The previous couple of years have been tough for Chelsea, failing to climb to the heights the membership reached over the past decade.
The Blues gained the Champions League again in 2020/21, however fast-forward simply three years, and they’re on their third totally different supervisor, with an enormous turnaround in first-team gamers beneath the brand new possession of Todd Boehly.
Enzo Maresca is the most recent supervisor to guide the membership again to the highest finish of the Premier League desk, with the Italian making a complete host of first-team additions in the course of the current switch window.
Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho are simply two gamers introduced in to try to enhance the membership’s ahead line as they intention to climb the league desk in 2024/25 – pushing them again in the best course after lacking out on Champions League qualification final season.
Nonetheless, neither are on the extent of 1 expertise who captured the hearts of many throughout his time at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard’s time at Chelsea
Winger Eden Hazard joined the Blues as a fresh-faced 21-year-old again in the summertime of 2012, becoming a member of in a £32m deal from Ligue 1 facet Lille.
The Belgian was an unknown amount upon his transfer to West London, however he shortly launched himself to the Chelsea trustworthy – changing into a fan-favourite throughout his time on the Bridge.
He made a staggering 62 appearances in all competitions throughout his first season for Chelsea, registering 30 targets and assists – making a right away impression after his big-money switch.
Nonetheless, that might be the beginning of his profitable profession within the Premier League, occurring to register 110 targets for the membership over a seven-year spell, along with his mesmerising shut management and dribbling skill catching the attention of the supporters.
Hazard fired a double within the Europa League closing overcome rivals Arsenal – a recreation that might show to be his final for the membership – earlier than finishing a mammoth £150m deal to affix Spanish giants Actual Madrid in the summertime of 2019.
His departure was to be anticipated after his stellar marketing campaign in 2018/19 which noticed him register 31 purpose contributions in his 37 league appearances – however the signing of 1 participant with the funds generated from the Belgian’s transfer allowed the membership to land the right alternative for the outgoing expertise.
The person who was as soon as the right Hazard alternative
The January window earlier than Hazard’s departure noticed the membership fork out £58m for the companies of winger Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund earlier than loaning him again to the German facet for the rest of the marketing campaign.
The Belgian’s departure that summer time noticed the USA worldwide thrown in on the deep finish, tasked with being the membership’s alternative for the fan-favourite. Sky Sports activities even posed the query – is Pulisic the brand new Hazard?
In his first season for the Blues, he demonstrated glimpses of his high quality, registering 19 purpose contributions in all competitions throughout his debut marketing campaign for the membership.
His stellar marketing campaign in 2019/20 could be his finest on the Bridge, quickly declining in London, registering only one purpose and two assists in 2022/23 – which might be his closing 12 months in Chelsea blue.
After simply 4 seasons within the Premier League, Pulisic would swap England for Italy, becoming a member of AC Milan in a £19m deal – a transfer that might permit the 25-year-old to kickstart his profession.
Christian Pulisic’s stats for Chelsea (2019/2023) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Season | Video games | Targets | Assists |
2019/20 | 34 | 11 | 8 |
2020/21 | 43 | 6 | 4 |
2021/22 | 38 | 8 | 5 |
2022/23 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
Complete: | 145 | 26 | 19 |
Stats by way of Transfermarkt | |||
He’s since made 55 appearances for the Serie A facet, registering 30 purpose contributions within the course of – trying to be a cut price at his price ticket, with Boehly probably dwelling to remorse the sale of his compatriot.
While he did not reside as much as expectations on the Bridge, it was evident he wanted time to settle earlier than they may reap the rewards of his expertise, one thing which Milan are actually the beneficiary of.
It’s nice to see Pulisic reaching his potential, however many Chelsea followers have to be wishing it was of their colors, with the American greater than able to being a hit in Maresca’s present setup.
