Chelsea Discussion

[Cicero]

Rumors Jorginho has beaten both Kante and KDB for the Uefa Mens player of the year award. 

Imagine the scenes if he wins the Balon d'Or 

[Danny]

59 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

There’s no way it was just them. It must have been commonplace for these dickheads to be so brazenly racist and abusive.

When you see these reports arise it's no wonder there are very little black coaches in the game compared to the large numbers of black players.

[The Liquidator]

Marina worth her weight in Gold. You seen the current Gold price?

Chelsea's £107m player sales this window:

Abraham - £34m (in installments)
Tomori - £25m
Guehi - £18m
Zappacosta  £10
Livramento - £5m
Moses - £4m
Ugbo - £4m
Bate - £1.5m
Peart-Harris - £1.5m
Ekwah - £1.5m*
Simeu - £1.5m*
Giroud - £900k
Kenedy - 500k loan fee

*depending on first-team achievements

Plus numourous loan fees to be added once made public.

I think she has done an amazing job with other players still looking for a new home or a place the run around at for a year.

[Spike]

5 hours ago, Danny said:

Shocking, obviously Chelsea have a strong far right history but it would be ignorant to think it was only them. I mean it was only recently Man City (I think?) scouts were stereotyping black kids as “BBQ” (big, black and quick).

‘BBQ’ is just ignorant stereotyping, can’t put that in the same sentence as the sadists that were at Chelsea in the 90s.

[Danny]

52 minutes ago, Spike said:

‘BBQ’ is just ignorant stereotyping, can’t put that in the same sentence as the sadists that were at Chelsea in the 90s.

Aye but it’s part of a the same wider problem within football and was the most recent public example I could think of that wasn’t related to Chelsea

[Bluewolf]

On 23/08/2021 at 15:00, Cicero said:

Think we are still looking to sell Zouma before we buy Kounde. Talks also of getting Saul from Atletico on loan with option to buy. 

Those will be our last 2 bits of business if we can get them over the line... 

[Cicero]

18 hours ago, The Liquidator said:

 

Chelsea's £107m player sales this window:

Abraham - £34m (in installments)
Tomori - £25m
Guehi - £18m
Zappacosta  £10
Livramento - £5m
Moses - £4m
Ugbo - £4m
Bate - £1.5m
Peart-Harris - £1.5m
Ekwah - £1.5m*
Simeu - £1.5m*
Giroud - £900k
Kenedy - 500k loan fee

 

 

Add Zouma now for £25 million now he's confirmed off to West Ham. 

This should progress the Kounde deal. Saul on Loan still looking to be worked on. 

[Cicero]

On 25/08/2021 at 10:31, Cicero said:

Rumors Jorginho has beaten both Kante and KDB for the Uefa Mens player of the year award. 

Imagine the scenes if he wins the Balon d'Or 

Player of the year. 
 

It’s happening!

[The Liquidator]

Amazingly Bakayoko is to sign a new contract and then sign a 2 year loan to AC Milan.

At the end of that spell, in June 2023, Milan will be obliged to purchase Bakayoko, as long as he meets certain playing-related conditions specified by the two clubs in their agreement.

As of the time of writing this there is no word what the conditions are, but I would suggest he is unlikely to meet those if its true there is an 20m Euro fee attached in 2 years.

No word how much they are paying for the initial 2 year loan. He has been a bit of a cash cow loan fee specialist since falling out of favor.

Will anyone take Danny Drinkwater?

[carefreeluke]

Quote

 

“It’s hard to argue with that, it’s hard to argue,” he said. “At the same time, there’s always room for improvement here in training and within this club.

“But it’s hard to argue with this opinion that he needs regular game time to improve his personal level. At the same time, it’s not only about letting players go.

“I have the feeling that Callum decided to fight for his place here. He had a very, very good pre-season.

“He fights for offensive positions and, of course, if you do the mathematics you end up with a lot of guys for the three offensive positions.

