The Liquidator

I had forgotten all about Nathan ~ I wonder how he has been doing? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Turns out its not been going well

Thx ~ Your post is an example of the Bullshit

Martin Odegaard Real Madrid's Norwegian teenager joins Vitesse Arnhem on loan. I wonder if they had to get permission from us to take him on? All joking aside, an interesting third loan move for the boy, 3 years after signing for Madrid. Makes you wonder if they will be accused of the same bullshit we get accused of when we send young players on loan.

I have seen Barkley interviewed on Chelsea TV a number of times and he comes over as a genuine nice lad who wants to do well for the club. While I admit he isnt Frank Lampard between the ears (very few are) I believe there is a chance he could become a lesser version of Frank on the pitch, something our club are crying out for. Again thank you RandoEFC for all the time you have put in offering us great insight on Barkley.

No argument Spike, your entitled to your football opinion. Wont trouble you again Enjoy the season

Thanks for the great info and taking the time to write it. The tough love you speak of, is it the opinion of the Everton fans he left Everton because of the lack of Love at that time?

Fair comment. It's only 2 games. One would hope the manager prefers the player who will get into the box when others have the ball wide up front. I am not holding my breath, but sure will point out the failings of those who do make the cut if they do not perform.

Just checking you have the right player cause even for you your posting is well wide of the mark.

As he did for the penalty at Huddersfield?

Kante?

Was at the game and I have watched it on TV twice. Point on the Real Madrid player. Interesting what Luke had to say. For me it was obvious what happened. As he walked on the pitch he was joined by the best player in the league. Everything went through him, every 2nd ball Luke said. Well I would not agree with that at all. He benefitted with our forward play being aimed at Hazard, his side of the pitch. Its not the Real Madrid player who was the magnet, it’s the best player in the league. Once Hazard was on the pitch Jorginho only looked to the left (I say a bit about Pedro during this time later on). The truth of the matter is Alonso played further forward linking up with Hazard down that left side. Proof of this is the goal. Also, for a bloke who had everything go through him, Kovacic had nothing to do with the winning goal (Other than diving for the free kick before the build up to the goal, but I am sure nobody wants to lay claim to blatant cheating) and from a quickness of moving the ball point of view, passes given to him would have been much faster if they had missed him out and got the ball directly to Hazard as they did with the goal and was obviously the objective of the team once he entered the pitch. Hazard attracts players to him which in turn makes space for others. If he hadn’t joined Hazard on the pitch I am sure the guy who was playing in his position before he came on would have benefitted from more possession because the best player in the league was standing next to him. We must also remember it was Kovacic who did not run with Ramsey who’s shot was spilled by our young keeper allowing Lacazette a free pop at the ball which caused objections from those around. Pretty simple stuff really, but I think your comments are more aimed at having a pop at Barkley than having any real substance of proof on the Real Madrid player performance. The applause Barkley got leaving the pitch leaves nobody without any doubt what Chelsea fans thought of his performance. If he starts next game I would tell him to get further forward, gamble more. Id much rather have someone busting a gut to be alongside Hazard as an option in the box, ala Frank, than behind him as Kovacic was. We have Alonso for that. If I was assessing Kovacic 30 minute cameo I would say he was very neat n tidy. Defensively naïve watching the ball rather taking notice of the guy he was marking which almost cost us a goal. Hardly the second coming of Lazarus as some would have you believe, but obviously another player who is comfortable on the ball. It’s his first game & I am sure he will do us some good, but he isn’t our player and there is no fixed fee for him, so for me you go with the players who will be with us next season. Obviously that would change and he would become an equal if he was to become our player. Anyway, the real problem in the midfield is defensively Jorginho. I have to say this manager needs to swallow some pride n return Kante back to the middle. I am not fussed if he finds another position for his fav player. He can play when the ball is at his feet, but as others are now pointing out, what I said within seeing him play 2 pre season games, he is a huge liability without the ball. I am not saying he is at fault alone for the mad 20 minutes when Arsenal should have won the game, but I would offer he was about as much use as an heart attack during that period. Now as I am sure people have worked out, I am not a fan of the high line, press, but this manager has played it for sometime elsewhere, with Jorginho as his central midfielder. So why is the manager highlighting we need to time our pressing better and need to work more on this. The most guilty bloke is his fav player who is always far too much up the pitch! Fuck me, if his fav player who has been playing his system for a number of years cant time it right, how many mad 20 mins are we gonna have this season? I think the bottom line is, our defence isn’t good enough to have a central holding midfielder in the quarter back roll. It needs a proper defensive midfielder and when you have the best in the world in that position on your books, don’t play him out wide. It’s common sense. Fabregas managed to influence games from the right sided midfield position for years, so why can’t Jorginho? I have what Aurelio De Laurentiis said about Sarri nagging in my head. One trick pony. Makes me wonder if we are saddled with a QB in the middle all season or does this manager have it in him to tweak something to make us more solid? Goalie. Ok two games and in our house and I am sure many other Chelsea houses up n down the country is is now known as Teflon. Nothing sticks at all. He is young & the Chelsea boards are all stating we need to cut him some slack. We paid a lot of money for this slack needing keeper and one would have thought he should have stopped at least one of the two goals as he got a hand to both. Granted his hand did not find the middle of the ball either time… I am just saying. He is good with the ball at his feet, although when hitting with his left foot the ball balloons rather than gets drilled. Often see him allowing defenders to attack his clearances\passes he hits with his left foot. It’s obvious there is a keeper in him, just hope he can catch a few balls in time. Wow Morata has a left foot Morata has a left foot na na na na, na na na na. Never doubted the chap (I Jest), but he needs to do it again n again n again before the end of September or he as advertised, Shit. Interesting he has now said Conte’s style did not suit him. After playing for him in Italy, makes you wonder why he would sign for him in London if he had questions over his style. "For me, it's easy. I could have gone back to Spain or Italy, all the people believe in me there, but I want to change things here, I want to, not for all the haters, but for me and for Chelsea. Chelsea gave me everything that I needed and now I have time to give back all that Chelsea give me.” …………Hey, I hear yer feller, would love to see it, but…….. lets wait n see eh? Plus points. Hazard was outstanding when he came on and it was nice of him to pass on what Madrid have told him to say after the game ~Rollseyes~. He attracts players to him, wins free kicks, set up goal chances, although the last one to Giroud he should have taken on himself. You could see our team shift everything to the left when he came on. Jorginho only looked the one way from the moment Hazard entered the pitch which meant we became one dimensional. I was disappointed after he came on and Arsenal shifted players onto his side, that Pedro did not hug the right hand touchline. We needed that “out” with so much given to the left. Pedro while too far inside late in the game did have another good game, again scoring. He was staved so much of the ball once Hazard came on that late in the game Pedro was seen right over onto the left flank. Meanwhile Willian so far isn’t up to scratch. Again Barkley played well and there were groans around the ground when his number was put up to pull him off but brilliant loud applause. I like many others would have liked to seen him with Hazard, but we all can see how this manager is looking as he ok’d the sweetener. Lastly on the day, Dave, captain, gave a great interview after the game on BT Sport. I never saw it till Sunday, but he represented the club very well. Shame he got the run around during those mad 20 minutes. Talking of those 20 minutes, I feel sure we would have heard after the game our manager, being Italian, would have been up on a match fixing charge had the game ended 2-2. How else could anyone explain the Chalk n Cheese first half performance. Next weekend we have our hardest fixture of the season

