In a summer transfer window that has seen Chelsea spend more than £ 200million on new levels of star power, it seems a bit silly to think they haven’t used the change over blue confetti for the ‘inevitable Premier League winning bus parade in May 2021.
Chelsea have hosted Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, while also taking Thiago Silva on a free and spending a bit more on Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy. In the eyes of fans, Windows doesn’t get any more exciting and successful than that, especially as Manchester United were sifting through free agents on deadline day to get theirs back.
Sign. Sealed. Delivered.#HiKai ? pic.twitter.com/mJGX67SPrD
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 4, 2020
Comparing Chelsea’s summer transfer window to United’s, it’s pretty clear that one of these teams had to be top of the league midway, while the other faces an uphill battle to find a place in the top four.
Believe it or not, however, spending tons of cash doesn’t translate to instant success like it does in FIFA’s career mode. It’s Frank Lampard’s side languishing in seventh after 18 games and, although nothing is decided in January, Chelsea are firmly out of a title race they absolutely should be in, given the squad. that she owns.
The season has started well as the Blues have lost just once in their first 11 league games, winning six and making four. They have also crossed their Champions League group and are expecting a two-way meeting with Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 in February. Everything looked rosy, until a 1-0 loss to Everton revealed disturbing truths.
Since losing to the Toffees on December 12, Chelsea have surrendered and seemingly lost all belief. They’ve only managed two league wins since and have even lost to Arsenal on Boxing Day – the same Arsenal we all laughed at for being in a relegation battle ahead of the New Year.
It has been a tough month or so that has served as a tough reality test for fans and players alike. Lampard just isn’t making the most of his team yet; a team that clearly gels. No matter how much money you spend on players, you can’t buy chemistry (despite what FUT tells you).
Havertz has struggled to get started despite the hype and record transfer fees he arrived for, and has only managed to play a full 90 minutes in three Premier League games so far – although he may maybe be excused after a nasty episode of coronavirus. Meanwhile, Werner hasn’t scored in the league since November and continued a 12-game scoreless streak before breaking the duck against Morecambe in the FA Cup.
New signings always adapt to new environments, while Lampard is still trying to figure out how exactly he can fit them into the same XI in a way that gets them all to shoot together. A trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, who may take the win over Chelsea, will not make that formula any easier, either.
The Foxes spent around £ 57million last summer but are the perfect example of a club run well. Brendan Rodgers has found the balance in his team between hard work and talent and continues to squeeze the most out of a talented group. Despite their inconsistency at times, Leicester score points in key moments and thus find themselves in the top four.
For both sides, the mid-term clash is not only a good time for reflection, but also an opportunity to define their season ahead. A win for Leicester would be another whopping three points over their top four rivals and keep Chelsea stuck between a group of surprise challengers. For the Blues, however, it’s the perfect opportunity to put an end to the underperformance and ensuing panic.
A good performance against a Leicester side who like to show up in big games this season will do wonders for Lampard and his players, who need an extra injection of conviction. Although the season has been a disappointment for the fans, it is by no means over and a good result is enough to be a game changer.
Whether it’s a textbook, a smooth performance that makes the most of their attacking unit, or a brave and resilient 90 minutes that see them get a result, a win is crucial for Chelsea. Winning can be the catalyst for a progressive second half of the season.
