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The new Premier League season is about to begin, and clubs like Chelsea will face the hustle to finish high enough on the table. For some that entails finishing in the top half, for others it could mean merely avoiding relegation.
For a team like the Blues, though, a mere top-half finish would definitely not suit their pedigree as one of the “Big 6”. They certainly will be hoping to do better than their sixth place last season. Finishing in a Top 4 spot will most likely be the goal.
Unfortunately, they're unlikely to mount that feat.
5 reasons why Chelsea will fail to reach top four in the Premier League
#5 Chelsea have a new manager (again)
It's true that clubs sometimes perform really well under a new manager, because players will be looking to impress the new boss. They'd also want to lay claim to a starting spot. However, this doesn't happen all the time, and the reverse is also possible.
In the case of the Blues, and their very young squad, the reverse is very likely the case. Enzo Maresca will definitely need time to implement his ideas in the young squad at his disposal. This showed in the pre-season, as they won only one game, against a lesser side in Club America. Other teams like Celtic and Manchester City beat them, while Wrexham held them to a draw.
#4 Lack of experienced players in the squad
Apart from Raheem Sterling, the Chelsea squad is almost stacked with young and/or inexperienced players. The quality of most of these players might not be in doubt, but they mostly lack that experience that comes with spending a few years in the Premier League.
That lack of experienced players in the squad will make achieving a top-4 finish even more difficult. Last season, they had stalwarts like Thiago Silva as a leader in the squad, but now, the Brazilian has left. Club captain Reece James is quite experienced, but he spends more time on the doctor's table. The squad's inexperience will likely be a problem this season.
#3 Chelsea have a bloated squad
So, not only do they have a crop of mostly inexperienced players on their books, Chelsea also have a hugely bloated squad. And would you believe it, they're apparently still signing more players. According to Transfermarkt, they have a shocking 42-man squad, and they could still add to this number.
Having a relatively large squad may be useful to help keep players fresh, but Chelsea have way too many at this point and will need to offload some. Having a squad that's too large could lead to an unsettled dressing room, with players complaining about unfulfilled playing time. This can hamper the club's top-4 ambitions.
#2 No clear direction from the club hierarchy
When you look at most top clubs, it's always easy to see the direction the club hierarchy is going. The ideas behind the sporting project are often clear, but in the case of Chelsea, that's currently not true.
From the almost seasonal managerial changes to the seemingly disorganized recruitment policy, it's extremely hard to tell where the club wants to go. It's even harder to identify the identity they're trying to build. A club without a clear footballing philosophy and identity can't be expected to achieve any immediate success, especially in the Premier League.
#1 Other clubs are improving
Finally, even if Chelsea get their act together soon enough, don't expect other clubs to just sit with arms folded and watch. Unfortunately for the Blues, other clubs are also actively looking to improve on their prior season. Arsenal want to win the league, City want to retain the title, Liverpool are also up there. Clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United can't be ignored.
There are also wildcards like Unai Emery's Aston Villa and West Ham. As things stand, these clubs have more of an identity and direction. They also have solid squads capable of fighting for those top positions. Their quality, especially from last season, will make it hard for Chelsea to enter the Premier League top 4 this season.
