Chelsea Are More Than Dark Horses for Next Season’s Premier League Title
It's been an up-and-down season, to say the least, but it’s mainly been positive. After all, there’s a two-legged Champions League semi-...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2021/05/chelsea-are-more-than-dark-horses-for.html
It's been an up-and-down season, to say the least, but it’s mainly been positive. After all, there’s a two-legged Champions League semi-final on the way and a potential crack at the biggest trophy in European football, so it isn’t all bad! Under Thomas Tuchel, The Blues look as if they have finally cracked the code that has been eluding them since Antonio Conte’s departure.
Right now, they appear as if they are a team that will push the favourites close next year, including Manchester City and Liverpool. If you’re a Chelsea supporter, this is why there’s a lot to be excited about for the 2021/22 campaign.
Experience of Tuchel’s System
Every new manager wants to stamp their authority on the squad to prove that they are the right fit. In many ways, that’s been an issue for Chelsea recently because Roman Abramovich likes to chop and change when things don’t go to plan. You could argue that the current crop of players has everything from Sarri-ball to Lampard’s style of play in their veins.
Experience of Tuchel’s System
11 games under Thomas Tuchel:
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 8, 2021
DWWWWWDWDWW 🔥#CHEEVE pic.twitter.com/xzzVc2o9Pi
Every new manager wants to stamp their authority on the squad to prove that they are the right fit. In many ways, that’s been an issue for Chelsea recently because Roman Abramovich likes to chop and change when things don’t go to plan. You could argue that the current crop of players has everything from Sarri-ball to Lampard’s style of play in their veins.
Thankfully, Tuchel has been able to work with the players and stage an attack on the Champions League and top four, managing only two defeats since taking charge in late January. It's evident to everyone that this rich vein of form is why they are dark horses for next season’s title, with the Premier League betting already offering odds of 7/1 to make Chelsea the fourth favourites.
But imagine what this team will be like if they continue to perform on the biggest stages against quality Premier League opposition and Real Madrid in the semi-finals. The young team will get a confidence boost that convinces them they are good enough to take on City, United and Liverpool and be victorious.
A Stronger Group
They won’t only be a stronger group due to their mindset, but because of the quality on the pitch, too. It's hard to argue that Tuchel doesn’t have top-class players at his disposal – he does. Still, the squad is a little bare when you don’t factor in the first 11 that walk out onto the pitch week in, week out.
The goalkeeping position is a prime example because, without Edouard Mendy, Chelsea will have to rely on Kepa Arrizabalaga, and he has proved under Lampard that he isn’t solid enough to win the league. Even the central midfield role is relatively dodgy. Sure, the boys are playing well now, but it will be a different proposition if N’Golo Kante gets injured. After all, Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić aren’t as strong defensively, and Billy Gilmour is inexperienced.
Fresh Faced
Something that has to be factored into next season is the European Championships. The top teams always have players that will spend their pre-season at a tournament rather than resting up on a beach, and Chelsea Football Club is no different.
However, the number of the side that will face international opposition in the summer is much smaller than usual because of the metropolitan nature of the squad. For example, Christian Pulisic is American, Hakim Ziyech is Moroccan and Thiago Silva is Brazilian. Plus, lots of the eligible players won’t make the cut, such as Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
They won’t only be a stronger group due to their mindset, but because of the quality on the pitch, too. It's hard to argue that Tuchel doesn’t have top-class players at his disposal – he does. Still, the squad is a little bare when you don’t factor in the first 11 that walk out onto the pitch week in, week out.
The goalkeeping position is a prime example because, without Edouard Mendy, Chelsea will have to rely on Kepa Arrizabalaga, and he has proved under Lampard that he isn’t solid enough to win the league. Even the central midfield role is relatively dodgy. Sure, the boys are playing well now, but it will be a different proposition if N’Golo Kante gets injured. After all, Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić aren’t as strong defensively, and Billy Gilmour is inexperienced.
Adding Declan Rice to the fold, something that has been touted for well over a year now, would ensure there’s plenty of competition for places and cover should the squad be ravaged by injuries.
Fresh Faced
Something that has to be factored into next season is the European Championships. The top teams always have players that will spend their pre-season at a tournament rather than resting up on a beach, and Chelsea Football Club is no different.
However, the number of the side that will face international opposition in the summer is much smaller than usual because of the metropolitan nature of the squad. For example, Christian Pulisic is American, Hakim Ziyech is Moroccan and Thiago Silva is Brazilian. Plus, lots of the eligible players won’t make the cut, such as Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
All of the guys mentioned will be extremely valuable to our Premier League push next year, so it’s better for Chelsea supporters if they rest up and don’t blow a gasket trying to make it out of the group stages!
Of course, it will still be a big task because Man City and Liverpool aren’t going anywhere, especially as the latter will have a full bill of health by the summer. But 7/1 is generous when you consider the features mentioned above.
