Chelsea Teams and Match Talk

23 Apr 2024 13:51:12
Oh how a few days can completely change your perspective. I was incensed watching Chelsea Women v Man Utd Semi-Final - three nailed-on penalty shouts and a Man U player who should have been sent off twice - I was screaming for VAR to be introduced to major women's football. Then to Chelsea v Man City, where we had two good shouts for a pen (Grealish hand ball and Kyle Walker flattening (I think) Jackson in the area. Not properly looked at by VAR and I was screaming at the telly for VAR to be dumped! Hey ho!

22 Apr 2024 10:16:06
Thought Poch got it spot on. Only criticism was he left his subs a bit late and I'm not sure he made the right ones. I would have liked to see Carney for Enzo a lot sooner and Sterling for Noni.

Poor finishing let us down again, story of the season really. Thought City got lucky due to our misses.

Anyway, need a string finish, starting tomorrow.

21 Apr 2024 19:54:03
For me we have spent a billion yet we don't have a proper spine of a team.

We have gone from Cech, Terry, Maka, Lampard and Drogba to Petrovic, CB's who can't stay fit, a midfield who cost 200 million who get overrun to Jackson upfront (who I like btw) who can't score chances and that is the problem.

We have spent stupid money on unproven players who are either not good enough or can't stay fit. For me they are Sanchez, Disasi, Badiashile, Ugochukwu, Lavia, Madueke, Mudryk, Nkunku, Angelo, Washington. I will give Nkunku and Lavia the benefit as they are good players but been injured but it's a big season next year for them. James and Fofana are quality but next year is last chance saloon for them at Chelsea for me because they can't stay fit.

A lot of them signings are no better than players who have come through cobham where we didn't have to spend money. Palmer and Gusto have been the only signings which have been a success for now.

We need a quality centre back I love Colwill but still unproven you look at Arsenal who have Saliba and Van Dijk at Liverpool we need someone like that. Chelsea have always been better with a presence in midfield we don't have that Enzo and Caicedo hardly win aerials. I like Enzo but does his skill set suit the premier league? I am not sure. Fabregas had Matic and Ramires alongside him to concentrate on being creative we don't have that right now.

21 Apr 2024 20:25:38
Petrovic looks a good prospect and a very good investment.

I think our DM choices will be Caicedo, Lavia and Ugo. Obviously two of them we have barely seen in Chelsea blue this season but I have zero doubt that both Lavia and Caicedo will prove themselves excellent Chelsea players for season to come.

I see Chuka, Enzo and CG as playing further up the pitch. Enzo has been carrying a long term hernia injury and Chuka has struggled with a string of injuries.

Mudryk. Noni and Sterling are our most natural wide players. Mudryk has generally been disappointing and Sterling having had a terrible first season started this season very well but his confidence seems to have completely gone. I’m starting to warm to Noni but not yet totally convinced.

Jackson has improved all season and just as well because Nkunku has been injured for most of this year and Broja never looked sharp in his limited game time.

Disasi looks ok and shows signs of leadership but I think Chalaboa is just as good. Since his injury BB hasn’t been the same player. Colwill looks a good prospect and hopefully Fofana will be back to fitness for the start of next season. Gusto has done well as a replacement for James. Chilly in and out through injury and Cucarella having an operation has helped to create a settled left side to our defence.

It should be remembered that at least three of our players were wanted by other premiership clubs. The fees for Mudryk, Caicedo and Lavia were like a bidding war that most fans would not have been happy about if we had missed out on signing them.

I think the successes so far have been Petrovic, Gusto, Palmer, Caicedo (at last) and Jackson whos general play has improved a lot.

Nkunku was the player I was most looking for war to seeing play for us at the start of the season and I’m convinced Lavia will prove himself to be top class.

There are bound to be some players who don’t reach the performance levels we want from a Chelsea player. That seems to be the case at most clubs but from what I have seen this season I’m happy enough with the clubs signings.

20 Apr 2024 17:53:36
Will keep saying it if he's a striker I'm a gold medalist at the high jump.

20 Apr 2024 19:45:47
Jackson Has great pace but no composure an average cf would of buried the headed chance.

20 Apr 2024 19:57:47
What he lacks but yet has to find is composure, so fristrating to see him miss those chance but he played large part in creating them. Jackson still likely to score as many as Didier Drogba in first season. Just saying.

20 Apr 2024 20:01:21
Nib, FGS find another player to moan about it’s becoming very boring.

JBS, spot on mate.

