Chelsea Team and Matches Talk

20 Jan 2025 22:03:19
Routine win. I don't understand why keep dropping the tempo in matches, we look so much better when we move the ball at pace.

Welcome back TC. Very good performance from the big man. I would also add that Tosin was solid.

KDH had his best game for the club and James was excellent, not just his performance but also he showed some leadership qualities.

We are back in the top four with City away next. I don't think we should show them any respect.

20 Jan 2025 22:16:03
looked comfortable overall tom, definetly short in midfield do poor ol KDH looks like a dear in the headlights you can't see it working for the lad, i will enjoy this win because its been a while since we felt 1 and we only have city away next who of course just our luck are bag in form and after spending about 200 million on new players?.

20 Jan 2025 22:01:25
TC deservedly MoM though Cucurella was surely also in the frame. Much better second half at credit EM for finally using some substitutes plus getting players up for second half. But Wolves clearly a weak side though did have thst good 15 mins in first half.

20 Jan 2025 22:15:35
JBS, we had a long thread a few days ago about the premiership and how there are no easy games. All the teams in the league are more than good enough to have periods of dominance in any game.

I’m not going to downplay the importance of the result tonight.

20 Jan 2025 23:00:54
It was a crucial result Tom. a win absolutely essential and for first time for six games our second half was better than our first half.

20 Jan 2025 21:22:57
Have to feel sorry for KDH he looks so out of his debt, but madueke and pedro neto have been absoloutely dreadfull.

20 Jan 2025 21:30:37
Looks like Noni heard me haha.

20 Jan 2025 21:49:19
Sorry Poch I have told disagree with regarding the KDH performance tonight. I think he kept things simple and had a good game.

20 Jan 2025 22:02:32
I also thought KDH had a good game, am so nervous when the ball goes anywhere near our keeper

Important win strangely enough thought we played better against Bournemouth and lost

Cucurella my man of the match.

20 Jan 2025 22:16:30
Should of send drawn against Bournemouth


Thought Trevor C had a good game not sure generally if he is good enough long term but he brings experience and we managed the game better today.

20 Jan 2025 22:17:21
I just think he is so off the pace guys personally how did we allow ourselves sell conor and buy dross like KDH and Felix baffles me

Anyway a win a good night positive vibes only here up the blues.

20 Jan 2025 22:31:20
Cucurella was v good and was between him and TC for MoM gor most of us I'd guess.

Can hardly bare to look when Sanchez passing out.

20 Jan 2025 23:55:26
sanchez is a tough watch that's for sure can't help but dread city away.

21 Jan 2025 11:48:53
Strangely I fancy us to turnover City. They don’t like teams who run at there defenders and we can do that.

20 Jan 2025 20:01:41
Think the teams terrible hope am wrong don’t like the look of it sorry.

20 Jan 2025 20:55:37
Who would you play?

Yet again we concede the second goal

Our keeper is hopeless.

20 Jan 2025 20:55:41
Not sure why he didn’t punch it but we have been far too passive in that half.
He gets a lot of criticism but KDH has had a very tidy first 45min.

20 Jan 2025 21:08:38
I think we've been the better side by far tonight, but Sanchez has yet again proven a liability.

20 Jan 2025 21:16:16
We fell off badly in last 15 mins of first half as Wolves took control. Began to look. like headless chickens. Plus keep on pumping crosses into the box as if we had someone there as proper target man with aerial ability.

20 Jan 2025 21:17:44
Chalobah has been pretty good given he's just back in the team. KDH very busy and not too bad if not that creative.

20 Jan 2025 21:23:38
OK take it back our target man in the box is Cucurella.

20 Jan 2025 21:39:46
Yes KDH had a pretty good game.

14 Jan 2025 21:38:51
Well this is Maresca and Leicester all over again.

More points dropped at the Bridge, hardly a fortress this season.

14 Jan 2025 22:12:57
I hope we are like Leicester but I doubt it because they eventually they finished top of their league.

14 Jan 2025 22:32:57
Tom

They had a massive points lead and were running away with the league then fell of a cliff and finished limping over the line.

