Meet the new boss, not in any way similar to the old boss.
Chelsea start this new campaign an Italian in charge – but Antonio Conte has said his ciaos and in has waltzed Maurizio Sarri.
How will the Blues adapt to one of the most exciting coaches in Europe? Let’s find out.
What has changed since last season?
“We’re talking about one of the best coaches in Europe – maybe the best.” When Pep Guardiola says something like that, you have to sit up and listen. Maurizio Sarri has worked wonders at Napoli over the past three seasons. Taking on the might of Juventus and breaking Serie A records in the process. But after a trio of campaigns where it was ‘almost but not quite’ the former banker is in the Premier League, adding to the idea that this really is the league for the tactician.
His brand of high-pressing, totally fluid, gegenpressing football wowed the Stadio San Paolo and football lovers all over Europe – but how will that play out in west London? And how will that work with this Chelsea squad? After a protracted contract battle with former manager Antonio Conte, there’s only been three weeks for the chain-smoking 59-year-old to get on the training ground and work with the squad before the Premier League starts. Is that enough? Almost certainly no.
How have they done in the transfer market?
The only major mover so far has been Jorginho, who reunites with Sarri after impressing at the base of Napoli’s midfield for the past two seasons. It’s a major coup for the Stamford Bridge outfit, who have beaten off Manchester City to the Italy international’s signature.
But fans of the Blues should be more worried about who’s going out rather than which players are coming in. With Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois both potentially on their way to Madrid, Chelsea not only have a quality vacuum at both ends of the pitch, but a leadership one too.
Who will be their key man?
At what point will the holding, defensive midfield role cease to be known as the ‘Makele Role’ and star becoming the ‘Kanté Role’ instead? The France international has showed at the World Cup, once again, just how utterly sensational he is as a midfield sweeper. His reading of the game, tactical nous, positional discipline and quality on the ball have made him, arguably, one of the top 10 players in the world. There may be other men who will grab the headlines at Stamford Bridge this season, but no one will be as important to the way Chelsea play as N’Golo Kanté.
Who will be their top scorer?
This looks set to be the biggest problem for Maurizio Sarri as we go into the upcoming campaign: who exactly is going to score the goals? Álvaro Morata arrived last summer to much fanfare and started off like a train, netting nine goals in 16 before Christmas. Off-field issues and persistent calf and back injuries played havoc with his form after the New Year though, and all the rumblings come out of the club are that a move back to Spain or Italy isn’t out of the question.
If that’s the case, then it’s difficult to see who’s going to spearhead that attack and be able to fit seamlessly into Sarri’s style of play. Michy Batshuayi is likely to return after his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, and after being cast aside by the previous regime, will certainly have the bit between his teeth this time around.
Are there any young players we should be keeping an eye on?
Hopefully this is the year that Chelsea finally make the most of their enviable production line of young talent. It was telling, in Maurizio Sarri’s unveiling, that director Maria Granovskaia made a very public statement on his track record of “nurturing youngsters”. With the purse-strings tight at Stamford Bridge thanks to Roman Abramovich’s visa issues earlier in the summer, now is the time for some of the FA Youth Cup winning side to make the grade.
Of that team, Callum Hudson-Odoi has impressed during pre-season and looks like he could be on the fringes of the senior squad this seasons. And another name to watch out for Ethan Ampadu. The 17-year-old has trained regularly with the first team and made eight appearances in all competitions last season. The centre-back could genuinely compete with the likes of Gary Cahill and David Luiz for a starting berth soon.
What will Maurizio Sarri’s biggest challenge be?
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Italian going into this next season is how to get across his tactical ideas in such a short space of time, whilst also managing expectations from the fans and the Chelsea board. Having received the Pep Seal of Approval, the Shed End are going to be hoping for Sarri-ismo almost immediately – that just won’t be possible
Can you show me their home and away jersey and give it a marking out of 10?
Home: 7/10
Away: 8/10
Yellow is back!
Introducing our new @nikefootball away kit!
Available nowche.lc/away1819 #THESTAGEISLIT
What does Chelsea’s best XI look like?
Who will be playing in goal? Your guess is as good as ours!
And finally, where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League?
The race for the the top four looks absolutely fascinating this season, and perhaps with more time, and the right investment, Chelsea could make it there. This term though, we’re expecting them to finish an unlucky sixth.
(this is college assignment)source: https://onefootball.com/
(this is college assignment)source: https://onefootball.com/
Comments
Post a Comment