Are Chelsea on the brink of another terrible season?

Most recently, results in pre-season games have taught us not to discard the results in these fixtures as merely friendly games of no consequences, and for Chelsea, that fact cannot get any truer as a bad pre-season now stands as an omen for a terrible campaign.

As the dust settles following Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Celtic in a pre-season friendly at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, fans and pundits alike are left questioning whether the West London club is on the verge of another disappointing season. The resounding loss, coupled with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham just days prior, highlights a worrying trend that has plagued the Blues over the past two seasons.

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A Familiar Struggle: Recap of 2022/23 and 2023/24

The 2022/23 season saw Chelsea endure a tumultuous campaign marked by inconsistent performances and a revolving door of managers. Despite a star-studded squad, the team failed to gel, resulting in a mid-table finish that left fans disillusioned. The arrival of Graham Potter was supposed to bring stability, but his tenure was cut short as results failed to improve.

The subsequent 2023/24 season promised a fresh start under Mauricio Pochettino, yet it soon became apparent that the deep-rooted issues within the squad had not been addressed. Defensive frailties, lack of creativity in midfield, and an overreliance on aging stars culminated in another season of underachievement. Chelsea’s failure to secure a top-four finish and their early exits from domestic and European competitions only compounded the frustration.

Pre-Season Woes: Déjà Vu?

The early signs from Chelsea’s current pre-season campaign suggest that history may be repeating itself. Enzo Maresca, the new man at the helm, acknowledged the need for improvement following the humbling defeat to Celtic. “As we said, the result is always important,” Maresca commented. “For us, we need to analyse the game in general. I think on the ball, the team were 10 times better than in the game against Wrexham and that is important because we can see the amount of chances we created in the first-half and second-half.”

Maresca’s remarks highlight the familiar pattern of Chelsea dominating possession but failing to convert chances, a theme that has plagued the club in recent years. While the attacking prowess of new signing Christopher Nkunku, who netted a late consolation from the penalty spot, offers a glimmer of hope, the defensive lapses that led to Celtic’s four goals are cause for concern.

Defensive Woes and Tactical Confusion

One of the most alarming aspects of Chelsea’s pre-season performances has been their defensive vulnerability. Maresca’s admission that the team struggles to maintain a high line when the ball is not under pressure points to a tactical confusion that could prove costly in competitive matches. “We still confuse some things on and off the ball. For me, it’s normal at this moment,” Maresca stated, suggesting that the players are still adapting to his system.

However, with the Premier League season fast approaching, Chelsea cannot afford to be in a state of flux. The high expectations of the club’s fanbase and the competitive nature of the league mean that any slip-ups could see them fall behind their rivals early on.

Looking Ahead: A Season of Uncertainty?

As Chelsea prepare for the 2024/25 season, the early indications from their pre-season friendlies raise more questions than answers. While there is undoubtedly talent within the squad, the recurring issues of defensive frailties, tactical confusion, and inconsistency in front of goal suggest that Maresca faces an uphill battle to turn the club’s fortunes around.

The Blues’ faithful will be hoping that the pre-season setbacks are merely teething problems under a new manager. However, the parallels with the disappointing campaigns of 2022/23 and 2023/24 are hard to ignore. If Chelsea are to avoid a third consecutive season of underachievement, they must address their weaknesses swiftly and decisively.

In a league as unforgiving as the Premier League, early signs often prove to be prophetic. For Chelsea, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting. Only time will tell if Maresca can steer the ship back on course or if the Blues are destined for another season of frustration and disappointment.