Plenty has changed at Chelsea over the summer. Roman Abramovich is gone and a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital is in charge.
Director Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck and technical director Petr Cech have all left, a new board is in place, and Boehly has made himself interim sporting director.
It is a revolution behind the scenes but Thomas Tuchel continues to lead the team
Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella assesses the state of play at Chelsea as the 2022-23 Premier League season begins.
How have they done in the window?
Deals for Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly left supporters confident that more signings would soon follow. But since then, it has seemed a bit chaotic with Chelsea missing out on several key targets (although Marc Cucurella has been signed), knocking the mood at Stamford Bridge. Expect late business.
Tactic to look out for
Chelsea will continue primarily with a 3-4-3 formation which they used in pre-season and have become famed for under Tuchel. However, they abandoned the shape after a few injuries last season and will hope to find a system with a back four to play more fluid football.
Breakthrough star?
Conor Gallagher is back at Stamford Bridge after his loan at Crystal Palace last season and will undoubtedly come into Tuchel’s thinking. Chelsea have blocked loans or sales for the midfielder and Tuchel believes the 22-year-old is ready to not only supplement what they have got but become a star player soon.
Is the manager under pressure?
Yes, but equally so are the owners. There is an interesting dynamic playing out between a new group of individuals working together for the first time.
Success would be?
A top-four finish is the main target, with knowledge internally that this was always going to be a chaotic transfer window. Anything more, including cup success, would be a bonus.
Failure would be?
Finishing outside the top four and the new signings not bedding in well. That would follow a failure to integrate club-record £97.5million signing Romelu Lukaku, whose return lasted just one season. It could also shake confidence in a manager many believe to be world class.
Player of the year will be?
Mason Mount is always a safe bet but new boy Sterling is an exceptional signing and the team will be built around him.
