The Chelsea Thread

[Mike.]

Nope, i've watched a lot of their games this season. Caulker and Williams both play out from the back, they very much play the 'tika-taka' style of football. Clearly play the Barca-style, but with far lesser players.

They play possession football, but it isnt Barcelona-esque. They have far less penetration for a start, and they arent too good at suddenly upping the tempo. That said its a good template. But the comparisons are not as strong as people think

 

[Cai1234]

Some of u r talking as if u could teach a team to play a style like barca overnight. It takes years.

 

[oja20]

Really? I love it, maybe not quite as much as this/last year's though. But very close.

This seasons was awesome, really loved it. I just don't like how a few clubs are going gold now.

What happens if/when we win the UCL? Do we get a little emblem on the kit?



Edit: Rather than spending huge on wingers could we not give Kakuta, De Bruyne a chance? Both have impressed on loan and I can't see anything wrong in giving a youngster a chance, look at the Ox.

We really need a goalscorer, Falcao. Torres and Drogba as much as I love them haven't done it.

 

[ChrisBird]

and there's no better gamble than Pep. Me personally? Dont want him. Why? Look at AVB. 'But AVB got all things wrong!' - True. But what makes you think that Pep wont? Let's not forget that AVB tried to apply wrong tactics\formations and failed BIG TIME (****, he even failed at making the right subs). AVB wanted to apply Barcelona's style - Oh.., his beautiful, so beloved Barca. Bollocks. You can't play like Barca in EPL and expect to win things. Call me when that happens.

You all must understand that there's no such thing as LONG TERM here at this club. Roman is in charge here, not Pep, not AVB, not RDM, not Jose, no-one. Not even the players, like some people think. Abramovich wants instant success, and not just success, but European success. It's his obsession.
Pep will not win anything in his first year - I'm 99,999999% sure. How do I know that? Well, I just do.

So yes, I dont want Pep for these reasons, hes achieved a lot, but you must understand that this is not Barca and La Liga. He cant do what he's done, and he cannot think that his so flashy and beautiful and amazing and astonishing and magnificent tiki-taka will be as successful as it was there. It cannot happen. It won't happen. ****, I dont even like that style.

And the sooner Roman understands that it's the wins that matter not the WAY you play (or the way you win), the better.

Roman does what he wants. Roman wants beautiful football (tiki-taka, or a similar style of play). And eventually, he will get it. One way or another.

AVB's "beloved Barca"? Why because he likes his teams to play a similar way to Barca, does it make them his "beloved Barca"? No. Other teams, and other managers play this way too. When has AVB ever shown that he loves Barcelona?

Tiki-taka in the PL is possible. But, it needs the right players. We don't have them players. You could say that AVB should have realised that (which I'm 99% sure he did) and changed them or the tactics. But at the end of the day, he needed to stamp that style of play down early on. And it's not easy to move players who have become over-attached to Chelsea, London, and England.

At the end of the day the players did not perform well enough. AVB wasn't totally innocent. Not at all. His subs sometimes left me bemused, but that was nowhere near one of the biggest failures of our season. He made big mistakes with Mikel and Kalou, however. Mikel got injured, and when he returned to full fitness, AVB didn't play him. That was a big mistake - Mikel's easily our best DM. Kalou shouldn't have been left out just because he wasn't sure about his contractual situation. He should have used 4-2-3-1 more (don't forget, though, he did switch to the exact way RDM is playing now though for some games), but he didn't. That's most likely down to his stubbornness.

Of course winning is important, but surely there has to be some sense of attractiveness involved too? Personally, I don't like winning 'ugly' (like vs Barca), but I suppose when it comes down to it, this time, I don't care how we win. But in the future, don't you want to look back at the times when we've won things and think of how great the football was that we played? I know I do.

 

[ChrisBird]

This seasons was awesome, really loved it. I just don't like how a few clubs are going gold now.

What happens if/when we win the UCL? Do we get a little emblem on the kit?

I like the gold, TBH. It's not like we've never had gold on our kits.

Don't think so.

 

[Aannddyy]

Nope, i've watched a lot of their games this season. Caulker and Williams both play out from the back, they very much play the 'tika-taka' style of football. Clearly play the Barca-style, but with far lesser players.

No.. They don't play that at all.. They pass the ball about, sure, but their football is not like Barca, no way. The majority of their possession is in their own half, hence why three of the top five passers in the league are Williams, Rangel, & Britton, three of Swansea's defensive players.

Their attacking play is very English, as they generally play two fast wingers with a target man.

 

[BlueHeart26]

They play possession football, but it isnt Barcelona-esque. They have far less penetration for a start, and they arent too good at suddenly upping the tempo. That said its a good template. But the comparisons are not as strong as people think

So I'm not the only one.