We Ave now started our slide in a similar fashion.

It seems when things start to go wrong, Maresca has no answer.

14 Jan 2025 23:14:42
Bill, be honest your not a fan of EM. j Just to clarify Leicester won there division despite a form slump with a goal difference of 48. In all probability most managers should have won that division with that Leicester squad.

EM was my third choice as our manager but I’m “generally” happy with the season so far.

14 Jan 2025 23:14:51
Found out is the word but I think we have the squad to save his ass.

14 Jan 2025 23:29:46
Nibb, that’s two words. It’s all about the fun?.

15 Jan 2025 08:40:49
Tom

I have not been a fan from the start and to be honest, nothing has changed my mind.

He relies on his main 11 and that's it, nobody else can help the team when they are struggling, hence the lack of substitutions.

When his first 11 starts to fall out with him, he is done, gone.

15 Jan 2025 09:57:44
Bill, all of the negativity disappeared after 15 games, certain posters went missing and some have never returned because we were doing well.

Now are going through a bad patch of form and luck and it’s the same back to square one, I told you so comments.

We are 4th in the league and position would indicate that we are improving on last season. I’m not sure what more fans expected from this season?

It must be me but while not being happy with our latest results I can honestly look at the football we are playing and say I’m enjoying it and that hasn’t happened for a few seasons.

Can the squad be improved? The answer is yes but the answer to that question is the same for every club I can think of.

15 Jan 2025 12:11:05
Tom

I agree every club can improve, you just have to look at Man City this season to see that.

Posters may come and go depending on performace/ results however although I really am not a fan of Maresca and I would add Jackson to that, I continued to post throughout the season. Unlike some purely positive posters.

Do i hope I'm wrong and that you can come on and say I told you so, of course I do because that will mean the team we have supported and loved overcmany years, did well and was successful.

15 Jan 2025 12:53:53
I repeat all the negativity disappeared after 15 games. The manager for the vast majority of posters was a tactical genius helping young players through a learning curve. Jackson had scored 9 premiership goals (I think) in those fifteen games and he was described by many as the real deal.

I will judge the manager from game to game and the only game I have been very critical of him was the game at home to Fulham. I will also assess his performance as a manager on the way we have played throughout the season and our finishing league position.

I will Judge Jackson from game to game but importantly I will make a decision about him at the end of the season. I think he will get 2O goals this season but if he does score that amount of goals it won’t make a perfect ST without criticism.

{Ed001's Note - sorry Tom but that is simply a lie. The negativity did not disappear, just got shouted down by a few who refused to accept any questions against the 'great' Maresca.}

15 Jan 2025 14:32:37
Well EM certainly wasn’t my first choice but asking for a manager to be sacked during pre season doesn’t seem reasonable to me.

15 Jan 2025 14:39:32
Sorry sent to soon.

As far as I can see fans who aren’t negative about EM or previous managers have to argue there case as much as posters who have negative opinions.

For me all managers of all clubs need ti be questioned all of the time.

19 Jan 2025 22:40:49
He’s not great but who is there at the minute he’s already been found out most of us no when he subs and who and the same players will let him down Sanchez Jackson and others but I believe if we spiral the board will sort it trust the long game.

20 Jan 2025 19:31:54
I certainly never posted about how great Chelsea and Maresca are early on in the season-sometimes I wondered if I had watched the same game. As for Maresca he didn’t have the experience or pedigree to be appointed head coach- maybe he will prove me wrong. If it goes wrong for Maresca, the SDs have a lot of explaining to do.

21 Jan 2025 19:44:38
As I understand the set up at Chelsea the managers input into what player is signed isn’t as significant as it used to be. Therefore I’m not sure if EM fails as our manager it will necessarily impact to much on the SD’s.

14 Jan 2025 21:33:53
I obviously didn't enjoy the result but I enjoyed the game.

Small margins can win or lose games and that applies to referees as well as players.

Still happy with my 3rd-5th place prediction.

14 Jan 2025 22:16:24
Good to keep that optimism Tom and I do hope my preseason 5th to 9th prediction is too pessimistic. But we do look leaky at the back and now a bit short on goals up front.

