Chelsea banter 2

15 Apr 2024 12:25:37
I have just received the good news that from tomorrow I can continue with my treatment.

So, tonight could well be my last game at the bridge for sometime. I will certainly be missing the semi final, Spurs and West Ham games.

I will be putting our tickets for both games on the CFC official re-sale site. I know some of you have declared an interest in buying tickets so I will give you 24 hours notice when the MH upper tickets are going on the site.

Please Chelsea send me away tonight with a good performance and hopefully a win.

COME on MY MIGHTY BLUES.

15 Apr 2024 13:19:25
All the best with your treatment Tom.

15 Apr 2024 14:59:37
Thanks Bill that’s very kind. I’m hoping to be firing on all cylinders in plenty of time to see us pick up this seasons FA Cup.

14 Apr 2024 18:45:53
You just never know in this league, who would of thought Liverpool and Arsenal would both lose at home today? Liverpool 1 title in 33 years and Arsenal 1 title in 20 years. Funny old game.

14 Apr 2024 19:36:06
Blimey that’s a long time. So Leicester have won more premierships in the last twenty years than the gooners and the same as the scousers in the last 33 years. It’s a funny old game!

I suppose we should remember that the scousers are the only team to have won anything so far this season.

I wonder how long ago Utd and the spuds last won a premiership?

14 Apr 2024 21:52:06
When did Spurs last win the league Tom? Someone on here called them a bigger club than us a while back?.

14 Apr 2024 22:12:14
G8, I guess winning the league Wes probably in the 60’s. I can’t remember the last time they won any trophy. It’s the old joke “best stadium in the world, smallest trophy cabinet in the world.

I’m not sure the poster said “bigger club” but I think it was “higher standing. ” than Chelsea.

Anyway, they will probably have Champions League football next season and I will be envious of that.

14 Apr 2024 22:25:48
I don't think they will get Champions League Tom. No chance. Villa have that sown up and the Prem will get 4 places with Gooners and West ham going out this coming week. Doesn't effect Chelsea in the slightest.

14 Apr 2024 23:20:36
Thanks TomB. A poor cheap shot from G8. I said better position, as in higher income, better stadium and better current squad. Nothing about them being better than us in the last decade or last 20 years though obviously. But G8 can think what he likes.

15 Apr 2024 09:41:41
I agree with Standard, Spurs are currently run better than us financially, have a better coach and of course a better stadium than ours.

That been said I believe we do have a brighter future if the ground gets built and we can keep out talented young players.

15 Apr 2024 10:01:23
They certainly have a better stadium than us and only time will tell if they are run better than us financially.

Im just a supporter, so for me the main measurement of a well run club is winning trophies. On that metric the current owners/ management are a total failure.

{Ed001's Note - so clubs such as Rochdale cannot be well run according to you then?}

15 Apr 2024 10:39:10
Of course they can be well run. I guess it depends on how you measure success. I choose to measure it by the winning of trophies. Other fans might well see staying in a division as success.

{Ed001's Note - you said the main measurement is trophies, but small clubs can't do that can they? That is a ridiculous assertion as the trophies are mostly being picked up by a bunch of cheats who buy the trophies, leaving nothing for actual well run clubs to win anyway.}

15 Apr 2024 10:51:55
Ed, I said for “me” the main measurement is
winning trophies. Other fans clubs and commentators can choose any other criteria they like to measure success.

15 Apr 2024 11:45:31
I totally agree with you ED01, many clubs are well run throughout the football pyramid and deserve great praise as well. I have been involved in football for many years and the amount of volunteers who put many hours into non-league clubs be it mowing the lawn, operating turnstiles, running the bar, making hot dogs, arranging fixtures etal is highly commendable and so often overlooked. The clubs with the most money in all leagues from the Premier down to tier 9 and beyond always consistently win the trophies.

{Ed001's Note - exactly mate. I dated a woman who was a secretary for a non-League club for a while. The amount of work she put in was insane, as well as holding down a full-time job. I have nothing but respect for those who run small clubs and keep them going despite a lack of funds coming in.}

14 Apr 2024 05:52:49
In the 2022/ 23 season chelsea finished 12th with the: second highest wage bill, highest amortisation cost, most expensive squad and biggest operating loss. An utter, utter disaster and I don't think we made the right moves in the window considering again, we're 9th.

