Chelsea have struggled mightily in the first two years under new ownership, with finishes of 12th and sixth in the Premier League table leading to an urgency from fans for a return to title contention.
Mauricio Pochettino was brought in to lead the last campaign, but despite a late-season spike in form leading to a charge up the table, the manager was allowed to leave at the conclusion of the season and Enzo Maresca was ushered in to replace him.
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill thinks the side is primed to have an improved campaign in 2024/25, though, as the experience from the last two seasons takes hold.
“They’re missing just that big of experience I think,” Cahill exclusively told The Sporting News. “You look at last couple of years, there’s been a massive transition, that’s obvious for everyone to see.”
Chelsea has one of the youngest squads in the entire English top flight, and it only got younger this summer as veteran defender Thiago Silva departed. In his place entered the likes of 25-year-old Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 18-year-old Omari Kellyman, 20-year-old Renato Veiga and 18-year-old Marc Guiu.
“With the young players comes inexperience, especially in and around the league. There’s not too many players who knew the Premier League when they first arrived, and that sometimes takes time,” added Cahill. “I think that’s what you’re seeing there at the minute, you’re seeing spikes of great form then dips and spikes again.
“You only gain experience by playing in the league, and playing at a club like Chelsea who has a big expectation and rightly so. To play in the Premier League and learn what the league’s all about, it’s one of the top leagues in the world, very fast paced — and the only way to do that is by going through experiences which they have the last couple of years.”
Cahill backing Chelsea ‘project’
Despite the trajectory and familiarity gained from the last few seasons, Cahill feels that a few veteran players may be required to balance the squad.
“I look at this like a project that’s growing, with a lot of young talent in there,” the former Chelsea defender said. “If I’m being totally honest, a couple of experienced players would help, but it’s an exciting group and it’s one that just needs a bit of time, which sometimes is difficult at a place like Chelsea because of the expectations.”
This preseason will be important for the Blues, as they look to learn the ways of their new manager and get players back from injury. Fitness concerns plagued much of last season under Pochettino, as multiple first-team stars missed significant time.
“They need to get the players like Reece [James], Ben [Chilwell], Levi Colwill back involved,” Cahill said. “These are three big players and ones who were missing from injury. It’d be great to get these guys back up to speed and fully fit for the start of the season. This is a time for them to get some good preparation ahead of the new season.
“Cole [Palmer] started unbelievably last season, and I was really impressed by [Malo] Gusto as well, I thought he had a terrific season. So just to get these guys up to the level they were at last year.”
Summer friendlies against Celtic, Man City, Real Madrid, and Inter all dot the map before the competitive fixtures arrive. According to Cahill, who is just two years removed from the end of his playing career, those games present a massive opportunity.
“You think of this preseason now with a new manager, we say this about players but this is a key time as well for the manager to get to know the players, and to really work on the training ground to stamp down the way he wants to start the season. I think it’s quite important.”
