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04 Apr 2025 21:11:59
I just noticed we have now beaten Spurs 4 times in a row. We really are so much bigger and better than them. I know this is really sad but I just watched the game all over again and it was so nice to see the players with smiles on their faces, that Enzo Fernandez is really getting better all the time just like Moises and Cucu have. Jackson is so important to us and although I think we need a new goalkeeper that save by Sanchez in the 90th minute got us the 3 points so well done to him. I think Tom mentioned Colwill earlier and how he seems level headed, I like that. Up the Chelsea.
1.) 05 Apr 2025 09:03:06
Good post Anna and if we can get Lavia, Reece and Fofana injury free plus a rejuvenated CP then we have a really dent team.
It looks like we are not going to get a new GK in the summer so we need to bring back Petrovic and Santos, add a new an experienced ST then we should be more consistent next season.
Although I'm not a fan of our coach as you know, I hope he gets us into the top five and into the CL, I also hope that we win the ECL despite me calling it a waste of time as I would like Tom to be able to say "we have won it all"
2.) 05 Apr 2025 09:44:02
Anna, I would also suggest that Cucarella, Caicedo and Enzo have all improved this season.
Sanchez had a good game with the ball ant his feet and that save from Son was very good. I hope that form continues for the remainder of the season.
3.) 05 Apr 2025 11:55:56
I didn't know we were not buying a new goalkeeper Bill. I think that might be a mistake as I'm not sure if what we have is good enough. I agree with you about the injury prone players and also a need to buy a striker to compete with Jackson.
Who would you buy?
4.) 05 Apr 2025 15:16:55
That's a good question Anna.
I would like Osimhen but then who knows if he will adapt to the prem, just look at Lukaku.
Another one which I would like is valovic (soelling) but again it could be a massive gamble as would Sesko.
If we go for a premiership player I suppose Delap is the right age and he does know the league plus it might not hurt Jackson's progress.
I suppose it might all hinge on if we keep Jackson or sell him if a good offer comes in.
5.) 05 Apr 2025 20:25:28
I agree with all that Bill.
24 Mar 2025 20:52:21
Watching the England game and got me thinking about our previous managers since Roman was booted out of the club by the Tory government. TT was my idol, won us the cup with the big ears, carried us through the sanctions, brilliant. Potter? terrible appointment, Poch? the serial loser should of not been allowed anywhere near our great club, a chelsea hater at Spurs! what were the SD's thinking of. Enzo? Brilliant start and got us upto 2nd and earning rave reviews, match going fans singing "we have our Chelsea back", then we fall off the cliff so jury out till the end of the season.
1.) 25 Mar 2025 08:46:25
Anna
Good post.
Unlike you though, although I will always get grateful for winning g the champions league, I really did not like the football TT played. I remembered sitting in a pub in Cyprus watch us play Leeds and they muller us 3-0.
I agree with the rest of your assessment and as you know I don't like LeicesterMaresca.
That been said, picking a new coach is always a gamble as it does not mean he/ she is going to succeed.
2.) 25 Mar 2025 09:20:55
Bill, why do keep referring to EM as “Leicester Meresca? ”
Is this some sort of new fad that we put the name of the managers old club before the managers name?
3.) 25 Mar 2025 09:33:22
Was great to win under Tuchel, Football wasn't that exciting.
I thought Potter was a good appointment but the owners didn't have the balls to see it through.
Reece a quality right back who knew, hope Enzo ends the midfield experiment.
4.) 25 Mar 2025 10:33:12
Tom
He has earned the name as is being as consistent with us as he was at Leicester.
5.) 25 Mar 2025 11:04:20
But the won there division. Surely that’s a good thing and I didn’t think you liked him as a manager?
6.) 25 Mar 2025 11:58:22
He was running away with the league then crawled over the line, maybe similar this season with CL qualification.
7.) 25 Mar 2025 12:56:07
I will be very happy if we “crawl over the line” or if we are lucky to win a pot or two!
I don’t seem to recall Utd winning the Champions League in Moscow against us and having the trophy engraved “lucky winners. ”
If you win you win in my book.
8.) 25 Mar 2025 15:01:19
Well Tom
We definitely will not win the CWC so that only leaves the third tier ECL.
9.) 25 Mar 2025 16:04:02
Tuchel seemed to be a good tactician in knock out contests particularly and will be ever grateful to him for guiding an unfenced CFC team to the Champions League win. In fact I can never dislike Havertz because of THAT goal even if I have both wanted him to do benefit Arsenal too much by going there.
