There are 14 days until Chelsea’s season starts – so we’ve picked out 14 issues the club need to solve desperately if they’re to avoid another disaster campaign.
When Enzo Maresca was appointed it felt like there was plenty of time to get things sorted, but the Euros really disrupted things and the tightening of spending rules across Europe have created a very tough market without much liquidity.
A couple of early deals for squad players like Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu had plenty of promise, but things have largely ground to a halt since, with both sales and purchases proving hard to execute.
These aren’t all questions for Maresca of course – just as many are things the co-sporting directors need to figure out, and some are for the owners themselves as they desperately try to get back into the Champions League.
14 issues for 14 hectic days at Stamford Bridge
Here they are in all their glory:
- Fix the sloppy defensive mistakes.
- Sort out Conor Gallagher’s contract or transfer.
- Decide if Marc Guiu is going to be our backup striker, or sign a new one.
- Figure out what to do with Ben Chilwell – he got no minutes against Man City.
- Make a final decision on the number one goalkeeper to start the season.
- Work out how to fit Christopher Nkunku into the front line.
- Decide on a midfield – Enzo and Caicedo and Dewsbury-Hall all in, with Lavia on the bench?
- Sell or loan Romelu Lukaku before things get even more awkward.
- Make a final decision on who gets the final precious loan slots.
- Any chance of a shirt sponsor?
- Can we shift Kepa permanently?
- Getting Cole Palmer back to fitness and figuring out where he fits into the team.
- Get Nicolas Jackson up to match fitness to be ready to start the season.
- Build some confidence with wins in our final friendlies.