 

[BlueHeart26]

Roman does what he wants. Roman wants beautiful football (tiki-taka, or a similar style of play). And eventually, he will get it. One way or another.

Sorry but tiki-taka is not beautiful. A billion passes per game is not beauty in my book. Beautiful was the football we played 09-10 when we won the Double. That was beautiful to watch. 2 passes GOAL. 3 passes GOAL. Even 'Cech to Drogba GOAL' was beautiful at times. And to be honest, I cant be that bothered about how we win a certain game, its all about the win itself to me. But thats me.

AVB's "beloved Barca"? Why because he likes his teams to play a similar way to Barca, does it make them his "beloved Barca"? No. Other teams, and other managers play this way too. When has AVB ever shown that he loves Barcelona?

I'm trying to find some source for you now. He was known for his admiration of Barcelona style of football. Never heard it from him personally though.

Tiki-taka in the PL is possible. But, it needs the right players. We don't have them players. You could say that AVB should have realised that (which I'm 99% sure he did) and changed them or the tactics. But at the end of the day, he needed to stamp that style of play down early on. And it's not easy to move players who have become over-attached to Chelsea, London, and England.

Its only about the tiki-taka. Also the highline is risky EVEN if you have the right players at the back. Also the ultra attacking 'full-backs'. If we take Barca and put them in EPL for a season, with they way they play now, I dare say they will not finish in the top4, let alone winning the title. Thats why I think that exact same style cannot be successful in England. Again, thats me.

At the end of the day the players did not perform well enough. AVB wasn't totally innocent. Not at all. His subs sometimes left me bemused, but that was nowhere near one of the biggest failures of our season. He made big mistakes with Mikel and Kalou, however. Mikel got injured, and when he returned to full fitness, AVB didn't play him. That was a big mistake - Mikel's easily our best DM. Kalou shouldn't have been left out just because he wasn't sure about his contractual situation. He should have used 4-2-3-1 more (don't forget, though, he did switch to the exact way RDM is playing now though for some games), but he didn't. That's most likely down to his stubbornness.

Thats what cost him.

Exactly, 'for some games'. And that was due to the fact he was already feeling the pressure. at gunpoint. He didnt have any other choice to be honest.

Of course winning is important, but surely there has to be some sense of attractiveness involved too? Personally, I don't like winning 'ugly' (like vs Barca), but I suppose when it comes down to it, this time, I don't care how we win. But in the future, don't you want to look back at the times when we've won things and think of how great the football was that we played? I know I do.

Of course I do too. But my definition of beautiful/great football doesnt equals yours, I guess. 09-10 season was beauty. Barcelona is not. Although there have been some brilliant moments in their games, I can't call myself an admirer of theirs.

 

[Ecstasy]

Hulk is being tipped for Chelsea move again.

 

[zzeezzy]

Thats why, everyone thinks there rubbish so no one buys them so high morale. Name a trylu rubbish player in first team.

They have done so well through ever team being complacent? Don't be so silly.

Not saying Swansea play like Barcelona, but the style Rodgers has adopted them with is something which is all about playing the ball on the ground and keeping possesion etc.

 

[ChrisBird]

Sorry but tiki-taka is not beautiful. A billion passes per game is not beauty in my book. Beautiful was the football we played 09-10 when we won the Double. That was beautiful to watch. 2 passes GOAL. 3 passes GOAL. Even 'Cech to Drogba GOAL' was beautiful at times. And to be honest, I cant be that bothered about how we win a certain game, its all about the win itself to me. But thats me.

In 09-10 we played amazing football, IMO. Then, we could score any type of goal. You name it, we scored it. Outrageous long shots, beautiful flicks/chips/lobs, passing moves, etc. And it was beautiful, and I believe Roman thinks it was, too. But, he wants short passing, attacking, possession football with lots of movement, i.e. tiki-taka, which IMO, is the most beautiful football. And probably in Roman's opinion, too. (That's not to say I don't appreciate, and love other types of football, though)

Thing is, tiki-taka isn't about constant passes (which is what you seem to think it is?); it's about doing something with those passes. It's not passing for the sake of it (like Swansea, at times, which is why I don't consider their football beautiful, and laugh at people who consider it anything like tiki-taka - most English pundits).

I'm trying to find some source for you now. He was known for his admiration of Barcelona style of football. Never heard it from him personally though.

I know he admires their style of play, but he admires all that play that way, not just Barcelona.

Its only about the tiki-taka. Also the highline is risky EVEN if you have the right players at the back. Also the ultra attacking 'full-backs'. If we take Barca and put them in EPL for a season, with they way they play now, I dare say they will not finish in the top4, let alone winning the title. Thats why I think that exact same style cannot be successful in England. Again, thats me.

Thats what cost him.

Exactly, 'for some games'. And that was due to the fact he was already feeling the pressure. at gunpoint. He didnt have any other choice to be honest.

