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Petr Cech, a former player for Chelsea, believes that his old team won’t be able to contend for the Premier League title for at least another two years.
The only Premier League titles the Blues have not had since they last won it under Antonio Conte in 2017 are from Manchester City and Liverpool.
After purchasing the team from Roman Abramovich in the summer of 2022, co-owner Todd Boehly set out to turn the West Londoners around, and he has already spent more than £1 billion on transfers alone.
Mauricio Pochettino’s club is still middling in 10th place this season, and Boehly’s team finished 12th in his rookie year. Not much has changed since then.
Even so, Cech—who left the club just before the appointment of the American chairman after serving as its technical and performance advisor for three years—is optimistic that Chelsea’s troubles are coming to an end.
However, the renowned goalie acknowledges that it will take some time and thinks that changes won’t occur until the 2025–2026 campaign.
Much will also depend on how Pochettino’s players perform in the remaining games of this season. A strong ending might serve as motivation for the young and inexperienced team to contend for a top-four finish the next season.
Cech stated to Sky Sports: “This season is not going as planned if you’re talking about a league title.
“Maybe Chelsea can move up the table and contend for a top four finish in the following season if they can have a truly fantastic finish to the current campaign and prepare for the next one.
The next year is the first time Chelsea can really contend for the championship.
“The takeover represents a significant shift in and of itself. There is a new owner who wants to manage the club in a different way and with a different vision and style.
“That requires some adjustment from the players as well as from everyone associated with the club.” These processes require time.
“The team was constructed in a specific manner, but after my departure, the entire group has been reassembled, and it can be difficult for all involved when there are numerous adjustments.
“There’s additional pressure because some of the players likely had high expectations going into the game and were expected to spend a lot of money.
This squad is quite young, so I believe sometimes it’s difficult for them to live up to those expectations when the results aren’t there.
“The team’s spine and core are missing from the games played over the past month.
“The defense, midfield, attacking players, and goalkeeper have all been switching around.
“That shows there is a lot of potential, but the coaches haven’t found the right formula yet to find the core.”