Chelsea banter 2

24 Apr 2024 07:48:39
Oh my god why we didn't let Arsenal get Mudryk?

24 Apr 2024 08:57:00
It would appear two sets of club recruitment teams have seen a player that we have yet to see.

24 Apr 2024 11:31:59
Maybe he has a twin brother!

24 Apr 2024 11:55:46
No Tom Dud Boehly just went for Mudryk because Arsenal wanted him. Unfortunately it's that simple.

24 Apr 2024 18:35:24
It’s not that “simple. ” I’m sure someone at the club advised CFC to buy the lad. It may well turn out to be poor advice.

24 Apr 2024 07:49:31
Having re-watched the game, I'm even more disgusted at some of the individual performances. I know it's highly unlikely but Disasi, Badiashelle, Enzo and Mudryk should be banished to the reserves.

No fight, no desire, didn't care at times. Enough enough. At least some of the others tried, as poor as they were they still tried.

This summer is going to be the most important in probably the last 20 years. We've got to get rid of a lot of these players and our recruitment has to be spot on. Otherwise I can't see how we come back from this for at least 5-10 years.

Sell: Sanchez, Disasi, Badiashelle, Cucurella, Mudryk, sterling, chilwell, madueke. I'd even sell Enzo if I thought we'd recoup and money.

Build the team around Colwill, Trev, Gallagher, Palmer and Gusto. They clearly play for the badge.

24 Apr 2024 08:10:17
Dan, Basisshelle has been very poor since his injury and I have seen very little to suggest that Disasi is any better than Chalaboa. Enzo has been carrying an injury for some time and I would suggest he has the required surgery asap. Mudryk has been average at best for some time, we might be better off loaning him out.

I gave my list of the ten players I think will be leaving the club some time ago and that list unfortunately included both Gallagher and Chalaboa.

24 Apr 2024 08:38:05
I know I keep drumming on about ot but our injury record this season is nothing short of atrocious and whatever has been done about it this season has clearly not worked.

As for Poch, I was one who thought he would be ideal to work with this group of young players, how wrong I was. Total defeatist attitude and now with his team selections seems to have given up and wants out of the door pronto.

The morale of the team will be shattered and he is not the one to pick them up.

Who's idea was it to let Broja go out on loan just to get splinters sitting on the Fulham bench when quite clearly we have no option up front but Jackson who keeps getting hammered.

24 Apr 2024 09:03:44
After performances like that you want to take a breath and not batter the manager but it’s so difficult as some of the blame has to go on him. I’m not forgetting Clearlake, the transfer strategy is awful, the medical department seems to be a shambles and I’m not sure what the recruitment team do.

I don’t like seeing people sacked but sometimes it’s for the good of the cause. I’m not entirely sure where we go from here though. It feels a bit like the club as a whole needs to change their strategies before a new coach comes in.

Be interesting to hear the EDs views on it all….

24 Apr 2024 09:10:45
Bill, I wanted Potter as our manager and to show how stubborn I am, I still think it was a mistake to sack him.

I wouldn’t have started Mudryk or BB but other than that I don’t think Poch had many alternatives with his team selection. I guess he could have picked Silva and played Disasi at RB.

Putting aside his small error for there first goal I didn’t think Gilchrist was to bad.

24 Apr 2024 10:50:48
Dan I share some of your views, especially your point about the overall strategy needing to be reviewed. I've felt since Xmas that Poch was going at the end of the season and since then there have been too many performances like tonight for him to survive.

Personally, I think the only way the squad as it currently is can compete is to go with something resembling the below:

Jackson
Nkunku/ Carney-Palmer
Chilwell/? -Enzo-Caicedo-James/ Gusto
Colwill-Disasi-Fofana
Petrovic

Ideally you'd keep Chalobah and Maatsen, but we all know they're gone.

Is a true upgrade on Jackson going to be available and want to actually sign with us? No idea but I seriously doubt Gyökeres is the answer.

24 Apr 2024 15:39:36
RBD

How many drom the team you mentioned will stay fit for more than 5 minutes?

