Chelsea given another brutal reality check as Todd Boehly faces pivotal summer

Chelsea’s Premier League season has been subpar, and their draw with Sheffield United was just one more disappointing outcome.

Chelsea disappointed in their 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Sunday (Image: Getty)

It was a new low for Mauricio Pochettino and his players as Chelsea took the fewest shots of any Premier League team that visited Sheffield United this season. After a 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane, the Blues’ chances of qualifying for the next European football season are virtually eliminated.

After being held by Burnley the previous weekend, Chelsea had now lost to a team in the relegation zone for the second time in a week. Pochettino’s team looked worrisomely weak against the Blades.

No team had ever visited the basement club and taken fewer than ten shots before Chelsea made the trip to South Yorkshire. However, the Blues’ poor performance saw them only manage eight.

Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke scored goals in two of those, but it was more proof that the attack lacked coherence.

Todd Boehly, a co-owner, is currently getting ready for a busy summer in which finishing strong seems to be the top priority. Three of Nicolas Jackson’s nine Premier League goals came against a nine-man Tottenham team, which has left supporters frustrated with his inconsistent play.

Another summer hire Raheem Sterling’s form has been dismal, and Christopher Nkunku has had difficulty staying fit. Only Cole Palmer has consistently produced high-caliber play among Chelsea’s other offensive players.

Before the 2023–24 season, an elite No 9 is anticipated to arrive at Stamford Bridge. Although Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked, the Napoli striker is apparently also attracting interest from Arsenal.

Pochettino acknowledged that Chelsea has found it difficult to compete with clubs that are near the bottom of the standings. If the West Londoners want to push themselves back into the Premier League’s elite next season, that will need to change.

“The ability to compete is important. We find it difficult to compete in these kinds of games for various reasons,” Pochettino stated following Sunday’s draw. “We had a great conversation at halftime about how we approached the game. We are unable to discuss pointless topics.

“In a scenario like this, we concede even though we scored, were superior, and maintained control. That is going to get more cutthroat. And after that, we became so careless and disrespectful of our opponents on the field.

“Yes, I believe there is a combination at play. It’s all about figuring out the profile. We are learning how the coaching staff must communicate our expectations to the players.

“Building and being able to make decisions is always a process, but the right decision is one that you have to agree on with the sporting directors, the owners, and the coaching staff. Otherwise, improvement is difficult.”

Pochettino, who is under pressure to boost performance right away, will be hoping to have another opportunity to make up for this season next term. In the summer, the Argentine might require Boehly to open the checkbook once more.