Gary Neville reaction to Chelsea substitution sums up chaotic transfer spending

18 September 2023 , 06:05

887     0

Gary Neville reaction to Chelsea substitution sums up chaotic transfer spending

Gary Neville has labelled Chelsea’s transfer policy “mad and chaotic” since the takeover of the club by Todd Boehly - highlighting the substitution of Cole Palmer for Mykhailo Mudryk as a case in point.

A group led by US businessman Boehly completed their takeover of the club following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign. It brought an end to Abramovich’s 19-year control of the club, a period in which they won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League crowns.

Chelsea ’s squad is almost entirely unrecognisable in the 15 months that have followed with a huge overturn of players; with a multitude of players joining and exiting the club. Spending on transfer fees is close to £1billion across the three transfer windows under the new ownership.

In addition to an entirely new squad, there have also been multiple changes in the dugout with Mauricio Pochettino now in charge following a turbulent 2022/23 campaign. Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard were all in the dugout last season.

Yet this campaign has seen a slow start with just five points from their opening five Premier League matches and a patchy EFL Cup victory over Wimbledon highlighting the work that still needs to be done after a long period of instability at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

“It’s mad, it’s chaotic – the amount of players they bring in, we have been saying it for 15 months!” an exasperated Neville explained on Sky Sports on Sunday after the Blues were held to a scoreless draw by Bournemouth.

Have Your Say! Do you agree with Neville’s assessment of Chelsea? Tell us what you think here.

Pochettino endured another frustrating clash for Chelsea in their draw at Bournemouth (Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)

“Cole Palmer being bought for £40million from Man City is another one. We have seen it with United, that lack of stability at the top since Todd Boehly came in from Roman Abramovich. Every department at the club has changed and its too much.”

Neville continued: “They just need to stop. Sometimes I say this about my own life but when you feel like you are spinning on a roundabout too fast, you need to stop and allow things to slow down. It must be like that for Pochettino and the fans at the moment. They don’t know who will play from one game to the next.

“The project feels a bit mad with no coordination. I know they are signing young players on long contracts but it is something I am not sure about; Pochettino is a fantastic coach and the club will have to let their manager work it out over a period of time.”

Colin Millar