Not only did Timo Werner score a first-half hattrick whilst Chelsea slumped to a damaging 2-1 defeat to Southampton. Summer target Anthony Gordon scored his second goal in two games, and Wilfried Zaha provided Crystal Palace with a moment of magic that Thomas Tuchel was in dire need of on the south coast.
It was a night that summed up the club’s past problems, its current ones and areas that promise to halt or reverse any progress being made right now. There is now less than 48 hours for the transfer work to be completed, and at the end of that. Maybe with a thankful eye for Tuchel, the window will be shut, and the work that has been done will be what he has to work with.
The next time after September 1 that Tuchel gets to enter the market again properly will be after a World Cup, a drastically different market in its own way. The defeat only piled on the pressure and questions, ones likely to be made even more intense as the window draws to a close.
This summer itself hasn’t been the root cause of Tuchel’s problems, they come from long-term management failure within the club, though a lack of central midfield options does come under that umbrella which falls at Tuchel’s door. It also won’t be solved by big-money signings either. Although a midfielder looks blatantly obvious, ridding the squad of extra players is still important. If Chelsea wants to sign Zaha, fostering a better team atmosphere should also elevate itself up that list.
The Palace forward scored his fourth goal in as many games, though the Eagles were later pegged back by Leeds, and gave a frank assessment of what he has at Selhurst Park. The Ivorian said, “It feels like a family here at Palace.” For Chelsea, there is no such feeling right now. There are still players that want out. Now they are being relied upon to play and start matches. Some first team members are having contracts terminated or training away from the main group. Others are still unsure where they will be come to the window’s end.
It’s not the atmosphere that would prize Zaha away from Palace, yet his impact could revitalise a team on and off the pitch. The 29-year-old has the technical skills and capacity to bring energy and forward thinking to an attack that is greatly missing it. He is versatile across the front line and would be a good option if the deal could be completed, though.
For now, though, even if it isn’t in order to get Zaha, Chelsea have to make Cobham and Stamford Bridge a family place once more if they are to work through a tough period.
