The Chelsea Thread

[Alcaraz]

So youve gone backwards in order to make everyone happy? doesnt sound like progress. Tactical change is hard, it will be rough. Seems Chelsea doesn't understand or want to go through this, despite the fact all this could have been avoided. There was a reason SAF said Chelsea were old, its because the squad has been allowed to grow old and comfortable together. No one said AVB was perfect, but Chelsea are too keen to point out his flaws and gloss over that of the players. He had to sign a non disclosure form so he wouldnt discuss who and what he felt undermined him, that's a damning view on how your players were acting.

We have in fact implemented a tactic which suited our squad better. Slow, Direct and defensive and we have started to win games. AVB was trying to make us play a style we were completely unsuited for and it showed. He needed specific players to play his style of football which he did not have and until then he should have played us in a far more conservative style. He was very stubborn in that regard

Not saying AVB was completely at fault. Squad should have shown him more cooperation no doubt but there were several perfectly legitimate reasons for his sacking. Starting with his shocking treatment of Alex and Anelka which would have divided any dressing room. AVB probably thought he was appear as tough and uncompromising to the squad with that little gig but the by-product of that was it shattered a otherwise unified dressing room

 

[Alcaraz]

You are playing very deep slow direct football, exactly what you were trying to break away from it. So yes that is backwards. Which does make Terry somewhat obselete if you are trying play any other type of game. It isnt just Barcelona, this has been a prequesite for attacking football for a long time.

And its cracked, not broken. Very big difference.

I agree with you but before we actually attempt to do that we need to bring in the right players which we did not do this summer. Until then AVB should have played us in a style that suited us more or he should have been frank and forthright and told the board he needed better players. He did not do either of it and under him we were probably heading for a terrible season and no way he could have attract the likes of Cavani and Hulk without CL football.

Lampard rightfully pointed out that AVB lost sight of the present. He always used to talk about next seasons project but he failed to realize that his ambitious plan of brining in Cavani, Hulk etc. would unravel if we did not get CL football

 

[Mike.]

I agree with you but before we actually attempt to do that we need to bring in the right players which we did not do this summer. Until then AVB should have played us in a style that suited us more or he should have been frank and forthright and told the board he needed better players. He did not do either of it and under him we were probably heading for a terrible season and no way he could have attract the likes of Cavani and Hulk without CL football.

Lampard rightfully pointed out that AVB lost sight of the present. He always used to talk about next seasons project but he failed to realize that his ambitious plan of brining in Cavani, Hulk etc. would unravel if we did not get CL football

Lampard really isnt one to talk when he decided not to put a shift in for half the season. The fact that there was a non disclosure tells you it was more than trying to look tough. IN china, Anelka has usurped Tigana and got him fired and is now caretaker manager, wouldnt be too suprised if he had been similarly mutinous.

That tough season was coming regardless, like I said, the club is afraid of real change. Its their own fault. He did tell the board, what do you think this coming summer was for? again need to understand the way the financial year falls to see why it would be this summer, and not in january.

 

[Alcaraz]

Lampard really isnt one to talk when he decided not to put a shift in for half the season. The fact that there was a non disclosure tells you it was more than trying to look tough. IN china, Anelka has usurped Tigana and got him fired and is now caretaker manager, wouldnt be too suprised if he had been similarly mutinous.

That tough season was coming regardless, like I said, the club is afraid of real change. Its their own fault. He did tell the board, what do you think this coming summer was for? again need to understand the way the financial year falls to see why it would be this summer, and not in january.

My main concern was that he did not have the proper players yet played the squad in a style it was ill-suited for which had a huge negative impact on our season. That 'tough' season would not have been so tough if AVB was not so stubborn as to revert back to the normal slow way we play until he had the right players

Anelka was hardly mutinous at Chelsea. AVB was not happy with his performances and decided to totally banish him from the team which affected the squad in a bad way as Anelka was an integral member. All AVB achieved through that was a splintered dressing room

Non-disclosure tells me that the relationship between the players and AVB got really bad. AVB's treatment of Alex and Anelka, his tactics, his behaviour to legends like Lampard as well as the unwillingness of the players to work with him played a part towards that stage

Also just like to put it out there that Lampard was one of our best players under AVB. Perhaps ill-suited tactically but he was bringing in the goals and then was suddenly benched without any explanation. Would have made any player angry although Lampard should have been more professional

 

[Mike.]

