Chelsea dropped to 12th in the Premier League after a 3-1 loss against Arsenal on Tuesday; Neville calls Chelsea’s performances in a run of six straight defeats “nothing short of a disgrace”; Sky Sports commentator criticizes Boehly’s choice; Listen to Gary Neville’s Podcast.
Do you Think Mauricio Pochettino will be a perfect replacement for Graham Potter ?
Gary Neville called Chelsea’s performance against Arsenal “pathetic,” but also blamed owner Todd Boehly for the club’s “nightmare” season, telling him to “stop meddling.”
Chelsea fell three down after 34 minutes at the Emirates on Tuesday night, their sixth loss in a row in all competitions, dropping them to 12th in the Premier League table.
At the end of a season that saw the club shatter transfer expenditure records yet dismiss Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, Neville argues the players’ application hasn’t been good enough, but it’s Boehly’s fault.
On the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit blasted the American for making major personnel changes at Chelsea and making big football decisions himself.
“Disgusting,” Neville remarked of Chelsea’s performance at Arsenal. “I’ve never seen the best team on paper play as poorly as that.” The first half was a disaster. Pathetic. “There were World Cup champions and internationals who were so pricey that I couldn’t believe it. Frank Lampard is probably thinking the same thing. They were the worst I’d ever seen. When you interpret a manager’s words on television, multiply it by 100 to get an idea of what they were saying in the locker room. You can’t fall to that level with the talent and dignity these athletes have. They performed admirably against Liverpool, and I saw promise. They don’t have a center forward and can’t score goals, but they performed well. But what has happened afterward has been nothing short of a disgrace.”Everything starts at the top. It’s been a shambles since day one. Boehly had a nightmare and completely misunderstood this league. I’m confident he’ll pick it up soon. What has transpired this season is all his fault. He needed to keep the football squad together. He works in the non-football department. You are the proprietor. You are neither a player nor a coach. You have no experience in this level, so stay where you are and let the people who have effectively run the football club for the previous ten years do so.”Try to get a year out of them to learn the ropes while maintaining Chelsea’s stability and consistency. Petr Cech departed, Marina Granovskaia went, Thomas Tuchel left after a few games, and you’re now in full disarray. Then they switched to a model that gave 22-year-olds eight-year contracts! “When you start firing groundskeepers, physiotherapists, sports scientists, directors, and managers, you’re putting everyone under the bus and saying, “It’s their fault, not mine.” Chelsea had a successful management style. This is what Boehly has now developed. He made this mess. It’s been awful, like playing football manager.”
‘Chelsea has the potential to challenge the top three next season.’
Despite Chelsea’s difficulties this season, Neville believes the club has the potential to return to the top of the league in 2023/24.
With Mauricio Pochettino tipped to be the next permanent manager at Stamford Bridge, Neville believes the group has tremendous potential provided they are trained well, show the appropriate mentality, and Boehly leaves football choices to professionals.
“I believe someone will mold them into a decent team that will challenge for top four and trophies,” Neville added. “I believe they are capable of competing with the top three.”This exacerbates Arsenal’s performance. People will think I’m crazy after what happened on Tuesday, but it’s even worse that players have devolved to that level.”We witnessed that last season when Manchester United threw up the towel under Ralf Rangnick. Those Chelsea players have thrown in the towel and are unconcerned. They might as well not have shown up. “If they were on 42 points and mathematically safe, you’d leave them all out and play the youngsters.” It’s never as horrible as you imagine, and it’s never as fantastic as you think unless you’re Manchester City. They’ve had a shocker, but it can be resurrected with the appointment of a good manager capable of controlling a bunch of players and putting an end to the interference from the ownership.”
Todd Boehly is dedicated to Chelsea’s development | ‘This is a long-term endeavor,’ says the author.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly says he is devoted to the Premier League club’s long-term aims despite the club’s dismal season.
Chelsea’s remaining games
May 6: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League, 3 p.m.
Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3 pm, May 13
Manchester City (A) vs. Liverpool (A) – Premier League, 4 p.m.
May 25: Manchester United (A) vs. Chelsea (B) – Premier League, kickoff 8 p.m., live on Sky Sports
Newcastle (H) – Premier League, kickoff 4.30 pm, May 28
