Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps

Trizy said:
I've them down to draw tomorrow. Watford seem in better form.
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Doubt it. Watford tries to play nice passing game which is playing into Chelsea hand. Losing one few ball cheaply and Chelsea can counter and finish the game. Crystal Palace, Burnley being annoyingly tough in defense are the type Chelsea would have more problem given (some of) their attackers ain't yet in best form
 
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ti vu said:
Doubt it. Watford tries to play nice passing game which is play into Chelsea hand. Losing one few ball cheaply and Chelsea can counter and finish the game. Crystal Palace, Burnley being annoyingly tough in defense are the type Chelsea would have more problem given (some of) their attackers ain't yet in best form
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I’m afraid they’ll bully us in midfield, Cesc has been getting mugged off for a while now and Troy Deeney will target Azpilicueta.

It’ll be a tough match for sure
 
ti vu said:
Chelsea lacks the squad depth. They can make do keeping Matic, D.Costa... These guys pushed for a move, which Chelsea board decided to cash in. In Matic case, Conte didn't look like he's happy. They couldn't land Danilo, Llorente, Barkley, Alex Sandro... or they're closer to 200mil.
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And that proves the main problem is in the board.

If you're letting Costa to leave, you should sign another striker in addition to Morata, not Morata only. The fact that Spurs beat them for Llorente proves all the problem Chelsea board are having in the market now.

City have spent over 200m this summer with no problem. The difference is a board willing to spend, and a board doesn't. They made the same mistake that was done numerous time : the team just won a title, so nah it doesn't need anymore reinforcement, just keep it the same and success will continue. This mistake always leads to subpar second season that leads to manager losing his head. Teams should never stop spending and reinforcing themselves even after the most successful season ever.
 
Dancfc said:
Im strangely looking forward to the United game. Jose will likely sit off us like Simeone did and give us time and space to play which suits us down to the ground. It's when team's come at us and press us relentlessly we crumble (even last season it was a problem), im dreading the Roma away game and especially Anfield.

Not getting your targets is not an excuse to then go on and fight relegation. Spurs have had 2 meh summer windows in a row yet you don't see Poch acting like an idiot, he's got on with it and Spurs are reaping the reward's.
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I’m expecting Jose to employ the same tactics he did in the cup at the Bridge last season and at Old Trafford. He’ll press your back 3.
 
@VanGaalEra

Seems like every team we've faced so far has taken a page out of that playbook.We're getting pressed high lately and we absolutely have no rhythm in play, the passing just seems hit and hope.

Which is why I would argue for us to switch to a back 4 and a 3 man midfield.
 
haram said:
Who is missing? Who is likely to play in there?
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Kante, Drinkwater, Bakayoko and Luiz are all injured/doubtful according to the BBC.

I do think Luis will start with Fab in midfield. Possibly Christensen or even Kyle Scott if Luiz/Bakayoko dont make it (I very much doubt that though).
 
duffer said:
Kante, Drinkwater, Bakayoko and Luiz are all injured/doubtful according to the BBC.

I do think Luis will start with Fab in midfield. Possibly Christensen or even Kyle Scott if Luiz/Bakayoko dont make it (I very much doubt that though).
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I wouldnt mind something like this

—Azpi—Cesc—Christensen

It’s probably too defensive. I wonder if Kyle Scott and Ampadu are in contention?
 
Theafonis said:
I wouldnt mind something like this

—Azpi—Cesc—Christensen

It’s probably too defensive. I wonder if Kyle Scott and Ampadu are in contention?
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They'll only get a few minutes if we're 3-0 up. No chance Conte starts either, he'll prefer to put a senior player out of position, especially if Fabregas is the only regular midfielder fit.

It's a shame Chalobah is injured but it would have been a bit of a joke to see him dominating our make-shift midfield today.
 
Paul_Scholes18 said:
He can rotate the squad. Bloody excuses. Maybe he should join a bottom half club that don't play in europe so he can play less matches. Or he can play the reserves in champions league.
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It's not like everything is a surprise too, crazy schedules have been there for years and years, it's your job as a manager to find solutions.
 
Theafonis said:
@VanGaalEra

Seems like every team we've faced so far has taken a page out of that playbook.We're getting pressed high lately and we absolutely have no rhythm in play, the passing just seems hit and hope.

Which is why I would argue for us to switch to a back 4 and a 3 man midfield.
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Yup, not allowing the back 3 time to build up the play. Watford also doing a good job pressing you guys at the moment.
 
Don't like Contes antics. But feel sorry for him that the players have given up on him.
 
