The new Premier League season is going to be an uphill battle for Chelsea, and here’s why.
To put it plainly, Eden Hazard is an elite footballer.
For the last few seasons, the former Chelsea playmaker led the way for the Blues in just about every department. The Belgian netted 16 goals and provided 15 assists in his final season at Stamford Bridge, as well as sinking Arsenal with two individual goals in the Europa League final in Baku.
Hazard’s seven-year association with Chelsea came at an end in June when Real Madrid came knocking, penning a deal worth upwards of £130 million (A$233 million) with add-ons.
The tantalising transfer fee convinced Chelsea to loosen their grip on Hazard. This was a quizzical decision considering the club still has a transfer ban to contend with.
With Hazard soaking up the sun in Spain and Chelsea unable to replace their star player, new manager Frank Lampard has been forced to inject some youth into the team. Lampard admitted that the remaining squad would have to step up in order to cover Hazard’s departure.
With the youngsters expected to be getting plenty of playing time on Hazard’s favoured left side, Chelsea fans can only hope for small adjustments and gradual progression.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)
With the Chelsea’s previous manager Maurizio Sarri being lured to Juventus, the club was tasked with employing a new gaffer. How they expect Frank Lampard – a man who failed to lead Derby County to promotion – to somehow guide Chelsea to a top-four position is beyond me.
Prejudice aside, Lampard was one of the best midfielders of his generation, winning several trophies with Chelsea. He was a brilliant player, but he is not an established manager.
His appointment as Sarri’s replacement was met with much apprehension. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich opted to go with a fan favourite rather than an experienced manager.
Foolish decision?
On the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, Chelsea travelled to Old Trafford to play Manchester United. Chelsea fans were full of optimism.
They got spanked 4-0. The Blues never stood a chance.
The final whistle blew and Lampard faced the press, saying: “The game was nowhere near a 4-0. Four mistakes for the goals, but we controlled major parts of the first half. We hit the woodwork, poor decisions in the final third. We should have been in the lead at half-time.”
Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a manager in denial. Besides marginally more possession and more shots on goal, Chelsea were wasteful in the final third and far too prone to silly defensive errors.
At the end of the day, the players’ failings boil down to the manager and on that day Lampard got it wrong.
Yes, it was his first match at the helm, but how patient will Abramovich and/or the fans be if Lampard can’t bounce back and prove his doubters wrong?
Will Chelsea’s favourite son be able to maintain his crown? We will have to wait and see.
I don’t expect anything extraordinary from the Blues this season. The loss of Eden Hazard will hurt, and until Frank Lampard can get the ball rolling, Chelsea will struggle to stay afloat.
I wouldn’t rule out a cheeky cup run but Chelsea won’t trouble the top four.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Hard to justify Lampard being brought in for results, he's here to bring through youth and reconnect the fanbase. Hazard has formed a large part of our success recently, time to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
There’s a few things slightly misplaced here. Let’s start with the appointment of FL. Sarri wasn’t lured away by Juventus, they got him after it was clear that Chelsea were parting company with him and in a sense, that is the central part of what is happening in SW6. From many people’s perspective last season would be counted as a success. A place in the champions league, the second of the euro trophies on the shelf, runners up in the Carabo Cup. Yet at the send of the season it appeared clear that Sarri was not going to be the man for the 2019/20 season. On a separate note, Eden Hazard needed a fresh challenge and had probably stayed one season more than he intended. Whilst at Chelsea he was part of squads that won the premier league, enjoyed FA and League cup success and Europa Cup but wasn’t around for the champions league win in Munich 2012. Nobody in their right mind would say he he hasn’t been a great player at the club but almost certainly needed to go to one of a small group of clubs in the world that could provide new and exciting challenges. Meanwhile the rumour tree was rife with stories that the club wanted Frank Lampard as their next manager. That meant a total change in thinking from Mr Abramovich. Look at his track record in appointments. It has been all about established coaches with reputations and with the objective being trophies in the cupboard and opening the chequebook to acquire players from around the globe. Who was the last Chelsea manager to survive more than 2 seasons? Most have barely been one. Further down the club, over the past decade the club has enjoyed enormous success at youth level yet where are the products of this success? What is the purpose of recruiting young players and turning them into winners, at least at youth level and how good are they and what is their true potential? With the focus on short term objectives, no one has ever been able to find out. Chelsea have kept the players until they are in their early 20’s then loaned them out and eventually sold them on, essentially turning the youth program into a separate business but never