Petr Cech is a Chelsea legend. He won everything possible during his time at Stamford Bridge and will go down as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. But the team he was part of is very different to the one who see on the pitch these days. In fact, it looks like the Czech icon does not even recognise the club anymore.
Obviously, fans have not been happy with how BlueCo have run things since their takeover in 2022. Chelsea have gone from a club that was focused on winning constantly to one where trophies feel like an afterthought.
Signing youngsters and following the transfer model seems like the top priority at the moment. After four years of disappointments and failures, it might be about to change though.
It is not just the view of the supporters but club legends like Cech as well. According to The Athletic, he said:
“It’s different. Maybe if I were there on a daily basis, I would (recognise Chelsea). I would see it differently.
“From what you see from the outside, I don’t think you can compare because of the vision and the way that the club operates, how they want to do things. It’s completely different from how it (Chelsea) was. What you see now, what the club does, and obviously the personnel. A lot of things have changed. So it’s a completely different approach, different mentality.
“Chelsea will always be in my heart and I want them to do well, but it is a different club.”
Cech does not recognise the Chelsea we see today
It is hard to argue with that, to be honest. The identity that Chelsea had built up during the Roman Abramovich era is completely gone under this BlueCo model. The winning DNA has vanished.
And there are fears that it might not be reversible. Just look at the club’s financial situation. They won’t be able to go out and sign the top players in the game, even if they wanted to.
Let’s say they somehow managed to improve the finances. Even then, would top players want to come to Chelsea at this point in time, when the Blues have not seen much success in the last four years and seem like a complete mess? That is how quickly things can change in football. BlueCo are learning that the hard way.
BlueCo need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel
To me, it has felt like BlueCo came in and started trying to reinvent the wheel from the get-go. They appeared to have the idea that they were several steps ahead of the game and would dominate it with their innovative methods.
In some aspects, they were. All the loopholes they found were ingenious at times. That being said, any advantage they might have gotten out of it has evaporated, thanks to all the mistakes they have made along the way.
Now, it is time to change and start acting according to conventional football wisdom. This summer, that would mean signing proven quality and experienced players. At least the ones willing to join Chelsea these days.