I've also noticed that we seem in this bad run to be playing worse in the second half than in the first and have now dropped 12 of possible fifteen points. Not sure what Maresca says at half time but it's not working well right now and his substitutions and apparent lack of trust in so. many in squad a bit worrying. Chasing the gameche only brought Felix and Neto on after 80th minute. Neither Nkunku nor Guiu given minutes.

14 Jan 2025 22:17:41
Couldn’t enjoy first half as it was obvious when we were missing chances what was
Coming, first half we were brilliant, second half 2md best, exactly same as under poch.

14 Jan 2025 22:31:40
JBS, I wouldn’t say I’m optimistic but I just think we are one of the better teams in the league. Our league position would suggest that assessment is reasonable.

Matt, I see zero comparison to the football we are playing under EM and under Poch.

14 Jan 2025 22:37:39
Would of liked to of seen Guiu but i honestly think we are close would like to think Champions League is likely particuarly if it's top 5

Obviously missed chances and I don't think Caicaido is a full back

Thought the second goal was a really poor goal to concede.

14 Jan 2025 23:26:49
Seymns, I much prefer Cucarella playing this so called inverted role. Never a fan of square pegs and round holes.

14 Jan 2025 23:28:26
Yes I felt a bit sorry for Acheompong in unable to deal with Bournemouth scorer of second goal butcsldo wondered why Tosin hadn't started un front of him at CB . hecwas brought on to replace him soon after that goal ehich may mot have been good for the young lads confidence.

15 Jan 2025 08:44:44
JBS

Maresca plays a young RB at Ch and plays a MF at RB, says it all really.

He would be better playing Jackson in the back line, he seems to be able to keep the ball away from goal quite regularly.

15 Jan 2025 10:00:56
I’m not sure RA is a genuine RB and let’s forget the Jackson contribution for the first goal.

15 Jan 2025 11:05:08
Sorry, I should have added that Caicaido has played this so called inverted RB role a few times now and it’s been successful. If fact most posters (including me) said what a good tactic.

Let’s try and be consistent although hindsight is a wonderful thing!

15 Jan 2025 12:13:22
Tom

Happy for the assist for CP however ham many chances does Jackson have to miss before somebody else is given a consistent chance in the role.

15 Jan 2025 13:02:58
Bill, who do you think out of existing squad deserves this so called “consistent chance? ”

On premiership performances certainly Nkunku doesn’t and I’m a massive fan.

14 Jan 2025 21:11:46
Stop Palmer getting space and we struggle.

14 Jan 2025 22:09:27
Correct Mr if I'm wrong Tom but is that not down to Maresca and his tactics and lack of substitutions.

14 Jan 2025 22:17:25
I agree though he looked v influential in first half and could have several assist as well as more goals.

14 Jan 2025 22:37:51
Bill, correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t EM make substitutions and change our shape. It’s a reasonable argument to say he could have brought Felix on earlier and then play with two number tens.

Palmer is a class player and he took his goal wonderfully well but he is now a marked man and he, along with the coaches he will have to work on different ways to dictate a game for 90mins. I remember the special treatment dealt out to Hazard and he found a way.

14 Jan 2025 21:07:42
We played really well in the first 45 mins but they have been far less passive in the second half and been first to the ball all over the pitch.

Big 15 mins coming up.

14 Jan 2025 20:48:03
That first half should of finished 3-0, same player misses chances and we get punished other end, nothings changed from last season, and until we get a goalscorer it will continue.

14 Jan 2025 21:32:50
Totally agree Matt, Jackson was their best defender tonight.

14 Jan 2025 21:36:20
Been saying it all season he’s awful don’t understand why we haven’t done anything in the transfer market yet getting a striker is must to move forward,

14 Jan 2025 21:38:27
We score plenty of goals over the season can't keep a clean sheet would rather a keeper than a centre forward.

