21 May 2019 01:58:46
Rumours from Di Marzio and other various outlets is that Sarri and us are parting ways. If that's true we are a joke of a club and apparently Lampard is going to take charge. I'm sorry but he's just not ready yet. I hope this isn't true.


1.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 07:17:29
Sarri has managed to disconnect the club and its fans, he marginalised players that could have been used in Cahill, Drinkwater. He’s never been to see a youth game. With Lampard/ Morris coming in, they know the club inside out, they know how good the youths can be and won’t be afraid of using them especially if this ban isn’t lifted.

There’s plenty to be excited about if he becomes coach.

I want a manager who is gutted when we lose, bouncing when we win and in Sarri I don’t see that. I saw it in Conte, Jose, RDM, etc.


2.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 08:18:03
I can't say what Sarri is thinking in his head but I think if he will leave the Chelsea job- it won't be cos of 'FANS ABUSE' like most of our comments here insinuate. I hate it when fans abuse players or coaches but I don't understand how we think fans' abuse should even be considered the factor or reason why Sarri should want to leave Chelsea- that is if he leaves. I think if Sarri decides to leave Chelsea today, it won't be cos of fans' abuse but it could be cos of something else- because fans' abuse is not something that is peculiar to only Chelsea fans (fans of other clubs abuse their coaches too, so a good manager shouldn't put that in front of his mind when making a decision; what should matter is what are my employer (s) saying?

I think that the attitude of the fans (whether good or bad) at any point in time mirrors the performance of the team (that is performance of players and manager) ; like someone said, the right word that best describe fans (not only Chelsea fans) is 'FICKLE'- if you are doing they praise you and if are doing badly they condemn you (which in their own way is to abuse) : all because they judge the manager and players from their performance on the football pitch.


3.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 08:32:33
Me neither. Would be so dumb and set us back as a club.

I hate this.


4.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 10:16:16
I can understand the outrage if we sack him. However, I get the impression clubs in Italy want him back and that they would give him more respect and what he wants. He may be tempted to go himself. If he leaves, it'll be mutual.


5.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 11:55:10
Let's be honest, if Juve do want Sarri then I'm sure deep down he would rather want to manage them than Chelsea in the current climate. For his career that will be the right step, he will have the correct tools to win tropies. He will have world class players to manage in Juventus and they will adopt to his style effortlessly.

Lampard is probably the best option from the rest. I would like to see youth given a chance whilst we sit out the transfer market. I would like to see the impact he would have on players like RLC, Barkley etc. Maybe we get tons more goals from midfield.


6.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 12:15:06
If true it just shows what is wrong with this club, see a new shiny toy and think it will fix all of our problems, this has OGS at Man Utd written all over it. The initial wave of positivity will wear off once the results begin to go south and they will, he'll lose the players respect and we will sack him too like every other manager we've had and ruin his legacy at the same time. Give Sarri a chance to implement some serious change and let lampard get some experience before throwing him into the fire of having to manage us in the current predicament we're in. I can't stress enough how much I hope this isn't true.


7.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 14:10:53
Why does that make us a joke of a club? Sarri was brought in to deliver on a particular brief and from my perspective hasn't actually done that yet. I know Ed says the club won't be looking to "kow-tow" to fans, but I doubt they can ignore the general discontent especially around season ticket renewal time.

If the fans don't like Sarri, he's not particularly bothered about doing anything to address that, and he hasn't delivered the kind of "dynamic, attacking football" he was brought to implement, maybe it's best to part ways and have another crack with someone else?

The argument I always see re: Sarri's inability to make progress in the actual football being played is that the players are crap or unable to adapt, and I just don't agree with that. It's a very talented group.

You can argue the toss over various bits and pieces of the situation but I don't think anyone could say it's working out right now.


8.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 14:11:08
I can simply not agree with what you're writing, Adam. Drinkwater has never been nowhere good enough for our club, and it would be no less that foolish from Sarri to use him. Wasn't like Conte used him a lot either. Cahill is simply not fit to play in this system, and in general his level wasn't good enough last season either. He lost possession often, wasn't quick enough to make up for it and was often a liability to our defence. While I do think he could've played more, I also think playing AC or Ampadu would've been more correct.

Sure, Sarri hasn't been to a youth game, and he hasn't given any youth players a debut. However, he's the manager who's played our academy players the most by far in the last many years, if you exclude Terry which I'll allow myself to do.
Also, you say Sarri doesn't show passion? A man who reportedly spent 45 minutes after the City and Bournemouth games, telling the players just how disappointed he was. A man who almost went out the tunnel in the cup final out of pure anger. In my eyes, Sarri has a lot of passion. He may not show it the same way that managers like Klopp or Conte does, but celebrating with the fans doesn't mean that you're necessarily a good manager. And I'd rather have a manager who doesn't celebrate with the fans but tries to bring in a way more attractive way of football that's completely different from what we're used to, and at the same time gets results that every single rationally thinking Chelsea fan should've been more than pleased with before the season began.

By the way this is not me saying that you shouldn't be allowed to criticise Sarri, I guess I'm just extremely disappointed that he might not be our manager next season. Rant over.


9.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 14:41:31
I'm no longer surprised by our club and the decisions they make. Sacking Sarri would be stupid but that's not something that defers the board anyway.


10.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 16:44:04
Emil, Cahill has been there, done that and won it all. Has more experience then Sarri, has won a hell of a lot more too. Even if you don’t use him on the pitch, you use his experience, his presence in the changing room. That’s what I don’t like.

