Chelsea’s transfer ban went much better than expected. Although the ban was reduced to 1 transfer window, no one could have predicted Chelsea’s season.
Chelsea was transfer banned for the 2019 summer and were supposed to be for the 2020 winter transfer window but it was lifted. This was because the Blues broke 2 UEFA rules regarding youth players and third party influence.
At the time, many saw this as a big hit towards the club. Probably the worst part about their transfer ban was not being able to get a replacement for Eden Hazard after his departure. But what exactly made the transfer ban better than expected?
The rise of the youth
After the transfer ban was in effect, Chelsea lost Maurizio Sarri and Eden Hazard. But in return, they received Christain Pulisic who was bought in the winter transfer window prior to this season.
Frank Lampard took charge of the Blues and was put into a difficult situation. He sort of had to rebuild the team starting with establishing his system of play and tactics.
Right from the beginning of the season, Lampard gave regular minutes to the young players who were from the academy. Fikayo Tomori, Reece James, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Billy Gilmour, and Tammy Abraham. These 8 players have been crucial to making Lampard’s system succeed as well as making the team succeed.
To the surprise of many, the boys from the bridge stayed in the top 4 in the Premier League for nearly the whole season. With all of these youth players regularly being included in the senior squad and starting XI, this allowed more academy players to develop in the U23, U21, and U19 teams.