But yes very many of our league games under him saw pretty dull stiff if especially against ' lowere' opposition. but his teams always competitive against top opposition if my memory serves me ok.
10.) 26 Mar 2025 10:45:07
Bill, I have already given my opinion on the WCC and that this year the timing of the competition favours South American teams. I will be happy with the conference cup. Again, as I’ve said before I think it will be good for our young team to win a trophy and I would like us to be the UK that can say “we’ve won it all. ”
I will be grateful to TT for the final he won for the club and us fans and I think he was excellent in knockout competitions but generally his football wasn’t easy on the eye!
11.) 26 Mar 2025 11:01:10
Tom
I only mentioned the CWC as you said "a pot or two" that would have to include the CWC if you are saying two.
12.) 26 Mar 2025 11:22:55
Is any football in the premier league easy on the eye Tom? It is so boring with all these low blocks and poncing around at the back and keeping the ball. Players are now over coached and told to keep in position. I like watching Real Madrid as Carlo still gives his players freedom to express themselves.
13.) 26 Mar 2025 11:47:14
Anna, you raise a very interesting point. I was talking to a decent coach about a year ago and he said that each club should generally expect about 4 games per year to be good quality games. That’s about 20% of home games.
Your Real Madrid comment is valid particularly about Carlo. In my opinion he is a manager that just try’s to make the game simple. I was in Spain last week and managed to pick up the Barcelona v AM. It was a fantastic game and I was very impressed with Barcelona who not only kept possession well but moved the ball forward quickly.
21 Mar 2025 13:43:23
Pochetino living up to his reputation as a serial loser again. Beaten by little Panama in the semi final last night.
1.) 21 Mar 2025 14:32:16
Anna. We can laugh now he is not our manager any longer!
2.) 21 Mar 2025 15:45:44
He just seems to have a way to lose in the big moments Tom. The Cup Final last season against Liverpool's kids still annoys me.
3.) 21 Mar 2025 20:32:13
Anna
I think it annoys all if us but all I would say is that he did get us to a cup final.
4.) 22 Mar 2025 09:06:58
That is EXACTLY my point Bill. He is a serial loser.
5.) 22 Mar 2025 10:47:02
And my point Anba is that at least he got us to one unlike another current coach I could name.
6.) 23 Mar 2025 07:57:16
So if he gets us to the conference league final and wins. Your going to rate him better than poch.
7.) 23 Mar 2025 08:39:22
If he beats the dog and duck in the final he will be up with De Matteo and Tuchel winning the champions league, I jest of course.
Don't forget, Tom's happy hammers even won this 3rd tier competition, a word I use very lightly in this instance.
8.) 23 Mar 2025 09:14:19
There were some happy hammers fans who played down winning the conference cup so it’s to be expected that a section of Chelsea fans would view it in the same way.
If we do win it, I see it as two things:-
(a) Winning a trophy can only be good thing for young side.
(b) This is a personal thing. I want our the club to be the only premiership to be able to say “we’ve won it all. ”
I didn’t want Poch sacked for obvious reasons but in my opinion he should never have been appointed for reasons I have given many times, one of which is some managers, for lots of reasons, they are just losers.
9.) 23 Mar 2025 09:25:22
Tom
Did you want Maresca to be appointed by us?
10.) 23 Mar 2025 10:59:54
Bill, EM was my third choice. By far and away my first choice was the Stuttgart manager and that was even when Slot was mentioned as a possibility. For the record my second choice was the Ipswich manager.
Also, I didn’t want Sarri, TT, Lamps (twice) or Poch but again for the same reason as always I didn’t want them sacked. Furthermore, I did want Potter.
11.) 23 Mar 2025 12:14:55
Fair shout for the Stuttgart coach Tom but not sure Mckenna like Maresca has the experience to manage a top team yet.
I also like the Bournemouth coach.
12.) 23 Mar 2025 13:07:11
Bill, you never find out who is a capable coach unless they are given the chance at some stage.
13.) 23 Mar 2025 14:56:10
What has the Bournemouth coach won? Or final he has got to.
Genuinely have no idea. Only really noticed him this season.
14.) 23 Mar 2025 17:38:55
As far as I know Cfc, nothing yet but I do like the way he sets his teams up and also the way the play.
