The Todd Boehly regime was strewn with high-level signatures and brand additions, but Chelsea is actually closer to the competition again at the top of the national and European game?
The wait continues that silverware be claimed in the new era of Clearlake, with the only hope of the Blues this season which was now based in the success of the conference league, after spending two years without tasting football in the Champions League.
Even in the middle of the chaotic nature of the times of the Romanesque days Abramovich, the western London team has always remained a real force in the Premier League and on the continent, a fact embodied by their two triumphs of the Champions League.
In 2020/21, for example, Thomas Tuchel – who replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021 – led the club to European glory just six months before its fate at Stamford Bridge. Less than a decade earlier, the acting boss Roberto Di Matteo had achieved the same feat, at the end of another chaotic campaign for the club.
A central figure of this glorious triumph of 2012 was, of course, Juan Mata, the Spaniard having had an instant impact after his arrival from Valencia a year earlier.
How Juan Mata compared to Cole Palmer
Signed by Valence On an offer of 23.5 million pounds sterling In August 2011, the diminutive playmaker was an integral part of Chelsea’s success this season, having written a remarkable count of 32 goals and assists In all competitions during his first campaign.
Perhaps the main contribution that the age of 23 made this season was whipped in the area, which led to the crucial head of Didier Drogba late in the normal period, which marked the 20th and last decisive of the campaign for Mata.
An amazing first year in Chelsea was followed by an even more impactful second season in 2012/13, the silky star recorded a total of gigantic 50 involvement of objectives in 60 games In all competitions.
To put this in context, not even the man of the moment, Cole Palmer, still struck such summits, the English having has achieved 40 goals and helps the last mandatefollowing His 40 million pound switch sterling of Manchester City.
As for the current campaign, English slowed down after a dazzling start, with “Just” 14 goals and six assists To his name so far, the 22-year-old has failed to score since mid-January.
Palmer vs Mata – First season in Chelsea | ||
|---|---|---|
Competition | ||
Premier league | 19 g / A | 33 g / a |
FA Cup | 8 g / a | 3 g / a |
EFL cup | 0 | 4 g / a |
Champions League | 5 g / a | N / A |
Total | 32 g / a | 40 g / a |
Statistics via TransferMarkt | ||
In all, Palmer recorded 60 goal implications in his first 78 games for the club, while Mata, meanwhile, recorded 82 contributions to goals during her first two campaigns at the club – although this came from 114 games.
As Creative Left -Footer with an eye for the goal, Palmer – who has also presented similar free kick prowess – has certainly shown mata nuances to date, although Boehly and Co could well stir another version of the Spanish now veteran.
The next Juan Mata de Chelsea
The common theme of the Boehly era was the desire to browse the globe for the next great thing, an embodied fact only recently with the surprise signature of Manchester United Target, Geovany Quenda, of Sporting CP.
The teenager of 40 million pounds sterling However, it will be necessary to wait to appear for the Blues, as it should put the 2025/26 campaign in Lisbon, before connecting with the Enzo Maresca team next summer.
Meanwhile, the Chelsea team will be reinforced by the late arrivals of two other adolescent talents in the form of Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez, with the couple who will adapt to Palmeiras and Independentte del Valle, respectively.
It is this last man who could perhaps emerge as the second coming of Mata for the blues, either in a central role, or on the sides, with the Ecuadorian sensation also creative, “Magician on left“, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson.
Also described as “One of the most exciting talents in world football“By Jacek Kulig, Kendry – who will be 18 years old in May – has already drawn attention to the senior level despite his youth, mark and help 19 times in 70 games In his homeland.
Just like Mata – who has only 5 feet 7 – the feeling of 5 feet 9 is small and light, but compensates for this with her creative spark and her ability to “Play a“, In Mattinson’s words, he already looked like the blues had a real gem on their hands.
Also capable of operating throughout the midfielder, just like Mata, the 17 -year -old also has Already made 17 higher appearances For his country, marking twice, with this apparently additional proof of what is really a high potential star.
In the pipeline
Football Fancast’s in the Pipeline Series aims to discover the best youth players in world football.
Perhaps it is still at the beginning, Kendry can imitate Mata to help direct the side of Stamford Bridge until the glory of the Champions League in the years to come.
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