Knowing Roman, he'll be lucky to start December in the job if things don't change. Didn't Morata clear that up?
Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps
- Thread starter duffer
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
And because it's us
I don't think there is any better time to play them than now.
Can't see Conte lasting beyond this season for sure unless a miracle happens during the rest of the season.
Either him and Allegri will switch jobs or Simeone to Chelsea and Conte to Milan. Both Allegri and Simeone are suited to Chelsea a lot and can see them succeeding for one season as well but what next ?
The board needs to take so e responsibility in the market from now on if they want this scenario to never get repeated.
Either him and Allegri will switch jobs or Simeone to Chelsea and Conte to Milan. Both Allegri and Simeone are suited to Chelsea a lot and can see them succeeding for one season as well but what next ?
The board needs to take so e responsibility in the market from now on if they want this scenario to never get repeated.
I agree, but Mourinho will still park the bus as if they're Real Madrid so it's academic really.
I though the same earlier but thinking about it, Chelsea are like us ( currently under Jose ) more of a reactive than a proactive team in these kind of games. I don't think a bus will be parked from both teams but expect many tackles and fouls in the midfield like the first half of Spurs game.
The one who takes the lead will be crucial to the result of the match.
What the feck is this?
Got a draw written all over it. We couldnt even beat them at the Bridge when they were losing every week in 2015.
Yeah. He was made to back track in the presser yesterday. Claiming that he would sign a 10 year contract with Chelsea if offered.
That must be 4 easy chances Morata has missed this season.
Has he always been this wasteful?
Has he always been this wasteful?
That didn't even result in a goal did it? Think he skied it.
Every time I replay this goal I laugh so hard.
My bad. Yes you're right. Still laughable though.
What on earth is going with Chelsea's defending... looks like they were massively protected by Kante and Matic last season.
Maybe in their other title winning seasons but definitely not this season because they did reinforce in the summer. They spent the second most cash in the EPL on five first team players; a CB, two CMs, a wingback and a striker, which is more than we, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham signed despite finishing 5, 4, 3 and 1 places below them respectively. You could say they sold or loaned the players who were supposed to be back-ups, but thats not entirely the case. At the start of last season, they had Azpi, Cahill, Luiz and Terry as CBs. At the start of this season they have Christeinsein and Rudiger over Terry. Thats an improvement at CB. At wingback, they had Azpi, Moses and Alonso, now they have Zappa and Kennedy in addition to those three. In midfield, they had Kante, Matic, Chalobah, Fab and RLC, now they have Baka, DD, Kante and Fab. They are at a disadvantage in midfield this season, but thats not entirely the case when you consider the fact Chalobah played just 2 games(at the end of the season). In attack, they have exactly the same players they won the league with, with Morata for Costa the exception. Begovic left and was replaced by Caballero. The notion that chelsea didn't reinforce the squad 'adequately' is IMO, false. One problem is, they where lucky with injuries last season, unlike this season and just as it was for Raneiri and Leicester, Conte doesn't seem to have the same chemistry he had with the players last season. Reinforcement is not the reason they keep making poor errors at the back despite having the exact same defenders they won the league with, and even upgraded the CB that played the least minutes. They lost Matic, and spent 80m to replace him; they lost Costa, and spent 58m to replace him. They strengthened the wingback and CB positions at a cost of 54m, but Conte cant stop whining. The problem is the manager, the players, title winners syndrome and other factors beyond our control(injuries, UCL) not what we are being led to believe.
That's...strangely bad. Like, you'd think an experienced group of defenders would at some point begin to realise they're all chasing the exact same man.
never fear Chelsea.....
we will turn up at the weekend and create about 2 chances and people will hail Luiz and co for keeping us out
we will turn up at the weekend and create about 2 chances and people will hail Luiz and co for keeping us out
Hahahaha, zero communication. Maybe one was speaking German the other Portuguese and the last English lol
TBF, Dzeko was looking like he's through, so Azpilicueta had to try to cover. The problem is no coordination whatsoever. Why Dzeko the only forward being well through with left side and the middle CB further up in the beginning. Knowing 2 of your teammates would chase down the ball carrier then one need try to cover the right side.
On the big scheme of thing, it's still not some kind of crisis as fortunately for Chelsea, Atletico is slipping. After all qualifying for the KO round is all that matters. Anything can happen in KO round, so...
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He's never been a natural goal scorer. Hes a target man. If you combined lukakus strengths with his you'd get a super player.
