There’s no single reason. It’s been a mix of 4 big problems since the new owners came in 2022:
1. TOO MUCH SQUAD TURNOVER
The problem :Chelsea bought 30+ players in 2 years. ₦1B plus spent.
– No time to build chemistry. New manager, new system, new players every 6 months.
– Example: In 2024, they started 22 different players in the league. No settled XI.
– Veterans like Azpilicueta, Kate, Jorginho left. Leadership vacuum.
Sign:You see players not knowing each other’s runs. Misplaced passes.
2. MANAGER INSTABILITY*
– Tuchel → Potter → Lampard interim → Pochettino → Maresca
– 5 managers in 3 years. Each manager wants a different players and style.
– Maresca came in 2024 with possession plus high line” but the squad was built for counters. Takes time to adapt.
Fans plus players never get consistency.
3. INJURIES PLUS YOUNG SQUAD
The problem : Chelsea’s average squad age is ∼23. Youngest in the PL.
– Key players keep getting injured: James, Nkunku, Lavia, Fofana missed 50-plus games combined in 2 seasons.
– Young players: Palmer, Caicedo, Enzo are talented but inconsistent. They win 4-0 one week, lose 1-0 the next.
– No “winners” in the dressing room to drag games over the line.
4. OFF-FIELD CHAOS / FFP PRESSURE
– Boehly-Clearlake spent big but had to sell to balance the FFP. So they sold academy players: Mount, Gallagher, Chalobah.
– No clear sporting director structure until 2024. “Scattergun” recruitment.
– Pressure to sell every window equal to can’t build in the long term.
WHERE IT SHOWS ON THE PITCH 2025
1. No striker — Jackson is inconsistent. 1 goal in 5 games equal to drop points
2 Leaky defense High line plus young CBs equal to conceding soft goals
3. Midfield imbalance Enzo plus Caicedo are good on the ball, but no one controls the tempo
4. MentalityDrop points from winning positions. That’s a young team thing.
THE GOOD NEWS
Palmer looks world-class. Maresca’s style started clicking in late 2024.
If they keep the same XI for 10 games plus stay fit, results will improve. Chelsea are still 2-3 quality signings, plus one year’s stability away.
INJURIES PLUS SUSPENSION NEWS
Before the Arsenal game on Sunday Sep 6
– Moises Caicedo – Major doubt
– Injury: Unspecified
– Came on vs Brighton then went off in 20 mins
– Possible return: September 6 vs Arsenal. Alonso said it was “largely precautionary”
No other major injuries listed in the latest report. But Chelsea have had a “soft underbelly and tendency to cede possession” this season
As they lost against Arsenal on Sunday, September 6, 2026 it show that in Big London derby. Chelsea haven’t beaten Arsenal in 12 attempts
QUICK SUMMARY
– Form : Perfect start, 2 wins, 4th in table
Big worry injury to Caicedo plus defensive chaos