24 Apr 2024 16:16:26
Dan let's sell the club.

24 Apr 2024 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - Lets Be Rational has posted a new article entitled, Has PGMOL turned into an impossible to overthrow dictatorship?

23 Apr 2024 22:45:33
You couldn't make it up.

Now watching the program after out nightmare showing tonight. It's called "Pound Land. "

About sums up how I feel tonight. Come on Chels you're supposed to be making me feel better!

24 Apr 2024 05:57:59
Unfortunately predictable. This is a very poorly assembled team and I again state I believe many on here could have done a better job.

24 Apr 2024 08:17:51
Tom,

Can I suggest if you want to feel better maybe don't watch us, rubbish and defeatist coach who clearly knows he is finished.

24 Apr 2024 08:22:37
Standard Pochetino fielded the best possible team he had on his disposal.
This was realistic situation we are in. Considering squad quality 9th place is not that bad.
Selling club grown players and signing overrated and overpaid unproven young players has shown how bad this club has been runned.
There's no manager that can fix Dud Boehly's wrongdoings.

23 Apr 2024 22:07:32
I can only assume that Chuka is carrying an injury because if he isn't injured I'm totally perplexed.

23 Apr 2024 22:11:35
Another injury prone player to add to the list Tom.

We were missing 8 players tonight who 100 percent would be in the first 11.

23 Apr 2024 22:17:51
Poch is the issue Tom.

23 Apr 2024 22:26:23
G8, maybe you should question the posters who wanted him as our manager and while your there send an email to CFC asking them that question.

Whitey, you could well be right but no matter who plays for your club it’s not good when heads drop and players hide from the ball.

23 Apr 2024 22:48:44
Tomb, not been on this site long but can I ask why you talk down to people so much? You’re dulcet tone and the way you talk to people really is uncalled for. Every poster is entitled to an opinion whether you agree or disagree but from reading the posts you seem to talk down to everyone as they don’t agree with you.

Sorry if I’ve upset a loyal poster and other but some of the comments you put are really uncalled for.

23 Apr 2024 22:51:29
I doubt whether the Chelsea Board were influenced by what a few posters said about Poch; it’s their responsibility. I don’t remember there being a big majority in favour of Poch but I may be wrong, I certainly wasn’t. In is post match interview he gave the impression that he has given up.

23 Apr 2024 23:00:58
His post match interview for me was just full of the usual cliches and frustration.

Jimbo, I didn’t take a survey of how May wanted Poch as our manager but it seemed like the vast majority as I felt like a pretty lonely voice as one of the few who didn’t want him.

23 Apr 2024 23:06:10
Magic, if you interpret my posts as talking down to people I would apologise because that would never be my intention.

Trust me, you will find it hard to upset me.

Surely the whole point of this site is to debate and put forward your view. I’m well used to being criticised for my views and I would have thought the reverse would be true!

23 Apr 2024 23:23:58
In all honesty, Poch is the main culprit for the result tonight, strange lineup, strange tactics, strange substitutions

Thrashings like this do not go unnoticed by the owners, he looked dejected and the players gave up at 2-0, something has to give sooner or later.

The gulf in quality between us and Arsenal was frightening, it really puts things into perspective and shows how good we had it for 20+ years.

24 Apr 2024 07:00:33
Horans, I wanted an overhaul of our squad. Maybe not as quickly but general I can’t complain.

I couldn’t see other teams/ clubs waiting for us to catch up so I guessed this season would be nothing special. I can’t see us finishing above certain clubs next season. Our opponents are going to improve and will in all probability at least match any player investment that we make.

24 Apr 2024 08:28:09
Not g8, poch is PART of the issue, your super striker missing sitters, scared to head a ball, your superstars madueke not tracking back and lazy, poch selection, poch set up, enzo slow and goes missing, mudryk no football intelligence, like he missed academy football, sporting directors built a pre school team without leaders or experience, no back up to Jackson, injuries,

There’s a 100 issues,

24 Apr 2024 09:13:15
Matt, very good point it is very rarely just one issue!

23 Apr 2024 21:30:49
To start those 2 at CB after the performances they've put in this season is ridiculous. I'd say that's the final straw now for Poch. Time to go, awful!

