Has Chelsea player exodus in this transfer window left them with an identity crisis?

BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

You’ve saved up for ages to buy a ticket to the opening of a new play.

The star of the show is someone you have wanted to see and admired for ages. It’s exciting and the anticipation is palpable. Then, on opening night, you get to the venue only to be told, the star won’t be performing.

An understudy will instead take the leading role.

The disappointment is immense. A sense of frustration, even mild anger develops. You lose all sense of wanting to go to see the show.

Now multiply that by 11 and you have the feelings of many Chelsea faithful as the Premier League season looms.

Those who have watched the club develop from a relegation-haunted entity to become a powerhouse of European football.

Even when the brakes failed on that particular adventure a couple of seasons ago, fans still had that connection to the club.

“He’s one of our own,” they chanted for the likes of John Terry, Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James and a host of kids developed from the academy and propelled into the first team.

Twelve senior players have left Stamford Bridge this summer with three more ready to go before the transfer window closes.

That excludes the 12 youngsters binned in the summer.

Anyone watching Chelsea in the past couple of pre-season matches in the US will be forgiven if they can’t recognise many of them.

And it’s that disconnect between the fans and players that may cause new owners Todd Boehly and Co a surprise when the Blues open their league season at home to Liverpool on August 13.

One player fans will recognise and be glad to see face the Merseysiders is right-back James.

James has turned up in the US following an illness and captained the side in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in midweek and is expected to play some more minutes against Fulham on Sunday.

He admitted things at the club have been less than ideal – personally and within the dressing room.

“Last season was probably the toughest I’ve experienced but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

“It was very difficult last season because there was lots of change.

“Some players probably didn’t want to be there because they weren’t playing, so it was difficult. But we’re on to a new page and we’re looking forward to a new season.

“Since the new staff and the manager have come in, the energy has changed and it’s been a very good atmosphere.”

After his knee injury and illness, James said: “It’s been difficult. Last season I had a lot of injuries and I haven’t played in three months. But it’s good, I’m finding my feet again.

“I’m back into full training now, I’m over the illness. I had to stay a few days behind in Cobham but now I’m back here training with the squad and I feel good.

“I wish I could look into the future, I don’t know if they’re over (his injury problems) but I’m trying my best to stay on the field.”

Chelsea will sell midfielder Conor Gallagher if they sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

A transfer fee is yet to be confirmed, but there are no issues regarding personal terms and the Ecuador international is keen to  continue his career at SW6.

Gallagher, 23 has all but accepted that he will remain a bit-part player should he  stay at Stamford Bridge. Newcastle, Spurs and West Ham look likely suitors.