Chris Sutton believes Chelsea could take more frustration against Bournemouth on Sunday (September 17) and fail to beat the Cherries.
The Blues have made a dismal start to the season after a disastrous 2022-2023 campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have suffered two defeats in four games, including a shock 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest just before the international break.
The West Londoners face Bournemouth, who have started their campaign in equally disappointing form. Under new manager Andoni Iraola they have suffered two defeats and two draws.
Nevertheless, Sutton doesn’t think Chelsea will win at the Vitality as he struggles to judge Pochettino’s Blues, telling the BBC:
“It’s so hard to predict what Chelsea will do at the moment. I have no idea what to expect from them because even when they play well they don’t seem able to take their chances.”
Sutton was surprised to see the Cherries draw against Brentford last time out. He says the verdict is still out on the playing style Iraola is trying to implement:
“Bournemouth surprised me last time when they took a point at Brentford. I’m still not clear on the way they are trying to play under Andoni Iraola, and they still haven’t won in the league this season.”
The Premier League legend concluded by predicting a draw between the two sides:
“I don’t see that changing against Chelsea, but this smells like a draw to me. Prediction: 1-1.”
Pochettino will be keen to see his side bounce back with a win after their defeat to Forest.
The Blues have made many changes to their squad this summer, securing the likes of Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Axel Disasi. However, they sit 12th in the league, the same place they finished last season.
Asmir Begovic criticizes Chelsea’s transfer policy, which focuses on players with potential
![The Blues' owners have been criticized.](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/09/8344e-16947177087770-1920.jpg)
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has criticized the club’s owner for their transfer strategy, saying they got it wrong. The Blues’ new owners have spent more than £900 million on new signings since taking over from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
Twelve players arrived via Stamford Bridge this summer, including British transfer signing Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Ecuadorian cost £115m after a long-winded chase.
Begovic believes the West Londoners are not buying world-class players, but young talent with potential, telling Byline:
“What happened to Chelsea FC? I remember being in the dressing room surrounded by world-class, world-class players; world class, buying from Real Madrid, buying from Barcelona, buying from Bayern Munich, it’s like buying from Brighton and buying potential players.”
The Telegraph reports that the Blues’ transfer policy this summer was to not sign players over the age of 25. That has led to them missing out on many talents, including James Maddison, who has gone on to star for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
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