A new era hopefully beckons for Chelsea after last Friday's 9 pm deadline for bids to buy the club from Roman Abramovich. A number of potential consortiums and names have come reportedly come forward, all proclaiming to offer the brightest vision.
It is impossible to know at the time of writing whose bid will be successful, but that does not mean our team of writers cannot combine to put their reputations on the line, trying to predict the future.
Future signings? More patience for Thomas Tuchel? A transfer revolution? Stamford Bridge redeveloped? A bold new sponsorship? Or more of the same?
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel's transfer nightmare fixed as Chelsea solve major squad issue in light of the takeover
READ MORE: Chelsea can thank PSG for golden Champions League insurance as Thomas Tuchel's legacy grows
The rules of these predictions are slightly different. Each writer will give three predictions. The first is one they have 10% confidence will happen, the second, 50% confidence in and the third 90% confidence in.
Anita Abayomi
10: Pundits will stop trying to pitch Thomas Tuchel - I mean, come on! Since Chelsea found themselves in trouble due to Roman Abramovich's sanctions, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and Liverpool all-timer, Jamie Carragher has been dying for Tuchel's departure. We get it, he's pretty super, but can we please let him finish off his journey at Chelsea? Please. To be fair, he's only just going to get better, isn't he? Clubs around the world will be monitoring his situation regardless. Until Manchester United finds the perfect manager and some positive form to go with it, Tuchel will always be wanted elsewhere.
50: Chelsea will go big in the Summer transfer window - If you had asked me earlier a few months back if Chelsea would have a massive transfer window ahead of them, I would have said 100%. Now I am not so sure. Whilst Chelsea needs an overhaul of their defence, new ownership might stand in the way.
We're used to getting the signings we want. Just last month, we were still linked with Jules Kounde, Declan Rice, and Aurelien Tchouameni. We were also tipped for another centre-back, right back and attacking option. Now the future isn't looking so great, and in fact, it's ironically looking quite blue. If our new owners are as invested as they claim to be, this should be no trouble for Chelsea, and we can resume as normal... I hope.
90: Thomas Tuchel Stays for the long run - Unlike my fellow pessimist colleagues, I am more than 90% sure that Tuchel is here for a long stint. He's currently got on the hard formula 1 tyres, ready to drive the Chelsea bus for the long haul. I am not saying he will have Sir Alex Ferguson's powers and do a few decades with us. Still, he will certainly be given the same grace that Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have had. I cannot wait for the memories we are destined to make with our German delight—cheers to more trophies and too upsetting our rivals.
Jake Stokes
10: Werner will recapture his RB Leipzig form - A part of me still thinks that there's a serial goalscorer trapped inside just waiting to burst out. I've been backing Werner since he joined, but it's getting hard now. I can't comprehend how he can go from being one of Europe's most in-form strikers with the biggest sides chasing him to someone who can't hit a barn door. Werner's debut season was very underrated despite the bad press, but this term hasn't been the one.
50: Chelsea will be in the right hands - I've not been a fan of the publicity around the sale of Chelsea. Yes, I understand that it's natural to have coverage around the sale in the circumstances - especially being the world champions - but I feel that it will attract the wrong attention. I'm on the fence about whether the club will fall into the right hands. I'm half expecting a mega £250m summer transfer blowout and a continuation of success, but I'm also wary of a free-fall decline.
90: Tuchel to stay and have a say in key transfers - I think Tuchel could grow into Chelsea's most successful manager in the next 18 months, depending on a willing owner. If the German boss gets sufficient funds, I can see the new owners putting the power in his hands to sign who he wants in the first window or two, maybe three. Chelsea will undoubtedly have a teething period, and the owners will need Tuchel for stability. The stability will come from a continuation of success. By handing Tuchel the spending power, the owners can enjoy a swift honeymoon period at Stamford Bridge. In the long-term, of course, I expect a director of football but short-term wise I think Tuchel will be the one splashing the cash.
Daniel Childs
10: Chelsea's previous transfer targets will remain - Given how up in the air things are regarding the transfer structure post-Abramovich, it is impossible to guess how this summer window could look under new ownership. With Marina Granovskaia likely to depart, how does that impact things? I'd like to see the long-term interest in Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Jules Kounde remains.
50: Thomas Tuchel stays for the long-term - It probably sums up how uncertain things at Chelsea are that I'm putting 50% on this. Maybe the classic 18-month cycle of before is altered with a new owner, particularly given how perfect a fit Thomas Tuchel is. Fans adore him. His success in 14 months speaks for itself, and the club is unlikely to find a better coach on the market.
90: Cobham excellence continues - This is obviously infused with hope, but I do not think it would be a stretch to assume any new owner is blessed with the gift of Cobham that has been built up with great investment and the wonderful work of Neil Bath, who has to be kept on. The academy offers an incredible environment to develop great people and players. Hopefully, provide homegrown solutions to the first team whilst maintaining the culture and spirit of the club.
Scott Clayton
10: Sell, sell, sell - A new ownership will hopefully mean we start to sell off some of the players not good enough for Chelsea and give a clearer path to the academy players. I know it's still a business, and the owners won't want to sell everyone for cheap just to clear out. I hope we see the sale of some of the players not good enough as the club moves forward.
50: Thomas Tuchel stays for the long-term - I've put this in the 50% because I'd like to think the next owners have seen how great Tuchel is and commit to keeping him for a long time. Hopefully, they trust the process live Man City and Liverpool have done to great success. I can't sit here and say I fully expect that to happen as the new owners may look at how Roman Abramovich did things to get success and copy that model.
90: Chelsea will keep winning trophies - I'm still very confident the club will keep winning trophies under the new owner, especially with Thomas Tuchel as the manager. We've had too much investment and such a good academy set up for it to all fall apart now. Time for Chelsea to go again and start being Premier League champions back to back.
