Chelsea’s risky youth gamble amidst turbulent times

While the club has invested heavily in youth, it has simultaneously neglected the young talent already within its ranks. The departures of Lewis Hall to Newcastle and Tino Livramento to Southampton for instance, raised eyebrows. Trevoh Chalobah, though yet to solidify his place in the first team, has shown glimpses of his potential and could have contended for a starting role. However, the board opted to sign Axel Disasi for £45 million, a move that, so far, hasn’t demonstrated a significant upgrade over Chalobah. The influx of young signings could potentially hinder the prospects of academy graduates breaking into the first team.

Despite spending over £1 billion and making numerous acquisitions, Chelsea has failed to address a longstanding issue – the lack of a consistent goal-scoring striker. This recurring theme has cost the club points and led to eliminations from competitions over several seasons. Questions arise as to whether Chels’ could have secured a top-class striker with their significant financial resources. Although the club has made multiple signings in various positions, there is no genuine competition to challenge Nicolas Jackson for the striker’s role.

The decision to sign Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic for £39 million has raised further questions. Sanchez’s performances have yet to instil confidence among fans, leading to discussions on whether Chelsea could have allocated their funds differently or retained Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was loaned to Real Madrid.

Chelsea supporters can only hope that their recent signings will begin to gel on the pitch and improve their performances. A challenging fixture list awaits from late October to early December, adding pressure to deliver on the high expectations that come with the club’s substantial spending. Following the international break, Chelsea will face Bournemouth, a team yet to secure a victory this season.