Or when a big club loan in Henrik Larsson...

Looks like our new manager is using the softly softly approach to keep the players sweet to try to create a better atmosphere than that which existed under the previous manager. A new menu is now available at the training ground canteen and the bugbare of many a Chelsea player, requiring them to stay in a hotel before next day evening games has been deleted from their must do list. The very strict ragime on nutrition has been relaxed with many delicious treats made available throughout the week to keep everyone happy, in a sweet tooth kinda thing. Chelsea Harbour hotel may well be loosing their best customer as it seems Conte couldnt have a home or evening game without the players sleeping there. Many of the players, especially those with a young family complained about this Conte rule. It's to be seen if this more relaxed stance by Sarri works wonders and keeps everyone onside on what he is trying to do. I just hope they keep Loftus - Cheek away from the pies before he is sold or sent on loan!

So Bakayoko leaves on loan after just the one season. Have to say after his performance at Wembley last season in the win over Tottenham I thought we had a steal. Alas umpteen poor displays over the rest of the season sunk my opinion and some say his career at our club. By all accounts he was dragged kicking n screaming to the plane destined for Italy and still holds hopes he will get another chance with us. Surprised Milan are taking him baring in mind he has proved to have the ball control of a non stick Pan. I expect he will start of play well now.

Didn’t think much of our weekend performance. The opposition I graded as 19th best side before the season so in truth our 2nd eleven should have gained a positive result, let alone a first string. It’s probably best not to say too much about the game as I doubt we will get an easier away fixture through the season. Huddersfield didn’t offer much of an attacking threat although I was happy to see a header hit the post which if it had gone in we might have seen a different outcome. Our defence does not look water tight, with Alonso, while a huge threat on the left side going forward, is the weak point that I am sure will be exposed by better teams. I am not surprised he got the nod over Emerson who is equally as bad at defending. If truth be told all our defenders have a weakness or two, we will just have to hope the manager can drill them into a semi effective unit. From what we saw Saturday, Jorginho offers little infront of the two CH’s defensively when you compare last season Kante & a n other. Obviously this has the formation to take into account, but is another weak point we can expect to be targeted. In pointing out these weaknesses, I have to say I chuckled at the managers substitutions. The previous manager, well a number of our previous managers would have brought on a holding midfielder or something to close up, defend what we had. Granted the opposition hardly warranted any closing of shop, but it will be interesting what he does if we are defending a weaker lead against one or two of the better clubs considering his reputation. Disappointed Barkley was removed. I thought he played very well and his flick for the penalty was sublime. Lastly the loan move for Mitchy when Morata is as poor as he is, is a head scratcher. Giroud and Tammy are our options. I like Giroud and feel he is our best option. However, he isn’t very mobile. Tammy is raw and while I would be thrilled to have him leading the line, his performance against Lyon showed him to have the ball control of Jimmy Floyd. 3 points is 3 points!

This time last season when you signed Salah I said he wouldn’t improve you. As It turned out, I was right with you finishing 4th again. As we stand on the start of this new season your club has spent money, lots of money, almost into the buying success class and the question is, will it improve you? For me signing a top goalkeeper is the most important signing you could have made. That alone must allow you to improve. Of course with this money spent there comes expectancy. Without a top two finish or a major cup win, taking in mind how you go into the season, it must be looked upon as a failure. I have to say I think Liverpool is going to be the most entertaining watch. Not the team on the pitch, but the army of fans who expect success to follow this transfer window where your owners have gone “All In” Enjoy fellers.

