Chelsea 2021-22 Premier League Preview
Can the Blues challenge under Tuchel?
Since arriving in January 2021, Thomas Tuchel has made a huge impact at Chelsea. The German boss guided the Blues to the final of the Emirates FA Cup and to fourth place in the Premier League. Then in May, Chelsea stunned Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, beating the Premier League champions to lift the trophy.
The Londoners were not title candidates last season, as they just snuck into the top four on the final day. However, with a full pre-season in charge, Tuchel will want his Chelsea players to make a strong start to the 2021-22 campaign. Will the Blues be genuine title contenders this season? Check out our in-depth Chelsea betting preview.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: Champions League glory
- 2 2021-22 Fixtures: Tough start for Tuchel’s men
- 3 Chelsea Transfer News: Any new faces at the Bridge?
- 4 Who Are Chelsea’s Biggest Challengers: Can the Blues finish in the top four again?
- 5 Manchester United Preview: Will the Red Devils build under Ole?
- 6 Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Spurs to get back on track?
- 7 Other Potential Rivals: Will the Gunners fire back?
- 8 Chelsea Players to Watch Out For in the 2021-22 Season: Another massive season for Mount?
- 9 Our Chelsea Predictions: Top four for the Blues
2020-21 Review: Champions League glory
The 2020-21 Premier League season was a strange one for the Blues. In pre-season, the club splashed the cash on several superstars, with the likes of Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech arriving in west London. A number of players headed for the Stamford Bridge exit door, too, with the likes of Pedro, Alvaro Morata and Willian moving on.
Frank Lampard’s new-look team kicked off with a win at Brighton & Hove Albion before a poor home loss to 2019-20 champions Liverpool on matchday two. Chelsea went on to win just two of their opening six Premier League matches.
Their form improved in October and November, but the Blues lost five of eight over the festive period. A 2-0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on 19th January proved to be Lampard’s final Premier League game in charge of his beloved Blues.
The board wasted no time in bringing in Lampard’s replacement, as Tuchel was in charge for the next league match, which was a 0-0 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The German made an instant impression, with Chelsea winning six and drawing four of ten league fixtures until a shock 5-2 home reverse to West Bromwich Albion in April.
Chelsea went on to lose to Arsenal and Aston Villa at the end of the season, but Tottenham’s win at Leicester – who beat them in the FA Cup final in May – on the last day handed fourth spot to Chelsea. Shortly after, Tuchel’s troops caused a real upset by beating Pep Guardiola’s Man City in the 2021 Champions League final. Havertz repaid his huge fee by scoring the only goal of the game in Porto.
2021-22 Fixtures: Tough start for Tuchel’s men
Chelsea’s season officially kicks off with a UEFA Super Cup fixture with 2020-21 UEFA Europa League winners Villarreal. Their opening Premier League game of the campaign will see the Blues welcome fellow Londoners Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on 14th August.
Chelsea have an extremely tough start, as they face Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Man City all by October. The first fixture against Manchester United will be at the Bridge in November, with the away match at Old Trafford scheduled for mid-May, the penultimate weekend. Chelsea’s league season ends with a home game against 2020-21 EFL Championship runners-up Watford.
Chelsea Key Facts
- Chelsea have been English champions six times
- The Blues have won the Premier League on five occasions since its inception in 1992
- Chelsea became Champions League winners for the second time last term
- The London outfit were losing FA Cup finalists in 2021
Chelsea Transfer News: Any new faces at the Bridge?
Chelsea did their spending last year, brining in a whole host of big-money signings for the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Roman Abramovic revamped the squad, and the Blues now have one of the strongest sides in the division.
However, those were all Lampard signings, and although Tuchel will be happy with the strength in depth, he could add one or two of his own players to the Stamford Bridge ranks before the window slams shut.
Chelsea have been loosely linked with Harry Kane, while Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland have also been mentioned.
Who Are Chelsea’s Biggest Challengers: Can the Blues finish in the top four again?
Both Lampard and Tuchel have guided Chelsea into the top four in the last two seasons, and securing Champions League football for the 2022-23 campaign will be top priority again for the London giants. However, Man City and Liverpool will no doubt be the frontrunners for the title, while Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Leicester – plus the possibility of one or two others – will also be looking for a top-four finish.
Manchester United Preview: Will the Red Devils build under Ole?
With Man City and Liverpool looking likely to be among the top dogs again, Man United could be Chelsea’s closest challengers this season in terms of securing a top-four spot once again.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has slowly but surely improved Man United since inheriting the managerial reigns during the 2018-19 campaign. Ole has taken the Red Devils into the Champions League two seasons in a row. Last year, United finished runners-up to City, going the entire campaign unbeaten away from home. The Manchester giants will be hoping to finish in the Champions League places yet again.
Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Spurs to get back on track?
By their high standards, Tottenham had a pretty woeful campaign last time around. The club decided to sack Mourinho a few days before the EFL Cup final, while they missed out on Champions League football altogether. However, they did book their place in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.
At this moment in time, Spurs have yet to announce their manager for the upcoming season, though former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the heavy favourite. After Mourinho was relieved of his duties, young Ryan Mason did a sterling job as interim boss. With the right man at the helm, Tottenham are more than capable of breaking back into the top four, even if Kane does move on.
Other Potential Rivals: Will the Gunners fire back?
Arsenal have been going backwards in recent years, but there have been signs of life under Mikel Arteta. However, the London club have no European football to contend with for the first time in 26 years – they missed out on the inaugural Europa Conference League to rivals Tottenham on the last day. Nevertheless, no European football could be a blessing as the Gunners look to break back into the top four.
Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the final to win the FA Cup last term. Leicester could be a team to watch out for once again this term.
Chelsea Players to Watch Out For in the 2021-22 Season: Another massive season for Mount?
On paper, Chelsea’s team looks as strong as anyone’s in the Premier League. As we touched on, the Blues spent an enormous amount of cash in 2020, and the signs were certainly there. With the likes of Werner, Havertz and Ziyech all now having a season to settle, the big three could cause havoc for Premier League defences this year.
However, a home-grown talent in the shape of Mason Mount could be Chelsea’s superstar this term. The England international had an outstanding campaign last time around, playing a huge part in the Blues’ success. Tuchel is a fond admirer of the English youngster, and Mount is only going to get better and better with age.
Our Chelsea Predictions: Top four for the Blues
With Man City seemingly getting stronger under Pep, while we fully expect Liverpool to be back in the title race this term, winning the Premier League this season might be a step too far for Tuchel and his men. The Blues are surely set to face another big battle with the likes of Man United and Tottenham for a place in the top four.
They looked to have blown their top-four chances on the final day of last term, with the Londoners crashing to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park. However, Tottenham’s late show at the King Power handed fourth spot to Chelsea. Of course, their Champions League win would have put them in Europe’s elite club competition, but they did not know that at the time.
We are all set for what promises to be a fascinating Premier League season. Chelsea start the campaign as genuine title contenders with the bookies, with Paddy Power making them second favourites behind Man City at 9/2.
Chelsea are available at just 2/9 to finish in the top four, but that looks like your safest bet if you want to take advantage of the pre-season odds. Of course, Tuchel will want the title, but a top-four finish is our choice of bet for Chelsea this year.