it seems with the intention of allowing players to develop at the club and become first team players. It could be argued that the way the epl is these days that will never happen. Look around and the story is no different in Manchester at either club and Liverpool and Arsenal aren’t much different. MUFC fans and many others look back at the class of 92 and wish that something like that could happen again but what is the reality? The City group is firmly entrenched in buying players at any price and United haven’t been much different since those halcyon days. The lack of planning and recruitment policy has been astonishing since SAF retired and the lack of overall style and purpose is reflected in the playing roster which has been a real hotch potch at best and at worst money thrown down the lavatory. So has Abramovich had an epiphany? I have deliberately ignored the transfer ban as that muddies the waters slightly in terms of what he is up to. Again, nobody barring a very naive fan of the club would imagine that FL with very limited coaching experience was going to arrive on the scene and immediately have a team/squad that will dominate the league. Likewise, looking around many sports, are there any really good examples of young coaches that are also “favourite sons” enjoying great success? Zidane comes to mind although RM is a bit different to most sporting organisations. So if someone could get an interview with the Chelsea owner, the questions should all relate to the future direction of the club, youth development, club loyalty and fan engagement. On a personal note, one of the reasons I watch very little EPL these days is that I find that particular world quite artificial and removed from the game I have loved for so many decades. In many respects it embodies everything I dislike about the game and does football a disservice in many respects. It is an entertainment package for television viewers around the world full of overpaid actors that can play football. The price of admission is way out of kilter with average wages which means that many young people can not afford to go to live games and so the audience is regularly made up of middle aged and older fans mixed in with many overseas visitors. The stadiums are somewhat plastic, the atmosphere lacking or hollow and in many cases the quality of the product isn’t really that good and certainly not worth the price of admission. The UK media would have you believe different though and it is big business on a global basis so whilst there is money to be made from television deals the EPL fortress will remain intact. If that changes then the walls may come crashing down and the landscape will alter dramatically.
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
This isn't a bad thing as such, it's meant to be a 'transitional season' for us.
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
Sure, you say Chelsea won't trouble for a top 4 but once our team is full fit meaning Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James and Rudiger return who knows what we are capable of. This article also seems to be targeting Frank and his managerial skills. Sure he doesn't have the most experience in the world but he knows the philosophy of the club like no one else. Chelsea vs Liverpool was a glimpse of what this side is capable of. Top 7 finish should be the aim and I hope Chelsea fans have not so high expectations.
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
I disagree, as a strong Chelsea fan. The lack of patience and loyalty from the fans is a bigger problem. We should be thanking Roman for his contributions, he doesn't control much of Chelsea anymore, aka have a big say in what happens behind closed doors
Doug Graves
Guest
"How they expect Frank Lampard – a man who failed to lead Derby County to promotion – to somehow guide Chelsea to a top-four position is beyond me." This. But oh how hilarious it's gonna be as they hold onto Lampard while their top 4 hopes wither away and they end up talking about mathematical chances to get a Europa League spot! 6th place at best for Chelsea this season, I wouldn't be surprised if they have to settle for 7th and have to take the Europa League 2nd Qualifying round when all is said and done.
Alexander Lowe
Roar Rookie
Chelsea’s biggest issue is Roman Abramovich. The man just has zero patience.
Rodger King
Guest
It is interesting that my beloved Chelsea seem to be the focus of a lot attention this season, more so than usual. I'm of the opinion that it is far better to wait until the season is at least 3 months old before trying to pigeon hole both the club and the manager. Accepted that the loss of a player of the class of Eden Hazard is going to leave big shoes to fill, it would for any club, in any competition. Add to the loss of one of the worlds great play makers, the transfer ban, and the club is likely to suffer until the ban is either lifted or served. So now is the time for the academy players to get their chance to step up, also for the other world class players to shine now that Hazard is no longer on every pundits lips. Will Chelsea win the league, who knows, they are capable of doing so, will they win the Champions League, again who knows, but they are in with a chance. So where to for the 'Blues' and Frank Lampard, I believe it will be the making of the club, the young players will shine as they gain experience, the more experience players will take up the slack left by Hazard. The question is, will that be enough to satisfy the owner, the Board and more importantly the Fans. My heart says a big YES and my head says, " Lets wait and see". KTBFFH.