And this week brought back Chelsea anarchy, as well as football common sense, early in the pack. January window was hardly opened yet another surreal subplot was created by Chelsea. The club sent back teenage defender Aaron Anselmino on loan at Borussia Dortmund with no apparent sporting explanation given. The transfer shocked the rest of the European continent and even more within the premier league.
Anselmino impressed in Germany, and took his place quite effectively in the system of Dortmund. He anticipated continuity, growth and minutes. Chelsea provided, instead, perplexity and insecurity and a ticket to the overcrowding. His farewell was followed by tears, which spoke more than the press release was able to cope with.
A Defensive Stockpile Without Direction
The defender collection of Chelsea now can be compared to an addiction towards stickers albums. The team now has Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato, Chalobah, James, Gusto, Fofana, and Acheampong in the squad. The injured duo of Levi Colwill and Axel Disasi are also additional numbers, which cannot be availed. Mamadou Sarr is still possessed, on loan, and forgotten.
That would mean thirteen defenders associated with a single first team setup. Chelsea somehow continue making shortages during interviews. This was said by former coach Enzo Maresca, who recently claimed that there are issues with defenders in the club. The remark was struck more like a one-liner instead of a description.
Chelsea already sold Chilwell, Veiga, and Humphreys, which did not contribute much to the reduction of the traffic jam. The club also sold Marc Guehi who is currently performing well in other clubs. Manchester City acted fast and had him this window. Chelsea stood, and looked and passed on.
Recruitment by Repetition, Not Planning
The recruitment strategy at Stamford Bridge is rather copy-by-impression. Innocent defenders come and go, and come, and disappear. Pathways remain unclear. Development seems to be discretionary. Loan services are revolving doors with defective labels.
In the meantime, the fans of Chelsea are still expecting performance on the field. The problem of defensive stability is not achieved by numerical wealth. The human being has too many choices that produce indecision rather than decision. In the act of selection there is nothing like confusion creating offence instead of faith.
The Anselmino Episode as a Warning Sign
The Anselmino recall revealed more about the club structure problems. The decisions look responsive and not proactive. There is not a lot of the visible work done on long term squad balance. Another contradiction is presented in every window.
Chelsea even make yet another defensive signing prior to the deadline day. That was a potential that shocked both its supporters and its opponents. No clear exit plan exists. Minutes remain scarce. The development of young people is neglected in the background.
Weaknesses are the issues that are normally resolved through football clubs. Chelsea rather repeat the same profile many times. The outcome is like hoarding and not strategy. The quality is drowned by the quantity in terms of the administrative overload.
From Authority to Absurdity
Chelsea used to conquer England using intelligibility and brutality. Noise has taken a place of direction today. There is talent and there is no coherence. As long as leadership makes decisions more complex, there will be confusion.
Anselmino episode is a perfect depiction of the modern Chelsea. Talent comes in, reason goes out, and explanations never come. The spectators laugh, the opponents sneer and football keeps shaking its head.
Other Premier League extravagance is also revealed in this saga. Finance is free, patience is short and nothing is planned. Chelsea enhance all the contemporary flaws. Such stories will be repeated every week until restraint sets in. Row Z hardly has to use imagination any more, since reality is now also providing absurd comedy with hardly any effort. The fans are also continuously confused.
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