It’s going to be Silva, how could you think it was going to be anyone else?
Bryan: Thiago Silva. With the current crop of defenders I’m going to say that Thiago Silva will be the leading scorer of the group. This is mostly because Silva has a knack for putting himself in attacking positions and he is pretty solid when it comes to getting his head on the ball on set pieces.
Caden: Kalidou Koulibaly. No question. Thiago Silva will be close, but with the physicality and height of the Senegalese centerback, he will find the back of the net on a bunch of headers. Nobody talks about Koulibaly when it comes to goals, but he scored three and assisted on three in Serie A last season, so the potential is there.
Gabe: Trevoh Chalobah. I want to be the odd one out, damnit. I think Chalobah can up his goal tally from last year and finish as the Blues’ top scoring defender. Four is not too hard to top, right?
Leighton: Kalidou Koulibaly. Koulibaly just for his set piece threat, he will score a couple of important goals for the Blues this season.
Mike: For me, it’s between Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva. The two experienced central defenders are strong in the air, despite the latter’s relative lack of height, and should prove to be serious threats on set pieces. I’ll say the Senegalese international is likely to score more given his towering physique, but I wouldn’t expect more than two or three goals throughout the season. Koulibaly isn’t likely to replicate the Antonio Rudiger wonder-strike.
Nate: Thiago Silva. Despite not being the tallest guy out there, his positioning and anticipation make him a dangerous set piece option, even as his athleticism declines. As long as he stays fit and gets plenty of minutes, I don’t see why he wouldn’t collect five-ish goals by season’s end.
Olaoluwa: Thiago Silva. Silva gets into position to get on the end of headers more often than other centerbacks in the squad. He also likely has the best aerial prowess amongst centerbacks at the club. It’s difficult to have an opinion on Koulibaly because he has not played in many set piece situations with his current teammates yet. Silva is the safest bet.
Tom: Thiago Silva. The man’s a legend. When will he ever stop?
Travis: Well, I just said none of them will score but if I had to pick one, it’ll be Thiago Silva.
Varun: Lewis Baker: the man, the myth, the legend (long may he reign).
Yi Hao: Thiago Silva. The Brazilian just has a knack in the opposition’s box and despite the fact that his game time will probably be reduced next season, I expect Silva to score at least four or five regardless.
13. What is the most outrageous goal Chelsea will concede? Who will be the scorer on the other side or will it be an own goal?
Abhishek: Jorginho and Edouard Mendy passing it to each other to pass the time, and one of them underhits a pass—could be either, it’s a coin toss—allowing the opposition forward to steal the ball and poke it home.
Anthony: Darwin Nunez will score a bicycle kick past Edouard Mendy at Anfield to win the game for Liverpool, 2-1.
Barrett: It’s going to be an amazing free kick from James Ward-Prowse or a Wilfried Zaha banger.
Bryan: I think Chelsea is going to lose to Real Madrid in one of the Champion’s League matches 2-1 with the winning goal being an Antonio Rudiger howler—we won’t know whether to celebrate or be heart broken.
Caden: It’s an FA Cup match against Portsmouth and the Blues are favored by a lot. Edouard Mendy scores on himself … kind of. He passes the ball right to the forward and he gets chipped in the end with an uncharacteristic mistake. This gives confidence to the opposition and makes the Blues play from behind for no reason.
Gabe: I just have this sneaking suspicion that Dominic Solanke is going to score a Goal of the Season candidate against his old club. Bournemouth does as Bournemouth does and gives Chelsea a late-season scare at Stamford Bridge.
Leighton: A Chelsea midfielder will be put under pressure by extra bounce of the ball then slips and put the opponent through one-on-one against Edouard Mendy. The keeper comes out and the opponent chips the ball, Mendy rushes back, not looking up to see the ball bounce off his back into the net.
Mike: It’s obviously going to be during one of the most important matches of the year and it will obviously be scored by the most annoying player possible. If I had to make it hurt the most for us supporters, we’re going to draw Barcelona in the Champions League group stage and Raphinha is going to send a beautiful curler into the top corner at Stamford Bridge. Ah, what could have been. If we’re living on the darkest timeline, this goal will knock us out of the UCL, but let’s hope for mercy from the footballing gods.
Nate: …Emi Martinez. There’ll be some nonsense where Aston Villa is down one in stoppage time and Slippy G brings the keeper up to attack a late corner. Bing bang boom the Argentine shot-stopper bundles one in.
Olaoluwa: It will be scored by Erling Haaland. Haaland’s ability to sniff out danger is one of the best in world football. Chelsea’s defenders will all forget to track him and clear the ball successfully, and Haaland will probably score the easiest goal of his league career. He runs from midfield, chasing a through ball by Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Silva probably tried to clear it but will instead mis-clear it, sending the ball right behind him and right into Haaland’s path. Haaland will have a free run at Mendy and he will come out the obvious winner of that one-on-one duel.
Tom: Possibly an Edouard Mendy clanger, although I am certainly not hoping for one.
Travis: It’s May 13, 2023. Chelsea is hosting the “very much already relegated” Nottingham Forest. The Blues are comfortably top four, but a win against Manchester City the following matchday and other results going their way could see them do a miracle at the top. Enter the Cheshire Messi himself: Jesse Lingard. Late in the second half with the score at 0-0, Lingard snatches a ball away from a corner in his own half, channels all that he ever taught Messi and takes a wild shot from halfway to completely dumbfound whichever poor keeper was suited up for the Blues that day. 1-0 to Forest as they get the traditional “we’ve already been relegated but are due one feel good win before the season ends” as Chelsea’s slim title hopes are firmly crushed.
