The more things change, the more they stay the same. There have been nine arrivals at Chelsea this season and seven departures, a net £75m spent. There’s a new manager and a new kit, and there will shortly be a new sponsor. The churn and turmoil goes on, and yet amid it all, the performances remain reassuringly familiar.
Nicolas Jackson continues to be offside a lot. Cole Palmer continues to look like the one real spark of attacking quality. Marc Cucurella continues to look a player far removed from the left‑back who plays for Spain. The two £100m midfielders continue to look essentially average. Chants for Conor Gallagher, in limbo as his move to Atlético stalls, were the only overt opposition to the club’s transfer policy. Todd Boehly may have trimmed his hair, but he continues to sit in the executive box looking benignly confused.
