PSG demonstrates to Chelsea the requirements for joining Europe’s top tier.
LONDON — In less than a year, Chelsea has transitioned from world champions to a struggling team. This concerning trend raises new questions about the club’s distinctive approach to reestablishing itself among Europe’s elite on a consistent basis.
The Blues received significant praise for their unexpected victory in last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, yet their claim to being the top team globally has always felt somewhat unconvincing.
They were not even the leading team in England last season, and Paris Saint-Germain starkly reminded them on Tuesday that they are far from being the best team in Europe as well.
Indeed, the 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge concluded an 8-2 aggregate loss, marking it as one of the worst two-legged European defeats in Chelsea’s history.
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Champions League titleholders PSG harshly revealed the weaknesses that have plagued the Chelsea squad for an extended period, long before the arrival of new head coach Liam Rosenior, which clarifies why his position remains secure despite such a damaging evening.
Chelsea’s strategy for building a team capable of thriving in top competitions has consistently sparked debate, having aggressively invested over £1.5 billion in less than four years under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership. The relationship between Boehly and Clearlake’s Behdad Eghbali has recently soured, yet both were present in west London, suggesting a temporary truce as they exchanged a handshake in the Directors’ Box before the match.
What they witnessed was a stark revelation of the squad they have assembled. It has been painfully clear for some time that Chelsea needs to enhance their center backs, goalkeeper, and forward line. The loss of Levi Colwell for the season was a significant setback, but the issues run deeper.
Any hopes of staging an unlikely comeback vanished after just 15 minutes due to yet another instance of poor defending, which has become a recurring theme.
This may well be the defining aspect of this tie, alongside PSG’s clinical finishing. They registered eight shots, five of which were on target, and scored three goals.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s sixth-minute goal was well-executed but resulted from a straightforward long ball from PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov that Mamadou Sarr failed to handle.
Sarr, making his Champions League debut, was out of position at right-back due to injuries to Reece James and Malo Gusto, but this was a fundamental mistake regardless of his position on the field.
Similarly, Bradley Barcola’s 15th-minute goal was exquisite, but he was afforded far too much space to operate. The slight pre-match optimism that had filled the stadium quickly dissipated.
Not for the first time this season, the home fans chanted the name of Roman Abramovich.
Chelsea’s former owner, currently embroiled in a dispute with the United Kingdom government over the proceeds from the enforced sale, is a controversial figure nationwide, yet fans here remember him fondly because, despite the controversies, this was a club that knew how to compete at the highest level.
On Monday, news emerged that the club had been fined £10.75 million for making £47 million in undisclosed payments to unregistered agents and third parties in transfer dealings between 2011 and 2018, serving as a reminder that the previous regime did not always operate flawlessly.
There have been achievements: qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, winning the UEFA Conference League, and, of course, last summer’s triumph in the United States.
However, the club continues to experience growing pains as it seeks to redefine itself in the post-Abramovich era.
The pace of transformation has been relentless. Over 50 players have been acquired. Rosenior is the fifth permanent head coach of the club. There is a wealth of promising talent at Chelsea, and one of the youngest squads in Europe is expected to improve over time.
Yet, it is also evident that the team requires experience. Former managers Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca both emphasized the necessity of adding seasoned players to mentor the younger ones. Pochettino and Maresca sought to recruit at least one center back. Rosenior also requested one in January, but the club failed to secure Jérémy Jacquet, who chose to join Liverpool instead.
Sarr was recalled from Strasbourg as an alternative. Consequently, Chelsea’s defense feels perpetually unsettled — Wesley Fofana was benched for this match — while the rotation between goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and Filip Jørgensen appears inconsistent with the reliability expected from top teams. They now have just one clean sheet in 14 matches.
This is not to absolve Rosenior of responsibility, and the Chelsea supporters remain uncertain about their current head coach. He effectively conceded defeat at 2-0 down on the night, substituting Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and João Pedro before the hour mark.
Some fans expressed their discontent with his decision. Less than three minutes later, Senny Mayulu scored PSG’s third goal, prompting thousands to begin leaving the stadium.
Rosenior had one eye on Saturday’s Premier League match against Everton, a fixture of great significance as they currently sit outside the Premier League’s top five. The fight to secure Champions League football — along with an FA Cup quarterfinal against Port Vale — reflects the current reality for Chelsea.
Before kick-off, Chelsea attempted to emphasize their world champions status, being introduced as such as they entered the pitch and again moments later when the line-up was announced over the sound system.
A banner proclaiming “Champions of the World” was displayed in the Shed End, reminding PSG of the Club World Cup final defeat they experienced in New York and attempting to inspire hope for a remarkable comeback.
Instead, Chelsea was firmly put in their place. Questions regarding whether their approach is the correct one for winning a Champions League title will likely intensify.
