Chelsea’s recent upturn in form has changed the whole mood around the club and the fan base. Before the three wins on the bounce, leading up to the international break, things were looking rather bleak at Stamford Bridge.
However, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad then built a bit of momentum, with the international break actually coming at the wrong time for the Blues. “It’s always about building a team. It’s a young squad, a team that still need to know each other,” Pochettino said earlier in the week.
“Only with time and training can we provide the team with what it needs. It’s why it is only a matter of time, no doubt.
“We need to be calm in the way we judge players and the team. I think we are growing and very good things are coming. You can feel that, even if sometimes we have some ups and downs. But, in the end, we will succeed together, for sure.”
There is still so much work for Pochettino and his backroom staff to do, though, despite the recent turnaround in form. The club’s board also have a big to-do list as they look to assemble a squad that can challenge at the top-end of the Premier League table. Some tough and brutal decisions may need to be made in the coming months.
Thiago Silva’s contract with the club is due to expire at the end of the season. If that is not extended, then the 39-year-old defender will leave the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2024. It is yet to be seen whether Chelsea will offer Silva an extension on his deal.
Since signing for the club in 2020, Silva has signed contracts on a yearly basis. As reported in the summer by soccerhuz.com, there were multiple clubs from Saudi Arabia who were interested in signing the Brazilian defender and they are expected to return for him next summer. Likewise, Silva has previously hinted that he could return to his homeland of Brazil before he eventually retires.
Ian Maatsen is another player who sees his contract in SW6 expire at the end of the season. The Netherlands international was close to leaving the club in the summer transfer window but instead decided to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place in the team.
understands, but the Dutchman is still seen as expendable. Either way, offering him a fresh deal could indeed protect his value should he decide to sign on the new terms.
The third and final player in the Chelsea first-team squad who has just months remaining on his contract is goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom. At this stage it is seen as unlikely that the club will offer the 21-year-old a new deal considering his status in the squad and the other goalkeeper options Chelsea have at their disposal.
