Chelsea’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali felt the effects of gravity once again as they watched another drab display after pulling off one of the greatest ever football heists.
“What a waste of money,” chanted the Fulham supporters who gleefully mocked Chelsea’s world record 2022-23 transfer spend that, at over £600million, was more than they have spent since 2001.
It didn’t matter that Enzo Fernandez proved solid and tidy on his debut after just one training session. The fact the Blues had spent so much and could not find a way to win was victory in itself for the away side.
Chelsea saw the British transfer record dictate the play well on his debut, completing 90 minutes, and almost score with a long range 72nd-minute shot.
Benoit Badiashile was immaculate as the Blues secured their third clean sheet in a row, while Noni Madueke and David Datro Fofana made an impact from the bench in the second half.
Only Mykhailo Mudryk particularly struggled, hauled off at half-time after struggling to match his explosive debut away at Liverpool.
It will not be easy for these new signings to immediately turn around Graham Potter’s underperforming side.
Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling all returned from injury in a match that could well have represented a new dawn with Potter having 27 of his 33 players available for selection.
Yet, they now find themselves as a scalp other teams are desperate to claim. Opposition fans both mock, envy and resent their spending, while figures, from the players and owners of other clubs, are out to show that Chelsea’s way is the wrong way to operate.
Fulham, remarkably, stay two places above Chelsea after 21 games in a perfect advert for their project.
Marco Silva’s side are everything that Chelsea are currently not. They are not superstars, as well-paid or anywhere near as marketable. They are, however, a very well drilled team.
The west Londoners remain in transition and the only way out of it will be through the same humble hard work that their smaller rivals have put in.
However, with the circus around them, it will be easier said than done to pull off.
