Chelsea banter 2

21 Sep 2025 15:23:29
A mate told me that Omari Kellyman got some mins for Cardiff.
Let's hope it works out well for the lad. Getting mins and staying clear of injuries would be some welcome good news for the lad.

21 Sep 2025 16:56:16
Good to know Tom and share your hopes for the lad.

21 Sep 2025 17:13:28
He was highly regarded by many.

21 Sep 2025 10:07:37
The only issue with Sanchez's red card is that he is only getting a one game suspension rather than one for fifty odd games.

21 Sep 2025 10:32:07
Be careful what you wish for Bill.

21 Sep 2025 10:34:27
Bill, I continue to believe that Jorgensen deserves a chance. I may well be wrong but I think the game that Sanchez will miss is the Lincoln game. So if that’s true he will be back in goal against Brighton. Let’s hope he continues the form he was in prior to his sending off.

21 Sep 2025 11:18:32
Tom

He didn't have form, yes he makes a good save here and there but generally he is a poor GK and I believe this generates to our back line.

For the moment, Hannah Hampton would be my choice within the club.

21 Sep 2025 11:21:43
Tom you are correct, he only misses the Lincoln game.

The Lincoln coach has put in an appeal against the ban as he wants Sanchez to play in the game against them.

21 Sep 2025 11:33:14
Hannah Hampton is a good keeper but on this occasion I will ignore your attempt at humour.

I am getting up with saying I with Jorgensen a run of games but I will stand by my observation that Sanchez was good for about the last ten games of last season and in the CWC, he has also been ok ish sk far this season. Did he make a mistake yesterday, YES. Is he an elite Keeper NO.

I only see one keeper in the premiership as elite and one as very good and one as good. The others are just ok.

21 Sep 2025 11:58:02
Why do you think Jorgensen is overlooked Tom espically when it's only Sanchez is the other GK.

21 Sep 2025 12:02:35
My view of Sanchez is that in recent times he has become a very good - sometimes outstanding - shot stopper as well as making less werrors passing the ball out from the back because he is using (presumably has license to use) the long ball far more often. Tghis he did to very good effect against PSG in Club Wolrd Cup final though less so since in terms of finding a CFc player on end of it.

I still think and have said this repeatedly before that where I worry about is positioning and decision making is when the oposition is attacking our goal in open play or when he does still try and play out from the back when under pressure. One each of these moments that almost led to goals where on display even in CWC final amid his overall v impressive to outstanding shot stopping and hgood long passes out to wings. As i poited out at the time amid celebration the first occasion Sanchez was saved by Cucurella clearance when ball already passed by a rashly advancing RS and then second when RS attempting short pass near the end.

But if replaced we need to be sure said replacement definitively better and at the moment at least our defenders have some knowledge of RS play olus he is familiar with theirs.

21 Sep 2025 12:30:39
JBS, I enjoyed your well reasoned post and I think your observations about Sanchez weaknesses and strengths are spot on.

21 Sep 2025 13:35:40
Bill, I’m sorry I didn’t respond to your question. My guess is EM agrees with me and many others that the Sanchez improved performances at the end of last season and in the CWC meant he deserved to be starting. I can’t see him changing his mind over yesterday’s mistake.

I think Jorgensen should have been given a chance a long time ago.

21 Sep 2025 16:26:39
JBS, I understand that people might want to be supportive of our players but the reality is that Sanchez is a poor keeper. Even poor players have good games. He is not a keeper who can help us get to a higher level although he is not the only weakness preventing that. You say that the players know how Sanchez plays, that might be one of the reasons our defence looks so jittery. It appears that the club are laying all their money on Penders being the solution; let’s hope so but how long do we have to wait.

21 Sep 2025 09:41:20
The way us fans get treated following football needs improving, had to leave 10 mins early to ensure we caught the train and missed the goal. Why can't the football authorities look at travel infrastucture before deciding KO times?

