As the pressure piles onto Steven Gerardβs shoulders Aston Villa host Graham Potterβs Chelsea. Potterβs men will look to build on four consecutive wins against a Villa side struck of attacking confidence.
I spoke to a Chelsea fan to find out more about Chelseaβs start to the season.
INTERVIEW WITH THE OPPOSITION
Itβs fair to say that Chelseaβs preseason was particularly turbulent with Todd Boehlyβs takeover finally becoming complete in May. Since then, Boehly has played a key role in the transfer market and in a managerial sacking. What are your opinions on the new owner?
In terms of the transfer window, heβs made a really good impression. Although we got rid of the likes of Rudiger and Werner we have arguably improved in both areas. Koulibaly is a solid no-nonsense defender whereas Aubameyang has shown what he can do in this league.
Tuchelβs sacking was strange and Tuchelβs stories of Boehly are a little concerning. Having said that, heβs bought in Potter who has seemed to turn our season around. So far so good for Boehly but still has a long way to go to meet Abramovichs level.
Midway through September, Chelsea acted early in sacking Thomas Tuchel after a slightly worrying run of form. Graham Potter has come in and looks to be doing well but was Tuchel dismissed too soon?
As I said it was a bit strange as on the whole, Tuchel still had the fans’ support. However, Boehly seemed keen to make a statement that he wonβt accept second best and so following reported disagreements decided to take action.
Despite Graham Potter only being in charge for a short period of time, he seems to have turned their fortunes around. As a Chelsea fan, have you noticed much difference since Potter was appointed?
Well, weβve won 4 on the trot so that is always a good thing. The football hasnβt always been great but Potter has found a way to grind out his results. I donβt think this is the final form of this team, Potter has always been associated with long-term projects, so if this is just the start Iβm quite excited about it.
Finally, whatβs your score predictions?
Iβm going 3-1 Chelsea. What can I say? Iβm confident, you have been poor and weβve been quite good.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | A SUMMER OF TRANSITION
The summer at Chelsea was marked with upheaval following Abramovich’s sale and Boehly’s takeover. From the outside, everything appeared to be a catastrophe because there didn’t appear to be a plan. Despite completing one of their most successful transfer windows to date – the upheaval continuedβ¦
In this segment, I’ll look at this season’s incomings and outgoings before assessing Chelsea’s overall window. Chelsea is reported to have spent more than Β£250 million while receiving only Β£56 million. This indicates that Boehly was eager to make a statement with his transfers and was not afraid to spend some money.
The summer’s first major signing was one that no one could have imagined. Raheem Sterling moved from the Etihad to Stamford Bridge for a reported Β£47,500,000. The cost is hefty, but when you consider the calibre of player they have purchased, it becomes considerably more justifiable. The English international has over 100 league goals and has won the Premier League four times, the FA Cup once, and the League Cup five times.
Chelsea’s next two prominent pieces of transfer business this summer have both come from abroad. Kalidou Koulibaly opted to play in England for the first time, while Aubameyang chose to rejoin Chelsea following a period in Barcelona. While Aubameyang has Premier League experience thanks to his time with Arsenal, Koulibaly was more of a gamble. So far, Chelsea’s new number 26 appears to have settled into the English game with ease, putting in strong performances.
However, two of Chelsea’s best bits of business occurred closer to home. Cucurella and Fofana, like Sterling, moved to Chelsea from Brighton and Leicester, respectively. This was a terrific swoop for two young established athletes who wanted to play in Europe. What is more astonishing is how Chelsea has weakened three of their English rivals: Manchester City, Leicester (though not this season), and Brighton.
It wasnβt all incomings as Chelsea also offloaded some significant players. The Chelsea backline took quite a hit with Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson, Sarr and Alonso were all offloaded. Promising youngster Billy Gilmour was moved on to Brighton after a series of loan spells. The frontline was also left a little light when Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner both pursued moves back to the clubs they left.
Overall, Chelsea’s window was largely successful as they revamped a side that was hit by players leaving. Although big names left such as Rudiger and Werner, they were aptly replaced by bigger names in Aubameyang and Koulibaly. Ultimately, it’s too early to tell if Chelseaβs transfer window was a success but, on the surface, it definitely looks promising.
MY PREDICTION
Chelsea are on an impressive run of form playing some good football; Villa, quite simply, arenβt. After recent performances Villa Park will not be a happy place and if the reports that the owners will be attending, Villa Park may turn toxic. As much as I want to be positive, I can only see this going one way. Iβm predicting a 4-1 loss with Gerrard to get the boot.
AUTHOR | ELLIS BURNETT
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive ellisburnett – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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