Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has been sending a thunderbolt through the Blues' camp in recent days, and his mention that Chelsea could be at risk of deducting points next season has left me in deep thought. Internally, Chelsea must qualify for the Champions League in the next 18 months in order to avoid Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues. Thinking about this, my feelings become complicated. As a Chelsea fan, I am both worried and hopeful about the future of the club.
Boehly's £1 billion recruitment strategy has improved the squad in the short term, but there is a potential risk behind the huge debt. Despite offsetting some of Manchester United and Arsenal's direct liabilities through Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, we still face a nightmare that could follow in the footsteps of Everton and Nottingham Forest. Neiwen's background is in accounting and economicsHe is particularly sensitive to the details of his finances, and his concerns are by no means groundless.
If you spend that much money and don't have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League, it's not going to work......"This sentence touched me deeply. Chelsea's strategy must be sustainable, otherwise even a short-lived success will be short-lived. What we need is long-term planning, not just immediate victories.
With the new owners taking over, the changes at Chelsea have been in the spotlight. Many young players, this is a bold experiment. Nevin said,"Wait two years and you'll know. "It's been over a year now, and while we've seen some positive changes, it's still unknown whether the team is really close to a top-four finish. Chelsea look more like an algorithmically developed team, lacking the necessary human connection.
In particular, Palmer's performance was a highlight, as he demonstrated the ability to work with any teammate. But football is a team sport, and without enough teamwork, it is difficult for individual players to lead the team to success.
Nevin points out that the scale and speed of the football revolution have muddied the waters. Wolves have a definite style and spirit compared to Chelsea, which is exactly what we are missing at the moment. We need to find our DNA and build a unique style and spirit so that we can stand firm and rise to the challenge in the future competitions.
As a fan, I hope Chelsea can learn from Neven's warning and find a solution. Qualifying for the Champions League is not only about avoiding penalties, but also about proving that we are still the best in European football. There is still a long way to go, but as long as we have clear goals and firm beliefs, nothing is impossible. Hopefully Chelsea will find their way in the coming days and give those of us loyal fans more reasons to be proud of.