Chelsea FC are always title contenders in the Premier League – or at least they should be. There have been some challenges for Chelsea this year, as they currently sit out of the top five spots in the ladder, meaning they will almost have no shot at playing in the Europa League semi-finals next year. But where did it go so wrong?
And, can the manager make amends before the season is over, or will he find himself on his way out of the door?
Ferdinand Thinks Chelsea Manager Deserves Another Chance
Reaction from the head coach.#CFC | #ArsChe pic.twitter.com/jNzvUDWkDe
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 23, 2024
Rio Ferdinand, one of the best Manchester United players, England defenders, and pundits in the game, has backed the current Chelsea manager after a poor season and string of subpar results. Despite Cole Palmer’s hat-trick hero antics and goal-scoring capabilities, Chelsea’s dramatic 5-0 loss to Arsenal had people shaking their heads.
Chelsea has struggled throughout the past 3-4 years with a never-ending, revolving door of managers that can’t seem to bring the club back to their former glory. Managers are brought in for a few months at a time, or a season, and then sacked due to not being able to turn the team around.
The same might happen again.
Mauricio Pochettino took over Chelsea FC at the beginning of the season and hoped for it to be a fairytale story. He signed a lucrative two-year deal that offered him a little bit of job security, due to his previous position as manager of Tottenham Hotspurs in the same league.
But, a lack of veteran players, key transfers, and longevity in the team and season has caused poor results. Chelsea FC has such a young team, due to academy players requiring to step up, injuries, and a lack of big-name transfers coming into the club. Therefore, the young and inexperienced team has struggled to find a consistent style of play that works week in and week out.
Despite some fans calling for Pochettino’s exit, Ferdinand thinks the manager deserves another chance with a revitalized squad, better depth on the bench, and more time in the role at the club.
‘I think it will be a crime if Pochettino was sacked…the potential they have under the roof is phenomenal. they’ve got a fantastic academy that’s working well…to just give him one season to integrate all of that at the same time and to still get results at the same time, to expect that he’s almost expecting miracles…They need to give him that time to set the foundation for the football club we’ve seen at moments.’
Ferdinand backs Pochettino’s strategy, academy system, and managerial style. Plus, Ferdinand knows that getting older players in the transfer market can help a side that is much younger than other more experienced teams in the league.
Also Read: Arteta: His £34m Transfer Target’s Flop Is a Huge Blessing for the Gunners
What Do Chelsea FC Have to Look Forward To
With just a few games left in the competitive Premier League season, the 5-0 loss to Arsenal could really take a lot of wind out of the sail of Chelsea who was flying high after a huge 6-0 win against Everton.
Chelsea now play Aston Villa, which will be a tense battle in the mid/top of the table for bragging rights. Chelsea are currently in ninth place, with a win seeing them earn 50 points on the season and potentially leap-frogging West Ham and Newcastle.
Next, Chelsea face off against West Ham, a team that is just one place above them. A win here could see them work their way into potentially the top 5 or 6 places to end the season on a high note.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
