BREAKING NEWS: “Managing Chelsea: Victor Osimhen Joins, Conor Gallagher Signs, Four Players Sold, and Transfer Strategy Altered.”
Graham Potter famously declared that managing Chelsea was the toughest job in football. Two years later, after two more coaches, his words still resonate. Enzo Maresca, the latest manager, hasn’t been in charge long, but maybe Potter’s assessment was accurate.
Mauricio Pochettino took on the challenge, juggling a young squad, unprecedented injury problems, and a club still figuring out its identity and leadership. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t solidify his position under the current directors. Maresca, however, hopes to bring stability to Stamford Bridge and halt the club’s decline.
Achieving this under intense scrutiny and pressure is no easy task. Chelsea aims to return to the top four, a feat last accomplished under Thomas Tuchel in the 2021/22 season. With significant changes to the squad and only four weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, they need to make strategic adjustments. Despite finishing sixth last season and reaching a domestic cup semi-final and final, the squad hasn’t improved on paper yet.
Much has already transpired, and more developments are expected. Unlike Pochettino, Chelsea’s core group from last year won’t require an adjustment period, but players returning from injury—like Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana—will need time to regain match fitness. Maresca must also ensure individual improvements continue to avoid falling behind their ambitious rivals.
Executing such comprehensive and significant business in one transfer window is a tall order, and expecting a single person to manage it all is unreasonable. Football.london explores how Maresca can prepare for the 2024/25 season.
Despite managers (or head coaches in this case) no longer being solely in charge, Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart handle transfers, with input from Maresca. Here’s how the situation should unfold for optimal results.
Sign Victor Osimhen
Let’s start with the basics. Although finances are a concern, qualifying for the Champions League can alleviate many financial burdens, though not all.
If Chelsea secures Victor Osimhen, their chances of reclaiming a spot in Europe’s elite competitions increase significantly. However, risks are involved due to his performance decline at Napoli last season, the substantial transfer fee of around £113 million, and his lack of experience playing in England. Yet, rewards often require taking risks.
Chelsea won’t reclaim their status by pursuing second-tier options. After missing out on Michael Olise and apparently Nico Williams, they need a transformative player, and Osimhen could be that star.
If acquiring Osimhen means offloading Romelu Lukaku through a swap plus a loan with an obligation to buy, even better. Osimhen is a world-class forward waiting for a club to secure his talents. While Viktor Gyokeres is talented, he doesn’t match Osimhen’s caliber.
Trim the Squad
Initially, the plan was to ‘sort out the squad,’ but that’s too broad and evident. Chelsea must be ruthless in reducing the number of players to streamline operations effectively. The current roster is bloated, which isn’t beneficial for anyone.
The development/Under-21 team is crowded with players who either lack a future at the club or were recruited as potential long-term projects. Currently, they obstruct the path to playing time for genuine academy prospects.
The list of such players includes, but isn’t limited to: Lukaku (once again), Cesare Casadei, David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington, Diego Moreira, Gabriel Slonina, Alex Matos, Angelo Gabriel, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and other first-team players needing game time next season like Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, and Omari Kellyman.
Not all these players can succeed at Chelsea, and only six (at most) can be sent on international loans. With potentially four of those spots filling up soon, the situation is even more complicated.
What about the Cobham academy players hoping for senior football opportunities? The current approach of mass recruiting young talent requires reevaluation. Starting by selling anyone from the list above who receives a reasonable offer is crucial. Lukaku, Casadei, Kepa, and Fofana have more market value and should be prioritized for sale.