20 Apr 2024 20:20:56
Drog was disappointing in his first season let’s not think he’s any good if he beats that.

20 Apr 2024 20:36:16
Drogba scored in the big games though JBS. Jackson has no aerial presence to be a striker he has to play off the left if any.

20 Apr 2024 20:50:42
That's what they are saying Drogba was awful first season. Would you go back now and get rid of him after that first season?

20 Apr 2024 21:01:37
Be interesting to see who plays alongside Osimhen next season at Chelsea.

20 Apr 2024 21:18:10
There’s nobody else for me letting us down Tom every game he’s the same and again today we had a striker that’s just ok in front of goal we win 3-0 but no another rubbish performance chances missed and we still play him for 90 minutes so I will keep having ago at him as for me it’s the main position you don’t win without putting the ball in the net maybe you should stop backing the players that aren’t good enough.

20 Apr 2024 21:37:17
Hopefully Jackson improves as a finisher time will tell, like quite a few of our players he is a nearly man but all our young players should get better next season.

20 Apr 2024 21:39:26
Nib, we all have biased opinions about players but in Jacksons case I think most fans would see him as a player who has improved throughout the season.

He is a real handful and works the channels really well.

I’m sure you have composed your posts before he has even kicked a ball.

20 Apr 2024 22:00:52
Oshimhen will be playing on his own up front for PSG. i have a feeling they might break the CL duck this season.

21 Apr 2024 04:14:07
Maybe but hope he personally wants to play for us.

Out of the teams left in the CL I hope Carlo gets his hands on the pot yet again.

21 Apr 2024 08:35:39
Tom

I think you can forget Oshimhen, that shop has sailed.

21 Apr 2024 10:23:59
Bill, I’m not so sure but all will be revealed.

21 Apr 2024 14:50:54
Jackson' s best position is like a Salah probsbly coming in from the wing. but capable of interchanging with other fast paced gosl scoring attackers in a three pronged threat as with Klopps Liverpool.

21 Apr 2024 16:13:38
No definitely not he’s rubbish we haven’t got a striker at the club that’s the only why he’s playing and when we buy one that we no is good enough I will remind you. He’s not good doesn’t look like scoring not saying he doesn’t work hard doesn’t run the channels but hasselbaink didn’t but the man scored goals for fun he did what he was paid for end of.

21 Apr 2024 17:39:20
Nib, your dislike of Jackson would have more credibility if you didn’t say he was crap when he played well in a game!

23 Apr 2024 00:25:10
Said on many times he’s worked hard run the channels but it’s getting boring he’s there to put the ball in the next and also let’s get something right these aren’t hard opportunities he’s missing either the header was pitiful.

20 Apr 2024 17:28:13
Disappointed with team why Gallagher is on the left I don't know these are the types of things where poch let's himself down how is he more dangerous than a left sided player in his natural position.

16 Apr 2024 12:13:25
My observations on last nights fantastic performance making it a run of 7 games unbeaten in the League.

1.Cole Palmer replaced Conor as our no.10 and must stay there. In that position you must be able to score and assist.
2.Conor looks far more suited in the no.6 position and he and Moises bossed the midfield.
3.By moving Cole off the left it enabled Noni to play and he was very lively, quick and direct.
4.Jackson is growing in confidence and now has double figure goals for the season, his ability on the ball has never been in question but the way he took that goal was seriously good and he will only get better.
5.Great to keep a clean sheet at last but we still look shaky at times. 1 or 2 world class centre backs takes us to a whole new level.
6.Was nice to see some leadership from Conor and Silva at the time and Poch after the game regarding the penalty fiasco. let's hope Noni and Jackson learn from their utter stupidity.
7.It was always going to take time but the team is starting to come together. Some very good recruitment has taken place and this young squad is going to get better and better. Well done everyone.

18 Apr 2024 12:13:26
Spot on G8. It is the defence and way we still give the ball away far too easily too often that needs to get far better if we are to be consistent and able to challenge in the EPL. Everton could have scored 2 before we got our first goal.

But yes fantastic to see some of the new recruits doing so well, and CG did look excellent in number 6 position with CP as a floating 10 and NM getting a start that he made v good use of. Let's hope they can build on this though City in the semi then Arsenal the next two fixtures, and both those sides will have something to prove to their fans after their Champions League exits.

15 Apr 2024 22:03:07
Bang bang bang! Top, top performance from the boys. Massive game on the weekend, let’s keep it up.

15 Apr 2024 22:16:17
Brilliant going forward and CG and Caicedo worked v well together in midfield but still some fragility at back thst better attacking opposition would have made something of. But some mesmerising attacking play by us at times and CP was amazingly good again.

