Vertonghen: Chelsea spending does not guarantee success after Premier League power shift

Chelsea’s spending should have the Blues competing for the Champions League but Jan Vertonghen says the quality of the Premier League and injury issues have hampered them.

The Blues once again splashed on big-money arrivals ahead of the 2023-24 season, bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer.

Caicedo’s arrival broke the British record after his £115million move from Brighton, a mark only set in the previous season when Chelsea signed Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez for £107m.

Their aggressive activity in the transfer market is yet to pay dividends, with Chelsea winning just three of their opening 10 Premier League games before Monday’s visit to Tottenham.

Having also signed Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez for significant fees, Vertonghen believes Chelsea’s acquisitions should have helped a top-four challenge.

Former Tottenham defender Vertonghen, an Athlete Partner for APEX, told Stats Perform: “They had to make it into the Champions League.

“They signed so many players. When I saw the squad at the start of the year, I thought they had to reach the Champions League, with so many good young players and the signings they made.”

Our exclusive chat with the head coach ahead of tomorrow’s #PL clash! #TotChe pic.twitter.com/t4YOTiEhTI

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 5, 2023

Talented young midfielder Lavia and former RB Leipzig talisman Nkunku are yet to play a minute in the league for Chelsea due to injury.

With injuries taking their toll and the likes of Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle United exceeding expectations, Vertonghen acknowledged the struggles Chelsea face.

“They suffered a lot of injuries, and when you look how strong the Premier League is – it’s not just Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, you’ve got Spurs doing well, Brighton, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Arsenal.

“It’s not a top four or six anymore, it’s a top nine or 10 at the moment, especially when you see United and Chelsea being so far out.

“It’s not easy. Chelsea should do better, but they’ve suffered a lot of injuries.”

Team! pic.twitter.com/ZUHltzA9ST

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 5, 2023

While referencing the challenges his former rivals are up against, Vertonghen suggested Chelsea are in safe hands with Pochettino.

The Belgium defender worked closely with the Blues head coach when at Spurs, helping Pochettino’s former side to the Champions League final in the 2018-19 campaign.

“He’s very good at shaping a team, shaping a squad,” added the 36-year-old, who made 232 appearances for Tottenham.

“I think that’s what he did very well at Tottenham. He got the right players in, the right characters, who wanted to work in his system and we had the perfect squad for that.

“A very good young core of guys who wanted to work hard and achieve big things and in his team I learned how to work and get the best out of my body. That’s what I learned from him.”