21 Sep 2025 10:05:23
One word Greenaway, money.

21 Sep 2025 10:25:53
Greenaway. Authorities care about TV revenue more than fans that attend matches. Fans are way down there list of priorities but it’s those attending fans that create an atmosphere that helps sell the premiership.

21 Sep 2025 12:04:19
Have shared that moment of frustration quite a few times Greenaway including at the Bridge for midweek games when needing to get a traing back from where I currently live outside London. So frustrating and you have my sympathies.

21 Sep 2025 16:19:17
Football sold its soul to TV along time ago. Fans don’t come into the equation because they are powerless; if you don’t buy a ticket or merchandise someone else will.

{Ed001's Note - surely the issue is more about the privatisation of the rail and coaches? Instead of being run as a service, they are now about making money, football shouldn't need to change its timings to suit them, public transport should set its timings to suit people's needs.}

22 Sep 2025 08:26:41
I guess given the late notice of fixture changes and KO times it becomes difficult for regular transport networks to change timetables to suit football fixtures.

I do think clubs could manage, when required, extra transport (coaches) for away supporters.

I can no longer use public transport to attend matches so not a good judge of how things currently are but it doesn’t sound like a very positive experience.

21 Sep 2025 09:33:39
Not going to talk about the keeper situation, the defending on their goals or any of that. To my mind we still could have - in fact, should have - got something out of that game.

Football is a game of momentum. Maresca not only doesn't appreciate this, but actively desires to kill momentum in search of control. This is a fool's errand.

Last season against City we had scored early, and were completely dominant, looking for a second. City were ragged, their young CB on his debut an obvious point of weakness and looking like he was on the verge of a breakdown. All you have to do is keep attacking him. There was no reason, ten minutes in, when Palmer missed a good opportunity to make it two, to think we couldn't score two, three, four - who knows. Maresca on the sidelines clearly had other ideas - the camera showed him telling his team to take their foot off the gas. Within another ten minutes City were dominant. We ended up losing 3-1.

Yesterday, at the end of a nightmare first half, we were given a lifeline with Casemeiro's stupidity. 80 minutes into the game we finally made the jitters this gave Utd count for something. 2-1. 10 minutes of normal time and perhaps 4-7 of stoppage time left. At this point, you're looking at: a team that has played poorly for a season and a bit, a pressurised manager, a nervous stadium, a second-rate goalkeeper who is terrible at dealing with crosses (and perhaps shots) . The last season has shown that United buckle in these situations.

Grimsby (who we're playing next) were able to get through them. All you have to do is apply the pressure. We have one of the best crossers of the ball in the PL in Reece James, and a striker who's a decent headerer of the ball in Pedro. We have George, who has a long-range strike. Santos who can play incisive through-balls. So do we throw the sink at them? Sling in crosses? Get them back defending, all hands. Pepper their goal with shots? No. For the full next five minutes we patiently play it around at the back line. We don't get the ball anywhere near their box until the 88th. By this time United have regained their fragile poise. We don't create a good chance until the second minute of added time, and at this point it's too late - United players and fans know time is almost up, and this galvanises them.

This is Maresca's control. Momentum squandered. One half decent chance created in that whole 17 minutes until full time. Perhaps this also explains why the CWC final was such a great performance (why we've generally been better in knock-out games) - we saw the jugular and went for it. Until Maresca realises there's not just a place for chaos in football, but that risk in the pursuit of momentum is essential to win (cup mentality), we're going to continue throwing points away in the league.

21 Sep 2025 09:49:32
Have a look at the Chelsea website and the Chelsea fixtures. We are not playing Grimsby next at all! Surely, as a fan of the club you should know this?

{Ed001's Note - what has that got to do with being a fan? I have no idea who Liverpool play next, never do nor do I really care who is next.}

21 Sep 2025 10:10:50
We’re playing Lincoln next.

21 Sep 2025 10:23:12
EdW, I enjoyed your post.

As I said earlier in the week I believed we would find it difficult to get a result at Old Trafford. My reasoning was based on our current form, our recent history at OT, playing in Munich midweek, them have a week off and Utd showing reaction after getting beaten by City. that's also why I believed we see more likely to get a result at Bayern rather than OT.