“So it’s a huge challenge for him, but the door is always open to sneak through and to make your way, and it can happen at any time for offensive players. At the moment, there is no loan.”

 

Hudson-Odoi should leave, no point wasting time, you don't want him to end up lingering around like Loftus-Cheek. Push for a loan move or even a permanent one Callum, you need football. The likes of Pulsiic and Ziyech can under perform all they want in front of you but no matter how they do, you won't be above them in the pecking order. Your season most likely will be made up of the odd appearance here and there at full back. You deserve more game time but won't get it, get out there somewhere else and prove yourself. 

 

[Bluewolf]

3 minutes ago, carefreeluke said:

The likes of Pulsiic and Ziyech can under perform all they want in front of you but no matter how they do, you won't be above them in the pecking order.

That's the sad part... for the good of their own development they need to be going somewhere where they will get decent game time

[carefreeluke]

16 minutes ago, Bluewolf said:

That's the sad part... for the good of their own development they need to be going somewhere where they will get decent game time

 

Quote

 

Hudson-Odoi is likely to be on the bench as usual for the trip to Liverpool that is the first of a number of “title deciders” that could dictate the outcome of the Premier League season.

 

That, though, according to Tuchel, is just a fact of life.

“We don't have to feel sorry for him,” he said uncompromisingly. “Once the door is a little bit open, we demand he puts his foot between and makes his mark.

“This can happen any time and last season when we put him on for 20 minutes in Man City game and he was a real game changer.

“Next time we do this, he needs to be ready. This is what we demand from him.”

 

I'm not saying start him against Liverpool away today far from it, just that he should be getting more game time in general, particularly considering some of the performances of the players in front of him. He needs to be playing left wing as well, he can do a job at right wing back but for his development he needs to be playing in his best position more as well. Cruising against Palace at home and he was never brought on, perfect time to give some minutes, he's never used in those situations which I find baffling, if anything, only seems to be used when we're chasing games. Bottom line is that Tuchel doesn't trust or rate him, the same with Lampard. I'm not saying he's going to tear it up and become a world beater in a couple of years, he might end up like Loftus-Cheek and not fulfill his potential but given Hudson-Odoi's performances, profile, potential, and the current context he should be used more. I read something recently that hit home and that's the fact that the annoying thing is that if he does come in and doesn't perform, he's normally the first to get pulled, always seems to happen with the younger players, whereas more experienced players can get away with the lackluster performances and mediocrity and aren't treated the same. 

Edited August 28, 2021 by carefreeluke

[Bluewolf]

On 23/08/2021 at 15:00, Cicero said:

Talks also of getting Saul from Atletico on loan with option to buy

Looks like this has fallen through after he could not be guaranteed the playing time he wanted.... 

[The Liquidator]

Away Liverpool & A. Taylor

In our Officials section there is a thread all for Mr. Taylor which now has close to 300 posts. This Saturday he again gave us something to add to his "stiffing us" tally.

I think there is little doubt it was a penalty, although there are some who believe the ball hitting James thigh before his arm should rule out Hand Ball. I can't be arsed to argue the toss on that, but I feel strongly the Red Card was wrong. I think that decision alone cost us 2 points, but our performance from that moment on showed, if we needed to have it confirmed, how strong we have become.

------------------------------

Sorry to see Zouma leaving the club. I loved a bet on him to score at anytime and he often boosted my bank account in doing just that. I figure I will have to look out for him doing the same for West Ham, who paid a pretty price in the end. I wish Happy luck, but ask him not to score against us!

-----------------------------------

Hudson-Odi has another chance to go to Germany and I for one hope the club allow him to go. I am still of the mind we should have sold him when we had the chance and will never forgive him n his people for how they took advantage of Chelsea through Munich interest.

