Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea has had contrasting results all through the season, as they have blown both hot and cold across the 2023–24 Premier League campaign.
The Blues have had to make numerous adjustments following injuries to key members of their squad, and with two matches to go until the end of the season, Afrosport reviews how the season has shaped up for the London club.
Overall Review
Chelsea’s season has been a rollercoaster affair, but the Blues have since steadied themselves in the final stretch of the campaign.
Having occupied the mid-table spots for a large part of the season, they currently find themselves in a European qualification spot as they sit seventh on the log with two games to go (as of the time of writing).
So far, the Blues have won 16 games, five more than they managed last season. They have also suffered 11 defeats, five less than they endured last time out. Despite having two more games to play, they have accumulated 13 more points than they did in the entirety of the 2022–23 season (57–44).
Unsung Hero
Cole Palmer
When Chelsea announced the £40 million signing of Plamer last summer, they were taking a chance on a 21-year-old midfielder who had made just 18 Premier League appearances at the time; therefore, no one expected so much from him.
However, the England international has proven any of his doubters wrong—if they were any—as he has been the shining spark in the Chelsea team this season.
Palmer has notched 21 goals and provided ten assists in 32 matches for the Blues this season, claiming Goal of the Month and Player of the Month awards along the way.
His superb performances have seen him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards, as well as the FWA Footballer of the Year award.
Manager
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino returned to the Premier League, having previously been at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur for five years.
The Argentine was entrusted with returning Chelsea to the top, where they usually were, but it hasn’t been easy as he is in charge of the youngest team in the league.
Pochettino, however, hasn’t done badly, helping Chelsea to a much-needed resurgence as they have moved exponentially across the table, leading them to an European spot, where they currently are.
Possible areas for reinforcement
Chelsea as a team has created the fifth most big chances in the Premier League this season (85). As much as this seems like a good thing, they have missed 71 of those big chances, showing how poor they are on the goal front.
The Blues have scored 73 goals in the league this season, the sixth most, but a clinical finisher might help take them from a good team to a solid team. They would really benefit from signing a more experienced striker who could help score goals and also mentor the younger forwards like Nicolas Jackson.
They have conceded 61 goals, the joint second-most of any side in the top ten of the standings, showing their frailties in defense, and with Thiago Silva leaving at the end of the season, a more experienced defender should be brought in.
Tactical selection options
Start One: Nicolas Jackson
Bench One: Mykhailo Mudryk
Sell One: Raheem Sterling
