Everyone associated with Chelsea will be counting the days down until the 2022/23 season comes to an end. From start to finish, on and off the field, it has been a disaster.
The scoreline at the Emirates Stadium makes it very easy to believe Chelsea were half decent against Arsenal last night. But in reality, from minute one, Frank Lampard's side were second best. And it's the exact same story supporters are becoming accustomed too.
The Blues were swept aside from their London rivals as Mikel Arteta's men returned to the top of the Premier League table. The 50,000+ Arsenal supporters were taking in the occasion on another special night for the north Londoners, but for Chelsea, they are nine points off relegation.
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It would take an enormous turn in results around them for Chelsea to even think about their Premier League status being under threat. But being 12th and closer to relegation than they are to ninth-placed Brentford is simply unacceptable.
Focus is already on next season and appointing the perfect candidate to steer the club back to the pinnacle of English and European football. As has been reported, Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite after positive talks, but he was watching the defeat to Arsenal, you wouldn't blame him if he was to ring Todd Boehly up and withdraw first thing tomorrow morning.
Despite having £600million invested in the playing squad in the past year, Chelsea's team resemble a group of strangers. Not many of the Blues' players will go home tonight with their heads held high, but Noni Madueke was possibly their best player.
The winger was handed his first start since the 1-0 home defeat to Southampton, partnering Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack. If today was an audition to play for the club next season, the duo would be unlikely to feature again.
Yet Madueke, despite the disappointing performance overall, was impressive. The England Under-21s international scored his first goal for the club in the second half with good movement and composure.
He appeared to be Chelsea's most threatening player in the first half, and at one point single-handedly turned defence into attack by beating four Arsenal players. He completed 80% of his passes, completed 75% of his dribbles and caused Oleksandr Zinchenko problems throughout.
Whoever takes over from Lampard in the summer has a job on his hands. Turning Chelsea into an attacking powerhouse is one of the biggest tasks, but with players like Madueke, there's potential for a quick turnaround.
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