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When the goal is to establish a powerful and long-lasting legacy, analyzing the results of a single game is not very useful. At Chelsea, as they approach their first men’s final under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, they understand that it is premature to become overly excited. Even though the ownership has faced significant criticism since entering English football, they will not make the mistake of assuming that their work is done if Mauricio Pochettino’s team defeats Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
There are individuals at Stamford Bridge who may feel justified if Chelsea begins to see results from Boehly and Clearlake’s investments in the team over the past two years. The criticisms have not been ignored. The feeling of pleasure at others’ misfortune, known as schadenfreude, accurately captures the response to Chelsea’s descent into mediocrity under owners who have hired five managers and spent approximately £1 billion on transfers in three windows.
The evaluations have been unfavorable. Boehly and the other co-owners, Behdad Eghbali and José Feliciano, have faced criticism for being arrogant and domineering. Several fans have expressed discontent with their involvement in the club. The atmosphere was tense during the recent loss to Wolves at home.
Although it is often questioned in the football world, Chelsea’s decision to build a young team is supported by the club and they refute any claims of not having a plan. The real uncertainty lies in whether this plan will be successful.
Different perspectives exist. According to one individual, “He is not aware of the challenges he is taking on,” when Pochettino became the manager last year. The training ground was described as a negative atmosphere by some. Many older players left during a major overhaul, while Chelsea focused on developing young talent. Spending reached new heights with the signing of Moisés Caicedo for £115m.
The team’s performance has been chaotic. Pochettino has struggled with his younger players’ lack of experience. He has complained about unnecessary red cards, lackluster defense, and poor scoring. Injuries have also been a major obstacle. The medical staff has been busy and Chelsea has had to play most of the games without their captain, Reece James. The team’s dynamic changes when James is on the field.
Occasionally, there are moments that hint at the potential of this youthful team. Despite suffering defeats to Liverpool and Wolves, Chelsea bounced back by eliminating Aston Villa from the FA Cup, defeating Crystal Palace, and displaying resilience in their 1-1 tie against City.
Chelsea were creative and threatening on the counterattack against City. Pochettino’s strategy was effective until his team became fatigued and City adjusted their formation in the second half. According to a source, “There were instances of tactical genius from Mauricio.”
Despite being in 10th place, Chelsea is pleased with Pochettino. The losses to Wolves and Liverpool came as a surprise to the team.
The players’ positive response is an indication that they support Pochettino, who has instilled them with confidence and a strategy. Additionally, it is reported that he has a good rapport with the board. Any tension he may have shown is not due to pressure from higher-ups. Chelsea is aware of the previous sudden firings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter last year. They understand the importance of their manager feeling backed by the team.
Having a peaceful environment is beneficial. In the past, when Tuchel’s Chelsea faced Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, Roman Abramovich had recently given up control of the club due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When Boehly and Clearlake took over, they had a fresh start. However, the first summer was disorganized and Boehly had to take on the role of interim sporting director. Many signings were made without a clear strategy.
The situation has changed. Boehly has taken a step back and Chelsea has established a new system for recruiting. Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are now co-sporting directors. Joe Shields, the co-director of recruitment and talent, is well-liked. Chelsea is optimistic that they will become a formidable force in the next two to three years.
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Can it be effective? People from outside have criticized the sporting directors, but Chelsea has not accepted the negativity surrounding Stewart and Winstanley. They recognized that Caicedo and Enzo Fernández were expensive, but also mentioned how well the two South Americans performed against City’s midfield.
Malo Gusto, a 20-year-old player, has proven to be a suitable replacement for James. It is believed that Chelsea performs better without their 39-year-old defender Thiago Silva, who may not be able to play in the final. Central defenders Axel Disasi (25) and Levi Colwill (20) displayed confidence in their performance against City. Cole Palmer has been an impressive addition to the team this season.
Stewart and Winstanley are being praised for their performance despite the challenges they face. The long-time employees are optimistic about the ongoing changes. Chelsea is determined to support Stewart and Winstanley in reaching new heights. They plan to enhance the medical team and incorporate more data-driven scouting. Chelsea will welcome Sam Jewell, Brighton’s head of recruitment, to their team in the coming months.
Chelsea may ultimately be the victors in this situation. Their strategy of reducing their payroll and securing players through eight-year deals with incentives has enabled them to utilize the amortisation method for transfer payments. However, the outcome of the Premier League’s potential decision to restrict the length of time for spreading transfer payments to five years is uncertain. Financial fair play rules may also play a role, although Chelsea is optimistic about their compliance. It would not sit well with fans if the club had to sell academy players due to financial constraints.
The financial situation could be challenging. If Chelsea defeats Liverpool, they will secure a spot in the Europa Conference League, but their ultimate goal is to qualify for the Champions League. Currently, they are 14 points behind fourth place and still have room for improvement.
However, the atmosphere remains tranquil. Whether losing at Wembley or winning, it would not determine the success of the project. In fact, it took Jürgen Klopp four years to achieve his first trophy at Liverpool. According to a source, success cannot be judged solely on games, but rather on the span of time.
Source: theguardian.com