23 Apr 2024 22:05:08
I agree Dan but you were singing his praises the other day! 2?.

23 Apr 2024 22:10:44
His line ups and substitutions are bizzare at best.

I was fully in for him staying till next season but after witnessing that Im not convinced whatsoever.

23 Apr 2024 22:12:01
Hate but and want him out but can’t be ignored that Clearlake along with Winstanley and Stewart first they have made us a complete laughing stock.

23 Apr 2024 22:12:41
Awful display we looked so tired, we have so many missing would still keep Poch won't judge him till we have a fit squad.

I would have had Trev Carney Sterling and Casadei in my starting 11 Saturday would of taken a lot out of the team

Makes Palmer and Gusto look good.

23 Apr 2024 22:26:26
It’s 1 step forward 2 steps back G8. I don’t mind giving praise when it’s deserved but tonight was the final straw. He’s got to go now, I don’t see a way back from this.

23 Apr 2024 22:31:21
I will be critical of Poch when he gets things wrong and today I think he got a lot wrong but I still think he will be our manager at the start of next season.

For those TT lovers there is a Chelsea supporters rumour that he has been approached to come back.

23 Apr 2024 23:26:56
the only previous manager i would welcome back is Carlo please not TT OR jose.

24 Apr 2024 06:57:04
I would start some other players now. Like carney and casadei. With caicedo between them. Mudryk up front.

24 Apr 2024 07:41:03
I would send Enzo off for his operation drop Gallagher back as a DM and play Chuka or Palmer as the AM.

I would keep picking Noni but I wouldn’t have Mudryk anywhere but on the bench.

24 Apr 2024 12:33:02
Agree with this Tom. Enzo won't be right until he sorts this. He offers next to nothing at the moment, so why delay it? Noni has shown enough this season and last to merit the place. Chuka has looked brilliant to me every time I've seen him play – I'm a big fan. I'd banish Mudryk to the reserves for last night's performance – give an academy kid that spot on the bench.

23 Apr 2024 20:54:54
First half they should have had 3 or 4 the football they play is so quick unlike ours. What a mistake not getting rice goal keeper shouldn't of been beat badiashile isn't a championship player please take Gallagher off he's awful we have nothing to play for give other players game time give chuck a chance, Jackson normal first half easy chance and bottled it mudryk Fernandez and madueke to in and out the game still got a chance when they attack to break but they could score every time they go forward. Chuck for Gallagher sterling for mudruk young lad for Jackson.

24 Apr 2024 06:55:59
Enzo is useless.

24 Apr 2024 07:42:39
Enzo has been carrying a groin/ hernia injury for months, he should in my opinion have the required surgery asap.

24 Apr 2024 11:21:03
Even healthy Enzo is not much better. It's really hard to say who is bigger flopp Enzo, Caicedo or Mudryk?

23 Apr 2024 21:31:39
The manager and most importantly the board need to go this is embarrassing look what they have turned us into. A billion spent on dross they have no idea what they're doing.

23 Apr 2024 21:31:16
Bringing defenders on 4-0 down it's laughable if he's not sacked tomorrow I don't know what's got to happen the team is just full of championship player at best. The most embarrassing time to be a Chelsea fan the Americans must act now take a lose on the players and just get what you can for them Gallagher Jackson badieshile caicedo dasisi cucurella wouldn't play another game for me give the other lads ago they aren't going to do any worse. Poch must leave with those players not good and won't ever be.

24 Apr 2024 07:19:11
Nib, “won’t ever be” is a long time. There are no guarantees in football and like most clubs I can’t see us challenging for the premiership for some time.

For me, it makes remembering those winning years so much sweeter. I never thought I would see my team at the top table, so I made sure I enjoyed it.