My main concern was that he did not have the proper players yet played the squad in a style it was ill-suited for which had a huge negative impact on our season. That 'tough' season would not have been so tough if AVB was not so stubborn as to revert back to the normal slow way we play until he had the right players

Anelka was hardly mutinous at Chelsea. AVB was not happy with his performances and decided to totally banish him from the team which affected the squad in a bad way as Anelka was an integral member. All AVB achieved through that was a splintered dressing room

Non-disclosure tells me that the relationship between the players and AVB got really bad. AVB's treatment of Alex and Anelka, his tactics, his behaviour to legends like Lampard as well as the unwillingness of the players to work with him played a part towards that stage

Also just like to put it out there that Lampard was one of our best players under AVB. Perhaps ill-suited tactically but he was bringing in the goals and then was suddenly benched without any explanation. Would have made any player angry although Lampard should have been more professional

He asked Lampard to a squad player, being a legend is irrelevant. Having meierles picked over him isnt hardship, good grief how soft is Lampard if it offended him that much? If rotation good enough for Ryan Giggs, its good enough for him. The whole point of the change shows that he actually wanted to integrate some of the current players with the new blend.

It's more than that. The minute he alluded to players going to Roman, days later it comes out he had to sign a non disclosure agreement. If he was the issue, he wouldnt need to sign one, because it would not affect the club. l

 

[Joel`]

I agree with you but before we actually attempt to do that we need to bring in the right players which we did not do this summer. Until then AVB should have played us in a style that suited us more or he should have been frank and forthright and told the board he needed better players. He did not do either of it and under him we were probably heading for a terrible season and no way he could have attract the likes of Cavani and Hulk without CL football.

Lampard rightfully pointed out that AVB lost sight of the present. He always used to talk about next seasons project but he failed to realize that his ambitious plan of brining in Cavani, Hulk etc. would unravel if we did not get CL football

Players aren't stupid enough to think that a blip for a club like Chelsea is anything more than that. By your logic, the likes of Silva, Toure, Balotelli should have had no wish to join City. They're well aware of the ambitions of the club and owner and would join under that pretence.

And why hire a manager like AVB and then demand he change his style? You're aware of how he likes his teams to play when you bring him in, he's briefed that that's how you want the team to play and then you sack him for doing what is asked? He was actively attempting to bring players into bring his style, a bid for Willian was rejected for example. The club should have been aware of his style and teething problems in potentially implementing that style, but asking him to change his style is ridiculous. It'd be like hiring Guardiola and wanting him to bypass the midfield. And if AVB did play that way, he'd just have been chastised by a different segment of the support for not changing the style.

You wasted £30m hiring and firing him, wasted another year on a project that should have started years ago and most likely sacrificed a CL position in the process. I hope satisfying Lampard's tantrum and a little bit of short term glory was worth that.

 

[Alcaraz]

He asked Lampard to a squad player, being a legend is irrelevant. Having meierles picked over him isnt hardship, good grief how soft is Lampard if it offended him that much? If rotation good enough for Ryan Giggs, its good enough for him. The whole point of the change shows that he actually wanted to integrate some of the current players with the new blend.

It's more than that. The minute he alluded to players going to Roman, days later it comes out he had to sign a non disclosure agreement. If he was the issue, he wouldnt need to sign one, because it would not affect the club. l

Lampard admitted that he was fine with being on the bench as proven by his willingness to do so under RDM. What Lampard did not like was how AVB went about the way. Did SAF suddenly just drop Giggs one day without any explanation? No he did not. Lampard never ever recieved any explanation as to why he was dropped moreoever at a time when he was playing well

The diffference in approaches made by the two managers is avident. Lampard has no problem sitting on the bench under RDM then why did he under AVB? Bceause RDM actually explained his decision to Lampard whilst AVB did not. Similarly I am sure SAF would have explained to Giggs before dropping Giggs to a rotational role

Players aren't stupid enough to think that a blip for a club like Chelsea is anything more than that. By your logic, the likes of Silva, Toure, Balotelli should have had no wish to join City. They're well aware of the ambitions of the club and owner and would join under that pretence.

And why hire a manager like AVB and then demand he change his style? You're aware of how he likes his teams to play when you bring him in, he's briefed that that's how you want the team to play and then you sack him for doing what is asked? He was actively attempting to bring players into bring his style, a bid for Willian was rejected for example. The club should have been aware of his style and teething problems in potentially implementing that style, but asking him to change his style is ridiculous. It'd be like hiring Guardiola and wanting him to bypass the midfield. And if AVB did play that way, he'd just have been chastised by a different segment of the support for not changing the style.

