Premier League: A Tale of Two Blues Aiming to Avoid the Blues

Everton vs Chelsea

Ask the core fanbases of either of these Premier League clubs and they will probably tell you they are weaker than last season.

It is hard to disagree when you look more closely with one forced to sell arguably its best player for financial reasons and the other beginning a whole new era and seeing many of its summer transfer plans stall.

Still, a new season brings optimism to many and a good result on the opening weekend for either of these sides would lead to a spring in the step.

This is also a fixture that has produced many Premier League 2022 highlights over the years so, at a raucous Goodison Park, it is unlikely to be one for the faint-hearted.

Talking Points

That’s not to say Chelsea have been quiet in the market, in either direction.

First, club record signing Romelu Lukaku was allowed to return to Inter Milan on loan – why was he signed for nearly £100 million last summer if manager Thomas Tuchel didn’t want him?!.

Then Andreas Christensen departed on a free transfer (although his attitude in refusing to make himself available for selection for last season’s FA Cup Final means he will be no great loss).

And Antonio Rudiger has also left on a free transfer for the bright lights of European champions Real Madrid.

How much those moves had to do with the uncertainty which surrounded the club during the final months of Roman Abramovich’s tenure is unknown, but under new co-owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea have moved to replace them.

Raheem Sterling should make Tuchel’s attack far more incisive, while long-time Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibably is an important signing in defence following the departures mentioned above.

Likewise, the return of Ben Chilwell from long-term injury is a major boost and the club appears to be close to signing the Brighton defender Marc Cucurella for £50 million.

With an agreement in place for the transfer of 18-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa, the west Londoners have been anything but frugal and will benefit enormously if they can keep N’Golo Kante fit and witness the continued development of Mason Mount, the 23-year-old who has come through the club’s academy.

As it stands, Chelsea will probably fall short of a title chase but are capable of beating anyone on their day.

So are Everton, but the fact they needed some of those days simply to preserve their top-flight status last season should act as a reminder of the work facing the club, now managed by former Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard.

His arrival early in the year initially lifted them but a miserable run soon followed and it took some notable victories in the closing weeks as safety was sealed with just one game remaining.

He has asked for reinforcements and they have been forthcoming but only to a degree.

As it stands, they have raided relegated Burnley to snap up reliable centre-back James Tarkowski on a free transfer, along with his former team-mate Dwight McNeill, for £20 million, and the on-loan Sporting defender Rúben Vinagre.

In addition, Idrissa Gueye is close to re-joining from Paris Saint-Germain. The midfielder travelled to Merseyside for a medical earlier this week in anticipation of completing the deal as the clubs negotiate the final details.

With Richarlison gone and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin ruled out this weekend after suffering a “freak” injury in training, they will have it all to do initially.

Over the next nine months, will they have enough to ensure they don’t face such a nail-biting battle again? Probably.

Will they be able to make significant improvement with this squad under Lampard? Probably not.

History

The Toffees won a league game on Chelsea turf.

Much has changed since then but, while Chelsea have not lost any of their subsequent meetings in the capital, they have been frustrated by the Merseysiders on a number of occasions, particularly at Goodison.

Chelsea have won 15 with 12 draws in the last 28 meetings. Overall, Chelsea have a total of 74 victories compared to 58 Everton wins and 54 draws.

Last season was a case in point. At Stamford Bridge in December, Chelsea were title contenders and up against a depleted Everton side. Mount finally broke the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining but, when 19-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite, in his first league appearance of the season, converted at the back post four minutes later, the visitors took a surprise point.

The events that played out at Goodison Park in May turned out to be one of the games of the season – not least for Jordan Pickford, whose saves were magnificent.

In between the show of defiance from the England number one, Richarlison scored in the first minute of the second half to earn Everton what proved to be a crucial winner in their fight against the drop.

Betting Tip 

Chelsea are clear favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League 2022 betting odds.

The West Londoners can be backed 1X2 @ 1.70 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.25, compared to the hosts 1X2 @ 4.90 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.29.

Although I think Tuchel’s men will be keen to impress, Evertonians will make life difficult for them which is why I am opting for this to finish level pegging.

 

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