Why Chelsea FC’s Post-Roman Abramovich Era Has Only Just Begun

Mauricio Pochettino finally provided a picture to match what we’ve known to be true for several months now; he is the new Chelsea FC manager.

Regardless of how long the world has had to come to terms with a man so deeply associated with Tottenham Hotspur waving a Chelsea scarf about, when he did it the act still looked strange.

Pochettino’s presence on the Stamford Bridge touchline in a trademark open-collar dark shirt still conjures memories of his Spurs team capitulating in 2016 to hand Leicester City the title.

But, just as the sight of Arsenal-icon Cesc Fabregas or ex-Manchester City star Raheem Sterling in a blue Chelsea shirt felt odd at the start, a long enough spell in the West London dugout will push Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur memories to the back of the collective consciousness.

For those of a Spurs persuasion, it will still at this stage be hard not to feel that every word he utters is a dig at his former club.

Pochettino’s statement in his inaugural press conference that at Chelsea “it’s a culture of winning” and “In the last 10, 12, 15 years, Chelsea is the greatest team in England” will undoubtedly hurt supporters of his former club who’ve gone so long without a trophy.

But such proclamations are a necessary message the coach knows he must send his new fanbase.

Their reservations about Pochettino, beyond him being deeply associated with a bitter rival, relate to the idea his managerial record is a story of beautiful defeat.

Although he won a handful of trophies during his most recent spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino was never able to introduce his high-intensity playing style to its cast of superstars.

His departure, after just one year with the Parisians, appeared to emphasize this was a coach who needed time to craft a team to challenge rather than one who could command a dressing room already filled with prestigious talent.

But at his unveiling, the Argentinian was leaning into the idea at Chelsea there would be no ‘build now, win later.’

“In football, there is no patience,” the new manager said. “It is difficult to wait and when you are in Chelsea, I believe it is not about asking for time, you need to deliver from day one. Football is about today, yesterday. You cannot talk too much long-term.

“We cannot tell people we need six months to create because it seems not good. We need to create the belief from the beginning. We have players that can deliver in the short-term.”

He even went as far as name-checking some rivals he hoped to emulate or surpass.

“I love the risk [at Chelsea],” he added, “I love to be on the top and with the expectations to be here. It’s a big challenge that I want to feel. I want to feel the adrenaline again, to be there fighting for big things.

“I repeat: we can win. We can compete and try to beat this amazing team, Manchester City … and Liverpool and the different clubs.”

Finally a refresh

Since Roman Abramovich departed from the corridors of power at Stamford Bridge last year Chelsea has struggled to move on.

Perhaps it was the nature of the Russian billionaire’s exit, a rapid event sparked by his nation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent UK government sanctions.

Or it could just have been that the new leadership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital tried to change too much too soon.

The team struggled despite a raft of high-profile signings, such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk, for transfer fees exceeding half a billion dollars.

While the axing of fan favorite Thomas Tuchel in favor of Graham Potter was disastrous.

Months before the season was complete the Blues were left manager-less with a bloated squad of unhappy players.

Chelsea limped to a meager 12th position breaking a host of records for its worst performance in decades.

But in soccer, like all sports, there’s always next year.

The delay in Pochettino’s arrival enabled the club to sell Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek before he’d even walked in the door.

As Christian Pulisic nears a switch to AC Milan it looks like the new coach will not face the same issues as his predecessor.

With the benefit of a full pre-season Pochettino also has the opportunity to impress his playing style on the young hungry squad.

Indeed, even when the season begins he’ll have more opportunities than other teams at the top to communicate his message courtesy of the fact Chelsea will not be playing in Europe next season.

Not that the fixture computer has been kind to the West Londoners, it will open the campaign at home to Liverpool before traveling to East London for a derby with West Ham United.

Kinder games follow, but Pochettino will need to get off to a good start to win the fans over.

He can talk as much as he wants about winning, the only way to prove it is by delivering the goods.

Should he do so and the Blues go on to have a successful campaign memories of the Abramovich era will start to fade in the same way Pochettino’s Spurs connection.