Analysis

Our Exclusive Analysis: Chelsea 2022/23 Season Review

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Chelsea fans will want to forget the 2022/23 season quickly as it was a historically bad campaign.

Under the ownership of Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital, the team experienced record-low points, fewer goals scored, and overall poor morale.

The season review highlights the need for serious improvements to prevent a repeat of such a disastrous performance next year. It was a tough season for Chelsea, and there is a lot of work ahead.

In this analysis report, we reflect on the key highlights and events from Chelsea’s 2022-23 campaign.

THE STATISTICS:

Final Premier League position: 12th

Carabao Cup: Third round

FA Cup: Third round

Champions League: Quarter-finals

Top scorer: Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling (9 goals each)

Chelsea 2022/23 Season SUMMARY:

In a surprising turn of events, Thomas Tuchel was sacked just a week after a significant spending spree by Chelsea.

Despite collecting 10 points from six Premier League games, including wins over Everton, Leicester City, and West Ham United, they suffered defeats to Leeds United and Southampton.

The final blow came with a loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, resulting in Tuchel’s departure 15 hours later.

The club then made another surprising move by swiftly acquiring Graham Potter from Brighton & Hove Albion for a substantial fee.

Initially, Potter’s appointment seemed to be a great decision. He achieved six wins and three draws in his first nine games, including an impressive winning streak and notable victories against AC Milan and Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.

However, his return to the Amex Stadium proved to be the beginning of his downfall, as Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down within 14 minutes and ultimately lost 4-1.

After the World Cup break, Potter’s performance took a downturn, with the west Londoners suffering seven defeats in 10 matches.

Their only victories during that period came in a meaningless European match against Dinamo Zagreb and a home Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Despite this disappointing run, the club’s ownership, led by Boehly, remained determined and continued their aggressive approach in the transfer market.

However, their summer signings such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to justify their high price tags.

In January, the owners made more thoughtful signings, bringing in players like Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, and promising Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos.

These additions to the squad would be highly valued by many clubs in Europe, and there is hope that Santos, in particular, could develop into a future star given enough time.

Despite the aggressive approach in the transfer market, the club faced criticism for stockpiling players, which created difficulties in training and team management.

One crucial issue was the failure to sign a recognized center-forward, which was a significant concern for the team.

By January 1, Chelsea had scored only 20 goals in 16 matches, and their goal-scoring woes continued in the early part of 2023, with just three goals in six fixtures across all competitions.

The owners, Boehly and Clearlake Capital, had hoped that Joao Felix would provide the much-needed goal-scoring prowess, despite his previous seasons at Atletico Madrid yielding no more than 10 goals.

A brief period of optimism arose with a four-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League between January 15 and February 11.

However, this was overshadowed by the team’s lack of productivity, scoring just two goals while managing three clean sheets during that period.

The Blues managed to bounce back with three successive wins, including an impressive comeback in the Champions League last 16 against Borussia Dortmund.

However, their momentum was halted with a 2-2 draw against Everton just before the March international break, despite holding the lead on two occasions.

Although Chelsea found themselves in 10th place and four points behind sixth position, there were initially no indications that Graham Potter would be sacked.

However, a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa proved to be the final straw, leading to Potter’s dismissal after just 31 games in charge. His overall record stood at 12 wins, eight draws, and 11 defeats.

After Potter’s departure, Bruno Saltor, a member of his coaching staff, took charge of the club in a goalless draw against Liverpool.

However, the notable presence of Frank Lampard at that game led to him being appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Unfortunately, Lampard’s tenure proved to be unproductive for everyone involved. Chelsea’s chances of European qualification diminished, and the manager could only secure five points from nine games.

As a result, the Blues failed to reach 50 points in a Premier League season for the first time in their history.

During Lampard’s brief spell, Chelsea faced Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, losing 2-0 in both legs and exiting the competition without making a significant impact.

While the responsibility for Chelsea’s shortcomings cannot be solely attributed to any specific coach, manager, or player, the combined efforts of Tuchel, Potter, and Lampard resulted in just 16 wins from 50 matches in all competitions.

Now, the task falls upon Mauricio Pochettino to analyze and address the issues faced by the team.

CHELSEA’S BEST PLAYER OF THE 2022/23 SEASON: THIAGO SILVA

Despite Chelsea’s significant investments in players like Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, and Kalidou Koulibaly, it is the 38-year-old Thiago Silva, signed on a free transfer, who has been the standout performer.

