It’s fair to say there have been mixed views on where Chelsea will finish come the end of this season, and it’s been hotly debated in TV studios up and down the country. In Mauricio Pochettino, they have a man that can put a real stamp on style and philosophy, but with a real hodge podge of a squad following the higgeldy piggeldy investment over the last few seasons, it must be difficult for the manager to know where to even start.
That’s certainly been reflected in the results so far this season, with just one win in four and defeats to both West Ham and Nottingham Forest. But Chelsea fans believe they have the right man, as does the vast majority of football. It’s just how long is it going to take for it to click?
That will have a massive say on where the Blues finish this season, but it could well set them up for a positive one next term, particularly if the European spots are achieved.
Can Chelsea make Europe?
The bookmakers are always a good indicator of where a team could finish, and with no European competition to compete in this season, full focus can be on the league and domestic cup competitions.
It’s a chance for the “easier wins” if there is such a thing in football, with the League Cup potentially a good trophy to go for and make a statement that it is a new era under both Poch and Boehly, who has hardly endeared himself to Blues fans so far.
While he’s spent money, his approach has simply been to throw as much money as he can at the squad and hope something will stick. A bit like someone pumping hundreds of pounds into the Starburst slot in the hope of hitting the jackpot. So far that jackpot hasn’t been hit, just a series of ways to get around financial fair play.
Chelsea’s chance of winning the League Cup, and thus gaining European football is priced at 8/1 at present, just behind Liverpool and Manchester United, with their neighbours City the favourites at 7/2.
The FA Cup marks a similar story, with Poch’s men at 9/1, behind Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the pecking order.
Finishing in the top four
Of course, it’s the league where fans want to see improvement. A 12th placed finish wasn’t good enough, albeit during a difficult season off the field, and the top four will undoubtedly be the main aims of the club.
They’re priced at 15/8 with most bookies to finish in the top four and are being backed by a number of pundits, including Robbie Savage, but it’s a tight field, and form will need to be reversed quickly.
Both Tottenham and Manchester United are ahead of the Blues according to oddsmakers at the moment, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, who will all be looking at top spot rather than the top four.
Spurs have found their groove already under Ange Postecoglu and have also signed well this summer, but Manchester United are in a similar position to Chelsea, and can’t quite find any form of rhythm.
Still, there’s a long way to go and the run up to the Arsenal game in mid-October provides Pochettino with the opportunity to get some points on the board. Do that, and those odds could change quite quickly in the run-up to that game, providing an opportunity to kick on and have a successful season at the Bridge.
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