14 Jan 2025 21:39:29
Jackson did a great deal that was good in this game and of course did the run and slick pass for Palmers goal. Both of these players had v good chances to put the game to bed but didn't. So yes Jackson should have scored today but he is a converted winger and has done a great job in creating chances but we and he could do with a world class experienced striker and one that EM trusts. I thought that again EM far too late with substitutions

But on a brighter note how great to see James scoring that fantastic free kick equaliser and Lavia looked v hoid first half even if at fault in pat for Bournemouth equaliser.

14 Jan 2025 22:14:34
JBS, I was ok with the substitutions in this game and I was happy with the shape change.

14 Jan 2025 22:19:29
I’ll say it again,

Jackson done his best work 40 yards from goal, not what we need, we need someone who get half a chance and makes it count, Newcastle don’t play better football than us, they just have someone who is consistent in front of goal,

14 Jan 2025 22:39:30
I would take Isak or Osimhen all day long. Let me know if they become available.

14 Jan 2025 22:55:07
We certainly lack both someone who can be an aerial threat in opposition box ie can head the ball well and we don't have a clinical in the box finisher.

14 Jan 2025 18:38:24
I look the look of our starting eleven tonight and I'm pleased that Veiga and Nkunku are in the squad albeit on the bench.

14 Jan 2025 20:23:24
Can't put teams away but we are young side and an absolute joy to watch.

14 Jan 2025 20:32:30
It's been a very good first half in terms of possession and passing and skills. but will. our inability to be more clinical with finishing cost us again? We should have put game to bed by now ie half time. Hope it won't cost us. Bournemouth riddled with injuries and it was Sanchez who created one of their best chances . he makes a VFC fan nervous far too often with his sloppy distribution. Plus even much weakened Bournemouth can break our defence down. So please let us get a second goal soon!

14 Jan 2025 20:41:37
And suddenly Bournemouth are level after Lavia initial error then Caicedo almost forced to give away penalty.

14 Jan 2025 20:43:42
So frustrating to have played so well and created so. many chances first half and only scored one.

14 Jan 2025 20:49:06
But Brooks should have been sent off for violent play against Cucurella.

14 Jan 2025 21:08:37
Definitely a red card.

14 Jan 2025 21:35:48
Not getting the rub of the green that would of been a red in Rugby

We will improve and still optimistic there are no easy games in this league look at the other scores tonight.

14 Jan 2025 22:16:15
Seymns, very true and they totally bossed us at there place earlier in the seasons.

04 Jan 2025 17:42:43
It's all starting to become a bit predictable again. You could see from 12mins that we needed a second or third goal otherwise more dropped points.

We need to be very careful or the top 4 race will turn into conference league position again. Other teams are picking up form and the gap has closed massively on us.

I worry we haven't got enough quality. Forwards not scoring and I think caicedo needs help which Enzo doesn't provide. On a positive note I thought young Josh did well against a beast in Mateta.

04 Jan 2025 18:03:28
It's a Leicester style collapse, totally predictable with Maresca.

From the start of pre season we have struggled to keep a clean sheet even against a club who has only achieved 6 points this season and are rock bottom.

04 Jan 2025 18:34:03
Dan, I think you are right. Liverpool and Arsenal are nailed on for top 4, Man City will be there too. ; Newcastle will not lose too many games and Villa aren’t far behind; not even mentioning Forest. 2 points out of 12 in the last four games: one shot on target today says it all. Although it is against the grain, I would rather spend money in this window than the summer to give us the best chance of CL. Another season out of the CL would b a big blow.

04 Jan 2025 19:05:37
Bill, there is very little that is predictable about football.

I haven’t got a clue if this is true but a mate tells me we have had something like 90 chances in our last four games and scored twice (both Palmer) . Of course Jackson will get pelters but other players need to chip in with some goals as well.

Sanchez was ok today and we generally bossed the game.

I will stick with my pre season prediction of 3rd-5th and also hope that 5th place is a Champions League spot.

04 Jan 2025 19:17:41
Tom

If that stat is true then that is disgusting.

Jackson will get pesters as he is the main striker leading the line. He needs to be rested for the rest of the season and let our other two strikers have a chance to prove themselves.

You are correct in saying others should chip in with goals but the most important thing is than no matter who we play we just cannot keep a clean sheet.