Though with that said, as bad as this season has been nothing well ever top how bad last season was. Utterly disastrous.

14 Apr 2024 08:12:09
Just bear in mind that included heavy wages for players that have moved on (KK / HZ / KH / CA / Kepa? etc) and two managerial payoffs.

14 Apr 2024 08:59:17
The season 22-23 wasn’t good.

The owners who admitted to making to making mistakes in the transfer market and the decision to have three managers in that season certainly wasn’t helpful.

A bloated squad meant a bloated wage bill plus there was the extra exit costs.

I actually can see an argument for saying this year is worse but I will leave that to others if they feel inclined.

All football teams run the risk if relegation so things can get worse and “top” last season.

Some will continue to look backwards but I’m a person that generally likes to look forward and I think the bulk of our player investment is over for the short term. Yes players will come and go but I think we will have far more players leaving permanently in the next window and thereafter a balanced approach to transfers.

The club/ managers have had an horrible injury list to deal with. We still have things to play for in the league and cup. Slightly sadly I will be at the match tomorrow night and I will be cheering on my team. Hopefully I will be seeing a good performance and victory.

14 Apr 2024 22:00:55
Could still potentially finish 6th this season which would be a marked improvement on last season.

Also gone from 2nd highest to 4th, cutting 1/ 3rd of our wage bill in a year and I imagine it’ll reduce further this summer even signing new players.

13 Apr 2024 14:24:02
Again, for those interested Ben Jacobs has published a reasonable semi article today on how HE sees the club's financials.!

13 Apr 2024 14:23:22
Spurs going all Spursy. nothing changes.

13 Apr 2024 10:32:33
If the report that Chelsea Holdings had sold a hotel for £76m. It's a very clever trade.

{Ed002's Note - Why would that be? It has been sold to a subsidiary company.}

13 Apr 2024 17:25:06
Ed

Do you know why we sold our hotel assets to the owners subsidiary company?

If its nor PSR related, why would we take this action.

{Ed002's Note - It is a case of reallignment and a means t to try ant reduce PSR issues.}

13 Apr 2024 21:42:19
Bill, as I mentioned earlier the Ben Jacobs article gives HIS view of this issue.

13 Apr 2024 21:56:08
Thank you ED.

13 Apr 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Anonymous Woolback has posted a new article entitled, Is Jurgen Klopp Burnt Out At Liverpool FC?

12 Apr 2024 15:12:49
£75m on agent fees in the last year, £15m more than next highest which was city,

12 Apr 2024 15:43:16
That can hardly be a surprise as we were more active in the market.

12 Apr 2024 16:38:25
Agents generally take up to 10% as a fee. Considering we spent like 700m or so it’s not really surprising.

12 Apr 2024 18:22:27
Not a surprise but what a racket, the leagues and governing bodies really need to get a grip of this.

13 Apr 2024 08:51:21
Taken to the cleaners with our spending.

13 Apr 2024 10:05:47
“Spending” i personally love to splash the cash but not necessarily on “cleaning. ”.

13 Apr 2024 10:55:18
I hope we spend another 1 billion in the summer. The reaction of the pundits and trolls will be priceless.

13 Apr 2024 11:54:44
You can see some journos love trying to hammer us, martyn zygler for one, Matt law has gone salty on us since his boy mount left.

12 Apr 2024 13:24:02
Apparently, the home grown players we are looking to sell are digging their heals in a nd will only move when it suits them.

If thatvis the case and they miss the 30th June deadline then we should also dig our heals in and demand the price we want as it will not affect this year's financial accounts.

With CG who has only one year left on his on his contract, if he does not sign a new one and does not move before the 30th June, we should dig our heals in with Spurs ( the only ones I know at the moment who wants him) and demand a high price as we did with Mount.

12 Apr 2024 14:19:43
Bill, if a player gets the package he is looking for and likes the idea of playing for a certain manager and club then my guess is they will agree to move.

I would suggest there is a bit of mischief making by certain outlets. I also have no idea if there is a genuine need to sell players pre June 30th.