You wasted £30m hiring and firing him, wasted another year on a project that should have started years ago and most likely sacrificed a CL position in the process. I hope satisfying Lampard's tantrum and a little bit of short term glory was worth that.

No but it is obvious that one will have to pay a premium to get in world-class players like Cavani and Hulk especially if the club is not in the CL and there are other clubs who are in the CL who are going after them. This is something we are looking to avoid at all costs since the club is actually heading in the right direction in terms of finances

Plus Chelsea not getting into the CL next season would be more than just a 'blip'. It could potentially be catastrophic for the club. One only has to look at the Liverpool situation to see that one season out of the CL can lead to a lot of negative effects

Lets be clear on this issue: AVB was brought in because of his age and his record. The fact that he used easy on the eye tactics were just a bonus. He was not brought in for the express purpose of playing beautiful football. No, his main selling points were definitely his age and tactical acumen

A bid for Willian was rejected in January. Not in the summer and to be fair we could have easily got Willian in the summer except AVB decided Willian was not the player he wanted and ended up bringing Cahill in January instead of a LW we so desperately needed. He did not try to bring in any more players over the summer neither did he try to sign any other player after he gave up on Willian for reasons known only to him

Plus AVB is not Guardolia who thinks the game should only be played beautifully, he showed a flexibility to change when needed such as his tactics vs Valencia in the group game etc.

Pretty sure that AVB would not be chastised by anybody as long as he won games.

 

[Alcaraz]

Bruma has been doing a solid job at Right-Back for Hamburg this season. Could be some welcome news considering our lack of depth at RB. Perhaps this could open the door for a rotational role for him at RB next season?

 

[BlueHeart26]

Bruma has been doing a solid job at Right-Back for Hamburg this season. Could be some welcome news considering our lack of depth at RB. Perhaps this could open the door for a rotational role for him at RB next season?

hopefully. Bosingwa out though.

 

[SThompson93]

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

 

[CJACKO11]

Lampard really isnt one to talk when he decided not to put a shift in for half the season. The fact that there was a non disclosure tells you it was more than trying to look tough. IN china, Anelka has usurped Tigana and got him fired and is now caretaker manager, wouldnt be too suprised if he had been similarly mutinous.

That tough season was coming regardless, like I said, the club is afraid of real change. Its their own fault. He did tell the board, what do you think this coming summer was for? again need to understand the way the financial year falls to see why it would be this summer, and not in january.

Tigana resigned he was not sacked, very harsh blaming Anelka for this.

He asked Lampard to a squad player, being a legend is irrelevant. Having meierles picked over him isnt hardship, good grief how soft is Lampard if it offended him that much? If rotation good enough for Ryan Giggs, its good enough for him. The whole point of the change shows that he actually wanted to integrate some of the current players with the new blend.

It's more than that. The minute he alluded to players going to Roman, days later it comes out he had to sign a non disclosure agreement. If he was the issue, he wouldnt need to sign one, because it would not affect the club. l

The same non disclosure agreement Ranieri, Mourinho, Grant, Scolari and Ancelotti had to sign?? Roman is a very private man so why would he want the clubs insides bashed around the media by a manager who may be out to poison the club after being sacked.

 

[CJACKO11]

Players aren't stupid enough to think that a blip for a club like Chelsea is anything more than that. By your logic, the likes of Silva, Toure, Balotelli should have had no wish to join City. They're well aware of the ambitions of the club and owner and would join under that pretence.

And why hire a manager like AVB and then demand he change his style? You're aware of how he likes his teams to play when you bring him in, he's briefed that that's how you want the team to play and then you sack him for doing what is asked? He was actively attempting to bring players into bring his style, a bid for Willian was rejected for example. The club should have been aware of his style and teething problems in potentially implementing that style, but asking him to change his style is ridiculous. It'd be like hiring Guardiola and wanting him to bypass the midfield. And if AVB did play that way, he'd just have been chastised by a different segment of the support for not changing the style.

You wasted £30m hiring and firing him, wasted another year on a project that should have started years ago and most likely sacrificed a CL position in the process. I hope satisfying Lampard's tantrum and a little bit of short term glory was worth that.