Bakayoko is fecking awful. Glad we didnt get him and took Matic off their hands.
 
Nick7 said:
@duffer should Batshuayi be playing more? He's impressing me in the short time I'm seeing him
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Ahead of Morata? Not in the system we are playing. He can't hold the ball up at all. He's a "fox in the box" that would do much better playing in a 2 man forward line.

Very likable guy but he's been utter shit every time he's started.
 
duffer said:
Ahead of Morata? Not in the system we are playing. He can't hold the ball up at all. He's a "fox in the box" that would do much better playing in a 2 man forward line.

Very likable guy but he's been utter shit every time he's started.
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So a black Chicharito?
 
Utdfrom2002 said:
Though he was decent the first half. But poor 2nd half.
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Yeah he was shocking, could really use Matic or even Drinkwater right now

Dacoure cutting through the midfield two of Cesc and Baka like it was hot butter

We have to change something up. Defensively we’re not up to standard, and on offense, we are having a hard time retaining possession
 
duffer said:
Ahead of Morata? Not in the system we are playing. He can't hold the ball up at all. He's a "fox in the box" that would do much better playing in a 2 man forward line.

Very likable guy but he's been utter shit every time he's started.
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That's the main problem with him isn't it ? It's ridiculous really?
 
Bojan11 said:
Don't like Contes antics. But feel sorry for him that the players have given up on him.
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I haven't gotten that impression at all. Hazard is the only one who looks like he can't be bothered but he gets in those moods every once in a while, regardless of the manager.

Anyway, good win today, albeit a bit lucky. Watford are a bloody good team this season though, make no mistake.
 
Scarecrow said:
I haven't gotten that impression at all. Hazard is the only one who looks like he can't be bothered but he gets in those moods every once in a while, regardless of the manager.
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I don't have this impression. Hazard was Chelseas best player today, and the key to most of their attacks. Overall a strong start to the season after his injury.
 
Synco said:
I don't have this impression. Hazard was Chelseas best player today, and the key to most of their attacks. Overall a strong start to the season after his injury.
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Yeah, he was good today. I'm being harsh because he's annoying.
 
Nick7 said:
@duffer should Batshuayi be playing more? He's impressing me in the short time I'm seeing him
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Bats is great coming off the bench and nicking a goal or 2 like you saw today but he's been pretty poor starting games. He's a great finisher with his feet and head but has average hold play, passing and first touch
 
CechMate1 said:
Bats is great coming off the bench and nicking a goal or 2 like you saw today but he's been pretty poor starting games. He's a great finisher with his feet and head but has average hold play, passing and first touch
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If we played to his strength rather than expecting every striker to be Drogba, we would probably find more success with him.

Even Morata would have an easier time running channels and getting crisp service.
 
Theafonis said:
Yeah he was shocking, could really use Matic or even Drinkwater right now

Dacoure cutting through the midfield two of Cesc and Baka like it was hot butter

We have to change something up. Defensively we’re not up to standard, and on offense, we are having a hard time retaining possession
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Erm.. Who? :D

Think his mistake that led to the goal shot his confidence. But, Kante, when he returns, should shore up the midfield.
 
D2Z said:
Bakayoko is fecking awful. Glad we didnt get him and took Matic off their hands.
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It was known heading into the match he was only playing because there was no one else and he was taking one for the team.
 
Pete Dahh Sneak said:
It was known heading into the match he was only playing because there was no one else and he was taking one for the team.
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Taking one for the team why? isnt he meant to play or was he injured or something?
 
AshfordLad said:
Yeah he picked up a knock midweek vs. Roma. Was 50-50 for this game along with Luiz.
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Also think of how tough it is to play next to Cesc. Any midfielder next to him has to cover 2 positions.

The guy just can’t play a midfield 2. I understand Conte doesn’t have much of a choice at the moment but Cesc is a liability
 
Theafonis said:
Also think of how tough it is to play next to Cesc. Any midfielder next to him has to cover 2 positions.

The guy just can’t play a midfield 2. I understand Conte doesn’t have much of a choice at the moment but Cesc is a liability
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The board have truly fecked the team over this season.

What were they thinking going into a season with 4 CMs for three spots. United have 6 CMs for 2-3 spots and its the same with City and spurs.
 
AshfordLad said:
The board have truly fecked the team over this season.

What were they thinking going into a season with 4 CMs for three spots. United have 6 CMs for 2-3 spots and its the same with City and spurs.
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To be fair, if it wasn't for Drinkwater getting injured right after his transfer, we'd probably have been OK.

But yes, the board fecked up by not signing more players. We need another LB, another striker and probably one more CM.
 
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