Huge ideas above his actual worth, he has refused an under 21 call up to stay n train at Cobham. I find it very difficult to think of anything he has done in a first team shirt that makes him worthy of a squad position and question those of you who believe him to be the 2nd coming of Charlie Cooke. As someone who saw Charlie play in his pomp, I can assure you its a Chalk n Cheese comparison between the two.

[The Liquidator]

I can't find a Chelsea fan who feels we didn't have a wonderful window. Making a profit and adding two top international players to ones squad is a cut above almost all other windows we have experienced over the past couple of decades. What I would say as the most stand out deal is the one that didn't happen. Offering an amount to Sevilla and not budging from that position for their CH after they turned it down and asked us to try again feels like new ground for us. Remember the never ending saga to get Michael Essien where we caved in and coughed up the full asking price after offering a number of low bids. Damian Duff was pulled off a plane to the States when we did much the same.

Of course if we lose a couple of defenders over the next few months we might question being 1 CH short, but for me its about time we did this sort of thing. Many players moved out but still one or two who could well have been shifted are stuck at Cobham as make weights on the training pitch. I guess we will get to see them all at Stamford Bridge when we entertain Villa in the League cup. Not sure any of them can be moved out on loan before the new window, but other than some progression in the League cup they wont get much airtime in the first eleven.

[Bluewolf]

I think it's fair to say we have decent depth as a squad for this season... 

 

[JoshBRFC+]

2 hours ago, Bluewolf said:

I think it's fair to say we have decent depth as a squad for this season... 

 

Only club that can rival City for squad depth. Probably in the world.

[Bluewolf]

According to reports Kounde is said to be fuming that his transfer to us did not go through in the end... 

Jules Kounde 'furious over failed Chelsea move and ignoring Sevilla hierarchy' (msn.com)

In other news Ziyech has been causing problems for the national side with his poor attitude... 

National boss ‘won’t tolerate’ Chelsea star’s ‘behaviour’ (msn.com)

 

[TiExB]

Does any in here still remember this guy, Ricardo Carvalho is so underated

[Dr. Gonzo]

22 hours ago, TiExB said:

Does any in here still remember this guy, Ricardo Carvalho is so underated

A very underrated player imo. I thought he was brilliant 

[The Liquidator]

Home Aston Villa

Very interesting game in which Villa came with a plan and in a few seasons gone by, would probably left with at least a point.

For me, Tucel is a lucky manager. 2 or 3 times since he has come to the club he has made line up decisions which turned out to be badly wrong, without paying the ultimate price in losing. Saul really wasn't ready for the Premier League and had one of the worst debuts I have seen. Slow, none understanding how even the poor teams in the EPL press and hassle in the middle of the pitch, he got away with numerous passes direct to grateful Villa players who should have made more of their oppotunity's. He reminded me of the wayward passes Jorginho became famous for when he first pulled on a Chelsea shirt. Feller sitting next to me during the game said at half time, "Can see why Athletico wanted obligation to buy after the loan rather than an option" Marina saw through that one and with time maybe he will find his feet in the best league. Sure can't play worse. Happy to read the manager pointed to himself as his mistake in selecting Saul.

Hudson Odi: The manager keeps giving huge votes of confidence for the player, but without much in return. If he is so good, why are we having to manufacture a position, Wing Back, for someone who obviously isn't good enough to nail down either of the forward wide positions since he broke through?  The loan to Germany, a weaker standard of football may well have been the making of him, or as I suspect out him as a very lucky boy to get that contract. I agree with CFC7Oaks that up to now we haven't seen him progress from the performances against his own age group where he would burn defenders for fun. It sounds like he has a huge fan in the manager, so we are saddled with him for now and must take notice of which games he starts.

Many picked out Mendy for praise after he kept us in the game with many saves. Saves that do not stick. Almost all his stops stay in play and often straight back into the middle of the box. My son says I am being harsh. I think there will come a time during this season the other feller is given a chance to re-earn his spot.

