Chelsea 2016/17 - Very Content

AshfordLad said:
8 games in you cant say that for sure. Wait till arsenal do their usual January slump. Also liverpool, with klopp's style of play will either run out of steam at some point or will have injuries. While Jose will have figured out the best 11 at United and Chelsea would have strengthend their defense further.

Its all up in the air apart from city being nailed on for top4.
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Arsenal always finish top 4 - there's little logic to it at this stage, we've seen it so many times over the years where they should miss-out but just don't. It's one of those unwritten rules of the Premier League (like how Spurs never finish above them in the final table), and I can't see this current squad blowing that.

I'm also certain that this will be one of the those seasons that comes-up every few years where everything goes Liverpool's way and they emerge as a top side in the league. Their fecking manager will drag them well above where they logically should be; hopefully like in 2009 and 2014 there will be a team that beats them to the title, but they'll be top 4 I'm sure.

You're right though, 8 games leaves plenty of time for things to change, but I just can't see those three going on sufficiently bad runs to let another team like Chelsea or United into the top 4. We'll see.
 
Antisocial said:
Arsenal always finish top 4 - there's little logic to it at this stage, we've seen it so many times over the years where they should miss-out but just don't. It's one of those unwritten rules of the Premier League (like how Spurs never finish above them in the final table), and I can't see this current squad blowing that.

I'm also certain that this will be one of the those seasons that comes-up every few years where everything goes Liverpool's way and they emerge as a top side in the league. Their fecking manager will drag them well above where they logically should be; hopefully like in 2009 and 2014 there will be a team that beats them to the title, but they'll be top 4 I'm sure.

You're right though, 8 games leaves plenty of time for things to change, but I just can't see those three going on sufficiently bad runs to let another team like Chelsea or United into the top 4. We'll see.
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No. Not that fecking season again.

I still remember the blank almost petrified look we all had on the coach up to liverpool the evening before that game. Each one of us though they will smash us and win the title.
 
kouroux said:
People love to make conclusions so early either way. We're not even through a quarter of the season.
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Funny isn't it :lol:

The first 2 or 3 weeks after City, Us and Chelsea were top everyone was all about the league being between the 3 of us and Liverpool would struggle for a top 6 finish after their bad result against Burnley.

Then both us and Chelsea had a few bad weeks and we're suddenly not gonna make top 4. Meanwhile it'll be City, Pool, Spurs and Arsenal while City will of course be walking the league.

Then all of sudden City are having a mare in recent outings with no wins in 3 games. Fans being the fickle creature they are, they're starting to tip Liverpool to win the title.

When all this is going down, Chelsea who were written off for even top 4 have a bit of a bounce back.

Oh, and have I mentioned that all these predictions which have been changing over and over have all taken place just after 7-8 games :lol:
 
Santoryo said:
Funny isn't it :lol:

The first 2 or 3 weeks after City, Us and Chelsea were top everyone was all about the league being between the 3 of us and Liverpool would struggle for a top 6 finish after their bad result against Burnley.

Then both us and Chelsea had a few bad weeks and we're suddenly not gonna make top 4. Meanwhile it'll be City, Pool, Spurs and Arsenal while City will of course be walking the league.

Then all of sudden City are having a mare in recent outings with no wins in 3 games. Fans being the fickle creature they are, they're starting to tip Liverpool to win the title.

When all this is going down, Chelsea who were written off for even top 4 have a bit of a bounce back.

Oh, and have I mentioned that all these predictions which have been changing over and over have all taken place just after 7-8 games :lol:
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These so called experts are clearly just idiots like the rest of us. Charlie Nicholas, who I think predicted us second changed his prediction to 5th after we dropped points in those few games.
 
Santoryo said:
Funny isn't it :lol:

The first 2 or 3 weeks after City, Us and Chelsea were top everyone was all about the league being between the 3 of us and Liverpool would struggle for a top 6 finish after their bad result against Burnley.

Then both us and Chelsea had a few bad weeks and we're suddenly not gonna make top 4. Meanwhile it'll be City, Pool, Spurs and Arsenal while City will of course be walking the league.

Then all of sudden City are having a mare in recent outings with no wins in 3 games. Fans being the fickle creature they are, they're starting to tip Liverpool to win the title.

When all this is going down, Chelsea who were written off for even top 4 have a bit of a bounce back.

Oh, and have I mentioned that all these predictions which have been changing over and over have all taken place just after 7-8 games :lol:
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Same thing goes for rating players too. You'll see players being branded a failure already (best example being Kanté before yesterday's match) without giving them any time to settle for a new team, sometimes new league and new country. This is the "I told you so" mentality with members being so determined to be proven right. Winning an internet debate seems like a life goal for some.
 
Kentonio said:
Sorry I was probably a bit snappy there. Basically he's had a couple of dodgy games, and has clearly been needing to settle into a new team and style. Also worth mentioning that the whole team is just in the middle of switching to a new formation too. Despite that though, he's already had a huge effect on us, giving the defence breathing space, breaking up attacks, and giving us a great additional element going forward.

I just get a bit pissy, because it seems to have become one of those 'known facts' that he's not been playing well, despite him having a number of really excellent performances already, and making a big difference even when he's not on top form.
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I agree with this, of the games I've seen he's played really well. Optimally who would you like to see next to him?
 
