28 Dec 2023 11:07:34
Opinions on chelsea midseason Ed001? A calamity of the highest proportions or a project that will take time?

{Ed001's Note - somewhere in between the two I would say. A mess that is going to take some time to sort out, but it will require the leadership to learn from their mistakes in recruitment. So far there have been no signs of that happening. They don't seem to understand that just buying lots of potential is not the way to move forward. You need leaders to build around and help them grow as both players and people.

Added to that, you have the wrong manager. Short term he is fine for bringing young players on, as he will be brave enough to give them football but, and it is a very big but, the lack of discipline Pochettino provides is a huge negative. There is nothing to keep players on the right path other than hope, which is not going to work. Without leaders to do that amongst themselves and a manager who is weak, you are just going to end up with longer term issues.

If you stop throwing money at anyone who is young and talented and plays in the position you want, and instead start looking at sprinkling in a few finished products in amongst them, it can be a quick turnaround. Just changing out Caicedo and Lavia for Rice this season, for example, would have put you in a much better place. And not just now, but for the future as well.

What most worries me is Thiago Silva, he is showing signs of his legs going now and looking his age. Replacing him has to be the highest priority and it can't be with another project signing. You need a top class ready-to-go defender in there to build the defence around. All the ones in there at the moment are so raw, that is why you are so inconsistent, there is no experience there to smooth out the bad patches.}

1.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 11:33:23
Ed 001, I couldn’t agree more with appraisal of our current position on every level.

It’s very rarely just one thing that’s wrong!

{Ed001's Note - that's the thing, if it was just one thing it would be so easy to fix. And thank you Tom.}

2.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 12:00:52
Couldn’t agree more Ed! I’ve literally been saying the same things to my friends, although they’re United fans so their football knowledge is obviously nonexistent, and my biggest concern in regards to recruitment is the lack of short-term vision, in the sense that, like you mentioned, we only seem to target youngsters with potential over established experienced players.

On the topic of having the wrong manager, I do agree that Poch may not be the right fit in the longer term, but I was wondering what you’d think of Conte returning for example? I know it’s probably unlikely, but I do genuinely believe that if anyone’s going to knock some discipline and leadership into our youngsters it’ll be him.

{Ed001's Note - I would have said Jose would be a better fit. Conte is a bit too volatile and prone to just reacting badly and flouncing out of the club on a whim. Jose would have the fans fully behind him and he could help guide the club's leadership in the right direction.}

3.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 12:13:58
Jose, would be music to my son’s ears. He is desperate for him to come back for a third time.

{Ed001's Note - I think people suit certain clubs, as each club has its own personality too. Jose just fits at Chelsea.}

4.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 12:17:35
That’s a really good point Ed! Despite his stint at Spurs, you’d be hard pressed to find a Chelsea fan who doesn’t love Mourinho, I’d certainly take him back in a heartbeat!

On another note, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones, and I wish you a very happy new year!

{Ed001's Note - thank you KTBFFH, I hope yours was as good too and you have a great new year with health and happiness for 2024.}

5.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 13:12:35
I for one would not want Mourinho back.

He has been back before and look where that got us apart from lining his pockets for a second time.

Like others, I would also not want Conte back, he is like a firework, ready to explode.

The one I would have back would be Carlo.

For the moment, I cannot see Poch going until the end of the season however if results change when we actually have a fit squad, he might still be given another season.

The ones I would change first would be the recruitment team and the medical team.

6.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 13:31:28
Bill, so many things have to change.

Proper leadership from top to bottom is a must have. What form that leadership takes will be interesting.

I keep saying that I honestly think we have a squad of talented players. Injuries haven’t helped but as my dad used to say “without the head the body can’t grow. ”.

7.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 13:33:47
Thank you Ed! I'll be finishing my master's degree, so hopefully I'll have some more financial stability as well ?.

8.) 28 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 14:12:29
Ed001, I agree with your comments but obviously you put it much better than I could. I think most supporters think that appointing Poch was a mistake and I am not convinced that he is that good at bringing on young players; he will ruin Colwill if he keeps playing him at left back. I am fed up with constantly hearing with are after another wonder kid. You are absolutely right if we have money to spend we need an experienced CB and midfielder and, of course, a striker.
I hope you have a happy and successful New Year.

{Ed001's Note - thank you Jimbo. I hope you have a great New Year too. Hopefully 2024 will bring you all the health, wealth and happiness you can handle.}

9.) 29 Dec 2023
28 Dec 2023 16:15:44
Thankyou ED01 for a very accurate assessment of the situation and I agree 100% with you that Jose would be the perfect fit to take us forward.

10.) 29 Dec 2023
29 Dec 2023 09:53:43
Jose could well fit but for how long?

11.) 29 Dec 2023
29 Dec 2023 10:52:37
I've been calling for Jose for a while. Him and chelsea are a match made in heaven, and this time, when plauers down tools on him, support the manager!

Jose would instantly bring back the chelsea we know and love. Chelsea would have an identity again.