Chelsea had a dismal campaign as they finished 10th in the Premier League. The same players who helped Chelsea win the Premier League during the 2014/15 campaign were responsible for Chelsea’s worst ever league position in the last decade. During the 2014/15 campaign, players like Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were amongst the top performers in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season. But last season was totally different. Hazard was out-of-form and Costa managed only 12 goals in the league. A few players were consistent last season but for a club which is a title contender, every player must be in good nick. Willian was Chelsea’s best player last season but Chelsea needs more such performances to compete for the title next season. There are players with great potential but they need to pull up their socks before the new campaign starts.
1.) Eden Hazard
Hazard was Chelsea’s best player in the title winning 2014/15 season. He was the best in the Premier League that season. But last season, he was a mere shadow of himself from the 2014/15 season. In 31 appearances in the league, Hazard managed only 4 goals and 3 assists which is very less compared to his 14 goals and 9 assists in the 2014/15 season. He was low on confidence throughout the season. But he had an impressive campaign at the EURO 2016 for Belgium. In 5 appearances, he managed 4 assists and scored 1 goal. Hazard seems to have rediscovered his touch and form. Chelsea will be managed by Antonio Conte next season and in the Italian’s first season as Chelsea’s head coach, he will need an in-form Hazard. So Hazard must look to pull up his socks next season.
2.) Cesc Fabregas
The Spaniard is another player who lost his touch after an impressive 2014/15 campaign. Fabregas registered a staggering 18 assists in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season. On the contrary, last season, Fabregas managed only 7 assists in 37 appearances. Fabregas is a very key figure in Chelsea’s squad. He has a great vision and has the ability to play excellent passes which result into goal-scoring chances. Last season was average according to his standards. Next season, he will have a new midfield partner in N’Golo Kante. They’ll be expected to form a strong partnership in central midfield and Fabregas’ experience will come in handy. Fabregas needs to be at his best if Chelsea want to compete for the title next season and he too must tighten his shoelaces before the new campaign starts.
3.) Diego Costa
The controversial Spanish forward too did not have a very good season. Costa was Chelsea’s biggest goal-scoring threat during the 2014/15 season when he racked up 20 goals. He was supported well by Hazard and other players that season and Chelsea clinched the title. But last season, things were different. Hazard was out of form and even Costa was not in the best of forms. He managed 12 goals in the Premier League which is less considering his standards. Costa is an aggressive striker and has been involved in a lot of incidents on the pitch. Next season will be Antonio Conte’s first season as Chelsea manager and an in-form forward will be the first thing on his wishlist. Costa’s abilities as a striker cannot be doubted. His finishing is supreme and his physical strength gives him an edge in aerial duels. There could be a change in Chelsea’s formation and Conte could play with two forwards. In that case, Costa will have to form a good partnership with Batshuayi. Costa should fire himself up before the new campaign starts.
Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor Refuses to Address Sam Kerr Exit Speculation Amid Chelsea Striker’s Uncertain Future
Sonia Bompastor has declined to discuss Sam Kerr’s future at Chelsea amid mounting speculation the Australian superstar will walk away from Stamford Bridge as a free agent this summer. The prolific striker’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, with numerous reports claiming she has already decided to leave after seven years in English football.
Bompastor shut down questions about Kerr’s situation during her pre match press conference, stating that both the forward and captain Millie Bright, remain under contract for now. The Chelsea boss made clear she will not be drawn into speculation about player futures while matches remain to be played this season.
Sam Kerr Departure Would End Glorious Era
The potential exit of Kerr alongside long time captain Bright would signal the end of Chelsea’s most successful period in their history. The club has already lost Guro Reiten permanently, while Catarina Macario is heading to America on what reports claim will be a record shattering NWSL contract worth millions.
Chelsea appears committed to rebuilding around younger talent rather than extending deals for established stars entering the latter stages of their careers. This strategic shift could see several high profile names depart simultaneously this summer.