Alonso made captain, Rudiger playing like he knows his best ever contract is his prize come the end of the season and a 36 year old Brazilian are all performing at a very high defensive level. I have always been a fan of Alonso as a wing back and it pleases me he again is showing his worth when played in his correct position\formation. Rudiger, while still pissing me off with his 40 yards shots at goal, is playing at his highest level since being at the club. I am sure you are all aware of what has been said about his future since the opening day home game against Palace. Silva is a man who is a master of his trade. His positioning behind Mendy when young Watkins should have slotted home only to hit Silva directly in the chest was wonderful defending. We must not forget the Home Runs Frank hit while in charge and Silva's Signing is an out the ground Home Run.

While many Chelsea fans felt the Lukaku signing could be suspect when other desirable names were linked, I stated on the day he signed that I liked the signing. This isn't the headstrong young man who left us and he sure isn't the guy United paid an agent a small fortune to get his signature when his first choice to return to us. Whatever Conte has done with him has paid off for us in spades. His first goal proved he now has it between the ears and the confidence to go to his lesser foot (Can you imagine Morata doing that?) and while his 2nd cost me plenty of £££ as I had 2-0, it was very well taken and also proved his touch has improved past the days of Cobham where it had to roll to his left foot for the Hammer time to take place. Talking of gambling, congratulations to StamfordHillCowboy on your big win.

A great result which flattered us as Villa played very well. I must finish on a serious note.

Returning home after the game I was delayed at Liverpool Street Station, so on hearing the delay I walked off to get myself a Coffee. On returning to the gate of the Platform my Train was departing from the was alot of noise & I saw four blokes in Arsenal shirts playing football with a Cat. I was just about to call the Police and RSPCA when the Cat went 1-0 up 

[carefreeluke]

Mount hasn’t been the same player since the Euro’s started. He hasn’t been terrible but hasn’t been performing to the high levels of last season. He isn’t performing as bad as some of his competition in that area but for me he needs a kick up the backside. He’s lucky he’s got competition such as Ziyech and Pulisic. 

[Cicero]

Chelsea have now kept 23 clean sheets in 36 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel.

[The Liquidator]

CL Home Zenit St Petersburg

I felt Zenit showed excellent discipline throughout the game & for long periods looked comfortable. We helped them by playing far too narrow with our supposedly wide front players Ziyech & Mount almost touching each other in the middle of the pitch. The latter was particularly poor for almost the entire length he was on the pitch. I fully understand when you play 3 at the back your width should come from wing backs, but we failed to release either of them with penetrating balls from our slow retention of possession, something which is evident when we start Kovacic & Jorginho together. We should be thankful for the positive result because while I was sitting in the East Stand I could see the result going the same way as the first game of last seasons CL against Seville 0-0

Antonio Rudiger set a fire under the team with two or three runs storming forward giving us our few moments of excitement. Only two shots on goal in 90 mins kinda paints a full boring picture of the game. Thank fuck for Romelu.

Chilwell got an outing & even Reuben Loftus-Cheek showed his face. Felt Werner might have been given a chance alongside Romelu, or even a run out wide to stretch the game. Nice to hear Frank having one of his tunes sung a number of times through the game. I am kinda surprised he is still to surface via punditry as he proved quite adept on BT before his managerial career kicked off.

This mornings chuckle came from reading Anthony Taylor was at it again last night only to be saved by onlookers when he sent the wrong guy off. Something new for his thread :)

[Batard]

What's particularly evident about Chelsea right now is the lack of creativity in the final 3rd, which is frankly bizarre given the talent at their disposal. The two behind Lukaku aren't doing enough, they seem incapable of playing useful passes. What I've seen is when they push just inside of the wing with the wing back moving on the overlap, if a centreback of centre mid joins to create an overload, it leaves the wide attacker with too many outside options and only Lukaku in the box. Without Pulisic no one is busting a gut to get in the box. There's just a lack of movement off the ball. Lukaku's ability to make something out of nothing is massive.