Discussing Strategy and Areas of Improvement
Chelsea are currently employing a unique model for running the club—one that we’ve never seen attempted before. A major factor enabling this approach is the financial power behind BlueCo, which provides them with the capital to experiment in ways other clubs cannot. Clearly, the ownership believes in this long-term vision, and I personally support the idea of Chelsea trying something different.
However, there are a few key areas that need to be better managed. One of the biggest concerns is the handling of the academy and developing pathways for them into the senior team.
Beyond that, another issue is the club’s short-to-mid-term planning. While the ownership has a clear long-term strategy, there appears to be a lack of coherence when it comes to setting and executing shorter-term objectives. There’s a sense that the footballing side of things is not accounting for fundamental squad-building principles, such as maintaining a balance between youth and experience.
A successful squad requires a core of experienced players—not an overwhelming number, but at least three to four seasoned starters who provide reliability and leadership. Right now, Chelsea lack that foundation.
Experience brings tangible benefits—such as consistency and reliability—as well as intangible ones, like leadership and mentality. This is an essential component of squad-building, and its absence has been noticeable in Chelsea’s performances.
Given that Chelsea’s ownership is pioneering an entirely new approach, mistakes were always bound to happen. And they have. However, addressing just these two areas—the academy’s role and the need for more experience in the squad—would go a long way in ensuring the club operates more effectively.