The Chelsea Thread

[CJACKO11]

Seems like Van Ginkels recovery is going really well and he is back in light training

That really is excellent news, so much sooner than it should be too. From what i saw in pre-season where i felt he was our best player i believed he could be a 1st team regular come the end of the season.

 

[AayushCFC]

Seems like Van Ginkels recovery is going really well and he is back in light training

Sent from my C2104 using Tapatalk

 

[Subtle]

We don't have the pieces

Really? A defence of Cole-Terry-Luiz-Azpi could potentially be rock solid, a midfield two of Ramires and Mikel could definitely be effective if they actually gel as a duo, we have a shitload of options for the 3 in AM, and if Ba can go on a run of form like he did for Newcastle we would not struggle for goals. Whether or not Jose can tighten all of these areas up in time is obviously a massive challenge but it's not as if we've got a **** squad. I would argue that we are the team with by far the most untapped potential in the league, rivalled only by Spurs.

Now I'm not saying that we won't likely need changes, as we've given multiple parts of the puzzle a lot of time to adapt and they have not done so, but there's no denying that there is still a chance for us to find a way to make it work.

 

[rephlex]

Really? A defence of Cole-Terry-Luiz-Azpi could potentially be rock solid, a midfield two of Ramires and Mikel could definitely be effective if they actually gel as a duo, we have a shitload of options for the 3 in AM, and if Ba can go on a run of form like he did for Newcastle we would not struggle for goals. Whether or not Jose can tighten all of these areas up in time is obviously a massive challenge but it's not as if we've got a **** squad. I would argue that we are the team with by far the most untapped potential in the league, rivalled only by Spurs.

Now I'm not saying that we won't likely need changes, as we've given multiple parts of the puzzle a lot of time to adapt and they have not done so, but there's no denying that there is still a chance for us to find a way to make it work.

I can only agree with this. It's funny, Utd have a lot of potential in their squad, some top players, yet if they **** it up, it is Moyes' fault. Whereas when Chelsea lost games they should have won, it suddenly becomes "we don't have the pieces", despite spending consistently. I'd say Chelsea have a strong side and are under performing at the moment, yet still in touching distance. Once Mourinho gets them firing properly and defending better I can see a good run coming up.. it'll be hard to keep their front line out.

 

[TheFalse9]

I can only agree with this. It's funny, Utd have a lot of potential in their squad, some top players, yet if they **** it up, it is Moyes' fault. Whereas when Chelsea lost games they should have won, it suddenly becomes "we don't have the pieces", despite spending consistently. I'd say Chelsea have a strong side and are under performing at the moment, yet still in touching distance. Once Mourinho gets them firing properly and defending better I can see a good run coming up.. it'll be hard to keep their front line out.

United fans blame it on Moyes more than Chelsea fans blame it on Mourinho for three reasons - 1. Chelsea fans like/believe in Mou more than United fans like/believe in Moyes; 2. United won the league last season easily, so fans seem to think they should run away with the title again and 3. United are doing worse than Chelsea at the moment. However, I do see your point - it seems that Chelsea fans see Mou as a saint and daren't criticise him, preferring to blame it on the team; whereas United fans blame it on the manager and not on the team. It's practically a placebo effect, Mourinho practically can't do wrong. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, since it shows that Chelsea fans have faith and patience in their manager.

 

[CJACKO11]

I don't want to say much about tonights game because it wasn't great at all but we won, topped the group and kept a clean sheet so its all positive from me. I just want to post a few tweets i have seen from one person which sums up everything i have been trying to say all season but he puts is much better than i ever could.


In the past two years we have finished 25pts and 14pts away from 1st place. People think we turn that around straight away? So strange.


The fact we are in contention in the league is a start. Mourinho showing his class in that respect. Club need to deliver in January.


All this moaning smacks of entitled Liverpool-esque nonsense. It's going to be difficult to recover a 25pt/14pt gap. It will take time.


Jos? has us well placed in all competitions with a squad he's all but said he's not overly pleased with. Imagine when he gets what he wants?


This is genuinely the first year we've been in transition and the amount of fairweather fans digging Mourinho out is mental.


And i couldn't agree with him more! UTC


(Tweets by @JoeTweeds)

 

[Alcaraz]

The number of chances we wasted in front of goal is just awful

 

[Alcaraz]

Really? A defence of Cole-Terry-Luiz-Azpi could potentially be rock solid, a midfield two of Ramires and Mikel could definitely be effective if they actually gel as a duo, we have a shitload of options for the 3 in AM, and if Ba can go on a run of form like he did for Newcastle we would not struggle for goals. Whether or not Jose can tighten all of these areas up in time is obviously a massive challenge but it's not as if we've got a **** squad. I would argue that we are the team with by far the most untapped potential in the league, rivalled only by Spurs.

Now I'm not saying that we won't likely need changes, as we've given multiple parts of the puzzle a lot of time to adapt and they have not done so, but there's no denying that there is still a chance for us to find a way to make it work.

