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While assessing the modern history of the Premier League, it’s difficult to find a club that has been characterised with such managerial uncertainty but have continued to prosper regarding achievements and accolades.
This is the aptest description of Chelsea life under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, and the appointment of Maurizio Sarri denoted another fresh start as the Blues await the manager that will provide illusive longevity.
When Sarri was appointed the manager in July, he became the club’s 13th managerial appointment by Roman Abramovich, and while supporters of the FA Cup winners are well attuned to the complexities and the tendencies that occur when you continually change managers, Sarri’s appointment had a strangely unfamiliar feeling.
Firstly, his profile is the antithesis of Chelsea’s desired candidate. One of the most prominent factors that has contributed to the club’s success has been identifying and acquiring managers of utmost stature, all of whom paraded a history of success. Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, even Andres Villas-Boas attained silverware prior to becoming Chelsea manager.
Chelsea’s most recent Italian manager is unable to boast among the club’s managers of yesteryear as he has yet to win his first major honour as a coach. Roman Abramovich’s desire to witness and rejoice in expansive, free-flowing football has been documented for the majority of the previous decade. And, at last, the owner has his desired individual, the one who can revolutionise and facelift what has been for much of the earlier years, a relentless counter-attacking machine.
Where Chelsea did sit back, they now press with purpose. Where Chelsea did rely on counter-attacks, they dominate possession. Where Chelsea’s wingers were burdened by defensive duties, they have the freedom to invent and influence proceedings.
One of the scarce similarities between this current team, and that of Antonio Conte’s side, or even Jose Mourinho’s team during his second spell as manager, has been the dependence on Eden Hazard. Despite the Belgian remaining a constant influence, the boundless link between Chelsea teams of the past five years, it’s unsurprising that his best start to a season (six goals in seven games) has come under the tutelage of Maurizio Sarri.
Having dazzled supporters since joining the Premier League in 2013, it was expected that Hazard would thrive under the stewardship of a manager who has been renowned for getting the best out of his creative talents, or in some instances, enabling them to overachieve (all eyes on Dries Mertens).
However, what has been entirely unexpected is the start that Chelsea have made to the season, and how quickly the players have adopted and replicated Sarri’s intentions on the pitch.
As is often the case when a new manager is introduced, their arrival signifies a new beginning, a clean slate, and diminished expectations. Resultantly, and as was the case for Antonio Conte in his inaugural season as manager, Champions League qualification would equate to success for Sarri.
But, having won five of his first six league games, remaining unbeaten in all competitions (aside from the Community Shield), and having already beaten Liverpool and Arsenal, perceptions of his Chelsea side are altering. The press are beginning to consider Chelsea as challengers, examining their credentials for the title. This is a testament to Sarri whose arrival was severely delayed at the club, and in a relatively brief period, he has transformed the Blues’ on-field identity.
Thus, the next time that Sarri urges patience, or insists that his side isn’t comparable to divisional rivals, Chelsea supporters shouldn’t be agitated or perceive his words as a lack of ambition. Instead, he is merely keeping expectations grounded for his sake, and the team’s sake, just in case results begin to wane.
His start to life in the Premier League has defied expectation, Chelsea fans will hope that he can sustain that form for the remainder of the season.
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