None of the expensive signings can replicate what Silva brings to the team. However, the veteran center-back’s time at Chelsea has not been without challenges.

He experienced three consecutive defeats in April and May, including a demoralizing 4-1 loss to Brighton where it felt like everything was falling apart for Chelsea, providing entertainment for their rivals and critics.

Silva was also present during defeats to Southampton and Leeds, which ultimately led to the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

Amidst the overall poor performances from the team, the Brazilian defender stands out as someone who manages to remain composed and focused on his role.

Being an experienced player who has previously played for Paris Saint-Germain likely contributes to his ability to handle the pressure.

Throughout the season, Silva consistently delivered excellent and composed displays as he tried to lift Chelsea out of their slump, particularly in a defense that faced significant criticism.

While his form may have slightly declined towards the end of the season, there was no real competition to challenge him for the recognition he deserves.

CHELSEA’S GOAL OF THE SEASON: CONOR GALLAGHER VS CRYSTAL PALACE

Amidst a season that lacked memorable goals, Conor Gallagher’s exceptional strike against Crystal Palace in October stands out as a moment worth cherishing.

Gallagher nutmegged his defender before unleashing a powerful shot from a considerable distance, which found the back of the net.

This spectacular goal secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Chelsea and marked a period of optimism that would prove to be one of the few bright spots in the season.

Notably, the goal held additional significance as it came against the midfielder’s former loan club, adding an extra layer of excitement to the occasion.

CHELSEA’S SIGNING OF THE SEASON: ENZO FERNANDEZ

Stamford Bridge saw the arrival of 16 new players this season, but the disappointment felt by fans suggests that most of them might depart soon.

However, there were a few positives to take from the signings, with Enzo Fernandez standing out as the most expensive acquisition.

Despite Chelsea spending nearly £107m to secure his services from Benfica in January, they never regretted the investment.

The 22-year-old quickly established himself as one of the team’s top performers and displayed exceptional leadership qualities. Fernandez is seen as a future star who will shine for years to come.

During his first half-season at the club, the Argentine made 22 appearances, impressing fans with his commitment and consistency, even in a system that didn’t always maximize his abilities.

He never disappointed the supporters.

CHELSEA’S MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE SEASON: LEWIS HALL

Lewis Hall is unquestionably a worthy recipient of this accolade despite only featuring in nine Premier League matches this season.

Although primarily a midfielder, the 18-year-old spent much of the season on the bench. However, whenever he did get a chance to play, he wasted no time in making a significant impact.

He consistently outperformed his more experienced and expensive teammates, demonstrating his readiness to compete at the Premier League level.

While it remains uncertain whether Hall’s future lies in midfield or as an impressive left-back, he can reflect on his individual campaign with great pride.

CHELSEA’S RISING STAR OF THE SEASON: NONI MADUEKE

Noni Madueke joined Chelsea midway through the season for a fee of €33m, stepping into a club that was experiencing a downward spiral.

Despite these challenging circumstances, the 21-year-old has managed to impress during his limited appearances for the team.

After six substitute outings and spending considerable time on the bench, Madueke finally earned his first start against Arsenal in May.

In an otherwise lackluster performance from Lampard’s side, the former Tottenham youth player stood out as a bright spot. He continued to shine in the manager’s first victory against Bournemouth, further cementing his promising talent.

It is now evident that Madueke should be considered one of the players around whom the team can be built in the upcoming season.

CHELSEA’S BEST GAME OF THE SEASON: CHELSEA 3-0 AC MILAN

Chelsea’s season consisted of 50 games, but they only managed to win 16 of them, resulting in a shortlist of top performances.

While their Premier League campaign fell short, Chelsea delivered sensational displays in European competition, particularly in their memorable 3-0 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in October.

Despite AC Milan later reaching the Champions League final, it was Chelsea who appeared deserving of that spot in their commanding victory.

Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley Fofana, and Reece James secured an emphatic win for Graham Potter’s team.

THE FAN FAVOURITE RESULT:

Surprisingly, there were several noteworthy performances in the Champions League that could contend for this award.

Chelsea’s achievements in the competition stood out, particularly their victories over AC Milan in both home and away matches during the group stage, without conceding a goal.

Additionally, their win against Red Bull Salzburg, which ended the Austrian team’s impressive 40-match unbeaten home record, secured their place in the last 16.

