Opinion: Chelsea Named Football's Most Embarrassing Team of 2023

Over the past year, Chelsea has faced ridicule and criticism as they have spent over £1 billion on players who have failed to meet expectations, leading to their reputation being tarnished.

By: Anna Ciao

12/12/2023 08:23

During the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Goodison Park, Chelsea fans began chanting derogatory songs about poverty just over a minute after kick-off. This behavior, mocking a city with a history of socio-economic challenges like Liverpool, was unsurprising but certainly not amusing. However, what followed in the match provided some legitimate amusement.

Firstly, Everton, led by manager Sean Dyche, convincingly defeated Mauricio Pochettino's expensively assembled Chelsea squad with a 2-0 victory. This result not only helped Everton move away from the relegation zone but also brought Chelsea closer to it.

Secondly, in his post-match press conference, Pochettino suggested that the club might need to spend even more money in the upcoming January transfer window to salvage their disappointing season. While Pochettino appeared serious about the lack of perceived quality available to him, neutral fans across the country couldn't help but find some humor in the situation.

Chelsea has garnered a reputation as a subject of mockery, becoming the inspiration for countless memes and gifs that continue to circulate.

Historically bad Premier League team

Despite high hopes for improvement, this season has brought more chaos for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as coach in May, and the club spent an additional £400 million on players, bringing the total expenditure since the consortium led by Todd Boehly took control of the club in 2022 to over £1 billion.

However, under Pochettino's leadership, Chelsea has failed to make any progress. They currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League, the same position they finished in the previous season. With just 19 points from 16 games under Pochettino, their performance has been lackluster.

In total, Chelsea has accumulated only 39 points in 2023, which is tied for the lowest tally by an ever-present Premier League team during a single calendar year. Despite the significant spending, the end result is a historically poor football team.

More losses than wins

To be fair, Mauricio Pochettino has overseen some promising performances during his tenure at Chelsea, particularly against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City. However, it is worth noting that all three of these games were played at home, and Chelsea failed to secure victories in any of them. Costly defensive lapses and poor finishing in the attacking third were the primary reasons for these missed opportunities.

It is not fair to hold Pochettino solely accountable for individual mistakes or missed chances, although reports of unrest among the forwards regarding a perceived lack of tactical instruction may have contributed to the team's struggles. Ultimately, managers are judged by their results, and thus far this season, Chelsea has lost more league games (seven) than they have won (five), while also conceding as many goals as they have scored (26).

No excuses but...

Mauricio Pochettino's attempts to make excuses for Chelsea's poor results have been met with skepticism. Despite his insistence that he is not trying to make excuses, he has pointed to a lengthy injury list and the need for time to get the best out of his players.

However, these arguments hold little weight. For instance, on November 25, Chelsea suffered a 4-1 defeat to a Newcastle team that has been heavily affected by injuries this season. Additionally, Chelsea is not even competing in European competitions this season, so fatigue cannot be blamed for their inconsistent performances.

Pochettino's suggestion that an extra day of rest was a decisive factor in the team's loss to Manchester United was seen as ludicrous, especially considering that United is also fighting for their Champions League survival.

Furthermore, Pochettino knew the pressure that came with managing Chelsea and the expectation for immediate improvement. He had previous experience at Paris Saint-Germain, a club known for its poor transfer market decisions, yet still chose to take on the challenge at Stamford Bridge. As a result, sympathy for his predicament is in short supply.

Embarrassed by Emery and Postecoglou

It is indeed worth noting that while Chelsea has several players sidelined due to injuries, very few of them can be considered potential game-changers. Christopher Nkunku may bring some improvement to the struggling attack, but he is not the world-class number 9 that the club has neglected to sign in consecutive transfer windows. Ben Chilwell is a decent wing-back, and Reece James has shown world-class potential on certain occasions. However, injuries are a part of the game, and Pochettino should have been aware of the risk of relying on James to stay fit for extended periods.

Ultimately, the impact of injuries has affected the squad's depth rather than the strength of the starting lineup. Other clubs have managed to cope with long-term injuries more effectively, achieving positive results and playing an exciting brand of football with smaller squads and at a fraction of Chelsea's expenditure. Aston Villa and Tottenham, under the management of Unai Emery and Ange Postecoglou respectively, have faced similar challenges but have been able to perform admirably with fewer resources.

Pochettino safe by default

The defeat suffered by Chelsea at Goodison Park highlighted the significant investment made in the squad, with a starting lineup valued at approximately £468 million in transfer fees alone. Despite the presence of high-profile players such as Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson on the bench, Chelsea still slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat.

Currently, there are no indications that Pochettino's position is under threat. This is likely due to the fact that sacking him would once again highlight the owners' poor decision-making in terms of managerial appointments. The club shockingly dismissed Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel after just seven games last season, abandoned the Graham Potter project after a mere seven months, and comically installed Frank Lampard on an interim basis.

Firing Pochettino before the midway point of the season would be difficult to justify to even the most loyal supporters, as it would further demonstrate the board's lack of direction and stability. The board has already been subject to ridicule for their handling of managerial appointments.

Pochettino's suggestion that the squad still requires strengthening is a damning indictment of the club's transfer market activities over the past 18 months. If the manager's claims are accurate, and the squad is indeed in need of a defender, central midfielder, and striker, it reflects poorly on the owners' ability to identify and acquire suitable players, perhaps indicating a broader issue with their decision-making.

Facing an FFP nightmare?

It is evident that Chelsea's results need to improve rapidly for all parties involved. The club made a significant investment with the belief that they could secure a Champions League spot by the following year at the latest. However, this now appears unlikely, as Chelsea currently sit 14 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

The concern now is that Chelsea's financial situation could be impacted by their inability to offload underperforming players with long-term contracts. There is a risk of running into Financial Fair Play (FFP) problems if the club cannot address this issue during the upcoming transfer windows. Reports have already indicated that Chelsea will need to sell before they can make further signings in January, which means there may not be an easy fix for Pochettino's problems.

Fortunately, Chelsea has a run of winnable games leading up to the turn of the year, which provides an opportunity to climb into the top half of the table. However, nothing can be taken for granted, as the team has struggled against supposedly weaker opponents in the past. Their lack of incisiveness has been costly against teams that sit back, making it difficult for Chelsea to break them down.

As the festive season approaches, it is worth considering the challenges faced by Chelsea and their supporters. While Christmas is typically a time of celebration, it can also be difficult for those experiencing tough times. Chelsea's struggles serve as a reminder that money cannot buy class and success on the football pitch.

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.