CHELSEA FC SEASON 2019/2020. THE OVERVIEW

It has been a rough summer for Chelsea FC following the departure of Eden Hazard and facing a transfer ban, nevertheless, I believe all Chelsea fans have a couple reasons to be optimistic about the new season, and of course, the main reason is the appointment of club legend Frank Lampard as their new manager. Up next, I will share with you my thoughts as a longtime Chelsea supporter, regarding the performance we can expect from the ‘Blues’ this year.

FRANK LAMPARD

Arguably the best player to have worn the blue shirt, the former Chelsea’s eight number has been given the responsibility to lead the club from this season, for some might be too early, but I’m sure ‘Super Frankie’ will do well in charge. In fact, I think if Chelsea will be able to maintain their Champions League participation next year, will be mostly because of Frank. It is know that his current squad won´t be as powerful without their former star Eden Hazard, which will require the 41 years old manager to bring out his best tactics if he is to succeed. However, we all must remember that Frank Lampard is incredibly intelligent; besides, some other former players of the club will accompany him, like Jody Morris or Petr Cech, which for me is an immense source of hope, if there’s someone more than capable of leading Chelsea from the sidelines, that man is Frank Lampard.

THE PLAYERS

Although it was not allowed to add new players for the club during this summer window, Chelsea has several new faces in their squad, in addition to Christian Pulisic, who was signed in January. A group of young academy products plus some players returning from loan spells will try to take the best out of the situation and win a permanent place within the team. Among those new names in the squad, we have Kurt Zouma, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi.

Kurt Zouma has returned from a successful loan spell at Everton, being a starter the second half of the season and denying some big clubs to take away the three points from the Tofees more than once. The central defender is of the like of Lampard and points to start the first game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday. Michy Batshuayi had a tough six months at Valencia, but could find his form since February playing for Crystal Palace by scoring six goals. The rest spent last season on loan playing for Championship club, Recce James even captained Wigan during his time in the club, Abraham achieved promotions with Aston Villa, and Mount and Tomori played under Frank Lampard at Derby County.

Without a doubt, these are names capable of fighting for a starting spot in the lineup, which is for sure a motive to be happy and excited because will bring healthy competition throughout the season. Also, Lampard has made clear that he’s more than open to give the youth a chance and try to change the mentality an of the club.

The rest of the squad will try to compensate Eden Hazard’s departure with their experience, this season the limelight wil be over Willian, who inherited club’s number 10 jersey, the two times Premier League winner, N’Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovacic, who will want to prove his worth after Chelsea made his loan permanent, and of course, team captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Surely, Chelsea will be spending a lot of effort at trying to get a top four finish when the season ends, and this is realistically what we can demand from Frank Lampard’s men this year, it could be even be considered a feat to access to the next Champions League edition. And I say Chelsea will try the hardest to achieve this goal, because once the transfer ban is over, Champions League football will be vital to offer if we want to attract the best players to the club.

It won’t be an easy journey, and that is because the rest of the big six clubs in the league have added great talents to their squads this summer, which will get labeled their 2019/2020 campaign as a failure if they don’t get the ticket to the biggest European competition next season.

DOMESTIC CUPS

Chelsea could feature in the final stages of domestic cups this season, last season with Derby County; Frank Lampard was able to win a couple big matches like the ones against Manchester United in the League Cup, and against Leeds United coming from behind in the second leg of Championship promotion playoff. Besides, it’s worth to remember, that Chelsea has two goalkeepers experts on stopping penalties, in the case we need it.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea returns to the Champions League having finished third last season under the reign of Maurizio Sarri. The Italian manager improved Antonio Conte’s fifth place in the 2017/2018 campaign, in addition, Sarri won the Europa League confirming the ‘Blues’ appearance on the Champions League draw. Only a terrible draw could see Chelsea out early in the competition, with almost every certainty we will be watching Chelsea in the knockout stages, winning even maybe one or two ties, but falling at some point against a European Giant given our squad lack of experience in those sort of games.