You seem to be forgetting the main point here, AVB had 2 transfer windows to release some of the older players and bring in his players. When he joined he said "everyone will be given a chance to prove themselves" and some didn't deserve a chance going by past seasons performances. Now if he would have got rid of 2-3 players that would have sent out a bigger statement in the CORRECT way instead of alienating which was always going to get the fans on his back along with the media.

 

[Mike.]

Tigana resigned he was not sacked, very harsh blaming Anelka for this.



The same non disclosure agreement Ranieri, Mourinho, Grant, Scolari and Ancelotti had to sign?? Roman is a very private man so why would he want the clubs insides bashed around the media by a manager who may be out to poison the club after being sacked.

Woah, none of them signed non disclosure forms. And Tigana was driven out by player insurrection from Anelka and Jiang, not harsh at all. Hilariously his 4-4-1-1 formation was a disaster.

And no he didnt have two windows, this has been made repeatedly clear. Because of the way the financial year falls and the type of targets being followed no major changes could be made until this coming summer.

 

[CJACKO11]

Lampard really isnt one to talk when he decided not to put a shift in for half the season. The fact that there was a non disclosure tells you it was more than trying to look tough. IN china, Anelka has usurped Tigana and got him fired and is now caretaker manager, wouldnt be too suprised if he had been similarly mutinous.

That tough season was coming regardless, like I said, the club is afraid of real change. Its their own fault. He did tell the board, what do you think this coming summer was for? again need to understand the way the financial year falls to see why it would be this summer, and not in january.

Woah, none of them signed non disclosure forms. And Tigana was driven out by player insurrection from Anelka and Jiang, not harsh at all. Hilariously his 4-4-1-1 formation was a disaster.

And no he didnt have two windows, this has been made repeatedly clear. Because of the way the financial year falls and the type of targets being followed no major changes could be made until this coming summer.

Of course he had two windows, he managed to get rid of Zhirkov, Anelka and Alex and bring in Mata, Romeu (who was 100% his signing), Meireles and Cahill. AVB joined Chelsea right at the start of the transfer window he made signings and sold Zhirkov, he made changes just not enough its that simple. People give Anelka a bad name but what did he do wrong at Chelsea?? Even when he was forced to train with the youth team he didn't kick up a fuss at all. Shangai paid and are paying a lot of money for Anelka so if things arn't right with the coach then there is only going to be one winner. Anelka or Tigana in terms of sponsorship possibilities, drawing bigger players in and worldwide coverage?? No real contest is there.

 

[oja20]

Cech doing a presser in Catalan?!?!? After a wee bit of research he can speak French, Catalan, English and Czech. Impressed.


Nervous already for tomorrow after seeing the press conference. I don't know if I could take another loss to Barca..

 

[FM Nutter]

Cech doing a presser in Catalan?!?!? After a wee bit of research he can speak French, Catalan, English and Czech. Impressed.


Nervous already for tomorrow after seeing the press conference. I don't know if I could take another loss to Barca..

Want you lot to batter Barca tomorrow. You deserve it after the stick you have recieved this season. Even though its going to be very tough to win tomorrow, Barca haven't played at all well in recent weeks. They are definately there for the taking. Hoping Drogba is fit as he could be absolutely vital tomorrow night.

 

[juventus1980]

Want you lot to batter Barca tomorrow. You deserve it after the stick you have recieved this season. Even though its going to be very tough to win tomorrow, Barca haven't played at all well in recent weeks. They are definately there for the taking. Hoping Drogba is fit as he could be absolutely vital tomorrow night.

Weren't the Chelsea fans disrespecting hillsborough in the match against Liverpool? I'm not a huge fan of liverpool fans, due to Heysel, but thats absolutely not on. They deserve all they get.

I'll be cheering for Barca, and hope they beat chelsea.

 

[cfc12345]

Weren't the Chelsea fans disrespecting hillsborough in the match against Liverpool? I'm not a huge fan of liverpool fans, due to Heysel, but thats absolutely not on. They deserve all they get.

I'll be cheering for Barca, and hope they beat chelsea.

Wtf has that got to do with him wanting Chelsea to win? Please get off the thread before arguments start.

 

[CJACKO11]

Weren't the Chelsea fans disrespecting hillsborough in the match against Liverpool? I'm not a huge fan of liverpool fans, due to Heysel, but thats absolutely not on. They deserve all they get.

I'll be cheering for Barca, and hope they beat chelsea.

And you should know more than most Liverpool blamed Chelsea for Heysel.

 

[Calum]

This made me lol