Having been at the top of Europe for a long time in recent years, the London club is no longer totally confident, as it comes to facing Servette twice in the Conference League qualifiers (first leg tonight to follow from 9:00 p.m. on RTSsport.ch, return leg in Geneva in a week). A godsend for the Grenat?
Defeated 2-0 on Sunday by Manchester City at the start of the Premier League season, Chelsea of course has no reason to be ashamed of this setback conceded against one of the best teams in the world, but this result sends the London club back to what it is no longer: an English giant. In reality, of course, the Stamford Bridge residents remain big customers, but they have clearly gone down a floor or two in the last three years, since their quest for the 2021 Champions League against… Manchester City.
A credit to be found
At that time, Jorginho, N’Golo Kanté, Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger, Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic and even the old hand Thiago Silva had what it took to make direct opponents tremble and make Europe dream a little. Today, weighed down by two failed seasons (12th in 2023, 6th in 2024), transfers that were a bit too much, coaching choices that convinced no one and a management that was in dire straits, the Blues are feeling down. And, under the leadership of Enzo Maresca (read box)a credit to be found. Will Servette pay the price in the coming days?
Of course, against a club that has been one of those that has dominated Europe for the last two decades, the Grenat have nothing to be proud of. But nothing gives them the right to present themselves as sacrificial victims in London either. Despite their experience, the few stars that still remain and the market value of a squad that is quite crazy in the literal and figurative sense (more than forty players!), the CFC does not exude confidence.
“This is not a healthy club!”
His preparation campaign has not been very exciting and his behaviour on the transfer market has further amplified the idea that his thinking heads are not thinking about much (repatriation of Joao Félix, sidelining of Raheem Sterling, dressing room full to bursting…).The club should stop buying players and players should stop signing for Chelseasaid Jamie Carragher, the former England international, on Monday Night Football. Why do they go there? The only reason would be because they will have a long guaranteed contract and easy money for several years. Players would be better off signing a four-year contract at a decent club and looking to get good results there…“
And the former Liverpool legend added: “There is nothing exciting about Chelsea’s project. No, there is nothing young or exciting about it. Where will Felix play? Where will Neto play when the club already has Cole Palmer? Where will Enzo Fernandez play? Where will Christopher Nkunku play? Yes, the competition is strong, but Chelsea has too many people. It is not a healthy group! With 40 players, how can you organize a training session?“
In Grenat, Thomas Häberli does not ask himself this kind of question. This effectively saves him a headache, but the Servettian technician would perhaps not be against having a few more tools in his kit to oppose the Londoners with a slightly higher-level squad, these next two Thursdays. The fact remains that, in terms of confidence, he has the merit of coming off a victory. Against Bernex, certainly…
Arnaud Cerutti
