For Chelsea followers, the 2023/24 Champions League has made for tough viewing. In fact, the matches have been good – the matchup between Union Berlin and Actual Madrid was one of the vital 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 recreation towards Actual Madrid that occurred in April final 12 months. Not solely did this recreation see Chelsea lose out on the prospect to elevate a 3rd Champions League trophy – though that was trying fairly slim on the probability – but it surely 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 into – we shudder to consider it – a unhealthy group.
However whereas their fortunes haven’t been nice just lately, it’s arduous to check Chelsea occurring a downward spiral, particularly contemplating their previous triumphs.
Keep in mind, 2021 and even 2012 weren’t too way back. These had been the years when Chelsea marched via a few of the finest groups on this planet, developing trumps in two finals which might be etched ceaselessly into the Blues’ reminiscence.
Do these victories enhance their Champions league odds for 2024/25? Nicely, most likely not. However there are undoubtedly cues that may be discovered by the group shifting ahead.
What Did Chelsea Get Proper?
It’s arduous to not speak concerning the 2012 Champions League marketing campaign with out mentioning club legend Didier Drogba. Within the remaining towards Bayern Munich, it was Drogba who turned hero when he equalised within the 88th minute of the sport, protecting Chelsea’s trophy hopes alive earlier than a tense penalty shootout noticed them recover from the road.
All through the marketing campaign as an entire, Drogba had been a rock for the gamers, a lot 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 very important.
Individuals overlook that, close to the start of the match, 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 had been introduced again into the combination, with their management proving very 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 below their belt, legendary players like Thiago Silva, Marcos Alonso, and Romelu Lukaku rekindled their finest kind and took management of the marketing campaign in probably the most concise method doable. Nobody anticipated them to win it. Particularly with Manchester Metropolis placing in barnstorming performances within the semis and quarters. However it 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 to be able to win the 2024/25 Champions League remaining. We’re additionally not saying that finals might 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 aren’t pulling their weight in a management sense, or the managing group aren’t taking full benefit of their management capabilities. Both method, the components to win a Champions League remaining is there for Chelsea. They simply want to return to these victories of the previous and study from them.