The draw pairing Chelsea with Borussia Dortmund was initially seen as a favorable outcome. However, Dortmund had experienced a resurgence after the winter break and were on a winning streak when the Blues were going through a difficult period.

In the first leg, the Blues squandered their opportunities at Westfalenstadion and suffered a 1-0 defeat. However, this set the stage for the second leg at Stamford Bridge, where Potter’s team emerged victorious with a memorable 2-0 win on a remarkable night in West London.

The west Londoners had missed several chances before Sterling managed to find the back of the net from close range, leveling the tie on aggregate. However, the match became interesting in the second half.

Havertz became the hero by scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot, although it took him two attempts to convert. His initial effort struck the post but was disallowed due to a Dortmund player encroaching into the penalty area.

The match was highly engaging, and more goals were expected, but Chelsea held on to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

Unfortunately, their journey ended there as they were ultimately outplayed by Real Madrid.

CHELSEA’S FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE SEASON:

THOMAS TUCHEL VS ANTONIO CONTE

The Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Tottenham ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, packed with drama not only on the pitch but also involving the two managers, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte.

While the teams provided an exciting spectacle, with Harry Kane securing a last-minute equalizer for Spurs, it was Tuchel and Conte who stole the post-match spotlight.

Throughout the game, the two managers engaged in heated exchanges on the sidelines, frequently celebrating in front of each other when their respective teams scored.

Tuchel’s exuberant celebration came when Reece James scored a late goal to put Chelsea in the lead. However, it was Conte who had the final say as Kane’s header salvaged a point for Tottenham, giving him the last laugh in this intense managerial battle.

Tempers reached a boiling point after the final whistle as both Conte and Tuchel were sent off following an incident that is likely to be remembered in Premier League history.

In the customary post-match handshake, tensions escalated quickly as neither Conte nor Tuchel seemed willing to release their grip on each other’s hand. An enraged Conte turned around abruptly, confronting Tuchel in a heated exchange.

The two managers briefly squared off, requiring intervention from coaching staff and players to separate them.

Referee Anthony Taylor then intervened, showing red cards to both Conte and Tuchel as a consequence of their actions.

A NOTE FROM THE SEASON:

The entire season for Chelsea was an unmitigated disaster, with no aspect to look back on favorably.

None of the competitions yielded positive results, and all four managers involved will feel disappointment in their performances. The majority of players experienced the stress, and the overall outcome was simply dreadful.

Although significant changes occurred behind the scenes during the summer, nobody could have predicted the magnitude of Chelsea’s downfall. Every decision made, from start to finish, seemed to be the wrong one, leaving the team in a state of wounded pride.

While it is possible to single out players who underperformed (and there were many), no one can be pointed out in this catastrophic situation.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHELSEA IN THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW?

Resolving the multitude of issues is a complex task, but their top priority should be ensuring cooperation with Premier League regulations.

The need to oversee player sales this summer was already present, but it has become even more urgent due to reduced Premier League prize money and the absence of European football next season.

With declining revenue streams, it is necessary to further reduce the playing squad and wage bill. Chelsea still have deficiencies in various areas that must be addressed.

To avoid being trapped in mid-table mediocrity in the long run, the club needs to rectify these shortcomings.

In addition to the expected arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, Chelsea must prioritize securing a new goalkeeper, central midfielder, and center-forward.

It may also be necessary to acquire a player who can operate as the most advanced midfielder or as a number 10 behind the striker.

As Pochettino takes charge of Chelsea, he will have a foundation of academy graduates to work with, but he must also focus on integrating the next wave of talented prospects into the senior squad.

Lewis Hall has already demonstrated his potential and deserves a spot in Pochettino’s team. Additionally, players like Levi Colwill, currently on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brazilian youngster Santos should also be considered.

Pochettino’s group should ideally consist of around 23 to 25 players, allowing for a balanced and manageable squad size.

FINAL VERDICT:

Chelsea’s disappointing third-place finish last season raised expectations for a more competitive title challenge, but the reality has been a dreadful season that has left fans concerned about the future.

The true impact of this historically bad season may only be understood in hindsight, but it is clear that the Blues needs to start afresh this summer.

The appointment of Pochettino as the new head coach has generated mixed opinions, even considering his previous Premier League success.

The departure of underperforming players offers a glimmer of hope for a fresh start and rejuvenation at Chelsea.

While there are no silver linings from this disastrous campaign, it marks an opportunity for the club to turn the page and embark on a new chapter.

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