12 Apr 2024 13:20:31
Hi eds, hopefully one of you could answer. I know the majority of fans are fed up and don't understand the injuries that have happened, is it bad luck, mentality, bad coaching or something else, it's so frustrating, most of the season we've had our first choice back 4 out and nkunku and lavia.
Surely this will be addressed and fixed asap

Hope you all have a great weekend.

{Ed001's Note - it is always a mix of things, some will be bad luck, some will be down to poor work ethic in training, some will be down to the training not getting them fit enough. Others will be the wrong type of training for them, as we are all slightly different and need a different training to get us fit. It can be diet as well, though players get looked after while at the club, when they go home they can often be eating completely the wrong things. Or they might not get the rest they need. Even things like sitting too long playing video games can cause injuries. The reason some of those bizarre injuries happened in the past where players ruptured things stretching for a TV remote etc is often because they were slobbing out on the sofa and their muscles were tightened. Which is another potential issue - do they do enough stretching? There is just so many potential issues that you really need to examine them one by one to find the problem.

One thing that usually holds true is that a large number of soft tissue injuries (hamstring pulls etc) is almost always caused by a lack of fitness. That usually means the training is not tough enough. In my experience, overtraining has never ever been an issue, it is always undertraining. The only people who claim overtraining is a problem are always those trying to sell their services as fitness trainers and their systems are always nonsense and to be avoided. The human body can do so much more than it is pushed to do at a football club. Just look at what triathletes etc put themselves through compared to a footballer. Or ultramarathon runners etc. The issue is not the actual training, it is more down to the travel, which affects rest and makes the traveller have to sit still for long periods.}

12 Apr 2024 14:29:52
Ed, interesting point re travel and rest. I have a pal who works in an industry adjacent to football and he has said he's heard anecdotally that the use of sleeping medication is far more pervasive throughout the game than is being publicly acknowledged.

Do you have any insight into whether this is the case or not? I know it isn't strictly related to the injury issue so if you'd prefer not answer I understand.

{Ed001's Note - it is very much so, many players have addiction issues related to sleeping pills.}

12 Apr 2024 14:36:34
Many thanks Ed001 to your typically well thought out and full reply to Steve's question which we have all be thinking about in recent times. Hopefully the CFC players as well as coaches, fitness trainers etc will read it!

{Ed001's Note - you would expect them to know all these things anyway and be working on the issues. Tailoring diets and fitness work etc. But one thing they need to do is push players harder - there is a reason that Cristiano Ronaldo, who used to do hours of extra fitness training a day, was very rarely injured. Same for Salah. Age catches up on them but they are much fitter than the average player and, as a result, suffer less injuries.}

12 Apr 2024 14:48:13
Thank you Ed, much appreciated.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

12 Apr 2024 14:52:31
Excuse the pun, but what a nightmare. I have first hand experience of what it can be like becoming dependent on sleeping aids and it really is debilitating. I hope long term that those players are able to access the proper support they need.

{Ed001's Note - it can be very difficult when you are struggling to sleep, but these players should be automatically given help to teach them how to sleep. It is possible to learn how to sleep using relaxation techniques. They should be taught them in the academies and at the club. They get them together all the time for meals now, simply to make sure they eat properly once a day. But sleep is more important than diet, yet there is little work done on making sure players sleep properly.}

12 Apr 2024 15:06:33
Precisely Ed, CBT techniques massively helped me and should be far more widely available to players who have entire entourages looking out for them. Also in case anyone reading this is having these issues, magnesium before bed can be beneficial.

{Ed001's Note - there are so many things that can help, but the easy thing is just to hand a player a pill and let that do the work. It is a particular problem with modern medicine.}

12 Apr 2024 15:31:10
I was going to suggest JD and Coke but I guess some of them might forget the JD.

Seriously, sleep deprivation for any reason is a major problem for so many. My consultant says people reporting sleep issues are far higher after C.V..