American Clubs Preparing Lucrative Offers for Sam Kerr
Multiple NWSL franchises are circling for Kerr’s signature, hoping to lure the Australian back to the United States, where she previously starred before joining Chelsea. The American league has dramatically increased investment in recent years, offering salaries that can now compete with European clubs.
Ian Wright publicly criticized any decision to offer Kerr merely a short extension rather than a substantial long term deal, arguing her legendary status deserves better recognition. However, Chelsea’s transfer strategy appears already set, with youth recruitment taking priority over sentiment towards club icons nearing the end of their peak years.
Chelsea
26-Year-Old Set for $8M Move to San Diego Wave as Chelsea Striker Expected to Leave Stamford Bridge With Transfer Window Nearing Final Days
Catarina Macario is expected to leave Chelsea F.C. Women and complete a move to San Diego Wave FC with the transfer window nearing its final days. Reports suggest the NWSL side is working quickly to finalize the deal, which could be worth roughly $8 million in total contract value.
The proposed transfer fee is believed to be around $300,000, which is frankly a favorable outcome for Chelsea given that Macario’s contract expires this summer. Without a sale now, the American international could have left the club as a free agent at the end of the season, which would have been disastrous business.
San Diego Using High Impact Player Rule
San Diego Wave are planning to sign the forward using the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule, a mechanism that allows clubs to pay certain star players up to $1 million outside the league’s salary cap. To qualify, players must meet specific performance or profile criteria, which Macario certainly does.
The current NWSL salary cap stands at $3.7 million, making the rule an important tool for attracting top international talent. This represents a significant investment from San Diego, who are absolutely serious about building a championship winning squad.
Has Not Featured Regularly for Chelsea
Macario has not featured regularly for Chelsea in recent weeks, partly due to injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding her future. Despite her absence, Chelsea recently secured their first trophy of the season by defeating Manchester United Women in the Women’s League Cup final.
The London club remain active on multiple fronts, still competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and preparing for the quarter final stage of the Women’s FA Cup.
Chelsea Sit Third in WSL
However, Chelsea’s domestic league campaign has been more challenging. For the first time in five seasons, they are no longer clear favorites for the Women’s Super League title under manager Sonia Bompastor.
Chelsea
Joe Montemurro Makes Remarkable Juventus vs Chelsea Comparison After Matildas Gets Past Best Team at Asia Cup
Joe Montemurro showed a flexibility to his approach in the Women’s Asian Cup quarter finals that meant the Matildas prevailed by adapting to the circumstances in front of them, even if it was contradictory to the style that is in his DNA. Australia edged North Korea 2-1 in Perth to make the semi finals in what was a resilient performance against the tournament’s best team.
“Let’s be frank and honest here. Winning football games like that, it usually happens in tournaments,” Montemurro said after the victory. The Italian boss then turned to his captain, Sam Kerr, in the press conference and referenced one of his key wins in European football with Juventus against her Chelsea side.
Had 450 Million Shots and We Had One
“I’ve done it a few times like that in Champions League. I think there was a game against Chelsea, we got a draw. They had 450 million shots, and we had one,” Montemurro said with a smile. This Champions League reference perfectly illustrated the type of performance Australia needed to overcome North Korea.
He added, “We knew that they were a great side. They’re the best team in the tournament. They really are. So we just had to be methodical. Where we won the game were the little bits in between, as we were losing the ball or as we were winning the ball to keep our shape and keep our organisation. We didn’t create much. We had to resist a lot.”
It’s Who I Am But Part of Remit to Win
Montemurro was absolutely honest about abandoning his preferred style for tournament pragmatism. “Do I want to play a possession based game? Do I want to keep the ball? It’s who I am. It’s my DNA, but part of my remit is to win football matches,” he explained.
He continued, “Sometimes you have to have that flexibility. At this level, it’s all about moments. It’s all about taking those moments.”
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