Another summer, but the same old teething problems for Chelsea as they embark on yet another American tour.
Memories of the disastrous trip last year under former boss Thomas Tuchel linger, and now, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, lessons do not seem to have been learned.
Last July, Tuchel’s hopes of preparing Chelsea for a Premier League title push and a memorable European campaign were shattered during their tour in the United States.
The intense scheduling and tiring travel, designed to accommodate the then-new US owner Todd Boehly, left Tuchel frustrated and irritable.
After a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in Orlando on July 23, 2022, Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that his squad was not adequately prepared to start the Premier League season.
Less than two months later, Tuchel was sacked, and Chelsea began a downward spiral, finishing in a disappointing 12th position – their lowest league standing in 29 years.
Now, a year later, under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership, Chelsea faces a new American tour. Although the team has shown gradual improvement in results and performances, issues persist.
The travel arrangements for this trip have been far from ideal. Based first in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and then in Philadelphia, with additional travel to cities like Atlanta and Washington for matches, Pochettino has grumbled about the challenges, from extreme heat to cold air-conditioned pitches.
The squad’s composition is another concern for Pochettino. With just two senior midfielders, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, and Gallagher linked with a possible move away, Pochettino’s frustrations are evident. The delayed Moises Caicedo deal has added to the coach’s discontent, impacting his mood during press conferences.
As Chelsea approaches their Premier League opener against Liverpool on August 13, the Argentine coach has voiced concerns about squad cohesion, referring to it as a potential “mess.” The club’s transfer activity has been slow, with 13 players sold and only four new additions so far, prompting thinly-veiled digs at players still uncertain about their futures with the team.
Despite the chaos, there have been some positives during the tour. Youngsters Ian Maatsen and Andrey Santos have impressed in the starting XI.
New forwards Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have already shown promise with four goals between them, while Mykhailo Mudryk has found his scoring touch.
However, the end of this tour cannot come soon enough for Pochettino, who faces a final Premier League series meeting with Fulham and a trip to Chicago to face Borussia Dortmund before returning to Cobham.
The real work awaits Chelsea on and off the pitch, and how they navigate these teething problems will define their upcoming season.