During one of the games in Chelsea’s recent mid-season slump, those privy to their match plans were left scratching their heads.
As they watched Graham Potter’s team toil on the pitch one of a number of things stood out – what they had worked on in the build-up was clearly not being replicated in front of them on the pitch. At times, it was the total opposite.
As Chelsea’s struggle for results continued after Potter had made an impressive, nine-game unbeaten start it was the sort of occasion that left some wondering if there were reasons beyond their crippling injury crisis to explain the slide.
Were their issues as much due to some players not being able to carry out what was being asked of them? Or was it because they did not want to? The answer depends who you ask.
That day, in the view of some sources close to Chelsea, also helped highlight that Potter, the man Chelsea’s new owners have put their faith in to lead their project after sacking popular former boss Thomas Tuchel, needed significant backing in the form of players who could put his plans into action in order to succeed.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been significantly backed with a £323m transfer splurge
Potter signed eight players last month, including Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez for a record £107m
Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly (R) and Behdad Eghbali (L) helped fund a huge overhaul
He has got the first part in another incredible Chelsea window, with co-controlling owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the club’s new-look recruitment team getting to work, with input from Potter who spoke personally to targets such as Mykhailo Mudryk, overseeing a staggering £320m-plus spree on eight new signings
That followed the £270m spent in the first transfer period of the Boehly/Clearlake Capital era.
Time will tell if the new arrivals can now do the second.
Chelsea return to action against Fulham tomorrow 10 points off the top four in 10th, out of both domestic cups but through to the last-16 of the Champions League.
Striker David Datro Fofana and midfielder Andrey Santos are expected to be ones for the future along with right back Malo Gusto who definitely is as he does not join permanently until the summer.
But the other five January additions – Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix, Mudryk, Noni Madueke and £107m British record capture Enzo Fernandez – have the combined potential to help transform Chelsea’s season.
It is not inconceivable that once their injury…