What I’m about to say is probably considered a “hot take” by some modern Chelsea fans.
We don’t deserve to win the title this year and that’s OK.
Every time I log into some form of social media during a Chelsea match I see a flurry of angry tweets/posts whenever anything mildly bad happens, so imagine the rancor floating about after a 3-4 thumping by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
I can’t for the life of me understand the ridiculous attitude of many modern Chelsea fans expecting to win every game 3-0. It seems that many have become what we always complained about being called: plastic fans.
We’re not going to win every game. We’re not going to win the title every year. And that’s OK.
That’s football.
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We’ve been spoiled this past decade under Roman Abramovich, winning the Premier League title 5 times, the FA Cup 4 times, and both the Champions and Europa leagues once. That is a run of success unprecedented in club history.
During this run the club has also employed 10 different managers, if you exclude various 1 game interim managers and repeat managers. None of them has lasted more than 3 years. The reason for this constant changing of the managerial guard? Roman and the fans impatience.
It is impossible for a manager to successfully build a club for the future if the owner, board and fans are all demanding, unreasonably so, to win every single competition every single season.
Fans cannot both complain about the lack of young players coming through the academy and scream about signing the latest big money transfer target, assuming that automatically makes the club title winners.
Developing a team takes time and stability. Chelsea’s board and fans don’t seem to be willing to give a manager either of those.
Bringing youth players through requires a manager to have the full support of the owner or board and requires fans to accept that growing pains will happen when bringing youth players through.
How many young players have Chelsea sold or loaned out to other clubs in the top levels of England deeming them surplus at Stamford Bridge, only to see them blossom into respectable players?
The baffling obsession with winning EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME has made it impossible for a Chelsea manager to bring in young talent, and let them develop in a specific system in the first team. The occasional League Cup or FA Cup match are not enough to foster true development in academy prospects. Constantly changing managers or systems means players cannot focus on one style of play for fear of limiting themselves under the inevitable new boss within 18 months.
If the fans, board or Roman run off Antonio Conte just 1 year removed from winning the Premier League, it will continue the vicious cycle. A caretaker will come in, Chelsea fans will demand a new, highly respected manager. A new manager will come in, get in some new players, win a run of matches and maybe even the league. Fans will love it, until the losses will inevitably happen. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Next: 3 ways Conte can fix Chelsea
Chelsea needs stability. I hope Roman and the fans let Antonio Conte provide some.