Bill Connelly, a writer for ESPN, shared insights on March 14, 2024.
Chelsea secured a victory against Newcastle on a Monday night, lightening the load on their manager, Mauricio Pochettino. Despite the win, both teams continue to face challenges this season.
Chelsea, having spent over €1.1 billion on transfers in the past two years and boasting the Premier League’s fourth-largest payroll, according to Capology, outplayed Newcastle. Newcastle, often seen as the wealthiest club in the league, lost 3-1.
This victory didn’t significantly change Chelsea’s position; they remain 11th, trailing Manchester United by eight points. Newcastle, after a historic Champions League qualification last year, now finds themselves in 10th place, barely ahead of Chelsea. With England’s performance in UEFA competitions, Newcastle has a 38% chance of European play next year, while Chelsea’s chances stand at 31%.
These clubs are among the season’s notable underperformers. The reasons behind their struggles, along with others, form an intriguing discussion.
Seven teams are identified as underachievers for two main reasons. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Sevilla have high wages but low table positions. Napoli, Newcastle, Lazio, and Union Berlin have not lived up to their previous season’s Champions League qualifying pace.
Let’s delve into the statistics that highlight the disappointments of this year’s football season.