In the tumultuous landscape of the Premier League, Chelsea finds itself grappling with a stark reality—a mere 39 points amassed in 39 games throughout 2023. The struggles are palpable, with a mere 8 wins, rendering them the least victorious club in the league this season. A stark contrast from last season's 25 points and 8th position after 16 games, the Blues now languish in 12th place with a meager 19 points.
Despite an extravagant expenditure exceeding 1 billion, spanning three transfer windows and a comprehensive squad overhaul, CFC's performances remain alarmingly lackluster. Mauricio Pochettino's initial optimism, asserting Chelsea's ability to vie for Champions League spots, has given way to a stark acknowledgment of their midtable reality following a disheartening 2-0 defeat against Everton as he said this:
“Our reality now is mid-table and if we want to go up we have to push ourselves.”
Since Todd Boehly's takeover, a revolving door of managers and an influx of new players has failed to yield the desired improvements. The dismissal of Thomas Tuchel in September 2022 was anticipated to usher in a new era, but instead, the Blues have witnessed a downward spiral.
The crux of the issue extends beyond Pochettino's tactical nuances. The squad, constructed from scratch, has failed to deliver commensurate results. Despite high expectations, new faces have fallen short, and recent performances against the likes of Manchester United and Everton have been far from inspiring.
Pochettino's men showcased brilliance against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City, only to falter against supposedly inferior opponents. While the Blues boasts a squad that rivals or surpasses those above them in the league, commitment and tactical prowess seem to elude them. Other teams have demonstrated that, with dedication and strategy, success is attainable. Effort and commitment, however, cannot be procured through financial means.
Transfer dealings, overseen by the sporting director, have been marred by questionable decisions and overspending. Not all acquisitions have proven astute, with Mykhailo Mudryk, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez failing to justify their hefty price tags. The spotlight remains on Cole Palmer as the sole success story.
The absence of a clinical striker is glaring, raising questions about the allocation of funds. The departure of promising talents like Livramento and Hall further adds to the sense of missed opportunities. CFC's extravagant spending, totaling £1.036bn since the summer of 2022, has not translated into on-field success, leaving them in a precarious financial position.
Could the funds have been better invested in players like James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, and James Ward Prowse? All three were available for sale after their respective clubs faced relegation and have since become key players in their new teams. Meanwhile, Chelsea struggles to break low blocks and score goals. The questionable decisions in the transfer market raise eyebrows, particularly given the success of other teams in the league despite missing out on their primary targets. Liverpool missed out on Caicedo and Lavia and are league leaders without the players they wanted.
As the January transfer window approaches, Pochettino's call for reinforcements underscores the perceived inadequacies within the squad.
"We need to be more aggressive. Then it's a massive assessment and when the transfer window opens, we will see what we can do. I don't say if I am going to ask for more or less players. It's to see if the perception matches the reality."
While new signings may address some concerns, the onus is not solely on the players and transfers. Pochettino's tactical decisions, including playing players out of position and questionable lineups contribute to Chelsea's on-field woes.
In the face of adversity, the Argentine must re-evaluate his approach. A potential shift to a five-at-the-back formation to shore up the defense could be a strategic consideration. While other managers, such as Unai Emery, continue to succeed with players previously managed by Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, Sean Dyche managing Everton, and Roberto De Zerbi coaching Brighton and Hove Albion. Pochettino must find a way to extract the best from his squad.
Historically, a manager's tenure would be in jeopardy with such a dismal run of results. However, Stamford Bridge's predicament transcends managerial changes. A holistic analysis reveals systemic issues encompassing commitment, transfer policies, and tactics. The prospect of sacking Pochettino offers no guarantees, and the board and fans must acknowledge the current reality while remaining hopeful for improvement by season's end. The discourse around managerial changes may gain relevance if tangible progress remains elusive.