For Chelsea followers, the 2023/24 Champions League has made for troublesome viewing. In fact, the matches have been good – the matchup between Union Berlin and Actual Madrid was probably the most entertaining 90 minutes of soccer in current reminiscence – however Chelsea’s absence has undoubtedly put a damper on issues.
That absence was set in stone after the disappointing sport towards Actual Madrid that occurred in April final yr. Not solely did this sport see Chelsea lose out on the prospect to raise a 3rd Champions League trophy – though that was wanting fairly slim on the probability – however it additionally ensured they might not play within the competitors throughout the present season.
There was an indeniable air of gloom when followers walked away from Stamford Bridge that day, with many questioning whether or not Chelsea had turn out to be – we shudder to consider it – a dangerous workforce.
However whereas their fortunes haven’t been nice not too long ago, it’s laborious to ascertain Chelsea occurring a downward spiral, particularly contemplating their previous triumphs.
Keep in mind, 2021 and even 2012 weren’t too way back. These have been the years when Chelsea marched via a few of the greatest groups on this planet, developing trumps in two finals which can be etched perpetually into the Blues’ reminiscence.
Do these victories enhance their Champions league odds for 2024/25? Properly, most likely not. However there are undoubtedly cues that may be realized by the workforce shifting ahead.
What Did Chelsea Get Proper?
It’s laborious to not discuss in regards to the 2012 Champions League marketing campaign with out mentioning membership legend Didier Drogba. Within the last towards Bayern Munich, it was Drogba who turned hero when he equalised within the 88th minute of the sport, retaining Chelsea’s trophy hopes alive earlier than a tense penalty shootout noticed them recover from the road.
All through the marketing campaign as a complete, Drogba had been a rock for the gamers, lots of whom had been written off earlier than the primary ball was even kicked. His expertise – in addition to the expertise of gamers like John Terry, Peter Cech, and Frank Lampard – proved important.
Individuals neglect that, close to the start of the event, Chelsea went via a full managerial change. The unique supervisor, Andre Villas-Boas had been criticised for phasing out the older gamers in favour of latest ones, however when Roberto Di Matteo took over, this ethos was switched on its head. The as soon as ostracised older gamers have been introduced again into the combination, with their management proving important in the previous couple of video games earlier than the ultimate – in addition to the ultimate itself.
In the course of the 2021 season, historical past repeated itself. Midway via the marketing campaign, Chelsea underwent a managerial change – one thing that ought to have thrown the membership into turmoil, solely it ended up making them stronger than ever.
As soon as once more, it was the skilled gamers that pulled Chelsea via. With expertise underneath their belt, legendary gamers like Thiago Silva, Marcos Alonso, and Romelu Lukaku rekindled their greatest kind and took management of the marketing campaign in essentially the most concise method doable. Nobody anticipated them to win it. Particularly with Manchester Metropolis placing in barnstorming performances within the semis and quarters. But it surely was perception within the core of older gamers – and the steadiness they’d with the newbies – that noticed them over the road.
What Do They Have to Get Proper Now?
We’re not saying that Chelsea have to sack their supervisor with a purpose to win the 2024/25 Champions League last. We’re additionally not saying that finals may be gained solely by the older era. The reality is that Chelsea had their backs to the wall in each the 2012 and 2021 campaigns, however had the management of their squad to place it to their benefit.
Proper now, that management appears to be lacking. Both the older group of gamers usually are not pulling their weight in a management sense, or the managing workforce usually are not taking full benefit of their management capabilities. Both method, the method to win a Champions League last is there for Chelsea. They simply want to return to these victories of the previous and be taught from them.
