Chelsea's project isn't on the trajectory it should be on. Tuchel overachieved to win the Champions League but now Chelsea are even further behind than when he took over the club.
Chelsea need to take two steps back before they can take one step forward.
An in-depth THREAD!
Chelsea need to take two steps back before they can take one step forward.
An in-depth THREAD!
Chelsea are nowhere near Liverpool/City squad wise. They're closer to Arsenal in the sense that they still need at least 3 starters but even at that will be left short depth wise in a number of positions unless they splash an almighty amount of cash.
They really do need a *LOT*.
They really do need a *LOT*.
Extending Azpilicueta would be huge because he effectively starts at RCB whilst being capable of playing at right wing back to an underrated standard due to the quality of his pressing.
Koundé would be special too if they could get that over the line. He's the perfect fit.
Koundé would be special too if they could get that over the line. He's the perfect fit.
However, even at that Chelsea are pretty short in terms of quality depth to play a back 3. Losing both Rudiger and Christensen is such a big blow. An ageing Azpi and Thiago Silva can't play every week and the back ups are Chalobah, Sarr and Loftus-Cheek. That won't cut it.
There are of course temporary solutions such as moving Reece James back to RCB and bringing Hudson-Odoi into the XI at right wing back but it's still not ideal. They still need another top quality centre back in their ranks to reliably play that system.
Even with Alonso likely leaving it means Chelsea only have one reliable left-wing back option.
It opens up the door for Tuchel to change system but it is a massive issue as Chelsea are likely going to have to sign players but with uncertainty as to where they'll fit in.
It opens up the door for Tuchel to change system but it is a massive issue as Chelsea are likely going to have to sign players but with uncertainty as to where they'll fit in.
Even if Chelsea switch to a back four their depth is still torrid.
This is all without even considering their attack is in the same position it was just before they signed a 'star attacker' in Lukaku who has obviously flopped. Broja is an internal solution, but they're short.
This is all without even considering their attack is in the same position it was just before they signed a 'star attacker' in Lukaku who has obviously flopped. Broja is an internal solution, but they're short.
Reports have suggested that Tuchel may opt for a 4-3-3 but that makes little to no sense when considering they don't have a suitable #6 to play that way. Gallagher-Mount may make a lot of sense as interiors, but it doesn't matter if they're no suitable #6 behind them.
The only solution for Chelsea is to extend Azpilicueta, sign Koundé, AND another CB (a technician like Gvardiol) to play within a back 3 system (and that's not including other key areas that need to be strengthened).
Alternatively, they can build around Tuchel's 4-2-3-1.
Alternatively, they can build around Tuchel's 4-2-3-1.
Either way, they need a lot of investment to make up for the error of losing Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso and potentially Azpilicueta all at the same time.
But, although this thread has been rather downbeat regarding Chelsea, their future still has lots of potential.
But, although this thread has been rather downbeat regarding Chelsea, their future still has lots of potential.
First of all, their starting XI with Koundé is incredible, whether that be in a back three or four. The only thing that is lacking within it is a top class wide attacker (hence the Sterling links). A signing like him could propel Chelsea's attack to another level - they need that
Links to Dembélé also make sense from a qualitative perspective and because he's free (even though he'll cost a lot), but he's a big risk despite being a world class talent due to availability and reliability issues. As such, Sterling (or Gnabry) makes more sense for Chelsea.
With Koundé, Sterling signed and Azpilicueta extending, Chelsea's squad looks far healthier in both systems, albeit still being short in a number of areas despite expensive outlays on Koundé/Sterling.
However, Chelsea's reported finances available this summer is around £200m.
However, Chelsea's reported finances available this summer is around £200m.
As such, there's still money there to spend whilst using internal solutions such as Broja and Gallagher as first team regulars. A back up left back to replace Alonso combined with technical depth/quality in defence at CB (particularly if Azpilicueta leaves) are priorities.
With Lukaku's exit looking more likely, that free ups space for a signing at centre forward with the current options being Broja, Havertz and Werner. Broja is a top quality centre forward and Chelsea would be foolish to make the same mistake they made with Tammy Abraham with him.
As such, when considering they're not signing a dream player like a Haaland at City, a Nunez at Liverpool, a Kane from Spurs, or a Vlahovic at Juventus, they should be patient and given Broja a chance. The market wasn't right & Chelsea splurged on Lukaku. They can't do that again
Link to Gabriel Jesus make little sense as he's not on the level of the aforementioned strikers. He's not the gamechanger Chelsea need. He'd be a top quality signing for Arsenal because they already have Nketiah, but not for CHE who need a standout CF (yes, Nketiah is that good).
Broja is an exceptional talent and the solutions in the market are currently similarly placed talents. There is absolutely no reason why Chelsea should spend money on a centre forward with Broja, Havertz and Werner for next season. It's not optimal, but the market isn't either.
Chelsea's best bet would be to be patient (unlike how they acted with Lukaku when there were no standout options on the market bar him) and improve the squad elsewhere by nailing down two players for each position in the 3-4-3 OR 4-2-3-1.
Then, next summer, see where they stand.
Then, next summer, see where they stand.
Chelsea might not even need a centre forward if Broja is such a hit or if they do the market will be different and there'll likely be more suitable options available when considering that they missed out on an elite crop of forwards thanks to the Lukaku failure.
Overall, Chelsea shouldn't be considered title challengers next season and fans need to be patient with Tuchel as a result of that. He's an elite manager and deserves all the time in the world. Poor planning from the club has set the project back and he needs to rectify that.
Chelsea already had optimal options in central defence & with Alonso as a rotational option at wingback but now Tuchel has to spend a significant amount of money *JUST* to keep the squad on the same level it's already on. That's a result of poor planning. Tuchel is here 18 months
Tuchel deserves criticism for the Lukaku deal not working out but even at that I think that's largely an unfortunate set of circumstances with Lukaku having the qualities to succeed before he bizarrely threw his toys out of the pram. Thing is, he's only signed two players to date
Tuchel deserves time because he's a genius and even though it may seem like the project is stalling, unfortunate circumstances surrounding the owners and poor planning in the past merely means Tuchel has to take two steps back to take one step forward. The project is resetting.
Chelsea's expectations shouldn't be to challenge for the title. They can't achieve that when considering they're at least four or five players short overall thanks to Christensen/Rudiger/Alonso/Azpi possibly leaving.
Tuchel needs time to rebuild, but he can make them elite again
Tuchel needs time to rebuild, but he can make them elite again
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