Apparently winning the Europa League and finishing third in the Premier League simply isn’t good enough at Chelsea. Just ask Maurizio Sarri.
The Italian left the club at the end of last season following months of turbulence and talisman Eden Hazard quickly followed, making his inevitable switch to Real Madrid.
Frank Lampard has been chosen as the new manager and everyone at the club is hoping that his fairy tale appointment pays off.
How will Chelsea cope with life without Hazard and is Lampard the right man to move the club forward?
Last season
Following the sacking of Antonio Conte, fellow Italian Maurizio Sarri was appointed as manager for the 2018/19 campaign. Chelsea went unbeaten in their opening twelve league matches but a turbulent second half of the season saw the club finish third, 26 points behind champions Manchester City.
Despite guiding Chelsea to the Europa League title, Sarri left the club to join Juventus after just one season in charge. There was constant unrest behind the scenes throughout the campaign and ruthless owner Roman Abramovich felt a change was necessary in order to move forward.
Next season
Club legend Frank Lampard was the man chosen to succeed Sarri as manager. After just one season of managerial experience – guiding Derby County to the Championship play-off final – Lampard has a monumental job on his hands and many believe the appointment has come too soon in his career.
Never the less, you would expect Chelsea’s all-time record goal-scorer to get more time than previous managers in order to get things right. Many of the back-room staff and some of the playing squad will still be around from Lampard’s time at the club previously. Time will tell if he can use this to his advantage.
Chelsea are preparing for the season without star-man Eden Hazard. The Belgian signed for Real Madrid last month and will be sorely missed by the fans. The 28-year-old joined the club in 2012 and has been their standout performer ever since.
The Blues are under a transfer ban during the next two transfer windows which means they cannot sign any players until the end of the season. This follows an investigation into their signing of foreign under-18 players.
Fortunately for Chelsea, Christian Pulisic was signed from Borussia Dortmund before the ban was imposed and Mateo Kovacic was also already registered with the club, as his loan deal from Real Madrid was made permanent. Such transfers may ease the loss of Hazard somewhat but a player of his caliber cannot be replaced.
Players in
Mateo Kovacic - €45.00m from Real Madrid
Christian Pulisic - €64.00m from Borussia Dortmund
Players out
Eden Hazard - €100.00m to Real Madrid
Ola Aina - €10.00m to Torino
Tomas Kalas - €9.00m to Bristol City
Eduardo - Free to Braga
Gary Cahill - Released
Todd Kane - Released
Rob Green - Retired
Predicted league finish
The predicted Premier League finish is 5th place. It will be a season of change and transition and Chelsea and they’re not likely to challenge for the title.
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