15.) 23 Mar 2025 21:52:31
I didn’t want Tuchel to be sacked an I certainly didn’t want any of the ones since to be appointed. I am not really interested in giving coaches chances, they shouldn’t be appointed if they can’t deliver. Giving coaches chances has turned us into a mediocre team which doesn’t compete for trophies. That said, we are not likely to attract top level coaches without our set up.
Irola has done well at Bournemouth, he sets up the team well and given the limited resources and injuries he has done a great job. He certainly has an advantage over Maresca, he isn’t a miserable arrogant coach who has been appointed well above his level of competence.
16.) 24 Mar 2025 09:12:38
Totally agree Jimbo.
17.) 24 Mar 2025 10:00:18
Well Maresca guided us powerfully past Morecambe in the FA Cup before unluckily being hammered by the Seagulls in the very next round. In comparison Pochettino only got us to the semi-final of the same competition before losing to little known and unfancied Man City.
Yes Poch did badly to lose to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and was rightly criticised for nature of substitutions and not being able tio fdefeat an under strength and youthful LFC side (though in fact on average the CFC sude was younger) . In contrast Maresca masterminded a 5-0 thumping of Euro giants Barrow before quite understandably being felled in fourth round by the unbeatable Magpies who went on to win the entire competition and may still get the quadruple this season. um, er.
It's completely right to hate Poch as he should not have raised our expectations in what was a v difficult last season for the club by getting his far-worse-than-this-season - and without the further vast spend this last summer in transfers - injury hit squad so close to winning both competitions. Unforgivable!
Though to say that Poch is a serial loser is not quite right given he did win the league and French cup double with PSG. But then one could say I guess that this is similar to winning the Championship with Leicester?
18.) 24 Mar 2025 10:35:14
Enjoyed your post JBS.
19.) 24 Mar 2025 12:32:36
Unlike some, I didn’t want Poch because of his association to the spuds. To me he always seemed like a nice guy but tactically inept for big matches and I made that point before he joined not after the league cup final.
I have no idea if EM will be a success or failure as Chelsea manager but I want the owners to give him time in the same way I wanted Poch to given time and prove me wrong.
20.) 24 Mar 2025 13:15:51
But Tom, if the owners did not give Poxh time, why should they give LeicesyerMaresca time?
21.) 24 Mar 2025 15:00:04
Bill, I have no idea what parameters have been set for EM by the owners. I also have no idea why the owners decided to terminate Poch’s contract, maybe they thought he was a nice guy but inept coach.
The problem with not knowing what demands are made of our coaches is we are just left to guess the reasons. I do remember some pundits and posters suggesting the Poch sacking was more to do with the SD’s than the owners and another theory was the owners were split on sacking Poch. I really can’t see what difference it makes anyway. As I always say, The King is Dead Long Live the KING.
22.) 25 Mar 2025 16:08:52
I think Poch was also demanding some or more input over transfers and there was disagreement with SDs over their intentions here in terms of what would happen at the end of his first contracted year.
23.) 26 Mar 2025 13:32:45
We come up against so many low blocks. Touchel struggled trying to get us to break it down. As shown by the goal stats and chances created.
Poch struggled to get us producing against the low blocks again struggling to score goals and create chances.
EM at least at the start of the season was getting us to score more goals and if I am correct create the most chances other than Liverpool at one point. Now as I have said I don't like the tactics at the minute and we have dropped off with the stats for xg and all that jazz. So I am hoping he can bring that back out of the team.
If we get champs league and win conference league I would be happy for him to stay one more year. To see what the team grows into.
Is it correct no is it wrong no. But it's my opinion and been around long enough to know that it's not our turn.
17 Mar 2025 06:21:05
That game yesterday was an awful watch from both teams. We were simply devoid of invention, slow and utterly obsessed in keeping possession and Arsenal have become a modern day Wimbledon focusing on set pieces to score goals coupled with rolling around on the floor, faking injuries and time wasting. That free kick must having taken 5 minutes to take! It was so boring. A yawn fest. What is happening to the game.
1.) 17 Mar 2025 09:22:20
Anna, the after match summary from Arteta was very strange. They must have some interesting stats at gooner land.
2.) 17 Mar 2025 10:06:30
The only important stat Tom is that they scored and we didn't, nor did we look like scoring.
3.) 17 Mar 2025 10:40:10
And it's not going to improve with pass back Leicester Maresca at the helm.
