Chelsea's First Season Under New Ownership: Can They Conquer Europe to Salvage a Disappointing Campaign?
Chelsea Football Club has long been associated with success and silverware, but their first season under new ownership has been a difficult one, to say the least. Despite spending over £500 million ($603 million) on new players, the team finds themselves without any trophies and languishing in 10th place in the Premier League.
However, all is not lost for the Blues, as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Winning the Champions League for a third time could be Chelsea's best route back into the competition next season, as they currently sit 10 points adrift of the top four in the English top flight.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at Chelsea's first season under new ownership, the challenges they've faced, and their chances of conquering Europe to salvage a disappointing campaign.
New Ownership, New Challenges
Chelsea's new ownership, led by American businessman Roman Abramovich, took over the club in the summer of 2021. The new regime wasted no time in making their mark on the team, spending a staggering amount of money on new players.
While the signings of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Enzo Fernandez may have added firepower and a creative spark to the side, the team has struggled to find their footing in the Premier League. Chelsea's domestic cup runs were cut short, leaving them with only the Champions League to salvage their season.
The team's struggles have led to increased pressure on new manager Graham Potter. Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel in September 2021, has had to juggle a lengthy injury list and bed in an avalanche of January signings, while also trying to maintain harmony in a bloated squad of 33 first-team players.
Tough Choices Ahead
Potter's job is made even more difficult by the restrictions on the number of new players allowed in Chelsea's Champions League squad. With only three new players allowed to be added, eight new signings, including Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, and David Datro Fofana, have been left out. Malo Gusto will spend the second half of the season back on loan at Lyon.
This means that Potter will have to make some tough choices when it comes to his starting lineup. While the additions of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Enzo Fernandez should add some much-needed firepower to the team, they will need time to adapt to the Premier League.
A Fanbase Used to Success
Chelsea's struggles this season have not gone unnoticed by their passionate fanbase. Supporters are used to a hire-and-fire culture under Abramovich that has reaped rewards in the past. In each of the two seasons Chelsea won the Champions League during Abramovich's 19-year tenure, they changed managers mid-season.
While the bulk of Chelsea's unprecedented level of spending has been on young players, the pressure is still on Potter to deliver results. A nine-game unbeaten run to start his spell in charge now seems like a distant memory, with the team having won just two games in their last 12 since European football shut down for the winter.
Short-term Challenges and Long-term Ambitions
Potter is well aware that he must balance short-term challenges with long-term ambitions. While patience is wearing thin among the fanbase, he remains focused on delivering results and improving the team's performance.
"You can't talk about the long-term because that doesn't exist in this job," Potter said. "You have to acknowledge there's a long-term but there's a short-term and medium-term that is challenging for us in terms of results.
The pressure is undoubtedly on Chelsea and their new ownership group to deliver results, especially given the amount of money spent on new players. With their hopes for domestic trophies dashed, the club is now focusing on the Champions League, where they face a tough tie against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
Despite their recent struggles, Chelsea has reason to be optimistic. The addition of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Enzo Fernandez should provide a much-needed boost to their attack, which has struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks. The trio comes with hefty price tags, but they bring a wealth of talent and experience to the club.
However, the road to success is not always straightforward, and Potter is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The team is still adapting to the Premier League, with players returning from injury and trying to find their form. With a bloated squad of 33 first-team players, Potter will need to make some tough choices about who to include in the Champions League squad.
In the short term, Potter is focused on getting results and winning matches. But he is also aware that success is not always immediate, and that it takes time to build a team that can compete at the highest level. The club's new ownership group will need to be patient and give Potter time to implement his vision and build a squad that can deliver results over the long term.
Potter's philosophy is focused on developing young players and giving them the opportunity to succeed. With the bulk of Chelsea's recent spending going towards young talent, the team is well-positioned for success in the years to come. However, that success will not come overnight, and there will be setbacks along the way.
The challenge for Potter and his team is to find the right balance between short-term results and long-term success. Winning matches and trophies is important, but it is equally important to build a sustainable and successful team that can compete at the highest level for years to come.
For Chelsea's American consortium of owners, the pressure is on to deliver a return on their investment. With the club's recent spending spree, expectations are high, and failure is not an option. But Potter is focused on the task at hand and is determined to build a team that can deliver success both in the short term and the long term.
In the end, only time will tell whether Potter's vision for Chelsea will come to fruition. But one thing is certain: with his focus on developing young talent and his commitment to building a sustainable and successful team, Potter is the right man for the job. As Chelsea continues its quest for success in the Champions League and beyond, fans can take comfort in the fact that the club is in good hands with Potter at the helm.