With the 2015 premiere league title wrapped up in all
certainty baring a calamitous collapse, Chelsea should look forward to the
2015-2016 season, with the objective of retaining the title and setting the bar
to compete with Barcelona and Bayern for Champions league glory.
The current team has age on its side, so why do you need to improve
the squad which presumably will get better with age and experience? You don’t have
to look any farther than Manchester City for the answer. Complacency, sense of
achievement and fulfillment has lead to disastrous defense of the title twice
now for city. Mourinho shouldn’t let this Chelsea team fall in the same trend.
To be a great team of this decade, Chelsea need to win the league title 3 – 4 times
to be seen in the same bracket as other great teams. Moreover, since the beginning
of 2015 this Chelsea team hasn’t been exactly an emblem of consistency or
dominance – and has been viewed as a team in decline.
So what needs to be done to fix what is broken and improve
to keep pace with ever improving Arsenal and United?
Defence:
John Terry will be a year older, Cahill is declining,
Azpilicuetta hasn’t been the same player as last year whereas Ivanovic’s improvement
in attack is equivalent to his decline as a defender. This assessment makes it
look like the team needs a total overall at the back, but probably not. Given
two months rest in the summer and time to reset, there is little doubt that the
back 4 will form a formidable band of brothers again next year. But Chelsea
need to plan for the future and set up a gradual transition process for JT to
hand over the baton. Signing of either Rafael Varane or Mat Hummels will be a
long term solution to the problem, as well as using Zouma more
often at CB. Azpilicueta eventually needs to move to RB to take over from
Ivanovic, so Chelsea should add a young LB as a long term solution for the
positions. Luis Felipe needs to move on and return to Athletico.
Mid Field:
For Chelsea midfield to be effective, Nemanja Matic needs to
be the player he was early in the season. Whats broken with Matic is very
difficult to figure out. If it is fatigue next season he should start fresh well
rested, but there is need to find a worthy replacement for rotation who can
come in and take his place to avoid the same problem next season. The same
problem could be facing Cesc Fabregas as well. Morgan Schneiderlin is probably the
answer to improve both players. Next season Schneiderlin, Matic and Fabregas
should be rotated for the 2 holding Mid field roles to ensure fatigue is not an
issue anymore.
Furthermore Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Baker should
be promoted to first team to figure in Cup games and reduce the burden on the
mid field. I believe Oscar’s time is up at Chelsea and he should be sold to the
highest bidder even if it is to a premiere league rival. Koke should be signed
as a replacement for Oscar.
Attack:
Attack is more of a conundrum for Chelsea. In Diego Costa they
have a player who will be the first choice for striker position, making it
difficult to sign a marque signing who will be willing to occupy the bench.
Drogba should call time on his playing days and move into a coaching role at
Chelsea. Loic Remy’s performance over the next few games in Costa’s absence
should define Chelsea’s transfer approach for a striker. If Remy proves to be a
worth replacement, Costa – Remy and Bamford should form the striking trio next
season. However if Remy is not the answer Chelsea should find marque signing
who will challenge Costa for the top job rather than living at the mercy of his
hamstring next season. In any case Bamford should be given a chance to prove at
Chelsea.
Additional funds from Yokohama tire deal (+18 million) and
sales of Oscar (+35million) and Luis (+12 million) should be enough to secure Koke (-22 million),
Schneiderlin ( -25million), Hummels (-35million) and help Chelsea dominate the
league again next season.