Oh the defense is great other than the occasional moments Luiz decides to keep his brain at home and do something stupid. Other than that, it's a rock solid defense for sure. The midfield two while defensively sound really lack the passing range and creativity to take the game to the opposition and break down teams that defend deep. This has been a problem for some time now and yet to be rectified although the return of Van Ginkel could do a lot in that regard. Buying someone like Gundogan would be a huge boost as well

Lets face it, Ba is a good striker but not a great one. His run of form at Newcastle was one of those once-in-lifetime moments where everything seems to work for you. He is not someone who can lead the line for a team that has aspirations of challenging for the Premier League on a regular basis. No one can deny that we need reinforcements in this department although their hardly seems any available ... The only genuine world-class forward who will be on the move in the near future is Lewandowski

I can only agree with this. It's funny, Utd have a lot of potential in their squad, some top players, yet if they **** it up, it is Moyes' fault. Whereas when Chelsea lost games they should have won, it suddenly becomes "we don't have the pieces", despite spending consistently. I'd say Chelsea have a strong side and are under performing at the moment, yet still in touching distance. Once Mourinho gets them firing properly and defending better I can see a good run coming up.. it'll be hard to keep their front line out.

Because we genuinely don't have the pieces? It's clear to just about anyone who takes even a passing interest in us

 

[cfc12345]

What a **** game and what a **** atmosphere. rammed with tourists at the bridge tonig who clearly don't even support the club but that's nothing new just really irritates me the club really couldn't give a **** who they are selling tickets to as long as they get their money. Will be going to the man Utd game next month for my birthday then will just be doing away games for a good while I think.

 

[Alcaraz]

According to the guardian, we are preparing a bid for Kurt Zouma in January. Thoughts? I am guessing Mou is earmarking him as the long-term replacement for Terry. He certainly has leadership capabilities, Deschamps has touted him as the future captain of France. Would be a good signing imo although not someone who can contribute much to the current campaign

 

[TheFalse9]

I don't want to say much about tonights game because it wasn't great at all but we won, topped the group and kept a clean sheet so its all positive from me. I just want to post a few tweets i have seen from one person which sums up everything i have been trying to say all season but he puts is much better than i ever could.


In the past two years we have finished 25pts and 14pts away from 1st place. People think we turn that around straight away? So strange.


The fact we are in contention in the league is a start. Mourinho showing his class in that respect. Club need to deliver in January.


All this moaning smacks of entitled Liverpool-esque nonsense. It's going to be difficult to recover a 25pt/14pt gap. It will take time.


Jos? has us well placed in all competitions with a squad he's all but said he's not overly pleased with. Imagine when he gets what he wants?


This is genuinely the first year we've been in transition and the amount of fairweather fans digging Mourinho out is mental.


And i couldn't agree with him more! UTC


(Tweets by @JoeTweeds)

I agree Chelsea fans shouldn't get too worried about the current so-called 'crisis', but there's no point comparing this season with previous seasons. In previous seasons, Chelsea massively underachieved with the squad they had, at least in the league.

Oh the defense is great other than the occasional moments Luiz decides to keep his brain at home and do something stupid. Other than that, it's a rock solid defense for sure. The midfield two while defensively sound really lack the passing range and creativity to take the game to the opposition and break down teams that defend deep. This has been a problem for some time now and yet to be rectified although the return of Van Ginkel could do a lot in that regard. Buying someone like Gundogan would be a huge boost as well

Lets face it, Ba is a good striker but not a great one. His run of form at Newcastle was one of those once-in-lifetime moments where everything seems to work for you. He is not someone who can lead the line for a team that has aspirations of challenging for the Premier League on a regular basis. No one can deny that we need reinforcements in this department although their hardly seems any available ... The only genuine world-class forward who will be on the move in the near future is Lewandowski



Because we genuinely don't have the pieces? It's clear to just about anyone who takes even a passing interest in us

Chelsea don't have the pieces? Even after the astronomical fees spent in recent years!? Oscar, Willian, Torres, Mata and Hazard all cost a fortune, and the rest of the team wasn't exactly cheap either, but the pieces aren't there? If you look at the squad on paper, it's much stronger than most other squads in the league, probably even better than United's and City's. If this squad isn't good enough, then what is?

 

[Mike.]

I don't want to say much about tonights game because it wasn't great at all but we won, topped the group and kept a clean sheet so its all positive from me. I just want to post a few tweets i have seen from one person which sums up everything i have been trying to say all season but he puts is much better than i ever could.


In the past two years we have finished 25pts and 14pts away from 1st place. People think we turn that around straight away? So strange.


The fact we are in contention in the league is a start. Mourinho showing his class in that respect. Club need to deliver in January.


All this moaning smacks of entitled Liverpool-esque nonsense. It's going to be difficult to recover a 25pt/14pt gap. It will take time.


Jos? has us well placed in all competitions with a squad he's all but said he's not overly pleased with. Imagine when he gets what he wants?


This is genuinely the first year we've been in transition and the amount of fairweather fans digging Mourinho out is mental.


And i couldn't agree with him more! UTC


(Tweets by @JoeTweeds)

You were in transition last season, literally, and you spent the season destroying your manager.

