Last season had little in the way of fond memories for Chelsea, with 2022/23 being a difficult season to endure following the club's takeover just over 12 months ago. It's little wonder that so much has changed since the end of last term with Mauricio Pochettino set to officially become Blues boss this weekend.
There have been no shortage of departures either with N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz and Kalidou Koulibaly all having left west London this month among a number of others. More business must be done but hopefully that will see Pochettino with an improved platform to ensure Chelsea respond quickly after finishing in 12th place.
With that said, football.london surveyed thousands of Chelsea fans in the Big Forum on a range of different topics including Todd Boehly, who is most to blame for the season, what Pochettino's first task must be at Chelsea and the transfer market. Supporters have made their feelings apparent on the club's direction and the uncertainty surrounding west London.
It perhaps says a lot about the strength of feeling that 84% of those polled, described it as Chelsea's worst ever season.
Safe to say, supporters have not been convinced by the abilities of Chelsea's new owners just yet, with Todd Boehly and the board taking most of the blame for the season's results. They received 60% of the vote, while 24% believed that the blame could be shared equally across the club, with 7% believing the playing squad should take the blame and the remaining votes shared between Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
It is perhaps understandable with doubts over the ownership, that similar uncertainty could seep into the verdict on those they employ. Half of supporters believe that Pochettino is the correct man to take Chelsea forward for the long term but with a significant 42% characterising themselves as unsure. Though perhaps some heart can be taken in only 8% doubting his credentials.
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His job of turning Chelsea's fortunes around has not been made any easier by the expected departure of Mason Mount however. The Blues agreed a fee with Manchester United on Thursday, with a £60million move set to take place.
However, 68% of fans surveyed wanted to see Chelsea do everything they can to keep the Cohbam product, and 32% believing his time at the club was up. It does not appear that most believed Mount was part of the deadwood that fans want Pochettino to dispose of.
A sizeable 52% of supporters believed that should be the new Chelsea boss' first priority, with changing the culture of the squad, implementing new tactics and adding new signings provided with 28%, 15% and 5% respectively.
Nevertheless with the prospect of adding Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson having emered already, supporters are keen to see a number of additions. An overwhelming 92% of supporters want to see three, four, or five or more additions, with four new signings proving most popular with 38% of the vote.
While Caicedo does not look like he will come cheap to replenish Chelsea's midfield, 70% of those surveyed believes the club's attack requires the most investment. Few want to see Romelu Lukaku afforded an opportunity as part of that, with 71% of responders declaring there is no way back for him at the club.
So, with so many changes and no European football can the Blues bounce back? Expectations remain high, perhaps understandably given the investment over the past 12 months with more to come. A lofty 58% are hoping for a swift return to Champions League qualification, while 23% believe winning the Premier League is the minimum expectation. No pressure, Mauricio.
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