The Maresca debate will primarily be driven by results but also style of play. In my opinion the club under his management overachieved last season. I want the club to build on that success. I am not sure how our exertions in the CWC will affect our season but I do believe our club, as a minimum, will finish in a champions league spot.

Generally speaking I think EM has done well enough to warrant my continued support. Unlike some, I think he represents the club well.

Yesterday’s performance was poor but we will never know what might have been if Sanchez had been sent off after 4mins. Who knows what would have happened it we had been given a definite penalty but more worryingly was our performance when it was 10 v 10.

Caicedo in my opinion is our best player and I am a massive fan. His performance is crucial to the way we perform. He hasn’t played well in the last two games and we get beat in both games. His work rate covers gaps and he gives other players time and room to play.

21 Sep 2025 10:30:28
Great post EdW, drums up Naresca's tactics in a nut shell, espically now that Arsenal and City are also using long balls as tactics.

21 Sep 2025 10:49:11
Surely no one want to see a return to long ball tactics?

The odd long ball to get defenders dropping deep I understand but god forbid we ever become a sling forward team.

21 Sep 2025 11:32:44
Tom

What City and Arsenal are doing is mixing up the play, perhaps Xmas, we can send maresca a video of how they do this.

Football evolves and even Pep is seeing this.

21 Sep 2025 11:53:31
Bill, of course football evolves and as I said in my earlier post I have no issue hitting a long ball on occasions particularly if it means defenders drop a bit dealer but I never want to see Chelsea as long ball team.

I was critical last season about EM being to tactically rigid. Towards the end of last season he mixed things up and showed some pragmatism. In the CWC he constantly changed tactics and changed it all again for the first 45 mins of the final. He also changed our set up for the second half of the conference league final.

Midway through last season you wanted the manager sacked and you are starting down that track a tad earlier this season.

I am not sure we need take any lessons from anything Arsenal or Arteta does.

21 Sep 2025 11:54:29
Greenaway, you're right. I appreciate the correction – got Lincoln and Grimsby mixed up in my head (about an hour away from each other in the car) . Thanks for engaging with what was obviously the core element of my post.

(and thanks Ed001 for the support there! )

Tom and Bill – I don't think this element of his management necessarily has to define Maresca's time as our manager, but it's frustrating when it seems like such an obvious blind spot. I'd be fascinated to know whether that dithering about after our goal is actually instruction, or whether our players weren't brave enough to really go for it.

And yes Tom, hopefully long ball tactics won't make a full return, but they worked well for us as a surprise in the CWC final (and arguably Sanchez has looked a much better keeper for not always having to find a short pass) .

21 Sep 2025 12:41:02
Also enjoyed your post EdW though would just add that in outting Grimsby instead of Lincoln this is not predicting that what might happen to us on Tuesday n ight could be similar to United's fate against the Mariners.

In terms of EM decisons yesterday I would add that though I completely understood why he took off Palmer - to guard agains further aggravation of groin injury possibly aggravated again at end of Bayern game tghough this begs question of why CP risked at all v United - I could not understand simltaneous removal of both Estevao and Neto as we needed to retain some goal threat beyond Pedro or a set piece goal from a CB like TC. So remove the youngster Estevao perhaps but leave Neto on for rest of first half whle bring on Santos for Palmer and Tosin for Estevao is a matter of going to three at the back/ shoring up defense.