16 Apr 2024 10:05:21
Totally agree Blue_soldier. It was always going to take time and patience but there are strong signs that the project is starting to roll.

15 Apr 2024 21:56:14
Hi blues. gooner in peace ✌️
Good performance from you lot 2nite, but what was the pen situation about?
Wouldn't mind if jackson was an unbelievable player, but this season palmer is at least 4 x the player he is. plus, he's the penalty taker and has got a pretty decent record
This is the kind of crap poch needs to sort for you lot to rise again
Anyway, hope palmer picks up a slight niggle b4 you play us ?.

16 Apr 2024 00:02:58
We might give Palmer a rest for the game against you guys.

Will be interesting to see how Jackson gets on against your defence if he isn’t suspended for the game.

I assume a lot of your players will be on the beach by then.

15 Apr 2024 20:12:11
Everton know we can't go long so there pressing us high and wide,

13 Apr 2024 21:23:16
Looking at our continued injury issues. I can see us playing three at the back, at home and against a team like Everton.

14 Apr 2024 09:11:06
Fofana and Levi injured, Disasi a major doubt, BB looking woeful at present. That leaves Big Trev and an ageing Silva plus young Alfie and MC at a push (although with Chilly also a doubt) surely he must play at left back. If you come up with a three amongst that lot and one gets injured in game then you are reverting to where I imagine we will start. A back 4 with Silva and Big Trev at centre back with BB on the bench.

14 Apr 2024 10:46:12
G8, I’m only guessing because I can’t see a sick Enzo playing and he has been carrying an hernia/ groun injury all season. So I see CG dropping back as a DM with Caicedo. BB, Silva and TC as the three at the back, with Gusto and Chilly providing the width.

So a long shot and I know we are playing Everton but I just have a feeling he will go 5221.

14 Apr 2024 12:12:55
That's what this page is for Tom, debate and hopefully enjoyment! I agree that Conor will pair up with Moises in the middle which hopefully sees an attacking 3 of Mudryk, Carney and Palmer behind Jackson.

15 Apr 2024 09:43:28
The way it's going we will be asking other teams if we can play 5 a side, that's how ricidilous our injury situation is this season.

15 Apr 2024 10:06:56
Bill, very true. Poch and the new owners haven’t been fortunate with injuries and it has meant a limited amount of rotation.

05 Apr 2024 00:16:51
I eat my words. We never win against United so I called a loss. I didn't watch either as it was a 4am game. looks like I need to watch less as we win when I don't watch.

About to watch the highlights now, though I have seen the caicedo blunder ?? he really does worry me, very poor.

Happy with the result however.

05 Apr 2024 02:32:00
I watched 65% of the game tbf. Been feeling like whenever I tune into the game we generally concede. Turned off at the 82 mins mark or so and missed the end of the match. So starting to feel like I’m a jinx tbh ? I know it’s not true, we lose whenever I don’t watch at all but definitely had that feeling earlier ?.

05 Apr 2024 05:38:53
Watched the game, we were not impressive. I'm very concerned about caicedos multiple turnovers every single game. I really don't understand the idea of spending 115m on a player with 30 good epl games under his belt. I do hope he will come good but he's not had the best of starts at chelsea.

I'll end this on a positive, thank God for palmer. We would be in relegation without him.

05 Apr 2024 06:25:07
Caicedo did make a mistake, had a poor game and deserved to be hooked. Same as Gallagher did against Burnley.

BB hasn’t been the same since his injury and he a series of mistakes.

Gusto having a brilliant season but he was caught twice out of position.

Disasi has so stop trying to make killer passes

That’s all the negative stuff done with. So chuffed we got what we deserved from a game.

05 Apr 2024 10:03:27
Well said Tom.

05 Apr 2024 12:33:21
In my opinion I think that caicedo was playing well up until his mistake. Won countless balls to start attacks
But you could see it truly hurt him.

He is so young and will make mistakes he needs to learn from it and I hope he does. But at this minute he is like watching a child. He makes a mistake and then folds like a deck of cards.

BB was awful and I want colwill back.

Have we ever thought about these injuries that it's the players being whimps at times. In the old days players would play through the pain. (Yes I know this isn't good for your body) but watching kids football now adays if it's not going great for the team the slightest niggle they don't want to play.
Just my opinion.

05 Apr 2024 12:36:43
Palmer was sensational with the goals but some of his passing definitely needs some work though. For a period of the game he was constantly trying to nutmeg players with a pass (or at least seemed too) with it not coming off.