30 June 2023 , 07:24
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Just over two years ago Chelsea were on top of Europe after Thomas Tuchel masterminded a memorable Champions League triumph.
The Blues had halted the Manchester City juggernaut as Pep Guardiola's side looked to claim their first-ever European Cup to go alongside successes in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. Instead, it was Chelsea who emerged victorious, claiming their third win over City in a matter of weeks.
Kai Havertz's first-half goal was enough to settle the contest in Porto as Roman Abramovich later found himself celebrating on the pitch with Tuchel. 12 months later, though, the Russian would be gone with Todd Boehly replacing him and quickly putting his mark on the Blues.
Few of those marks have been positive despite the American throwing huge sums at the playing group. Chelsea endured their worst season in well over two decades and the team that conquered Europe has been broken up amid mass ins and outs at Stamford Bridge.
Edouard Mendy, who started in goal, is the latest man to depart the club as he took up a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia this week. He was signed by Frank Lampard and quickly established himself as the team's No 1, although last term Kepa Arrizabalaga was able to reassert himself, often leaving Mendy on the bench.
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Defensive linchpin Antonio Rudiger, who had made himself one of the elite centre-halves in the Premier League, made it known that he wouldn't be signing a new deal months after their Champions League triumph. Sanctions placed upon the club then prohibited them from negotiating with the German.
N'Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger have left Chelsea in the past 12 monthsIt ended with his move to Real Madrid on a free and Chelsea haven't been able to successfully replace his commanding presence. Thiago Silva, who is still performing at the age of 38, was also part of a three-man backline that included Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Spaniard is the club's longest-serving player and was linked with a move away previously. Rumours have again surfaced about a possible departure as the personnel turnaround at Chelsea looks set to continue.
Reece James and Ben Chilwell had become pillars of Tuchel's system, which perfectly suited wing-backs. James, a product of the club's academy, has long been tipped for big things but injury has curtailed him this season. Chilwell, a signing in the summer of 2020 from Leicester, has also been forced to spend time on the sidelines.
The pair remain crucial figures and are tipped to thrive under Mauricio Pochettino, who will no doubt implement a style that suits them.
Kai Havertz was allowed to swap blue for red as he joined Arsenal ((Photo by Jose Coelho - Pool/Getty Images))On that night in Porto, the backline had the calming influences of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante in front of them, but that is no more. The Italian left in January and was allowed to join Arsenal as new arrivals were bought in, furthering the competition in the middle of the park.
Chelsea had hoped to keep Kante at the club, with an offer of a new deal put to him, but the longer the saga dragged on the more it looked like he would leave. In the end, the World Cup winner was subjected to a lucrative Saudi Arabia offer he could not turn down.
This summer the departure of the Champions League winners has continued, most notably to the benefit of their domestic rivals. Havertz, the match winner in Porto, has been allowed to join Arsenal this week in a £65m deal whilst Mason Mount, who has chosen not to extend his deal, is closing in on a surprise switch to Manchester United for £60m.
Timo Werner led the line in the Champions League final but his problems in front of goal continued that night as he spurned big chances. The German could never replicate his Bundesliga-scoring feats in England and was eventually allowed to return to RB Leipzig.