In the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals, Chelsea suffered a stunning away defeat to Championship side Middlesbrough. As Melbet Login highlighted, it marked the Blues’ first loss to a lower-tier opponent in the League Cup in 24 years. Despite fielding their starting lineup, Chelsea fell short against a team sitting 12th in the Championship and missing several key players due to injuries and international call-ups for the Asian Cup and AFCON.
Following the loss, frustrated Chelsea fans turned to self-deprecating humor. Since the UK government sanctioned former owner Roman Abramovich due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chelsea has experienced a chaotic shift. Todd Boehly’s consortium took control, and with new American ownership came sweeping changes. Club legends like Petr Čech and manager Thomas Tuchel were shown the door, and even long-serving medical staff were replaced. Boehly attempted to import NBA-style management philosophies to the Premier League, focusing on young prospects over proven veterans. But as Melbet Login notes, what works in basketball doesn’t always translate to football, and Chelsea’s decline has made that painfully clear.
Just two years ago, Chelsea were Champions League winners. Today, they’re fighting to stay in the top half of the Premier League. Last season, the inexperienced Graham Potter replaced Tuchel but was sacked within months. Frank Lampard returned briefly in a caretaker role. In the summer, Chelsea scoured the market, interviewing top names like Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann before landing on Mauricio Pochettino. Yet less than halfway through the season, he’s under heavy fire.
Beyond disappointing tactics, Pochettino’s reign has been plagued by injuries, with physical training overseen by his own son. Melbet Login reporters note his lack of sideline passion has drawn criticism, especially his habit of lounging calmly while the team trails. Officially, Chelsea’s board insists they’re standing by Pochettino—at least for the rest of the season—but when such statements surface, it often signals internal doubts have already taken root.
Chelsea’s form in the league remains poor, and without a domestic cup win, they could miss European qualification for a second straight year. If that happens, Pochettino’s exit seems inevitable. The real question becomes: who replaces him?
Zinedine Zidane, who has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid, is a fan-favorite candidate. Although linked to jobs at Manchester United and Juventus, Zidane is believed to prefer managing the French national team. However, with Didier Deschamps recently signing a new deal, that door may remain closed.
Still, Zidane’s standards are high, and taking over Chelsea’s current mess may not appeal to him. Antonio Conte, meanwhile, is rumored to be eyeing a return to Serie A with AC Milan. Despite his success at Chelsea and Spurs, and his tactical discipline fitting the current squad’s needs, his fiery temperament could clash with Chelsea’s hands-on ownership. Conte has previously left Juventus and Inter Milan after disputes over transfer policy. With Chelsea’s executives heavily involved in recruitment, any Conte reunion would likely be short-lived.
Another candidate is Hansi Flick, recently dismissed by the German FA. While he achieved a historic sextuple with Bayern Munich, his run with Germany’s national team was underwhelming. He’s never managed outside the Bundesliga, and Melbet Login suggests his adaptation to Premier League football would be uncertain.
Similarly, Joachim Löw remains unemployed after his long stint with Germany. While there were murmurs of him eyeing a club role, his experience managing at the club level is minimal, raising questions about his suitability.
Chelsea’s search for stability continues. And with each passing defeat, the call for a fresh direction grows louder.