Simon Phillips discusses the current state of the Chelsea squad.
Chelsea either appear to be content with the squad they currently have at their disposal or once again are leaving everything until the last minute.
With many player situations still unclear, Chelsea have made just the two signings so far, in third choice goalkeeper Rob Green, and Jorginho, who arrived with Maurizio Sarri from Napoli.
With some of the key players not due to return until deadline day week, it looks like we could face a busy time if certain players request to move this late on. Although targets appear to be being worked on, nothing is clear right now as widely reported targets drop like flies sealing moves elsewhere.
I believe that we still need to make a few more additions, but that, of course, depends on who/if anyone leaves.
If the season started tomorrow, I genuinely believe that we would be fine with the squad we have and we could mount a serious challenge for silverware.
The reason for this is merely the change of style that we will be playing, as well as a change of mentalities in the dressing room, and players desire to play an attractive style of football.
Sarri implements an attacking high pressing game, allowing his players to be expressive and fight to win the ball back. He encourages them to play football, using close and tidy passing. As well as being organised at the back, his team’s primary focus is to keep the ball and move it forward with pace to score goals.
Under Antonio Conte, we often played with five defenders, using a very deep line and allowing the opposition to have possession. This style of football does not suit some players and will not get the best out of them.
I believe that having Ethan Ampadu, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Michy Batshuayi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and a fully fit Ross Barkley back into the first team squad this season, will be just as beneficial if not better than going out and buying more new players.
The aforementioned players will all suit Sarri’s style of play, and they will thrive under the progressive Italian. Ampadu looks mature beyond his years and so comfortable at centre back. He will surely be a hit for Sarri and will get even better. So, do we need your Rugani’s or your Caldara’s? Not forgetting that Kurt Zouma is still at the club, although I’m not confident that he will be as strong under Sarri’s style.
Hudson-Odoi has already been given the freedom to express himself in the two pre-season matches and already looks to be loving the confidence shown in him by his manager. He will flourish under Sarri, and he could become one of the first names on the team sheet. As much as I’d love to see a top-class winger such as Leon Bailey arrive, if we are keeping Willian, Moses and Pedro, then if anyone else arrived it would only mean losing Hudson-Odoi. Don’t get me wrong, I want a new winger, but ONLY if we sold Pedro or Willian.
Then we have Loftus-Cheek and Barkley, two absolutely class players who will love playing for Sarri in that advanced midfield role. It will surely be these two competing to play as that third midfielder unless anyone else arrives. So yes, again, I’d love to see Milinkovic-Savic arrive and play for Chelsea, but it would mean that probably Loftus-Cheek would leave. A player who loves Chelsea has been here since the age of 8 and has done enough to deserve his chance this season.
It’s swings and roundabouts. Do I want us to sign quality? Absolutely. But would I be concerned if we started the season tomorrow with what we have got? No, far from it.
There are also players like Pedro and Davide Zappacosta, who have both looked like entirely different players already. I know we are only two games into pre-season and nobody can be judged yet. But Pedro in particular looks like his leash has been let off under Sarri, he is much more suited to that style of football and will surely have his best season at the club so far.
Willian is another who I believe will improve under Sarri. Yes, I know he is almost 30, and it’s weird saying a 30-year-old will improve. But to me, it’s just stating a fact. Give a creative and expressive player room and freedom to be expressive; then he will surely improve. Willian has the potential to reach the next level under Sarri’s guidance.
At the minute I’d only be concerned about Alvaro Morata, and potentially the full-back positions. I don’t believe Morata wants to be here and I’m not sure that mentally he is on it right now. His head always drops when things aren’t going his way, and we need more than that. That could change, and believe me; I want it to, I want him to succeed here.
But, for me, Michy Batshuayi would be a far better option as the main striker right now, he suits Sarri’s style of play, has a point to prove, and is an excellent finisher. Something we have lacked recently, we need a natural goalscorer who is good with the ball at his feet, playing one-touch football, who can also be in the box to finish off far too many wasted opportunities we have seen.
I even believe that Tammy Abraham would be excellent under Sarri. He is hungry, quick, holds the ball up well and is an absolute menace when pressing high.
I do think we will lose some players, and I can still see us signing one or two more before the deadline. But for me, I’m entirely relaxed at whatever happens now. I think Sarri will train the best out of so many of our players and many will surprise supporters this season.
What are your thoughts? Let us know!