Point though too - though am repeating this one again and we're perhaps all getting tired of it - our transfer business this alst window was odd. Santos and Estevao both excellent additin but had been signed earlier. Pedro an excellent addition but seems to me to play much better alongside or behind a more conventional number nine striker like a Delap or Jackson and when trying to lead the line yesterday - and he produced moments of great skill and not a little bravery - there were times when he was perhaps too easily knocked off the ball by United CBs/ could not trouble them physically in the way a Delap can. If seeing Guiu as too inexperenced to eb given much game time this loaned to Sunderland and putting Jackson on the market then loaning him to Bayern we were effectively down to one conventional number nine in Delap who as bad luck would have it gets injured before window shuts and when Jackson physically and mentally already in Munich. In other words the mantra is only - or almost only - buy youth meant that Guiu was the only other option plus what happens if Pedro gets injured? George is surely not a good enough number 9 stand-in to lead our line ona regular basis? Perhaps emegha will be brought in come January but will have had no pre-season/ EPL experience.

So in the key areas of the team that have been identified by us on huge number of occasions already that is GK (we still need a worldy is we can find one. perhaps Penders may be that but. ), CB (esp. after LC injured), and striker: ok Pedro looks great but see points above and would add that a physcally robust number 9 essential in EPL imho so we probably needed two of those in case Delap imjured and if Guiu not trusted.

Finally there is the question of whether Hato or Gittens are ready yet to be starters or even subs in major games in EPL with Hato in particulat potentially a crucial decision in thsi respect as seen as primarily a rotational option for Cucurella or indeed at LCB. He looked vety insteady and gave the ball away several times in that first half versus Brentford. Both should and surely will play versus Lincoln that will give them some game time but if Cucurella gets injured any time soon then I'd expect Gusto to be preferred as replacement for him than Hato and then that rauses question of who cover for RJ at RB? Josh?

21 Sep 2025 14:00:14
JBS, I think he took our natural wide players off because we went to three at the BACK and the attacking width was then the responsibility of James and Cucarella.

Palmer is class but I personally believe EM was right to pull him when we went to a “working” three in midfield. Given that Palmer supposedly didn’t train all week and required an injection in his troublesome groin it was definitely a risk starting him. I would rather he took a month off sooner rather than later.

God forbid both James and Cucarella get injured even worse at the same time. We are well covered at RB and we signed Hato to play and be cover for the LB position and left CB position. I’m sure Hato will start on Tuesday and that can only do him good. He looked a top class prospect to me and I haven’t changed my mind after one premiership game.

I would have brought Guiu on instead of George and I still convinced Gittens will prove himself a top signing, hopefully this season.

21 Sep 2025 14:37:08
EdW, Sanchez and other are hitting the odd long ball and yes it can be in my opinion a useful tactic in the correct circumstances, particularly if used quickly. You site the CWC final but we also have to aware teams can use it against us as well. That happened yesterday. A quick long kick from there keeper caught our players half asleep.

EM has our players playing possession based style of football. For a period last season we got stuck in a sideways passing rut. We then started to me the ball forward more quickly but this season we seem to look knackered already and therefore slowing everything down.

21 Sep 2025 16:25:29
Tom the point about leaving Neto on first half was that in bringing Tosin on for Estevao he has gone to THREE at the back with Reece and Cucurella moving to wing back positional outside the back three. So Neto could have stayed on as part of a three four two system and swapping leading attacking positions either laterally or horizontally with Pedro. I think he would have proved more of a test for United defenders than George though George or Garnacho could have been brought on at some stage in second half if ether Neto or Pedro looked to have tired.

21 Sep 2025 17:01:15
JBS, having gone to a back five, in my opinion and I’m only guessing EM’s reasoning, we had to go with three mobile “central” midfielders with high work rate against there four in midfield. Effectively we went 531.
It’s the reason why I’m not a massive fan of five at the back because it can, but not always, mean no natural wide players.

21 Sep 2025 07:39:29
{Ed's Note - RedCyclist has posted a new article entitled, Nottingham Forest v Burnley Review

20 Sep 2025 22:50:05
Many, many years ago I paid to go to a golf school and lesson.

At the end of a very enjoyable day David Leadbetter the then coach of Nick Faldo gave a Q&A session to all the laying guests.