Varun: Antonio Conte in the London Derby. The ball will go toward the manager on the touchline, whose team is already four players down after five training sessions before the matchday. The Italian will do his classic kick-the-ball-I-am-angry, only this time it’ll go through Edouard Mendy’s legs and into the net. It will be later revealed that he’s in fact a player-manager and he’s still got it. He’ll run to Daniel Levy only to be told he’s been sacked because Spurs are 15th with 21 injuries. He’s not got it.
Yi Hao: Chelsea to be drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League, only to get knocked out by a Jules Kounde header, assisted by—you know—Raphinha.
14. What are some of your boldest predictions for the upcoming Premier League season?
Abhishek: Pep Guardiola realizes that Erling Haaland does not fit into his footballing philosophy after playing him for just three games. Haaland is benched for the rest of the season and he is sold to Fulham for £20 million next summer, where he rediscovers his form and Chelsea buys him for £100 million one year later.
Anthony: Mohamed Salah will struggle this season compared to previous seasons. He still will get double digit goals, but Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez will score more than him. Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will be the best front three in the Premier League this season in terms of goals. Finally, Newcastle will finish seventh.
Barrett: The team that worries me the most is Tottenham. I already feel bad for saying that Spurs will get third, but I think they’ll win something this season. Man City is going to be distracted by Europe because it is the itch it has not scratched. Liverpool made the right signing with Darwin Nunez, but it doesn’t have the depth yet again should someone get injured, and being Liverpool, someone will. That then leaves an Antonio Conte’s side, who will likely have stumbled out of cup competitions that Conte will likely have purposefully gotten out of so he can focus all efforts on the league—we’re the most recent English beneficiaries of that—I hate that.
Bryan: I have two “hot takes” for the upcoming season. The first is that Nottingham Forest will be serious contenders. Forest will not only avoid relegation, but it will finish mid-table this season and be even better the following year. The second is that the Jack Grealish will struggle to fit into Manchester City’s system and he will be relegated to a bench player by season’s end—ultimately leading to a move to Brighton.
Caden: Keep an eye out for Aston Villa in a European spot, I would not be surprised if the Villains land in the Conference League. Everton will have to shave off relegation again, but this time, the Toffees will go down. Man City will win the league by 15 points.
Gabe: I think Nottingham Forest stays up comfortably. Liverpool’s front three will be the best attacking trio in the league behind Golden Boot winner Darwin Nunez. Julian Alvarez is better for Manchester City than Erling Haaland. Kai Havertz benefits from the Raheem Sterling signing and comes good up top. Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t hit 15 goals. Southampton finally goes down.
Leighton: Timo Werner will score a hat-trick. Bukayo Saka will not score a hat-trick in the Premier League this season. Raheem Sterling will score more Premier League goals than Heung-min Son this season.
Mike: Given the result of the Community Shield, this prediction will be even more shocking. I think this Manchester City team will be the greatest in the history of the Premier League. I’m expecting a new points record, a new team goal-scoring record, a new individual goal-scoring record for Erling Haaland and regular 4-0 or 5-0 victories. Anything less than a treble should be considered a failure for Pep Guardiola’s side considering how much money has been spent on his incredibly talented squad. If Man City can’t achieve its ultimate goal of winning the Champions League this season, it just never will.
Nate: Leeds United concedes eight goals multiple times. Its defense was awful last season and there’s no reason to think it will get much better. Jesse Marsch isn’t the prototypical “shut up shop to avoid relegation” kind of guy, and this iteration of Leeds seems to be so inundated with Marcelo Bielsa’s idealism that defense is considered immaterial as long as some pretty goals are scored. All of the best teams have improved in ways that suggests they’ll score more goals, and Leeds will be the ultimate victim of the improved firepower at the top of the table.
Olaoluwa: West Ham will stay in the top four until the last day of the season. Erling Haaland will score 35 league goals. Darwin Nunez will score 30 league goals. Tottenham will be closer to second place then it will be fourth place. Everton will finally get relegated for the first time in its history under the tutelage of Frank Lampard.
Tom: As a writer of Leicester City-related material too, I am increasingly worried for the Foxes. The captain leaving a few days before EPL kickoff, Wesley Fofana and James Maddison interest and no signings are all concerning aspects of a nightmarish preseason.
Travis: Just like Ralf Rangnick discovered, Erik ten Hag will have fits when he realizes a team that hates pressing won’t really press. He will not return for the 2023/2024 season. Spurs will start extremely well before the post-World Cup fatigue completely derails their season on the back end. West Ham will be the greatest threat to the top four for all of the traditional top six clubs on the bubble, but the Hammers will ultimately fall just short.
Varun: Mason Mount will have 30+ goal contributions in the league. West Ham will pip Spurs and Arsenal for fourth. Darwin Nunez will win the Golden Boot. Reece James will stay fit for more than two matches consecutively.
Yi Hao: Newcastle United will finish above Manchester United next season. Man United has not been great with its recruitment this summer. As things stand, the Red Devils could be in for a difficult season as they try to adopt a new style of play under Erik ten Hag.
What are some of your predictions for the upcoming campaign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!