Chelsea Banter Archive January 12 2019

12 Jan 2019 22:30:43
The best thing about today's game was watching Sean Longstaff in Newcastle's midfield - a great performance by the 21 year old - puts our overpaid nancys to shame.

12 Jan 2019 22:57:49
So pleased your a fan of our players!

13 Jan 2019 00:02:52
Support your own team mate. What's wrong with our set of fans. There is no pleasing!

13 Jan 2019 01:14:43
I Only see you post when we have a bad performance which unfortunately has been a lot this season.

13 Jan 2019 02:01:15
MDW is probably not even a Chelsea fan. I've got my reservations over him. Mr negative.

13 Jan 2019 12:19:58
What a lot of nonsense:
1. I have been a season-ticket holder since the 80s

2. I posted before yesterday's game and made a point of saying so in my post (I was proved correct - again!)

3. What is wrong with admiring a young player on his debut just because he happens to be playing for the opposition (for the record, I thought Dele Ali's performance against us the other night was brilliant - shoot me!)

4. I actually posted how well I thought we had played after the Spurs game (and I was there)

5. Boos from all sections of the ground yesterday - perhaps it is the majority of pro-Sarri posters on this site who are in the minority of Chelsea fans!

13 Jan 2019 13:06:20
MDW you have put together a reasonable post.

So please tell me how calling our players “overpaid nancy’s“ is is ANYWAY constructive.

13 Jan 2019 14:32:56
TomB, ok, I accept that the 'nancys' remark was flippant but it was in peed-off response to having just sat through another 90 minutes of sideways passing and a continued lack of a coherent attacking policy aimed at breaking down a deep lying opposition defensive wall.

As you yourself have said, there are ever increasing rumblings of discontent from the MH (where I sit btw - we probs know each other by sight) and the problem I have with Sarri is that he seems incapable of doing anything to improve the attacking situation. It was pointed out by another poster and MotD, that there was a situation in the game yesterday where our 2 full-backs were both in the opposing penalty area but none of our other players were anywhere near! Whose fault is this if it is not the manager's?

Yes, I totally accept that we need a better striker but that does not excuse Sarri leaving Giroud on the bench for so long when it was obvious to most of us that our attack was crying out for a focal point (in yesterday's game and against Spurs) - you can also see from Hazard's body language that he is not happy playing through the middle. I also don't understand Sarri's post-match interview saying Jorginho was struggling but we had no replacement - Ampudu? Luiz into midfield and Christensen or Ampudu on in defence? Kante played in his proper position / Barkley on? Kovacic tried in deep playmaker role (which I believe would be his best position)?

In my pre-match post yesterday, I responded to your post about Sky sports pre-match comments from Phil Thompson with the comments of Paul Merson (famously a Chelsea fan) - Merson criticised the tactical nous of Sarri and I have to agree - possession without creation is pointless - and saying that Napoli played at a much higher tempo is not an excuse, why doesn't Sarri get the team to play at a higher tempo! Merson also pointed out that Kante should be the left-sided midfielder to add cover to the defensive weakness of Alonso and Luiz - a simple tactical change but one that has obviously eluded Sarri.

These, and many others, are the reasons why I do not consider Sarri a good enough manager for Chelsea - and I should not be criticised for making them.
Ps Like you, TomB, I do not believe that 31 year old Higuain at £40m is the answer (although for different reasons! ) but, also like you, if Higuain does come in he will have my full support and I will hope and pray that he is the answer and that I am wrong.

13 Jan 2019 15:08:36
If players took their chances yesterday we could easily won 4-1 if not more. Willian and pedro wasted some golden opportunities.

13 Jan 2019 15:17:56
Good post MDW.

13 Jan 2019 19:36:06
whose fault is it that the players aren't in the box? How is that the managers? He's not controlling them with playstation controllers . He isn't the one who crosses the white line at the end of the day, he isn't the one doesn't move or show for the ball when we are in possession. He isn't the one who only has 1 foot, cuts inside making it even more congested and then tries a fancy flick for a pass, he isn't the one who was clear through on goal and missed opportunities. He's told the board what he wants, hardly his fault that they are taking their time in singing these players. Think you and a lot of other fans need to get off Sarri's back. Yes we don't have a focal point upfront where we can clip a ball into and hold up, or a winger who actually shows for the ball or is clever enough to get into space. We lack a Dele Ali, Eriksen sort of player, we massively lack a Harry Kane sort of striker. With those sort of signings, we're not that far away. But until we sign those calibre of players, we have to support the likes of Willian, Pedro, Giroud etc. And if you think the so called youth are the answer i'm afraid you are wrong. Not one player whose come through in recent years has gone on to be someone we've regretted selling, not one. RLC - is he becoming too injury prone?
CHO - player with a LOT of potential, but being mis-guided off the pitch won't help him, didn't with Solanke neither. Should let his football do the talking etc.

