If Crystal Palace had been victorious at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, there would have been relative hell to pay, or much justification demanded from CFC boss Mauricio Pochettino. Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali wouldn't have 'cracked' and sacked the former Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach at that hypothetical stage. But they would, I imagine, have been forced to put in place a timeline for corrected amendments to results to transpire. Pochettino may have been given three or so matches to turn things around on Fulham Road.
I presume that the narrow yet slightly convincing Eagles conquest buys 'Poch' much longer to show what he can achieve with a disorganised and at times incongruous feeling squad. Although, that bunch of expensive young hopefuls (Mykhailo Mudryk), nonconformists (Malo Gusto) and a few misfits might just be beginning to show what they can do. Having class and quality like Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku integrating helps massively.
Crucial considerations for boss with Chelsea side metamorphosing
First of all, there are now undroppable stars on the Blues roster: Nkunku and Palmer. Enzo Fernandez, Ben Chilwell and Reece James can be essential too, with fitness and form. Poch must build around this core!
Secondly, there is already a battle for No.1 Chels' goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez versus Djordje Petrovic. And that sentiment applies irrespective of whether or not a goalkeeping signing is planned at the Bridge.
Lastly, phasing out Thiago Silva - as unpleasant as that may be - is arguably the right move. It is important that a younger centreback partnership is allowed to develop and flourish.