23 Apr 2024 21:14:37
For all the Poch lovers. Why drop Big Trev? Why drop Silva? No need. What does Conor offer as an attacking midfielder? he was outstanding as a 6 next to Moises against Everton. Why change it? I could go on but little point. Poch is clueless. taxi for Poch please.

23 Apr 2024 22:08:44
Should that be all the Poch lovers who wanted him as our manager.

23 Apr 2024 22:21:30
Would of played Trev, Silva can't play two games in 72 hours, agree that he shouldn't of played Fernandez not fit.

24 Apr 2024 01:32:25
For all the Jackson and Madueke lovers, hitting the target from 3 yards should be a basic skill, being brave to header a ball, another, tracking back,

23 Apr 2024 20:26:00
Mudryk doesn't want to be in the game. He doesn't make runs, doesn't sprint in support of our counter attacks, doesn't close down passing lanes. The other players don't want to pass to him. Why is he on a football pitch? Interested to hear your thoughts G8.

23 Apr 2024 22:01:45
EdW, he wasn’t very good and when he plays it just exposes whoever plays LB.

23 Apr 2024 22:02:58
See above Edw.

23 Apr 2024 22:04:12
He’s attacking minded unlike poch and this embarrassing team.

23 Apr 2024 22:20:46
Nib, he's not attacking minded. He's nothing minded from what I can see. Literally doesn't appear to understand how the game works. Didn't attack at all, didn't defend at all.

23 Apr 2024 22:28:56
Nib, are you watching the same player (Mudryk) as the rest of us?

23 Apr 2024 23:15:24
Yes I think if we let him attack and give him that freedom to attack and not worry about defending and having to get back and worry about cucurella and chilwell because there rubbish at defending I think he would be a different player. We play and set up around are weak players to protect them just tell cucurella not to go past half way line and let the midfield players attack. Half the time tonight you saw him in front of Mudryk so he couldn’t push on he had to stop he’s not the issue the tactics and the players we have are the issue where fitting bad players into the team and build the rest round them. After 45 minutes how are the likes of Gallagher Jackson BB gilghrist still on the field I tell you why management the root cause of why we are awful and still playing the same bog standard players. Every manager will have there favourites but that then means you stand by them look at mourinho he had is, conte he used to pick Moses all the time I thought he was awful by the way but what do I no. I no this much we never asked robben malouda and duff to defend and help out they had the freedom to attack to do what they were good at we are so awful and slow and it’s stopping other players ability to shine due to them having to protect the rubbish we have. Watch his games before joining us get the ball attack get the ball attack we play boring football we also try to play a possession game and we are garbage at that 57 goals this season so it shows we are no good at attacking and even worse at defending. Half this team must go or we are not winning anything in, it will be another 50years the Americans must go as well the people they are trusting to recruit aren’t the right people they got gusto and palmer right the rest as been a nightmare I no injuries have played a part in some but the others that have had plenty of playing time have shown there not up to it, the manager isn’t right and I wanted him but I was wrong but I don’t know who.

24 Apr 2024 06:39:39
So, we are “rubbish, ” “garbage, ” tha manager should be sacked, the owners should go and the recruitment team should be replaced but Mudryke is ok.

I will be giving Mudryke more time but let’s remember this is his second season and he has only played ok a few times and yes I am remembering he had a tough personal time last season. He along with BB were our worst players yesterday. He has done very little to deserve a place in the team. When given the chance in a team players have to take that chance, he hasn’t.

24 Apr 2024 12:11:21
Nib, I appreciate what you're saying, but the flaw in your argument is, firstly that Mudryk didn't even try to defend last night. He made a show of pretending to, whilst letting players waltz past him. Secondly, that when the team were in transition going forward he showed the same amount of effort as in his defending – zero. Whether the ball was going past him one way or the other he was jogging, disinterestedly.

