After a lengthy spell
of pain and suffering, Chelsea fans could’ve finally seen a glimmer of light at
the end of the tunnel ahead of November’s international break.
What not long ago looked impossible now seems plausible as Mauricio Pochettino’s side can again dare to dream of a top-four finish in the Premier League. If you feel the same way, check out Exchange Betting to support the blues while it’s still a value bet.
Indeed, the Blues are
priced at 5/1 to secure Champions League qualification, probably thanks to a
perfectly-balanced league record after 12 matches (W4, D4, L4).
Realistic picture
Chelsea headed into
the international break a whopping ten points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham
Hotspur but with legitimate hopes of whittling down that gap in the foreseeable
future.
Going into Saturday’s
clash against injury-hit Newcastle United, the resurgent London giants languish
in mid-table. However, nothing’s lost yet.
In fact, there are
still 72 points left to play for, giving Pochettino’s troops plenty of time to
return to the top-four frame and help the Argentine live up to his summer
promise.
Upon his arrival, the
ex-Spurs manager vowed to put Chelsea out of their misery following a
disastrous 12th-placed finish in 2022/23, their worst in the Premier League
since the early 1990s.
Following a bumpy
start, with the Blues only winning once in his first seven league games in
charge (D2, L3), Pochettino seemed to have overestimated himself.
However, he is
steering his side in the right direction, even though a patchy five-match form
in the Premier League (W2, D2, L1) could suggest otherwise.
Signs of
recovery
Chelsea became the
first side to inflict a top-flight defeat on Tottenham on their last league
travel, with Nicolas Jackson’s hat-trick inspiring them to an overwhelming 4-1
away win against nine-man Spurs.
A genuine sign of the
Pensioners’ return to form was yet to come.
On the last day before
the international break, perennial champions Manchester City paid an ominous
visit to Stamford Bridge, having won six straight competitive H2Hs ‘to nil’ beforehand.
But Pochettino’s team
thrived in the face of adversity on a rainy night in London, eking out a
well-deserved 4-4 draw to send the rest of the division a message that they’re
back.
The 51-year-old
manager can only hope the two-week pause hasn’t taken the wind out of his
side’s sails. Saturday’s trip to St James’ Park will provide an answer.
Chelsea may feel
upbeat about deepening the crisis at Newcastle, who suffered back-to-back 2-0
defeats on the stroke of the international break.
With almost a dozen
Magpies first-team stars injured or suspended, the Blues will have the upper
hand over Eddie Howe’s depleted line-up.
Taking three points
home from this trip, even against a weakened Newcastle side, would be an
unequivocal manifestation of progress.
Help is on its way
Many factors have
contributed to Pochettino’s stressful start at Chelsea, with injuries
undoubtedly topping the list.
Not once has he had
his whole squad at his disposal since the season kicked off in August.
At one point, the
infirmary counted 10+ patients, making it almost impossible for ‘Poch’ to build
stability, let alone find his best starting XI.
But the crisis is
subsiding.
Wesley Fofana, Ben
Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Trevoh Chalobah are still in the treatment
room, yet others are on the verge of full recovery.
According to the London World, marquee summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia could soon make their Chelsea debuts.
Nkunku’s
fast-approaching return to the fold can particularly encourage
Pochettino.
Despite Jackson’s
occasional flashes of brilliance, he hasn’t been a regular source of
goals. That’s where the Frenchman – last season’s Bundesliga joint-best
goalscorer – could come into play.
While the current
situation may seem dark from Chelsea fans’ perspective, better days are on the
horizon.