I know Simeone wants to manage Inter but they seem to be doing well for now and might not need a manager in the next season or two. Also, if one thing you can be sure of its the ability of Abrahmovic to bring in the very best managers to Chelsea.
I have zero worries on that front, the problem is that the board will feck over the new manager the same as they have done Conte and Jose.
More like Abrahmovic needs to hold the board accountable and fire them.
As hilarious/disgraceful as that defending is in a professional game of football, the widespread humiliation will only ensure they make up for it at the weekend.
It may seem they reinforced their squad adequately but when you factor in they had no European football to contend with last season, and they basically have the same depth as last year just with different players then they should have strengthened further which Conte alluded to.
It's important to strengthen heavily after a successful season, which SAF was terrific at. Could be a factor as to why Madrid are struggling this year, likewise with Chelsea. Apart from at CB, they haven't massively strengthened their team in any area or even added considerable depth considering who they have let go also.
Honestly, the “only” thing (big one, I know) wrong there was Azpilicueta slow reaction turning to his side when D.Luiz caught up with Dzeko.
They are in a bad moment , feel we could knick a win if we score with little chances we will get.
Every time something bad happens at Chelsea, Conte’s leaving ____, players are bad, etc. Fact is we could be within 1 point of 2nd place after Sunday, should most definitely be qualifying for CL KO, and are in the quarters? of the LC. Where’s the turmoil? Board didn’t back Conte and we’ve been playing every 3-4 days since beginning of September. Rudiger had a nightmare yesterday. Thank god CB is the only position we have depth at.
0-0 incoming on Sunday.
I agree you're more solid that people take you. So, who do you expect to feature in the back three against us, Azpilicueta or Christensen?
Normally I’d say Azpilicueta. Conte had no issue with changing anything last season. This season he’s been very reluctant. The quotes after the match last night lead me to believe his XIs might start changing a bit. I personally am hoping we’ll have a 3 of Azpilicueta, Luiz and Christensen. But most likely it’ll be more of the same. If Kante can’t go, maybe a back 4 will be the choice with Luiz in midfield if his knee can handle it. Fabregas and Bakayoko need a rest because it looks like I can run past them.
Dropping both Cahill and Rüdiger then, interesting. Hard to believe he would drop both Bakayoko and Fàbregas, even with Kanté available.
Don’t think that even requires communication, just common sense and even a slight bit of defensive wit. Was that Azpilicueta who saw 2 players on the attacker and didn’t even think to look behind him for a runner? Idiotic defending!
I believe their performances warrant it. It’s definitely hopeful thinking on my part, but the way they’re playing suggests they need a rest and not just having the odd stinker. Bakayoko said not too long he shouldn’t be playing on his injury, David Luiz said the same thing post match a couple of games ago, Morata just confirmed last night was his first game at 100% since his injury, who knows if Kante will be available on Sunday, and is Drinkwater capable of starting? So many question marks but thank god our squad is flexible.
Assuming everyone was healthy, I’m starting Kante, Drinkwater and Luiz in MF with a back 4 of Azpilicueta-Christensen-Rudiger-Kenedy. Alonso, Fab, Baka, Azpilicueta look to all be victims of the schedule at the moment so it’s hard me to say I want them starting in a game where we’ll be defending a lot because we cannot lose on Sunday and Conte knows that.
How are Chelsea fans feeling about this game, confident?
Imo it can go either way. Both teams need to win it, a draw isn't enough.
Yep. We barely troubled Liverpool, who before yesterday's Chelsea display everyone would say had a terrible defence, so it won't be a pretty watch on Sunday!
3 at the back matching Chelsea formation, Herrera maybe in there to follow and kick Hazard, and hoping Martial/Rashford can produce something from nothing
I really really hope that we open up a bit on Sunday. Despite winning a few on the bounce recently, Chelsea haven't been impressive. Watford should have beaten them, they missed quite a few gilt edged chances and obviously last night was a disaster. What will almost certainly happen is that we'll sit back and invite them on rather than trying to impose ourselves. Then its just a question of who scores from their very small number of decent chances.
Does anyone know if Kante will play? Would rather he didn't! Although he has had a fair while out, so even if he does he may not be up to his usual standard.
Does anyone know if Kante will play? Would rather he didn't! Although he has had a fair while out, so even if he does he may not be up to his usual standard.
I've no problem with pragmatism - just set us up in a way we can counter well
I'd unleash a front 3 of Rashford, Martial and Lukaku with disciplined players behind them - get the feeling if Herrera does a job on Hazard again we'd have a great chance
If Rashford and Lingard end up as part of a back 7 then we will have another game like Anfield