The Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for a very successful campaign this year…
Last season was better far than most fans could ever have expected, with Antonio Conte’s side storming to the Premier League title with relative ease.
This season, though, with the return of the Champions League, the Blues are setting their targets a little bit higher. It’s been a few years since that famous night in Munich in 2012, and so a Champions League challenge will be expected over the coming weeks and months.
However, according to pundit and writer Stan Collymore, this is not a very realistic expectation for the Blues.
Indeed, via the Mirror, Collymore has said: “I just don’t see that little bit of stardust in their squad that I see in United’s and Liverpool’s..they just don’t have a player or players who can produce a couple of games in a quarter-final or semi-final”.
He added: “So there’s no way the Blues are winning it, and no way can anybody convince me that, with their personnel or their tactics, they would beat Spain’s big boys without incredible luck over two matches”.
Essentially, Collymore’s argument boils down to – among other things – a lack of quality within the first team squad. Comparing their personnel to the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Sadio Mane, it doesn’t appear as though he is impressed.
Conveniently, Collymore appears to have forgotten just how many top tier players Chelsea have in their squad. The likes of Thibaut Courtois, N’Golo Kante and Pedro – all of whom Collymore did not touch upon – are amongst Europe’s best, and that is a factor that cannot be discounted.
Still, he is right about one thing, it’s going to be tough for Chelsea to go all the way, but you can bet that Antonio Conte will try.
Landlord’s Verdict
It’ll be tough for Chelsea this season, no doubt, but it will be equally hard for the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd.
Neither of those teams has the benefit of having consistent years in Europe over the last few years, whereas Chelsea do – barring last season.
It would be foolish to write off anyone quite yet.
Chelsea fans – thoughts?
Let us know below!