Also have to remember that this is Sarri's first real window to have his say, he came in late, had many many players missing for a long period of time and where we are at the moment isn't too bad in all fairness. If the board wanted him badly as they claimed, they should go all out for his targets.

13 Jan 2019 19:51:47
ChelseaLRD, Newcastle missed 3 sitters in the 1st half yesterday (Rondon, Atsu, Perez), so they could have gone in at half-time 4-1 up!

12 Jan 2019 21:42:15
Well firstly, a much needed 3 points, 6 ahead of Arsenal now and with Spurs playing Utd Tomorrow a win win for us. To the game, we all know we need a striker, the wide players all did well, Hazard as the false 9 was not at his best but took 5 players out for the pass to Willian. And what a goal. did anyone on here listen to Joe Cole on BT Sport talk about Willian? He was so full of praise of him and his footballing ability. So refreshing to hear real football people talk about real talented footballers (shame Joe Cole does not come on this page lol😁😁😁) . Pedro scores a beauty but misses a few as well and CHO looked full of running when he came on. But, we do need that central striker, Higuain or Icardi or Wilson or, for me, Costa. Let the wide players compete with each other. Centrally, we looked OK but do need an alternative for Jorginho who is lacking a bit of confidence in my opinion, Kovacic and Barklay did OK but RLC should get that left sided spot. Kante MOM says it all. At the back, we looked solid, ish. Maybe start Emerson soon? Rudi and Luiz are a great pairing but getting used to zonal marking. And what an assist for Pedro's goal! Luiz has more ability footballing wise than almost any CB in the world. Not a brilliant display, always look a bit nervy when in transition, but a lot of good things for me. the project evolves and top 4 is looking more likely. I expect 2 signings in the week and 2 departures, have a great weekend my fellow Chelsea fans. Cheers and half full.

{Ed0333's Note - what signings do you expect this week mate?

12 Jan 2019 21:57:09
I agree with everything you have posted G8.

12 Jan 2019 22:02:36
Parades to replace Fabregas.

12 Jan 2019 23:08:58
I disagree with just about everything you have posted G8 (agree about Emerson) .

12 Jan 2019 23:24:11
Higuain and Paredes would be very good. Callum Wilson can get lost.

13 Jan 2019 00:09:34
Great post G8, refreshing to see some positivity mate. Hopefully a striker will make thing a lot easier. At least we will see hazard at his best in the left.

13 Jan 2019 07:07:35
In reply to ED0333 I think Chelsea will sign Higuain and Either Peredes or Barella this week.

{Ed0333's Note - Fekir maybe? Higuain looks a good bet to sign. Isn’t barellas wife pregnant and wants to stay in Italy till after the birth maybe that could scupper the chance of a move to England.

12 Jan 2019 20:30:19
After the game I think, we need a player who offers more than Pedro with the ball but makes the runs and movement he does because that run he made for the goal is priceless, done that week in week out whilst at Barca. Willian score a vital goal, big big goal, first goal since October so let's not get excited, and this Jorhinho debate again. 2 things, I do think kante could play that position as his a lot better in the ball than people think and give him credit, secondly. If the likes of Willian kovecic Barkley RLC morata Alonso Giroud actually chopped in with some goals more than once every 4/ 5 games then people wouldn't pin point Jorhinho, Alonso again looking leggy, Arsenal next, so another big game, big result today thou so no complaints, and also I'd like to add that Cesc is the best final passer of the ball and has highest min per assist in Orem history yet we're onky linked to deep possession based DM's, kante / Ampadu could fill that roll if needed, we need a CM who can find that pass when no others can,

12 Jan 2019 18:22:03
Does my head in we create nothing not point having all the ball and create nothing Kante and Pedro goals last few game have been set up by a defender at centre back what's the midfield doing Jorginho to be fair don't no what he actually does there's nothing positive at the minute it's slow negative sideways passing Sunday morning football. Sarri ball?