So, transfer window closes and sources are openly stating the club are very pleased with their work during it. This is how I read it, please correct me if I am wrong. The goalie is a status quo, at least the one coming in is expecting to be as good as the one leaving, so no improvement & hopefully no digressed in the position. We get what we must believe as the main player the manager wanted out of his former club, who will take one of Europes best players position, forcing him wide. As a sweetener, not costing a penny, we get one of Europe's best talents a couple of years ago, who was unable to play for the Spanish muppet club. We have him for one year and no fixed price if we want to buy him after the season. Our net spend is around the 80m mark, mainly down to the new keeper. Without that move the net spend is under 20m. We didnt get a back four defender or someone to score. I am not sure what there is to be pleased about?

It seems Sky are saying the board want Maguire, Jose wants Boateng. Some are saying Boateng is open to coming on loan and has spoken to Jose. others are saying as you question. As Deadlinesman says, its a bit of a shocking state of affairs at Old Trafford these days, but a bit like how they report on Chelsea, the media have no real clue whats going on and tend to guess more than ever get anything 100% correct.

Yes, that is Jose.

Serious question for @Redcanuck @Teso dos Bichos and any other United fans who frequent this board. Years gone by, United would have a high percent success rate of getting the players they wanted. I am sure you agree, since SAF has moved upstairs that percent rate has fallen by some way. What do you put that down too? Cant be all down to Woodward taking over from Gill.

71.6M spent on a goalie ~ 7 Year contract ~ Never for one minute when the story broke did I think we would cough up that amount of money ~ Not sure I am happy to be proved wrong ~ But ~ C'est la vie!

With our club busy trying to tie down deals for players, last night we saw the current crop of players play their last pre season fixture before the season starts. In what was a fairly boring game to watch, spoilt by Pat Nevin’s commentary on Premier sports (Sound off after 20 mins) we pretty much saw all our players other than the one on awol. Tammy had a huge chance to show he is ready to lead the line or at least offer something to the new manager and for me only managed to seal a loan out of the club. He was bang average, more probable poor if truth is told. Granted he made a lot of runs which were not seen by his fellow players, but his overall performance was not good enough. He should go somewhere where he going to start, so I think that would rule out other Premier League teams. Kante, when introduced played to the right of our midfield three. Not so sure about that and I believe this will be one of the more interesting decisions to watch. Emerson for me is a poor defender which means playing a four at the back, we do not have anyone who can be safe in the position. He looks ok going forward, a bit like Alonso, but I wouldn’t back him to close down his flank at anytime. Can Christensen play in a four? Again I am not so sure. I think he is a natural on the ball coming out in a three, but there seems to be lacking something in a four. Again, the four chosen in the early games will be illuminating. Is Ampado ready? I think he is very tidy on the ball. Looks to organize around him, but I remember Ricky talking about Jeffery Bruma when he first broke into the squad n played a few games. Ricky, in a truthful moment when asked about Bruma said, he need to learn how to position his body when challenging. He will get it, it just takes time. I feel the same about Ampado. It’s noticeable how many free kicks he gives away and when he challenges he does not seem to have his body balance right. Very much how Ricky flagged up about Bruma. It’s obvious he is a player. I just wonder if he would benefit on a loan as I cant see him troubling the first 11 without injuries. It seems like we are about to splash the cash on a keeper, something I felt was very unlikely. Some are saying it’s a panic move? I am not sure on that, but what I am sure of is we are spending the money at the wrong end of the pitch. I think its fairly universally agreed we are unlikely to trouble any of the silverwear this season, so why not use the season to give experience to players we have coming through. The young Polish keeper looks like he is gonna be a good one. The new manager keeps picking him, plenty of game time , as thou he was trying to make his mind up on him. I think I would preferred to give him a go in the league and spent the money up top. Look Kepa may well fix our goalie problem for the next ten years, but I remember people saying that was why Jose went for Courtois. Didn’t work out that well. A season with Bulka and Wily plus super Robert Green for me is a gamble that would be worth taking for this coming season. Anyway, its nice to see the club spending money again, even if its in a way I don’t agree with. Who the fuck is going to get the goals?

