What next for Chelsea?
So there it is, the Roman Empire is officially at its end in West London after 19 years of rule. On Monday, the long-awaited takeover of Chelsea was completed and now American billionaire businessman Todd Boehly, and his consortium cohorts, are in charge of Chelsea. But where does the club currently stand and what could come next in this new era?
Chelsea currently find themselves very much as the “Best of the Rest” in England – better than the likes of Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United but still a distance off the current duopoly that is Manchester City and Liverpool. Yes, on their day Chelsea can compete against both sides – last season’s Champions League final victory over the former and penalty shoot-out losses in both domestic cup finals by the latter a testament to this. Over the course of a season, however, the Blues find themselves lagging behind – look at their lack of title challenges since success in 2016-17 for proof. A cup side but one lacking consistency or ruthlessness in short.
Thomas Tuchel has shown himself to be the match of Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp often, but his 18 months in charge have seen just two signings be made – Romelu Lukaku, an unmitigated failure thus far, and Saúl Ñíguez, certain to return to Atletico Madrid following a dismal loan spell. Unlike his two counterparts, he’s been unable to mould a squad in the form of himself. Instead he’s been tasked with working with a deep, but uneven, squad, one compromised of players signed by different managers with different ideologies.
That squad will be broken up this summer – Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger are leaving on free transfers to Barcelona and Real Madrid. César Azpilicueta, club captain, and Marcos Alonso, possibly the best finisher at the club from left back, will likely join the Dane at the Nou Camp. It leaves gaping holes in the Blues’ backline, but Rudiger can be the only one viewed as a true loss – a loss that may have been avoided if contract negotiations had not been halted due to the sanctions imposed on the club following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Other sales will be forced with the upcoming changes to the loan system rules, one that will affect Chelsea more than possibly any other club. A staggering 24 players were loaned out of Stamford Bridge this season, four times the number permitted under the new structure. Permanent new homes will have to be finally found for the likes of Timeoue Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi et al. and spots in the first-team squad might be for Armando Broja and Billy Gilmour and almost certainly for Conor Gallagher.
Gallagher will join fellow academy graduates Mason Mount, Reece James and Trevor Chalobah in what is fast becoming English football’s best youth development programme, and possibly the lasting legacy of Roman Abramovich’s time at the club, even more than the trophies.
In terms of incomings from elsewhere, it’s possible that Boehly will look to appease fans by splashing the cash. Defenders will obviously be required, a long-term (or immediate depending on what you believe) replacement for N’Golo Kante has to be looked at and a top end striker is needed, especially if there’s no confidence in Lukaku. What odds on a rival bid to Barcelona for want-away Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski?
Other things Boehly could do to win over the Stamford Bridge faithful and convince them of his consortium’s commitment to the club is to end the managerial merry-go-around at the club and make concrete plans for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
For so long, Roman ruled and the club revolved around him, and it proved successful, but Tuchel is loved by the fans and proved himself a worthy leader in the recent months of uncertainty. A better manager is not likely to be found either. A change of ownership and a change in tact – long-term planning and building under Tuchel is the club’s best bet of competing with Pep and Klopp.
The stadium is only the 9th biggest in the Premier League, nearly half the capacity of Old Trafford. It greatly impacts the revenue potential of the club, and without Roman’s rubles, it will have greater effect. Boehly’s opening statement as owner outlined the consortium’s commitment to redevelopment but an alleged £2bn cost, on top of a rental fee for Wembley during construction and the difficulties of major capacity changes in a large urban area will test this greatly.
All of the opening statement will be tested and scrutinised if we’re being honest – any business owner will always start off with grand and promising ideas, especially in football. The Kroenkes did at Arsenal, the Glazers likewise at United. What’s almost certain is Boehly and his band of businessmen’s primary aim is financial gain, but who knows how or when will that be achieved? Will it be through new broadcasting deals, moving the club towards a streaming service? A second attempt at a Super League? Whatever it is, you’d suspect they’re confident of it given the £4.25bn purchase, a record for a sports club.
The most uncertain period in the club’s history may be over, but a new one is just beginning. As the second Cold War nears in the real world, the Russian is out and the American is in at Chelsea. What happens next should be fascinating.