Morecambe will be glad they are now facing a post Christmas CFC and this is definitely a banana skin game.

04 Jan 2025 19:43:56
Bill, Morecambe should be and will be a comfortable win.

I’m happy enough that we are creating lots of chances and I’m sure the manager will give Nkunku and Guiu more premiership game time. They then have to play well to keep there place. The club has a history of NOT guaranteeing players a starting position.

04 Jan 2025 20:11:29
Tom, they are with Jackson despite missing chance after chance, game after game.

04 Jan 2025 20:29:17
Very few were moaning about him a few weeks ago when he was scoring about a goal every other game. He is going through a baton patch like lots of forwards do. Trust me he will start scoring again soon.

That doesn’t mean I don’t think other players don’t deserve a chance.

04 Jan 2025 21:19:40
Jackson is not and never will be a top class striker. Scoring a few goals early in the season did not change my view: just as it didn’t about Sterling.

04 Jan 2025 21:48:57
The strange thing is there are players I don’t rate who play for CFC but I want to be wrong not proved right.

04 Jan 2025 22:37:00
Tom, it is not a question of being proved right. I am willing to question players we are rumoured to sign and have signed because I want the best for the club. Hoping that poor signings or players who are not good enough turn out to be top class doesn’t help our cause to get back to the top table. Being proved right is generally a burden and is frustrating.

04 Jan 2025 23:41:06
You are correct “hoping” doesn’t help but neither does the constant “told you so” comments.

I would assume we all want what’s best for the club.

05 Jan 2025 10:06:59
Not sure that is the case Tom.

If the SD's wanted the best for our club they would have brought in a top class GK, an experienced CB and ST.

Too much is relied on a youth policy.

I agree we have some top quality youngsters however experience is needed ti guide them especially when we have a bas period .

05 Jan 2025 10:25:31
Bill, I’m sure you don’t think that the SD’s don’t want the best for our club?

Just maybe the SD’s believe they have signed a potential top class goalkeeper. The bigger mystery for me is why Jorgensen hasn’t been given more of a chance.

The CB debate is interesting. I have never been totally convinced about Fofana but he was playing well alongside Colwill before his injury. In fact BB also had a couple of good games when called upon before his injury. The strange decision for me was keeping Disasi instead of Chalaboa.

05 Jan 2025 11:26:12
For Jorgensen mystery that's on Maresca.

I totally agree on Chabs who should never have been allowed to leave but again that is down to guess who, yes you are correct Maresca. imagine him and Colwill during the current injury crisis.

05 Jan 2025 11:58:37
Bill, of course the vast of majority of player decisions are on the managers shoulders. That’s the case in most structures not just football.

The manager will be judged on how many decisions he gets correct but he will obviously get some wrong along the way at the end of the season. So far he has got more right than wrong in my opinion but some will focus on the wrong decisions particularly when results are not good.

05 Jan 2025 12:58:58
Tom

He seems to be making bad decisions from day one not just recently, our defensive record with the lack of clean sheets will back that out.

05 Jan 2025 15:51:03
Bill, have you considered that you have already made up your mind about our managers abilities?

So far his good decisions have far outweighed any bad decisions.

Will he make decisions that certain fans (including me) disagree with, of course he will but that doesn’t make those decisions wrong!

05 Jan 2025 16:55:30
Said it from day 1.

05 Jan 2025 17:53:54
Nibb, well done. You seem happier when we drop points and obviously when Jackson misses a chance we all know you’re over the moon. ??.

05 Jan 2025 18:53:33
Tom

Just out of curiosity, has our defence improve this season? .

Where we have improved us upfront and so has our league position.

As I have said previously let's wait and see which one of us is right, hopefully it's you Tom.

05 Jan 2025 19:04:49
I have not said our “defence” has improved but I’m sure a poster who those how to check the stats out can tell how the goals conceded this season compares to last season.

I repeat I thought the Colwill Fofana combination was beginning to look ok. I would add I think Cucarella is much improved this season compared to last season. If I have a defender criticism it’s Gusto as a defender but they be a tad harsh as he is occasionally being asked to do two jobs.