 

[Ride The Walrus]

Apparently De Bruyne's agent, and KDB himself wants to go.

 

[Alcaraz]

I agree Chelsea fans shouldn't get too worried about the current so-called 'crisis', but there's no point comparing this season with previous seasons. In previous seasons, Chelsea massively underachieved with the squad they had, at least in the league.


Chelsea don't have the pieces? Even after the astronomical fees spent in recent years!? Oscar, Willian, Torres, Mata and Hazard all cost a fortune, and the rest of the team wasn't exactly cheap either, but the pieces aren't there? If you look at the squad on paper, it's much stronger than most other squads in the league, probably even better than United's and City's. If this squad isn't good enough, then what is?

I stopped reading after you said our squad was better than city's

 

[CJACKO11]

You were in transition last season, literally, and you spent the season destroying your manager.

We have been in transition for years just never kept a manager long enough to complete it, i have absolutely no idea what manager you are talking about.............

 

[Alcaraz]

Apparently De Bruyne's agent, and KDB himself wants to go.

Yeah, he has found it hard to break into the team due to the high volume of talent in his preferred area and his attitude initially in training was somewhat lacking. Dortmund showed a heavy interest in him over the summer so I wouldn't be opposed to a move if we manage to snag of their players in the bargain

 

[TheFalse9]

I stopped reading after you said our squad was better than city's

I said probably, and yes, it's not a ridiculous statement to make. There was this discussion in pre-season already, but I'll say it again - Chelsea's team is on par with City, if they can perform to their full potential. The amount of depth in the Chelsea squad is devastating, as shown by the League Cup win against Arsenal.

This is the teams compared, with players playing at their full potential:
Cech = Hart
Ivanović > Zabaleta
Cahill = Nastasić
Terry = Kompany
Cole >> Clichy
Mikel < Fernandinho
Ramires << Yaya Toure
Mata = Silva
Hazard >> Nasri
Oscar > Negredo (different positions, I know, but both teams play different formations)
Torres << Ag?ero

Obviously, the comparisons are subjective, but they're sensible. Although Chelsea aren't clearly 'better' on paper, they're not worse either (I said Chelsea's squad was probably even better than United's and City's, which clearly implies that it's a debatable point, which is not obvious either way).

 

[JDY]

I said probably, and yes, it's not a ridiculous statement to make. There was this discussion in pre-season already, but I'll say it again - Chelsea's team is on par with City, if they can perform to their full potential. The amount of depth in the Chelsea squad is devastating, as shown by the League Cup win against Arsenal.

This is the teams compared, with players playing at their full potential:
Cech = Hart
Ivanović > Zabaleta
Cahill = Nastasić
Terry = Kompany
Cole >> Clichy
Mikel < Fernandinho
Ramires << Yaya Toure
Mata = Silva
Hazard >> Nasri
Oscar > Negredo (different positions, I know, but both teams play different formations)
Torres << Ag?ero

Obviously, the comparisons are subjective, but they're sensible. Although Chelsea aren't clearly 'better' on paper, they're not worse either (I said Chelsea's squad was probably even better than United's and City's, which clearly implies that it's a debatable point, which is not obvious either way).

Disagree with a lot here. In my view, Cech is better than Hart - Zabaleta is a lot better than Brana - Nastasic is better than Cahill - Kompany is better than JT - Clichy is a lot better than Cole. The others seem fair though.

And the only devastating depth we have is in attacking midfield.

 

[TheFalse9]

Disagree with a lot here. In my view, Cech is better than Hart - Zabaleta is a lot better than Brana - Nastasic is better than Cahill - Kompany is better than JT - Clichy is a lot better than Cole. The others seem fair though.

And the only devastating depth we have is in attacking midfield.

Again, I'm saying if these players were on-form. Ivanović is brilliant on form, in both attack and defensive; Cahill can also be solid, and has more consistency and experience than Nastasić; Kompany is brilliant, but he sometimes goes missing in games, and JT has been rejuvenated by Mourinho's return and Cole is much, much better than Clichy on his day. Of course, the whole team hasn't done especially well this season considering their potential, so these statements may seem strange.

Chelsea have good depth everywhere, but it's only devastating in attacking midfield, yes. There are two solid keepers; four decent full-backs; three brilliant centre-backs; four capable deep-lying midfielders and three proven strikers as well as the excess of talented attacking midfielders. Most of these players are not playing well at the moment, though, so that is the problem - if they were all at their best, the team would almost be unstoppable.

I'm not arguing that Chelsea's squad is much better than City's, though, I'm just trying to show that it's not as ridiculous a statement to make as Alcaraz seems to thinks it is.

 

[Alcaraz]

It is a ridiculous statement I am afraid. City's strike force is much much better than ours. Their central midfield is much much better than ours. Their defense is better than ours. Only two areas where we are better than them is attacking midfield (no ****) and goalkeeper (not by much) ... Not to mention that city's squad are mostly in the prime of their career. I think Mourinho mentioned this, not a single player below the age of 23 or above the age of 30