Cascarino said:
I agree with this, of the games I've seen he's played really well. Optimally who would you like to see next to him?
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Heart says Fabregas, but I'm self aware enough to know the guy who spent his life in football and spends every day training with them knows better. I'd also like to see Nate Chalobah getting some time in there.
 
Excellent result today. Nice to see the team so happy for Kante when he scored.

Also happy that Moses seems to be doing well in his new position.
 
Chelsea deserve credit today. I think they lured us out very well after that early 1-0, to keep creating good attacking opportunities despite sitting relatively deep.

I think they were good in midfield, isolating our players and forcing errors. Sometimes it is difficult to judge if its poor from one side or great from the other though, I guess a little bit of both.

In any case, Chelsea looked ready to play - winning most 50/50s. Deadly efficient as well, that tends to take a team far.

Matic/Kante looks like a good duo, both with some capability of pushing forward despite the perceived defensive nature of both. Not a trivial pass from Matic to Hazard on 3-0 e.g.
 
Anyone else get the impression that the Chelsea players really enjoyed getting one over Mourinho?
 
ThierryHenry said:
Anyone else get the impression that the Chelsea players really enjoyed getting one over Mourinho?
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Well, which players (that played yesterday) had a good relationship with Mourinho by the end of his stay at Chelsea? Cahill? Willian? The others surely enjoyed it. Can see De Bruyne being extra motivated for Wednesday...
 
We made them look far better than they actually are. Still not convinced by a lot of their players. There's some good foundations there, but I can't see them challenging.
 
Sticking to my pre season prediction. Theyll be first or second. (or third, but just think theyll prove hard to beat now Conte has sussed it out) Don't think they'll be low as 4th tbh

Depends what he does in January too, talk he will be backed big time
 
duffer said:
Kurt Zouma starting for the U23s tonight. Good to see him back.
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I didn't watch it, but I hear he did a world class tackle and then managed to make a total mess of another. Maybe he's been training with the geezer! :lol:
 
Not a single league goal conceded in October (4 games).

The 343 is really having an impact.

Very impressed with Moses at wingback and Azpilicueta on the right of the back three. Not sold on Alonso, always seems a bit slow in coming forward (maybe having Azpi behind him give Moses more licence to bomb forward whereas Alonso has Cahill).
 
What is interesting about Chelsea's application of the 3-4-3 to me is that the front players have very good movement. A lot of teams play three at the back and wingbacks in order to get some width so that they can also accommodate a bunch of central attacking players: Basically, they play wingbacks so they don't have to play wingers and can play more 9/10 types.

Its relatively easy for defenses to adjust to a 3-5-2 type formation with two central strikers and a player in the hole because the fullbacks just pick up the opposing wingbacks, the CBs pick up the two CFs, and if you play two CM/DMs then one of them has the 10 player and the other one is an extra man in the middle somewhere.

But Chelsea's 3-4-3 seems to be a tougher adjustment because the front three can spread out across the attacking third and really work the channels. So you have a lot of possibility for overloading the channel/wide areas with a winger type like Pedro or Hazard and a wing back, such that either the CBs need to shift pretty far over to help that FB or the opposing wingers need to track the wing backs. Either way that is a tactical victory because you're either forcing the defense out of their comfort zone or you're really pushing back the opposing wingers. And if you push back the wingers then the other team's outlet is through the 9/10 players in the middle, where they have a pretty strong duo of Kante and Matic.

For a good team, at least, I think the best way to play against this formation is to be brave, keep your wingers pushed up high and play three hardworking players in midfield. Let them come forward and then see if that back three can handle playing in a lot of 1-v-1 situations in space. I'm not sure they have the defensive players to do it.
 
duffer said:
Not a single league goal conceded in October (4 games).

The 343 is really having an impact.

Very impressed with Moses at wingback and Azpilicueta on the right of the back three. Not sold on Alonso, always seems a bit slow in coming forward (maybe having Azpi behind him give Moses more licence to bomb forward whereas Alonso has Cahill).
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I think there's no way Alonso continues as a starter beyond this season. Very good stopgap signing but not top quality. Wonder if Conte can convert Kenedy to a great Wing-back the same way he's done with Moses. They have very similar skillsets.
 
They look incredible again. Even if Stekelenburg has made 2 mistakes, Everton has not even had a shot in the entire 1st half. Top 3 definitely, but with that kind of performances I will may start thinking that they are biggest favourites to win it.
 
There's only so many words which start with "Conte...". It's a long season and I must resist changing the thread title yet again!
 
Chelsea or Liverpool will win the league. No Europe is a blessing. And Conte is making a quick impact after a shakey start.

Given that we are struggling, Chelsea, please do us a favour so that we dont have to endure Arsenal, City or Liverpool winning the league.
 
You must be happy, you all are playing really well. Definitely in the mix for the title.
 
fair play, wasn't expecting this at all. Thought the united game was just one of those crazy scores, but maybe not
 
Hazard is back to his best. Absolutely brilliant display. Fifth in a row that.
 
Everyone apart from us is looking decent ffs.
Every player connected to this club should be ashamed of themselves.
 
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