12 Jan 2019 19:52:51
to play Sarri-ball you need fast thinking midfielders, in Kovacic, Willian, Pedro we don't. The lack of movement from the front 3 is scary. No one moves. Maybe im giving Kovacic a tough time at the moment as he is a decent midfielder and does link up well, just when you have Alonso, who always ducks into the middle of the pitch with only one foot, it suffocates the rest of the players. We won mate, that's all that matters.

12 Jan 2019 18:24:49
Jorginho - over 2000 passes so far this season - chances created = zero.

12 Jan 2019 19:42:44
Players have to move to play a killer ball. Did you not see the 2nd half when he was telling players to move, he had the chance to put Callum through but he didn't make the run. Think sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture rather then only ball watching. The lack of movement from the front 3 is alarming and only screams out more and more that we need a striker! You can't play a "false 9" against Newcastle, as the all sit deep.

12 Jan 2019 23:25:34
Are you seriously saying that not once this whole season has there been any movement from any player ahead of Jorginho and that is the only reason that he has not been playing killer, defence splitting passes?! Lol lol lol - there's watching through blue-tinted glasses but CFCAdam, your glasses must be of the deepest. deepest blue. Ps Luiz doesn't seem to have any problem finding our front players / nor did Fabregas - perhaps they just don't like Jorginho and won't move for him!

13 Jan 2019 01:19:50
I think you forget that when Jorginho gets the ball he's 20 yards ahead of Luiz and therefore the Newcastle defence is 20 yards further back. So there’s no space in behind for the players to run into. The game was boring. So what? We’ve come off the back of two poor results. There are times when we won’t or can’t play attractive football due to various reasons. Either the opposing team being very deep or some of our players being out of form. The entire vilification of Sarri and certain players after barely 6 months is ridiculous to say the least. This page had gone beyond downhill.

13 Jan 2019 01:30:23
Did he not play a killer pass to Willian after Newcastle equalised? Did your eyes not see that Willian missed an easy chance?

12 Jan 2019 14:24:55
Arsenal lose, spurs have united, no messing about, Cho hazard and morata up top, Cho can go past and put those crossers in, kovecic is going to get his first goal too, hazard morata kovecic 3-0,

12 Jan 2019 15:07:52
I agree Matt big game today.

We will win comfortably. Not sure Sarri will start with CHO. I assume Morata will also be on the bench and I would think Giroud will start the game.

3-4-5 or 6-0 is my tip of the day with Jorginho to score.

Come on my MIGHTY BLUES.

12 Jan 2019 16:02:47
Yeah he did say Cho looked tired, think that’s him letting people know he will be on bench, then again Pedro still not fit fully.

12 Jan 2019 16:35:07
False 9, not sure a deep defensive Newcastle is the game for a false 9, morata not in squad, this striker issue is getting out of hand, still going for 3-0 hazard kovecic Willian.

12 Jan 2019 16:40:32
Morata will not play for Chelsea again Tom B. Will not be risked in case of injury as we look to off load him this window. CHO will start on the bench, he is 18 and played a lot of minutes in the week, patience is needed with young players.

12 Jan 2019 17:08:11
should of started CHO. to show that we want to keep him plus is more fit than the others.

12 Jan 2019 18:28:41
dont look too comfortable at half time struggle to create as we are all season.

12 Jan 2019 10:33:52
Nicolo Barella's words: "“If I had to choose between serie A and the Premier League, I'd go for England because I like the way they approach the game.
“Everyone there is just as irritable as me and are as prone to commit fouls as I am! . ”

Does this mean anything?

12 Jan 2019 11:42:13
When was this said and where’s the quote from? I think he likes the prem but worried about his game time.

{Ed001's Note - I would ignore his quotes as they are often as the result of leading questions, such as when he was reported as saying he wanted a move to Liverpool. He was actually asked a leading question which made it almost impossible for him to say anything else.}

12 Jan 2019 12:19:14
Not sure, but think the quote above is because he, as someone mentioned on this site, is a player who sometimes commits quite stupid fouls, and thus I think it was merely an attempt at being funny :)

12 Jan 2019 15:30:34
Barela is very much suited to the PL but the red mist does descend as per Luiz. However, he has also been quoted as saying he would not come to England for family reasons so we are back into the world of 'he said, they said.

12 Jan 2019 07:29:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 12th January 2019