ON PAPER there are plenty of reasons for Chelsea fans to be cheerful.
A shiny new manager, a big-money signing and – having played a blinder by – no Conference League distraction.
Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea in a mega-money deal Credit: Getty
Blues boss Xabi Alonso beat Arsenal to the attacking midfielder Credit: Getty
What team wouldn’t be better off with ?
He’s a super talent and nicking him from under the noses of Arsenal only makes the coup of the summer so far even sweeter.
If Xabi Alonso is going to set Chelsea up as he did at Bayer Leverkusen, with two No 10s behind a striker, the front three of is very tasty.
But they are kicking the can down the road once again when it comes to addressing the real issues that have plagued them – most glaringly the defence, goalkeeper and a distinct lack of experience.
Until those problems are solved, feels like a luxury signing.
It’s like paying for a brand-spanking-new kitchen and having the bathroom done when the house is built on foundations of jam.
Fans were promised there would be a change of approach this summer – but have Chelsea’s board been gaslighting them?
The top brass insisted they were going to going forwards.
While not totally abandoning the idea of signing young players on thousand-year contracts to sell on down the line, they said they’d focus on bringing in a more experienced spine to the side. So far, it’s more of the same.
It was evident week after week last season they desperately needed a veteran presence and strong leadership in the dressing room.
Whenever the tide turned against them they folded like a cheap suit and, more often than not, lost their heads.
They had an with their EIGHT red cards – the most by a side in a Premier League season since QPR racked up nine in the 2011/12 season.
After a promising start, the players quickly turned on boss Liam Rosenior and some were so brazen as to openly court other clubs.
So where is the calming, veteran presence the fans were promised?
One of Chelsea’s best and most experienced players, Marc Cucurella, .
Enzo Fernandez looks likely to follow and they’re trying to flog Trevoh Chalobah.
All the while they’ve shelled out north of £220m for six players, the eldest of which is 23.
Rogers is a fine player with a couple of years of Premier League service but he has thrived with the likes of John McGinn, Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans around him.
Rogers feels like a luxury signing Credit: Getty
The England star’s arrival has taken Chelsea’s spending beyond £220million Credit: Getty
Chelsea have from Atalanta, who had a very good season in Serie A.
But he’s only 21 and has one year of top-flight football under his belt.
Then there’s Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha, who cost £62m but are unlikely to get near the first team this year.
Clearly, Alonso is aware of the issue that needs addressing, which is why he encouraged the club to try to sign Granit Xhaka – exactly the kind of player Chelsea need.
But the for Sunderland’s captain suggested they were never serious.
There have been murmurings from fans that BlueCo weren’t being true to their word, so in recent days they’ve started to get their act together and are trying to sign Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, 26.
That would finally be a step in the right direction.
They should throw everything at trying to , 32, given he is available on a free.
If the Alonso project is to really get off the ground, the club needs to grow up. Literally.
Chelsea want to land Maxence Lacroix Credit: Getty
The West Londoners should prioritise a move for John Stones Credit: Getty
CRYING SHAME
IT IS disheartening to see such an exciting talent as Crysencio Summerville head off to play in Saudi Arabia.
The former West Ham winger had an impressive season in the Premier League last year and shone at the World Cup .
He was linked with Aston Villa and Roma but ended up joining Al-Hilal.
Just 24, he will spend his peak years in obscurity, in front of tiny crowds.
Clearly but how much is enough? He would have earned a huge packet in Europe – does prestige count for nothing anymore?
Crysencio Summerville is off to Saudi Arabia Credit: Getty
The Dutchman shone at the World Cup Credit: Getty
RED MIST
JUST when you think things are starting to look up at Old Trafford, the club go and drive another wedge between themselves and their fans.
Manchester United supporters saying they have been treated like ‘suspects’ after the club suspended thousands of season ticket holder accounts.
United say it’s an attempt to clamp down on touting – but they have tried to resolve a problem which requires surgical precision by deploying a sledgehammer.
Hundreds of loyal – and innocent – fans now have no idea if they will get their season tickets back. It’s yet another dreadful look for the club.
Manchester United fans are livid Credit: Getty
Old Trafford chiefs are attempting to clamp down on touting Credit: Alamy
JOOR JOKING
THERE is never a dull week in the world of football agent and major racehorse owner .
Having splashed out tens of millions on a squad of blue-blood thoroughbreds that have looked more like cart-horses this season, he is now engaged in a stand-off with his own jockey.
Joorabchian hired David Egan in 2024 to ride his horses and extended his contract last October.
But a reported bust-up behind the scenes means it looks like Joorabchian will soon be seeking his fourth stable jockey in the last four years.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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