4.) 17 Mar 2025 12:51:01
Bill, just to think you have the remainder of this season and probably at the very least the start of next season to dig the manager out.
5.) 17 Mar 2025 12:53:56
We had 2 goalkeepers and 4 defenders on the bench for the game yesterday. What does that say about Maresca's intent?
6.) 17 Mar 2025 14:01:12
CFC, regardless of the thread my comment and question is just the same.
7.) 18 Mar 2025 08:15:59
Cheers Tom, LeicesterMaresca is the gift that keeps on giving.
I would love to be proved wrong which would mean we are successful and play hood football however I won't hold my breath.
Happy for you Tom that you are delighted with LeicesterMaresca's performance as a chelsea head coach and that you enjoy watching boring football upto now.
8.) 18 Mar 2025 09:46:05
Bill, your reference to me being delighted with EM and the so called “boring” football being played is total “boll@x.
I have said the following:-
a) He wasn’t my first choice he was my 3rd Choice.
b) I wasn’t critical of his or the teams first 15/ 16 premiership games. I also said that I wasn’t getting carried away but would judge him at the end of the season.
c) I have been generally critical of the last 13 games. I have said that those poor games coincided with some key player’s injuries, particularly Fofana but latterly Jackson, Lavia and to a lesser extent Noni.
d) I have not change my position through this bad run of performances. I will judge him at the end of the season.
e) I have said, along with others that EM needs to more tactically flexible.
f) I do not find his interviews any more boring than all the other managers who all talk in Cliches.
g) I have guessed that “if” Chelsea qualifies for the CL he will not be sacked and therefore start as our manager for net season.
h) I have remained constant with my prediction of a 3rd-5th place finish even when some pundits were saying we were title challenger’s.
i) I do not want this manager or the majority of our previous managers sacked because is usually an indication of failure.
For the record I have also not defended or been overly critical of our SD’s. The reason being I don’t know what they have been asked to do. As far as I know the owners could see there performance as good.
At the end of the season if the owners believe that any of its staff members have underperformed then I’m sure they will be relieved of there duties. I have also said that they should look at there own performance more closely rather they laying all the blame on others but that is what a lot of owners do.
9.) 18 Mar 2025 12:48:41
Tom,
After your last post, I'm not sure if you think LeicesterMaresca is doing a good job or not and deserves to be here at the end of the season.
10.) 18 Mar 2025 14:47:57
Bill, I have consistently said I will judge him at the end of the season. I also said the same thing after 15/ 16 games when some were getting carried away.
Me saying he will be the manager for the remainder this season and the start of next season has nothing to do with how I think he has generally performed as a manager. It’s me guessing what I think the owners will do.
I have zero interest in calling for him to be sacked because the season isn’t over and I will Judge him on the seasons performances.
If supporters want to call for him to be sacked or booed that’s up to them. I believe in giving people time. In the same way Klopp was given time and in the same way Arteta was given time and before some start saying I am making manager comparisons, I am NOT. I just want EM as I did with MP to be given time.
14 Mar 2025 17:01:00
This weekends Cup Final brings back terrible memories of last season and how that totally hapless serial loser Pochetino managed to lose us a Cup Final against a Liverpool under 18 side. So glad he is long gone from our great club.
1.) 14 Mar 2025 17:24:48
Dubai/ Anna
All I would say is that Poch got us to a final.
Rumours today, we are sounding out coaches to replace Maresca.
2.) 14 Mar 2025 18:40:13
My guess is the future of EM will be decided at the end of the season.
I would also be guessing but I would hope that we are always succession planning but I think EM will be our manager for next season.
3.) 14 Mar 2025 18:43:10
Bill, it was a tragic moment and defined the Pochetino era, a serial loser.
4.) 14 Mar 2025 21:34:25
Rumour has it Tom, we are already planning for a new coach come the end of the season.
5.) 15 Mar 2025 06:03:54
Bill, I also read that the club will pay huge for Carlo to come back. This is just my opinion, it ain’t happening and EM will still be our manager at the start of next season.
6.) 15 Mar 2025 06:44:31
The rumour you refer to is from a spanish outlet who quote that the club would like Carlo to come back. Twitter X nonsence I suspect.
