By Amaechi Agbo

Chelsea Football Club’s 4-0 loss to Arsenal on early Sunday morning and Thomas Tuchel’s admission on lack of mentality and commitment from his players, leaves no one in doubt as what to expect from the club next season.

Of more concern to Chelsea hierarchy is reported rejection of the club by targeted players.

Both confirmed and unconfirmed reports have it that Gabriel Jesus rejected Chelsea and signed for Arsenal from Manchester City, Raphinha who was at the verge of being unveiled by the club, later had a change of mind and went to sign for Barcelona from Leeds United while Lewandowski, who Chelsea reportedly tracked for ages, joined the Camp Nou as well.

Currently, Chelsea’s £55 million bid for Kounde is facing a serious threat and hijacking by Barcelona, again

Coupled with the “rejections” some of The Blues key players are reluctant and undecided about their future with the club. Caesar Azipilicueta and Timor Werner are key examples.

Added to the foregoing is the fact that Chelsea has a new owner and the club is in a serious rebuilding process and with the future of some players remaining doubtful because they would need to understand the management’s projections, Chelsea will struggle in the beginning of 2022/2023 EPL season which starts in two weeks’ time

With key management staff such as Transfer  Director Marina Granovskaia and Technical and Performance Director, Petr Cech shown the exit door, players do not want to gamble with their future and playing time particularly in World Cup year as we have this year.

It is going to be serious 2023 campaign for Chelsea and I think their priority will not be high. Champions League slot, perhaps which I doubt.

Chelsea’s Champions League status next season is a good tempting prospect to players, however, with a future not guaranteed, signing new players will require that the former UEFA Champions League winners will go extra mile in spending money.

Players could also take a gamble and join the team for the financial gains as we saw Raheem Sterling joining the club from City on a £300, 000 weekly wages.

Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly have moved to Stamford Bridge this summer, but with key players departing, Tuchel is desperate for more “quality” in his squad.

Tuchel said: “I look at the last season and parts of the game where we struggled, parts of the season where we struggled, and then we got sanctioned and players left us and some players are trying to leave us, and this is where it is.

“So we had an urgent appeal for quality players, a huge amount of quality players.

“We got two quality players but we are not competitive like this. Unfortunately you could see it today.”

Tuchel’s predicaments are conspicuously understandable and he made it clear after Arsenal’s humiliation on Sunday

“The worrying part is that the level of commitment physically and mentally for this match was far higher for Arsenal than for us,” Tuchel added.

“They played I think what is their strongest line-up and structure that you see now for several weeks. This was the line-up they will try to start for Premier League games.

“It was surely not our strongest line-up. This is a part of an explanation but only a little part and the other part is worrying.

“I cannot guarantee we will be ready in two weeks.”

Chelsea’s priority next season will not be to win the EPL title, (though not ruling anything out) but to push for a Champions League slot. Unless and until the transfer window shuts on September 1, Chelsea’s uncertain situation would continue and the league season within the period would be shakey for the former champions