One of the questions was "what in his opinion was the difference between a very good player and a great player. "

He replied, "Great players have the ability to completely park/ forget bad shots. "He also said, "this was true of all great athletes in all sports. They forget the bad experiences. ".

21 Sep 2025 09:39:01
That's true Tom unless the bad performances happen week in, week out.

21 Sep 2025 10:38:03
I’ve never been an elite sportsperson but I guess if you continually play badly you have a “lesson” or “work harder” until your head is in the right place.

21 Sep 2025 11:33:59
That is until you say to yourself I'm not up to the standard and need to drop down a level or three in Sanchez's case.

21 Sep 2025 11:58:34
Bill, who has suggested that Sanchez has the status of “elite” or “great. ”

Up until yesterday’s mistake he was showing signs of improvement. Surely we all want that to continue?

I hope he plays well for the rest of the season. I hope the same for all our players.

19 Sep 2025 15:38:30
My ticket for the Brighton game will be going on the Ticket Exchange in a few mins.

19 Sep 2025 11:59:47
The problem of access to tickets for genuine CFC members is just as bad as last season if not worse and despite what seemed like the promising new edvelopment of access to tickets only through the phones of members with the CFC App.

Meanwhile it is still possible to buy tickets for almost any EPL or Champions League game including Chelsea home matches via numerous unofficial tocket-selling (touting?! ) sites and often ahead of rhe on sale date for members. So what is happening and how does it happen? Is the club releasing some tiockets to these sites? Or in some way I can't figure out are season ticket holder's tickets say when not wanted by season ticket holder being got hold of by bad actors of some kind? For Champions League games have some who have bought maximum number via 'bundles' for the four group stage games of ECL sell some on? To members with links to thse other sites? Or how does this work? I don't want to purchase via these sites but some of them are offering tickets at far klower prices - if still not cheap - than on offer on official site via Westview say.

Do honest season ticket hold ers like Tom who always puts his seats on via ticlet exchange but who I think had a case of those tickets ending up on another tivket selling site last seaso - bt when this seemed easier to do given no phone app involved - know why this is still happen ng? I

I think I will go to Stamfor Bridge tocket office in person to try and find out what is happening unless anyone has a better idea abot channel of communication to the powers that be in these matters?

19 Sep 2025 12:32:35
JBS, if you go to the Chelsea site you will find out who is in charge of Chelsea ticketing. He is a really nice guy and struggles not to show his frustrations about the farce that is football ticketing.

It seems to me that the purpose of digital ticketing was to stop touts getting hold of match day tickets and also to stop multi ticket ownership of ST’s.

For normal people who occasionally have there ST to friends and family the process now is just a pain in the backside.

As far as touts and scalping sites are concerned it should now be virtually impossible to sell on a ticket unless the ticketless recipient is an active member.

I do have a mate who has his digital ST on a second almost disposable phone so he can still pass it around for the use of his friends.

Also, one of the reasons that some ST holders are giving for not taking up cup matches including the champions league tickets is the digital farce.

I hope things will improve and it would be interesting to hear the experiences of other clubs supporters who have knowledge of digital ticketing.

19 Sep 2025 12:38:17
In fact you can buy tickets for any CFC match this season in advance it seems so these ticket sites must be very confident about access to tickets. Seems outrageous.

19 Sep 2025 13:37:19
JBS, you are spot on mate it is outrageous and defeats one of reasons for digital ticketing.

19 Sep 2025 18:11:58
Tom, like you I thought the digital ticketing system would cut down on this racket. My Chelsea mates all have STs and if I can’t attend I put the ticket on ticket exchange and trust that they end up with a true supporter.

19 Sep 2025 21:12:25
This is me, the old cynic but I put my ticket for the Brighton game on the ticket exchange today. My ticket was sold in THREE minutes.

I just think these companies have multiple memberships and algo systems. The normal fan would have to be very lucky to get a ticket from our ticket exchange site.