Of course they would finish top 4, don't be silly. It's not about using that exact style in England. AVB adapted his already adapted version of tiki-taka with Porto when he admitted in an interview, that our players were not capable of playing that way, and that it was difficult to adopt it in England because of the different styles to abroad. And regardless, Barca would adapt their play in the PL. Even if ever so slightly.

Still, IMO, tiki-taka could be used successfully in the PL. Not exactly like Barca, but a variation.

Of course I do too. But my definition of beautiful/great football doesnt equals yours, I guess. 09-10 season was beauty. Barcelona is not. Although there have been some brilliant moments in their games, I can't call myself an admirer of theirs.

In some respects, I'm sure it does. Like I've said; I consider our football of 09-10 great football. Obviously we have differing opinions on tiki-taka, though, which is fine.

 

[ChrisBird]

Regarding Swansea and Barcelona comparisons, all I'll do is post these two videos. The Swansea (I know it's reserves but it's the same way the first team play) video shows them keeping the ball, but it's not tiki-taka - far from it!

[video=youtube;lS1sAcAAayA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS1sAcAAayA[/video]

And now look at this video of Barcelona's play; this is true tiki-taka.

[video=youtube;lGuaQ1khn2k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGuaQ1khn2k&feature=related[/video]

 

[Tyton]

Isn't it about time to stop talking about Tiki-Taka as it is some advanced, super evolved version of the game? If Chelsea could go past Barca playing what was essentialy 1990 longball, it should be obvious tikitaka isn't as advanced as most people once thought.

Seriously i prefered the way Real played this year much more. 5000 passes? Boring. Just get the ball back and if the other side is exposed enough, entire team rushing to attack like drunk monkeys on crack. And they've beat La Liga all time record for goals scored in one season so you cant really say its not an offensive style.

 

[CJACKO11]

what would your line ups be for munich? mine would be if these players are availible:

Cech
Bosingwa Cahill Luiz Cole
Mikel Lampard
Sturridge Mata Kalou
Drogba

Cech
Bosingwa, Cahill, Luiz, Cole
Lampard, Mikel
Kalou, Mata, Bertrand
Drogba

Lukaku looked better today, didn't score but he did set-up JT's goal. He has potential, loan him next season for more first team football, would help him a lot!

He did indeed set up JT, one PL start and he has more assists than Stewart Downing lol.

Does anybody want Pep taking the job, unlikely I know but he would be absolutely perfect in my opinion

No, he has a certain way he likes to play football and unless he sells about 7-10 players and brings in the same amount it is not going to work.

 

[cfc12345]

I see your line up is the same as mine except Bertrand is in for Sturridge. Bertrand looks good and all but I am not sure I would like to see a yong player without big game experience risked playing out of us natural position in a champions league final.

 

[Mike.]

Isn't it about time to stop talking about Tiki-Taka as it is some advanced, super evolved version of the game? If Chelsea could go past Barca playing what was essentialy 1990 longball, it should be obvious tikitaka isn't as advanced as most people once thought.

Seriously i prefered the way Real played this year much more. 5000 passes? Boring. Just get the ball back and if the other side is exposed enough, entire team rushing to attack like drunk monkeys on crack. And they've beat La Liga all time record for goals scored in one season so you cant really say its not an offensive style.

Not really the point of the dicussion though.

 

[CJACKO11]

I see your line up is the same as mine except Bertrand is in for Sturridge. Bertrand looks good and all but I am not sure I would like to see a yong player without big game experience risked playing out of us natural position in a champions league final.

Its easy to see where Bayern will hurt us and that is with Robben and Ribery down the wings. Kalou will be played on the right because he tracks back and i think Bertrand will do the same. He also has a killer cross and him and Cole over lapping each other could send Robben/Ribery back towards their own goal which is what we want.

 

[Frank]

Nope, i've watched a lot of their games this season. Caulker and Williams both play out from the back, they very much play the 'tika-taka' style of football. Clearly play the Barca-style, but with far lesser players.

They don't play the 'Barca' style. In attacking, they play with two wingers and a bigger striker - a very English style. They're relentless passing, in my opinion, is defensive and is perhaps a way to stop the opponents scoring? People love Swansea because they think they play Tika Taki or whatever, but infact they don't penetrate enough.

 

[Jack Fulham]

They don't play the 'Barca' style. In attacking, they play with two wingers and a bigger striker - a very English style. They're relentless passing, in my opinion, is defensive and is perhaps a way to stop the opponents scoring? People love Swansea because they think they play Tika Taki or whatever, but infact they don not penetrate far enough.

I don't see how two wingers and a bigger striker is an English style. Danny Graham isn't that big either.

 

[Frank]

I don't see how two wingers and a bigger striker is an English style. Danny Graham isn't that big either.

Didn't really make it clear enough. By English Style - I mean it's not like Barca's floating forwards.