12 Apr 2024 15:32:42
Regards to the injuries, there was interviews and bits before poch joined us from players he’d managed from Southampton and spurs saying they had some lots of injuries in poch first season because there was a lack of fitness and conditioning, how poch would do lots of intense training / running, usually day / training session before a game. They also said that come the second season the injuries improved massively, there were also bits about tuchel didn’t bring his fitness / conditioning coaches from when at psg and nor did potter, maybe explaining since June 2019 we have had 296 injuries,

12 Apr 2024 15:47:13
Matt, I wouldn’t have a clue but the 296 figure you have quoted, two questions 1) how does that compare to other teams? 2) How many managers/ coaches have other high injury teams had over a similar four year period?

12 Apr 2024 16:33:17
A fitness consultant I know says that UEFA has done some research into Injuries and have found that certain injuries are more prevalent where managers and fitness staff are changed on a regular basis.
Thing is I don't remember this being such a major problem under Roman but I guess we went through three managers in a year under the new lot.

{Ed001's Note - didn't you usually keep the same fitness coaches in place in Roman's time?}

12 Apr 2024 16:40:49
We did have some consistency with some coaches and assistants.

I’m sure there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. It does appear that a lot of teams have suffered a high number of injuries and I would like to think that a general review of injuries within football might take place as well as an in-house Chelsea review.

12 Apr 2024 18:37:34
Tom, I knew you would suggest a JD, but seriously a wee dram now and again to help you sleep is probably less damaging to your health than sleeping pills.

12 Apr 2024 21:31:20
Ed001, you have made some interesting points about injuries. Footballers generally are the most fragile of all professional athletes. They at the highest level are cosseted by the clubs from the realities of life e. g players ringing the club if their car brakes down. It always surprises me that players come in after a rigorous medical and are then out for lengthy periods with injuries. Obviously a medical can’t predict a soft tissue injury caused by under training or lifestyle issues. I do though have concerns about the Lavia situation . This is not just a problem at Chelsea.

{Ed001's Note - I do believe the cosseting contributes to the injury problems. They have life far too easy and that makes it difficult to work hard on your own. That's why so few do extra training. The chance to just play a bit more football a day would be a godsend to most of us, but to them it is work and they can't be bothered.}

13 Apr 2024 08:53:19
Which is why the the 8 year contracts were ludicrous.

12 Apr 2024 09:36:03
For those interested there is a nice run down of potential Chelsea targets Ed02 has give on the Real Madrid page.

12 Apr 2024 10:15:13
Thanks for that.
I am surprised we have interest in so many players given the alleged financial situation.
Presumably the club must be confident of selling quite a few players this summer.

12 Apr 2024 10:56:28
I think I listed ten players that I think will be leaving the club in the summer.

12 Apr 2024 14:35:25
A treasure trove of info - thanks for highlighting, Tom.

The three things that really caught my eye there were the notes on Tchouaméni, Onana and Cucurella.

12 Apr 2024 21:55:22
Glad that were showing interest in world class players such as Alphonso Davies and Vinicius Jr albeit neither would probs be interested in coming to us.

13 Apr 2024 09:53:16
whitey, that’s one of the consequences of another season without CL football. It sometimes can be overcome by having a charismatic top class coach but we don’t have that either.

13 Apr 2024 10:49:51
Let me know when you find an available and “charismatic” coach who will make a difference to our signing of any players.

13 Apr 2024 14:06:08
Tom, I didn’t suggest there is a one! I suggested it as an alternative to CL football to attract top class players and that we don’t have a charismatic top class coach.

13 Apr 2024 15:22:09
Not for the first time I’m confused. Us not being in the Champs League will apparently stop players joining us, so to compensate for a lack of signings we employ a “charismatic” manager who will attract players?

13 Apr 2024 19:23:02
Tom, it was a simple point, if a club is not in the CL it is more difficult to attract top class players particularly if they are used of doing so. Sometimes players might be attracted to a club by a top coach who has a record of achievements . We have neither going for us at present. You may not agree with my opinion but I don’t understand why you are confused.

13 Apr 2024 20:59:50
I wasn’t looking for agreement, I was seeking clarification hence the question mark.

{Ed002's Note - I was a huge fan of Question Markt and The Mysterions.}

13 Apr 2024 21:45:33
I got so drunk in Prague once apparently on some strange cocktails that for a long while I thought I was a mysteron! I suppose it explains a lot about my latter life as an Elf.

13 Apr 2024 22:51:43
I was more of a Stingray person.