19 Sep 2025 07:39:28
{Ed's Note - Arcade_Penny has posted a new article entitled, Russell Martin Must Leave Glasgow Rangers

18 Sep 2025 18:30:38
Sterling is really getting on my nerves. These social media posts of him training on his own ?. He got a loan at Arsenal and blew it. Apparently he had opportunities at 5 clubs in the window ;3 in London but it didn't suit him. He is worse than Borgade, he just took the money and was happy to get away with it. Apparently, the PFA are involved; who cares, the coach hasn't included him in the PL or Champions League squads: what would be the point of him training with the first team? If he wants to play football, he should come to some reasonable agreement to terminate his contract: otherwise just bank his £300K a week and keep quiet.

18 Sep 2025 18:41:42
I’ve not heard any comments directly attributable to Sterling. I did read an article about the PFA taking an interest in both Sterling and Disasi.

I have no idea if Chelsea did receive any offers for Sterling or Disasi but it was reported that Sterling wants to only play for a team based in London and apparently Disasi only wanted to play for one particular French club.

I personally have zero interest in either player or the PFA. Both players are entitled to be paid as long as they are training and making themselves available. Very frustrating for the club but who knows what will happen in the Jan window.

18 Sep 2025 20:07:15
Sterling should have approached Leyton Orient if he wanted to stay in London, about his level.

18 Sep 2025 21:35:10
Tom, the options for Sterling were widely reported on different outlets, you saying you have no idea doesn’t mean it isn’t accurate. As far as comments go as they say: “ A picture says a thousand words”: he obviously took some advice from Garnacho.

18 Sep 2025 21:51:38
Jimbo, I haven’t said it isn’t accurate. I have said “I” haven’t heard any comments directly attributed to Sterling or for that matter Disasi.

I’m not going to say I have when I haven’t. As I said I have zero interest in either player.

I also haven’t got a clue what a picture and a thousand words is in reference too. Is there a picture?

18 Sep 2025 22:06:30
I think I get the “pictures” thing now. I assume It’s because there is a video of him training on his own?

I assume that was our choice. Seems reasonable enough as he isn’t in any first team squad.

18 Sep 2025 22:26:47
Tom, the point I’m making is to that the video is from him not the club. He is trying ( unsuccessfully) to make a subtle dig at the club/ coach.
Bill, he’s not good enough for Leyton Orient.

19 Sep 2025 06:01:20
The whole world seems to know about the “Chelsea” bomb squad and what that means for the players. So I’m not sure about any videos purpose or how it can really be seen as newsworthy. I also can’t see Sterling getting any sympathy.
Iim also not sure of why the PFA are making themselves busy on this issue. As far as I can tell all parties are adhering to the contractual terms.

19 Sep 2025 08:22:52
Tom

The media like a good dig at us whenever they can.

Carragher will be next to moan about the great Sterling however with his intelligence, he will probably think Sterling is a protected bird.

19 Sep 2025 09:34:53
Bill haha, my guess is that fans of all clubs see there club as victims of the media.

The complete “gob” shyte that is Carragher and Keown just can’t stop giving there biased nonsense.

Being an avid sender of email complaints, I’m forever sending Sky my views on various pundits. Too much time on my hands!

19 Sep 2025 18:22:33
Tom, apparently the PFA have intervened on the basis to ensure that players “ have a platform to train at the optimum level”. You would think they would have better things to do like looking after ex-players who have experienced hardship and illness. There is so much distraction around the club at present; the two concurrent FPP investigations and now this. Like the rest of you, I just want to concentrate on the football.

19 Sep 2025 21:17:55
Jimbo, as I said earlier in the thread, I’m not sure why the PFA are making themselves so busy.

As I mentioned some time ago, a person I trust implicitly told me Sterling was openly saying that he was happy to see out his contract at Chelsea even if that meant being in the so called bomb squad for the duration of his contract.

The best we can hope for is a London club paying a token amount towards his wages for the full term of his contract.!

18 Sep 2025 12:27:47
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Burnley v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective