Chelsea are set for a pivotal summer as they look to bounce back from a disastrous first season under new owners. Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have yet to see things pan out as they planned since completing their takeover and appointing Mauricio Pochettino has been their latest step to steady the ship.
football.london have asked Chelsea fans for their views on the current state of the club, Boehly's leadership, the appointment of Pochettino and much more on the transfer window and you can still have your say by taking our survey which you can find by clicking right here.
Now we have asked our Chelsea correspondents Scott Trotter and Bobby Vincent to give their views on some of the questions within the survey and here's what they said.
Who is most to blame for Chelsea's season?
Scott: "Where to begin? This term is not a result of one person or one decision but a culmination of many. Chelsea's transition in playing staff was poorly managed from a period before the new ownership but those problems have been exacerbated through a variety of upheaval. Attempting to force the transition through transfers did not pay off, and while undoubtedly Thomas Tuchel's position was edging towards uncomfortable, his sacking exposed cracks that had been papered over.
"Then signing some good players in January added to more instability in the squad as players consistently had to be left out, and others already knew they wanted to depart the club. At other times it felt like players simply had to do better.
"Ultimately the blame has to lie with who shaped the squad and put it in the position it is in, so blame is shared between old and new hierarchies. Perhaps with a degree of emphasis on Boehly taking up the role of sporting director in a sudden transition rather than a smooth one."
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Bobby: "Last season was an absolute mess, there's no doubt about that. I think, blame-wise, it's hard to look past the new ownership group. The way they conducted business in the two transfer windows, especially the summer of 2022, was chaotic.
"Too many players were brought in. The likelihood of all of those players gelling straight away and Chelsea having a positive season, in hindsight, was very low. There was too much change – it was always going to be a very transitional period for the club."
Is Mauricio Pochettino the right man for Chelsea long term and what is his first priority?
Scott: "It's an exciting appointment and one that will be quickly put to the test. The two-year contract is clearly a hint that the ownership is now more cautious but in many respects the judgement will be even more swift than that.
"Pochettino has to quickly galavanise the squad and brutally assess who he wants to have on board, and if he successfully does this, it will inspire a great deal of confidence. A really excitment appointment, and what Chelsea need given the position they find themselves in however."
Bobby: "I think Pochettino looks like the right man. He's a fantastic man-manager, which I think Chelsea need right now. The squad was so low on confidence towards the latter stages of the 2022/23 season. Frank Lampard himself said that the players had forgotten how good they actually are.
"Pochettino is known for his expertise in the psychology of players and getting the very best out of them. So, in that regard, I think it makes a whole lot of sense.
"His first priority is to assemble a squad he believes will be able to take in his philosophy and one that is good enough to see Chelsea compete again. There is set to be a mass clear-out this summer, so it's crucial Pochettino identifies which players he does not have a plan for, so Chelsea can offload them."
Where do the team need to invest and how many signings do Chelsea need to compete?
Scott: "Initially, even though there will be eight teams in Europe next season with additional pressure to perform well in the league, expectations may need to be tempered. A lot of issues arose over the course of 2022/23 and they may not be resolved in one summer.
"As such, an emphasis needs to be on sales and trimming down the squad before adding much-needed parts. Three signings in areas Chelsea have highlighted: goalkeeper, midfield and in attack, would be a good start.
"With the possibility of a fifth Champions League place and the signings made in the last 12 months, the Blues can be competing for a spot in Europe's elite competition with a successful transfer window however."
Bobby: "A new goalkeeper is needed. I do not think Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga are good enough to be Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. Andre Onana of Inter Milan would be my personal choice as I think he has all of the attributes of a top-class modern day goalkeeper.
"A couple of central midfielders are needed. A No.8 and a No.6. There are set to be around three or four in that position who leave the club this summer, so upgrading the talent Pochettino already has is crucial. I'd like to see Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, personally.
"In an ideal world, a centre-forward would also be brought in. Victor Osimhen is going to be difficult to get, especially without European football, but he is that guy who could score 20-30 Premier League goals a season for Chelsea – something the club have desperately been missing in recent years. If all of these players were brought in, which seems unlikely at the moment, it would probably cost north of £200million."
Have your say on Chelsea's season and what comes next!
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