Here, Chelsea Wiki evaluates Chelsea’s preparations for the 2023/24 EPL season: transfer list, friendly match results, optimal lineup, and the upcoming season’s schedule. The assessment includes predictions for The Blues’ performance and ranking.
List of Chelsea’s Transfers in Summer 2023
As of August 2, Chelsea has spent a total of £121 million in the 2023 summer transfer market to acquire five new players. These signings include:
- Christopher Nkunku (Forward) from RB Leipzig for £53 million
- Nicolas Jackson (Forward) from Villarreal for £32 million
- Lesley Ugochukwu (Midfielder) from Rennes for £23 million
- Angelo (Forward) from Santos for £13 million
- Diego Moreira (Forward) from Benfica B on a free transfer
During the remaining days of the 2023 summer transfer window, Chelsea may bring in a few more players. They are close to reaching an agreement with Monaco’s defender Axel Disasi for around £22 million. Additionally, there are talks about goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton, forward Elye Wahi from Montpellier, winger Mohamed Kudus from Ajax, midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton, Tyler Adams from Leeds United, Edson Alvarez from Ajax, and midfielder Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo.
On the other hand, Chelsea has also seen several departures, with a long list of players leaving the club, including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Abdul Rahman Baba, David Datro Fofana, Tiemoune Bakayoko, Joao Felix, and Denis Zakaria.
In the remaining days of the 2023 summer transfer window, it’s possible that Chelsea may sell a few more players, such as forward Romelu Lukaku, defenders Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr, and forwards Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech.
Also read: 15 Players Leaving Chelsea This Summer 2023
Chelsea’s 2023 Summer Friendlies Review
Chelsea played five friendly matches during the 2023 summer preseason. They kicked off with an impressive 5-0 victory against Wrexham, courtesy of goals from Maatsen (2), Gallagher, Nkunku, and Chilwell. The second match proved more challenging, but Chelsea narrowly secured a 4-3 win against Brighton.
In the third match, The Blues faced a relatively weaker team, Newcastle. Nicolas Jackson scored for Chelsea in the 12th minute, but Miguel Almiron equalized for Newcastle in the 45’+4 minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Chelsea’s fourth friendly was a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Fulham, with goals from Thiago Silva and Nkunku. The team ended their preseason with a 1-1 draw against Dortmund.
Overall, Chelsea’s preseason performance was quite impressive, achieving three wins and two draws without any losses. Despite being early matches under the new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team showcased excellent preparation with a fluid style of play and quick integration of the new signings.
See also: Chelsea Pre-Season Tour 2023 Fixtures and Results with Dortmund, Brighton, and Wrexham
Chelsea’s Schedule in the 2023/24 Season
In the upcoming 2023/24 Premier League season, Chelsea kicks off with a tough match against their arch-rivals, Liverpool, who, despite their previous season’s decline, still pose a strong challenge. Following that, in the second round, Chelsea will take on London rivals West Ham, the reigning champions of the Conference League from the previous season.
However, in the next three rounds, The Blues will face comparatively easier opponents like Luton Town, Nottingham, and Bournemouth.
Chelsea’s 2023/24 Premier League fixtures:
Prediction for Chelsea’s Ranking in the 2023/24 Season
The Blues is undergoing a significant transformation in both personnel and coaching staff, presenting an entirely new look compared to the previous season. Last season saw Chelsea going through a transitional phase, making numerous new signings while retaining some existing players. They also changed managers three times within a single season, leading to instability, and ultimately finished a disappointing 12th in the Premier League standings.
As we head into the summer of 2023, Chelsea has parted ways with most players who no longer align with their new plans. On the other hand, the club has made some exciting acquisitions, bringing in young and promising new talent. While the current transfer window may not be as lavish as the previous ones, the experts have given these new signings relatively high ratings. These players may prove to be the perfect fit for Chelsea’s new project, offering effectiveness without exorbitant costs.
The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the head coach has brought optimism among Chelsea’s fans. Known for his ability to build teams around talented young players, Pochettino’s previous success at Tottenham, where he transformed them into a formidable team among the Big Six, raises hopes of similar achievements at Chelsea. Fans are hopeful that he can unearth stars like Harry Kane, who became a standout player under his guidance.
Based on the results of the pre-season friendly matches, it appears that Chelsea will adopt Pochettino’s favored 4-2-3-1 formation. Recent positive outcomes suggest that The Blues are well-prepared for the upcoming season. A defined playing style and seamless integration of the new signings indicate that Chelsea is determined to leave behind the disappointments of the previous season.
Of course, there is still room for improvement. Chelsea needs to strengthen their squad further, particularly in the central midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and acquire a top-class center-back to partner with Thiago Silva in defense. Additionally, depending on the potential departure of Lukaku, the attacking line may require a new forward.
Conclusion
That concludes our analysis of Chelsea in the 2023/24 Premier League season.With numerous changes in both players and coaching staff, expectations are high for The Blues. Nevertheless, the risk of failure cannot be ignored, considering the complete overhaul. Still, Chelsea’s fans remain relatively confident that the team will not perform worse than the previous season.