Drinkwater - could have done the same job as Kovavic and Barkley. 1 assist all season between them. You don’t think he could have added something different?

He unwillingness to change formation, his stubbornness in changing the same players at the same time in games shows he cannot adapt.

He went mental because his keeper refused to come off.
You’d rather a manager who doesn’t celebrate with the fans. Oh dear. What’s the point in having fans then? Surely you’d want to celebrate with them after an important win.

He stayed behind after those embarrassing losses and told the players he wasn’t happy with them and you think that shows passion? Okay then.


11.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 16:59:30
I must say that I do agree that it seems like Cahill hasn't been used properly as a leader, I thought you meant on the pitch about him. I genuinely don't see how Drinkwater would've added anything positive to the team, and while I agree that you could've wanted more from Kovacic and Barkley, I don't see Drinkwater as the man who'd brought that.
Saying that Sarri cannot adapt it quite simply wrong in my opinion. He changed his tactics in some of the big games, and that change of tactics led to City's first loss this season. However, I do agree, that he should have taken more risks against weaker teams.
He also got sent off against Burnley, but I guess that doesn't show passion.
Yes, I'd rather have a manager who gives a team something to celebrate - good results - than a manager who doesn't bring in the same results, but then celebrates with the fans whenever he does. Sure, I'd rather have both, but I genuinely believe a guy like Lampard wouldn't have been able to bring the same results this season, and that he wouldn't be able to bring in the results the next season as Sarri would if we stick with him.


12.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 17:01:06
Please stop looking at the small things and start looking at the bigger picture.

Surely we have had a business plan? Sarri has either satisfied or dissatisfied the owner. That’s all that matters IMO.


13.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 17:51:04
It is not as simple as that Tom.


14.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 19:40:49
And it’s not that complicated G8.

If Sarri goes, he goes. I won’t be happy but I wasn’t happy when the club gave Conte the tin tac.

If the club/ owner aren’t happy it’s not going to make any difference what we think.


15.) 21 May 2019
21 May 2019 20:31:00
I wouldn't bother stressing yourself over this managerial saga. Let It just pan out.

The club will make a decision and it will satisfy some and disatisfy some.

Personally I would have preferred Sarri to stay given that he has satisfied targets, however I don't know what's happened behind the scenes. He comes across as a stubborn person and maybe he has done things despite being told otherwise. His an old school boss.


16.) 22 May 2019
22 May 2019 12:03:00
I think it will be Sarri'a decision if. he wants to leave or go. Anyway if Juventus are trully calling for him I can definatelly see why his head would be turned.


17.) 22 May 2019
22 May 2019 14:21:00
Mixed emotions on Sarri. He was given a job to do and he's done it. Third behind two of arguably Europes' biggest teams, got us into two finals, potentially another European trophy. To come in and change our style of football from one end of the scale to the other is not easy and certainly not achieved over a single season.
if the board wanted results then I think he's achieved that.

The other part and I echo what someone else has said previously, he seems detached from the club. I've been to a lot of games this season and i cannot recall the last time I heard a manager receive so much abuse from fans - at home. even away. "f*ck sarri ball". no offence, I'd walk and be confident in knowing i've achieved the above for the club. Everyone knows what the managers' job is like.

The kepa situation for me was a massive wake up call. i don't care how they tried to sugar coat it after, that highlighted a lot of problems with the way the team is run and a complete lack of respect. again, i wouldn't blame sarri for walking.

the other side of things that talking to the group i sit with and also quite evident amongst all fans, is the tactical decisions. kante the world best DEFENSIVE midfielder playing in an attacking role baffles me. we have severely lacked the defensive screen previously provided in recent seasons from the little man. Not even reverting back to it in some circumstances is somewhat the most frustrating, back to basics approach. but again fair play he has stuck to his guns.

from a personal point of view, if indeed we are banned from spending, his attacking approach will be exposed once hazard has left. edens performances inc goals/ assists this season and we wouldn't be left with much and safely out of the top four. i think Chelsea are planning for the ban and have realised sarri isn't the man for that and finally if youth is to be used, then lampard, Morris even potentially cech as a coach, is the answer. lamps has achieved promotion and already has mount and tomori playing extremely well. reece James to come back. abraham. id rather have abraham get game time than watch higuain huff and puff only to be waved off side for 80mins. i think the opportunity is quite exciting and would happily watch that unfold in light of a ban. its just sad its taken a ban for this sort of action to happen. Morris knows the youth inside out, van gaal when at united, Klopps done it liverpool, Poch does it at spurs. its refreshing.

im on the fence, what will happen will happen but would love to see Lamps have the opportunity with Jody to achieve something special.


18.) 22 May 2019
22 May 2019 20:37:59
Very good post Haighton, I couldn't disagree with most of the stuff you write.

However, I will add that Kante has been our best midfielder from an offensive point of view this year until RLC was given a chance. With him playing in the defensive mid role, it may have restricted our ailing midfield even more. I couldn't see Barkley or Kovacic making an impact, however we would have lost the impact Kante made with his energy and countless runs. I suppose if we had a top notch box to box midfielder then Kante can sit deep.


19.) 25 May 2019
25 May 2019 10:49:18
Thanks Shak.

I get your point with Kante and completely agree. for me world class will always shine through and kante is that.

RLC for me, is that box to box midfielder you are referring to. Can pick the ball up in tight pockets and drive forward and he can finish as well as or if not better than what else we have to offer.

Now he's out for up to 12 months the above isn't an option for now!

Another note re: manager. As highly as I spoke of lamps there, the same regard goes for JT. The link to the club. Fans. youth. Just fits.