Cole along with his twin brother Rio were both signed by us from Luton Town as a condition to get their older brother Jay. Jay is the player and some say at Chelsea he would be our starting left back if he wasnt so small. As I understand it he was very good while on loan at Charlton. I would say Cole has done very well to get a 2 year contract with a championship club and it's probably fair to say there will be people of power in our youth system who will be pleasantly surprised after they released him, but very happy for him. I hope he does well for you. He plays at full back, more often at Left full back, but he has played right side too. In my opinion he does not hold his position well, often caught out by over exposing himself too far forward. When the club turned to three at the back he lost his position in the youth sides and this probably helped the decision to release him. Its great news he has got a 2 year contract!

Those fools at SSN are reporting Jack Butland is our top target to replace Courtois if he leaves. GOD HELP US!!!

On the face of it, yesterdays fixture shouldn’t have any baring on the season ahead. Alas the performance was so poor and worryingly lacked any kind of effort from the players or tactical change throughout the game by the manager to help turn the tide of City’s dominance. Look I know I have flagged up the space between the defence and midfield when teams attack us in my thoughts after each of the pre-season games, but it was illuminated to a new level by City. The new signing is pretty damn useless without the ball. Fabregas is a non entity once the ball passes him towards our goal and poor Barkley, who is the only mobile midfielder out there, is rushing back after his managers suicidal high press, past his fellow two midfielders. The new signing ambles back as thou he knows he is a shoe-in for the starting 11. If you have the chance to watch the game again, take a look at the 4 defenders faces once the ball runs dead. Talk about a picture being painted of the missing midfielders. Also, the 2nd goal I counted 6 Chelsea players taken out by one ball (Including Alonso) into midfield. None of these managed to get back to help the exposed 3 defenders and standing still Jorginho. Too give the manager a little credit, he admitted there needs to be improvement defensively and spoke of lack of fitness in the middle of the park. I’d call it a lack of legs and discipline. Time will tell if he makes the correct decisions to put that right, cause if he does not, its going to be a bloody long season. I felt the bloke wearing our number 29 shirt looked a carbon copy of the guy who used to wear the number 9 shirt. Both are fucking useless and I understand Richard Dunne pretty much said the same on BT. I don’t care what anyone says… there is a player in Barkley and I was very pleasantly surprised to read the manager likes him a lot too. He will be helped when the better players return and having Giroud infront of him will also be a big bonus to him and the rest of the team. He will also benefit from the more disciplined Kante. I have said it before, Sarri says he likes to improve players, well he likes Barkley so over to you Mr. Sarri. He is getting what looks to be a very fit player who is motivated. Rare in this squad? Just a word for Willy in goal who had a good game & kept the total conceded down to a almost respectable 2. Made me think, Someone at City looked at the gaff-prone Caballero while he was there, and thought: "Bravo will sort out all our problems." That really happened! Anyone with an ounce of football understanding could write so much more on our terrible display yesterday. I will spare anyone who has got this far down my thoughts other than to say, hearing the manager say after the game “we have to work” had me shaking my head thinking “we have heard that before” Obviously we have to give the “new” old guy time. His statement that we only need one more signing has him firmly in my idiot box cause very few of the players we currently have in our squad are suited to the high press high back line squeezing up the pitch tactic he seems unable to change through a game. Hand on heart, we have to understand this depleted Chelsea would never be ready to take on the runaway defending champions having worked on a completely new system for just three weeks. Note to self:- Must take “chill pill” before during and after our games for the next 3 months as I suspect its gonna hurt lots before it gets better. Meanwhile the two Belgium's return today ~ Oh to be a fly on the wall at that meet!