Chelsea's form last season was nothing short of a mess, finishing in top of the Premier League, in stark contrast to the glory of winning the trophy in previous years. As a traditional giant, Chelsea's sluggish form has undoubtedly left fans disappointed and frustrated. To add insult to injury, they will miss out on European competition next season due to their low league rankings, which will undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the club's finances.
Faced with such passivity, it is clear that Chelsea Football Club can no longer rest on its laurels and must rebuild to its former glory. In this summer window, they have made a series of big moves with the aim of completely reshaping the team's squad.
The two heroes of 100 million yuan won a long-term contract and locked in the peak period
Two of Chelsea's most recognizable key players are undoubtedly Enzo Fernandez and N'Gro Kante. These two midfielders have made a huge contribution to the team over the past few years, and their performances have been a big part of Chelsea's success in the past. As they have grown older, the future prospects of the duo have been a concern for the club's hierarchy.
It was this summer that Chelsea finally made up their minds and activated the contract extension clauses for Enzo and N'Golo Kante. According to authoritative media reports, the total transfer fee of the two is as high as 100 million euros, which is sky-high in today's football world. On the other hand, this hefty fee is also the 'insurance premium' that Chelsea used to lock in the pinnacle of the two stars' careers. In doing so, Chelsea not only avoided the risk of paying higher salaries for contract extensions in the future, but also ensured the stability of the core of the midfield for years to come, laying a solid foundation for the rebuilding project.
High-paid veterans leave the team to make room for the younger legion
The rebuilding process of any team is inseparable from a complete reshuffle of the squad. For Chelsea, the first thing they have to address is the issue of highly-paid veterans. Over the past few years, Chelsea have made a number of older, high-paid signings of older and more high-paid players who have made a difference to the team but are now a stumbling block to the rejuvenation of the squad.
In this summer window, Chelsea have resolutely sold striker Raheem Sterling, who earns a whopping £000,000 a year. The England international was a sky-high signing when he joined Chelsea in 0 but was unable to fully exploit his high value due to his inconsistent form. Chelsea have also purged a number of other highly-paid veterans to free up more opportunities for young star.
Through this series of operations, the age structure of Chelsea's squad has been greatly improved. According to statistics, their average age for the new season is just .0 years, making them one of the youngest teams in the top five leagues. A young and promising team is in the works at Chelsea and will undoubtedly breathe new life into the future of the squad.
Reece James has been offered a long-term contract but is riddled with injuries
Among Chelsea's young men, the most eye-catching is England international Reece James. The talented winger earned the club's hierarchy a goal for Chelsea last season. Chelsea did not hesitate to extend James' contract to 0 years this summer, hoping to lock the talent at Stamford Bridge for an extended period of time.
Sadly, James has been plagued by injuries. He underwent surgery on a knee injury shortly after last season and is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-season. As Chelsea's leading goalscorer, James' injury will undoubtedly have an impact on the team's attacking firepower. To make matters worse, his past injury history has raised questions about his fitness, which will undoubtedly cast a shadow over his long contract.
The future of the young legion is uncertain
Chelsea's squad for the new season is a foregone conclusion, but it remains to be seen whether this 'young army' will finally blossom. Being young often means being inexperienced and lacking in composure. Judging from the current squad, apart from veterans such as Enzo and N'Golo Kante, most of Chelsea's main players are young players in their early 0s, and although they are talented, it is still unknown whether they can maintain enough calm at critical moments.
Although Chelsea's goal for the new season is to return to Europe, it will not be easy to beat Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League. Whether the young players can maintain their form under such pressure is also a big test.
The good news is that Chelsea's young squad does have a lot of potential. Judging from some of last season's performances, young players including James, Lante, and Gallacher have shown great talent and unlimited upside. As long as they can gain experience over the next few years, they will eventually become a mainstay for Chelsea.
Chelsea are in the midst of a crucial period of a comprehensive rebuild. By renewing the core, selling high-paying veterans, and developing young rising stars, they are poised for a rise in the coming years. While there is still some uncertainty about the current squad, as long as the young squad can grow up in the future, Chelsea will one day be back on the European stage and regaining their former glory.