I think you are correct Tom and Maresca will be our head coach next season. The sporting directors will also remain as by and large they are doing what the owners have asked them to do and that is recruit the best young talents in world football on long contracts and lower but heavily incentivized wages with a view that some will make it, some will not but will still have value and be moved on for profit and the odd one will be a real gem. As I said in my post the other day I really hope the missing links to the squad overhaul will be addressed in the summer to enable us to challenge for the title.
7.) 15 Mar 2025 08:03:23
Anna, no surprise that I agree with your post.
8.) 15 Mar 2025 10:03:07
Both, no surprise I don't agree.
I can see Maresca going, his boring style is already starting to turn the Bridge against him.
I can also see the SD"s going or at least one of them.
9.) 15 Mar 2025 13:53:07
I can't see maresca being at the helm next season honestly.
10.) 16 Mar 2025 08:55:41
Champions league qualification and he will be here. No champions league he will be gone, The football we play at the moment is quite dull unless done with pace.
The pace of the much derided Jackson is missed.
11.) 16 Mar 2025 14:30:22
Poch got us far further with far more injury problems in both domestic cup competitions plus European qualification of a kind with 6th place in league. Remains ti be seen whether Maresca will do better in the league this season after many more millions spent on improving a team that has finished well in last third or more of last season. Poch won French league and got Spurs of all teams to second places in ECL and EPL. Maresca won the Championship with the favourites.
I also think Maresca likely to be given another season with CFC as I thought Poch should have been given and it may be that he will have is beating Arsenal today. Thus far we haven't beaten a top team or even drawn with City or Liverpool with him though we did get creditable home draw v Arsenal.
Too early to tell for me whether Maresca the answer or not but like Tom have always wanted our appointed manager to succeed of course because I always want our team to and would also love some managerial continuity with this happening.
12.) 16 Mar 2025 15:58:46
Good job it’s not up to me.
13.) 16 Mar 2025 16:39:03
JBS, I haven’t got a clue what success looks like to our owners but I guess it’s a minimum of Champions League qualification this season. I have us finishing 3rd-5th and I remain hopeful.
I always want our managers to stay in there jobs because that should mean we are being successful.
14.) 16 Mar 2025 18:13:08
We're agreed on much Tom though I stick to my 5th to 9th. though if we finish 5th then we've agreed on that!
15.) 16 Mar 2025 20:34:33
JBS, other teams are working hard to ensure we finish in the top 5.
16.) 17 Mar 2025 10:13:15
And Leicester Maresca, is working hard to make sure we don't, Tom.
17.) 17 Mar 2025 12:53:03
Time will tell Bill.
01 Apr 2025 11:36:01
I too remember it well Tom and that vote against Roman was the day the dream of moving away from Stamford Bridge ended. That was the monumental day in our history. If the CPO had backed Roman that day we would have that shiny big stadium right now. I always felt Roman lost enthusiasm for a new stadium after the CPO turned against him.
01 Apr 2025 10:27:12
Roman had a very good opportunity to aquire Earls Court long before his sanctions and issues but the CPO pretty much blocked it. That was the monumental missed opportunity. Ken Bates meant well when he assigned the freehold to the CPO but sadly that backfired. The new owners are determined to rebuild Stamford Bridge or move away and I believe it will be the former and not because of any disagreement between the owners but because of the almost impossible task of aquiring Earls Court.
08 Apr 2025 19:31:09
Ok fine.
08 Apr 2025 19:11:22
Sorry for having an opinion ED01.
{Ed001's Note - having an opinion is fine but that doesn't mean you know what you are talking about. You don't and you are on a discussion site where other viewpoints will be given.}
08 Apr 2025 17:04:15
Quite why people get so upset at the owners spending shed loads of their money is rather strange. I don't care if they spend another billion as it is their money. They have not not put the club in debt like the Man U owners and we are on the right side of FFP which might even go if Man City come out on top against the relevant authorities. Besides, I actually think a profit will be made on the investment over the next few years although that is just my opinion.
{Ed001's Note - you really don't understand the finances of football do you?}
08 Apr 2025 13:55:14
Interesting post EdW but I don't agree with any of it.
07 Apr 2025 11:43:56
Premier league football is just so boring now to watch. Players are micro managed and all the flair has gone. The financial rewards that both obtaining Champions league qualification and avoiding relegation mean pretty much all the clubs set up in the same way so as not to beat. This is the dullest it has ever been and with increasing costs to watch it on TV I wonder if the bubble will burst soon.