Yes, defensive work might not be someone's skill. But we've all played football, and a player who gives a toss about the result does NOT do what Mudryk did last night, regardless of what position on the pitch they are playing. Players who care sprint. Players who care close down. Sorry, it's just the case, regardless of instruction. He was like a car stuck in second – his speed didn't change in the whole game. He's a fit young man, not a veteran. To me, this suggests that either a) he doesn't understand the game of football in the slightest b) he really isn't a smart lad, and is confused by an instruction he's been given to conserve his energy about when to conserve it c) he's a petulant child and doesn't care d) he's lacking confidence to the degree that he's actually afraid to touch the ball. A combination of all four seems likely.

Those players that you mentioned, Robben, Duff, Malouda – if they didn't defend (and I don't agree with you on that; I believe they all pressed with energy, especially Duff and Malouda)  – all of them would come alive in transitions. Your team is counter-attacking, and you're an attacking player? Bang. Straight up there with play. I watched Jackson try to take on three defending players in the first half last night at 1-0 at least three or four times. Where was Mudryk? Jogging near the halfway line. Didn't want to be involved. Their first goal – first part of the move Mudryk simply let their player run past him. Every loose ball that was anywhere near him he simply ignored. What can Poch do about it if he's been bought a £60million player who doesn't want to play? A more brutal manager would have hooked him at 25 minutes in – and risked killing his confidence entirely.

Ed001, do you have any comments to add to this?

{Ed001's Note - I didn't see the game, so can't comment on his performance in that match, but I have been reading up on Mudryk and listening to what previous coaches say about him. I think you are closest on D judging by that. He is a very quiet, shy lad apparently and suffers badly with confidence issues. I think he is having problems settling.}

24 Apr 2024 12:44:11
Hi Ed001, I prefer to swing towards a positive view where possible, so I'll say I feel for the kid if it's D. I did see Pochettino have a very soft word with him that looked like he was trying to motivate him. I can see the lack of confidence meaning he'd be afraid to join in attacks/ not want to receive the ball. But what about the defensive side of things? They do rondo drills, presumably – he can't be like that in training or he simply wouldn't get picked. Even if you're not confident surely you can't just let players walk past you with the ball, or not try to kick it when it's loose, if only to stop the opposition getting it? He was worse than a training cone in that game – at least a training cone makes the tackle one time out of fifty or so.

I can't imagine what it's like to come from a country that's at war, where you've only played at a much lower standard and are suddenly thrust into a team playing in front of billions (potentially), a team that's also massively unstable, so not exactly helping you, and you're already a shy person, being openly mocked (in a way you can literally see) by hundreds of thousands of people. A version of hell I can conceive would literally be that. But do recruitment teams at clubs not think about these things at all in their strategies – that young, inexperienced players will be prone to this stuff? That getting rid of all the established pros around them will do that? Do they not have pastoral teams that work to get players situated and comfortable? I feel like some clubs seem to do that much better than others –and (I'm not sure if I'm misremembering this) but Chelsea under Abramovich had some criticism in this quarter for some of their signings (thinking of Salah, perhaps, and his troubles adjusting, but also many of the young players we brought in over the years, and especially the famous loan army)? But you'd think spending £60 million plus you'd have these angles covered.

{Ed001's Note - I would have to say I agree with you that he should still do more. Maybe he just freezes up when the crowd is there? But then that is on the manager to deal with and he is meant to be particularly good at that, he was hired on the basis of being able to help youngsters develop. I think his reputation is not really deserved personally.

Chelsea certainly used to have people to help but I still don't think they, or any other English football club for that matter, do enough to help players. There is a problem with attitude of young men not wanting to talk about issues and wanting to keep it private though. That does not help. It is tough but Chelsea have not been the same since Eva Carneiro was sacked, because she was the sounding board for most of the players. Often men find it easier to talk about things that bother them with a woman. There is not the peer pressure problem of being judged, so it is a safe space to open up. There are very few opportunities for them to do that while at the club. If you have a psychologist, then you have the worry that other players know you are speaking to them. With a physio, well you are there anyway and no one is going to judge you for working on an injury issue.}

24 Apr 2024 12:44:19
p. s. thanks for your reply!

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate, sorry I couldn't offer insight into the game itself.}