Chelsea banter 2

 

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Was Heitinga / Slot The Secret?

08 Oct 2025 07:39:43
{Ed's Note - 007 has posted a new article entitled, Was Heitinga / Slot The Secret?

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07 Oct 2025 13:27:02
I was just talking to a fellow Chelsea supporter who pointed out that within our last ten competitive games we have beaten the champions of Europe and England.

Sadly, I had to point out him that also within those last ten games we had got beaten by Utd, Brighton and Bayern.

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07 Oct 2025 17:11:57
Yes and only managed draws v Palace and Brentford unfortunately.

07 Oct 2025 13:16:29
Some thoughts on the Liverpool performance.

I thought Badiashille looked good, very composed and calm defensively and good on the ball. In the absence of Colwill he should get a prolonged spell as LCB. Acheampong also looked good, showed his quality driving out in possession, but also showed his inexperience attempting passes that he'd get away with at youth level, but here they result in a loss of possession. He could form a CB partnership with Colwill for the next decade, but I'd like to see him on the right of a three, maybe coming in from RB in our current system. I think we need a commanding CB in January or next summer, someone who can play the central role when we shift into a back three. For now, whilst in possession, pulling Cucurella into a LCB role, putting Badiashille into CCB and Fofana or Acheampong at RCB might be our best option. That'd allow James or Gusto to invert or push up wide.


I like Andrey Santos, but Lavia is quite a bit clear of him, the midfield of Lavia, Caicedo and Enzo dominated Liverpool's midfield in the final period of the game. Having them and Andrey Santos is an embarrassment of riches, but, can Maresca keep them all happy?


We've got an OK run of fixtures now. I'd love to see us setting up positively and attacking games. We look so much better with a FB pushing on, rather than inverting into midfield.

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07 Oct 2025 17:15:35
J, I enjoyed your post mate and agree 100% with all your comments.

07 Oct 2025 09:03:15
We were discussing the performance of Josh and BB on the way home and just how good they were up against one of the best attacks in world football. I honestly didn't realise BB was that good, probably due to his constant injuries, and for a young academy player how mature did Josh look against one of the worlds best strikers. Our concensus is keep that pairing, injuries, fitness and form permitting. That leaves Fofana, Trev, Tosin and Hato as cover. What pairings would all you chatters go for?

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07 Oct 2025 09:59:17
Glad you posted this Greenaway and I also felt that BB and Josh generally did v well and BB showed signs of his early pre-injury gtreat promise with us in terms of some of the passes he made. If he can be both consistent and escape further injury problems - and this perhaps the biggest worry with him - he is a good stand in/ rotational option for LC.

Josh just looked ferociously up for it and focused. A few of his tackles really stood out. With a bit of gym bulking up perhaps - and he is still so young - he is a gtreat prospect as we all know. He along with BB also had an excellent game tohgether before both ging off with injuries. Happily it seems that he and BB coming off may not have been for serious injuries but precautionary but we'll see.

With Fofana coming back and TC and Tosin we will have reasonable cover at CB and HAto's cameo v LFC looked more assured than previous ones I reckon (as was winger Gittens one - which is encouraging.

Perhaps we will be ok at CB if likes of BB and Fofana can remain fit - but that may be a big if gven their history - plus right combinations deployed though I had wanted us to sign a replacement for LC in last window as worry about BB ability to stay fit . and same goes for Fofana. I'd have to check - or others on here would know - but I think Josh and BB may have played quite a few times together in Cnference League games that could have aided their mutual understanding of each other's game on the pitch on Saturday.

But, yes, I was impressed with both of them v LFC.

07 Oct 2025 13:02:52
Just a quick add on to the posts above and yes I am a big fan. Let’s not forget young Hato coming on and looking generally composed. That was a big improvement from his first team debut.

07 Oct 2025 13:30:55
Agree Greenaway. Would love to see Josh get more minutes, and BB looked excellent before his first injury for us a couple of years ago. Hopefully he can get back to that kind of form consistently.

07 Oct 2025 13:50:43
I did mention Hato Tom and how he looked more assured on Saturday. so yes he's part of the conversation.

07 Oct 2025 18:25:19
JBS, sorry mate.

08 Oct 2025 09:56:18
No problem Tom it was in a pretty long post and easily missed!

08 Oct 2025 11:19:32
Badiashille and Achempong looked a class act but so did Fofana and Levi. Hato showed glimpses of promise and both TC and Tosin are viable options. Maybe the SD's were correct after all in denying Maresca a new CB.

06 Oct 2025 14:35:24
Who else think Jackson should never have been even loaned out at this time. I still think Chelsea should bring him back after tge loan spell hoping bayern will not push to sign him permanently. Value they say is not appreciated until it's lost.
Jackson is not the best scorer but has something as important to bring. I think Jackson makes others better.

Agree1 1Disagree

06 Oct 2025 16:15:22
Tusole, I personally didn’t want him sold or loaned with an obligation to sell.

The problem is the player wanted a so called “solution” and I think that is not very subtle code for he wanted to leave.

If he wanted to leave, then goodbye!

06 Oct 2025 17:41:46
Was fairly ambivalent when he left and probably wouldn't want him back Delap's injury was unlucky but we have missed someone running in behind.

Strange when players go am sure we would all sell different players I would of kept Dewsbury Hall.

08 Oct 2025 18:01:28
He felt betrayed, no show of faith from the club.

09 Oct 2025 06:52:23
Tusole, that’s news to me.

I’m not sure what he or any player expects at a club like Chelsea. There will always be competition for your place and a player has to perform to keep that place.

06 Oct 2025 14:31:09
The narrative about no experience and no leaders on the pitch must surely now stop. This beautiful team is growing into something special. There are leaders emerging. Right strategy. What everyone think? Homework for England break.

Agree1 1Disagree

06 Oct 2025 15:55:45
The team may well grow in to a fantastic size, but I do think the odd experience head defensively might help, I would think Cacaido Fernandez ( although not my favourite player) Colwill are leaders .

Palmer and Willian will be the talent backed up by a lot of very good solid palyers Cucu Neto Lavia etc

The keeper situation needs improving hopefully Delap will be a top nos 9 as I think he will be.

06 Oct 2025 16:19:36
Guys, I think the older head idea has sailed and I’ve never bought into the idea that age is always a barriers to being a leader.

I think we now have enough experienced players. Just for the record I’m also not a fan of the “young squad” argument/ excuse either but that's probably just a me thing!

06 Oct 2025 18:28:38
When you look at it, quite a few of our players have a fair amount of PL experience. However, I still think a balance needs to be struck with young players and top quality experienced players. TBH, I’m not really sure how you judge leadership.

06 Oct 2025 19:07:22
In my opinion we are close to having a great team. That should challenge on all fronts.
Now I thought merasca tactics was to blame for slow boring build up. But after watching back the liverpool game I think if we can get more of that attacking side into our game then keep merasca in his job.

I do think we need a keeper, center half's I think we are good. Midfield is great and striking I think is good enough. We just need to keep everyone fit.

07 Oct 2025 10:18:57
Well if playing the CWC may have damaged us to degree it may be behind some of our early season injuries it surely did benefit us not just cos of the trophy and money won but by additional experience given and bonding among players. Some of our players have also now notched up plenty of EPL games. So perhaps we are getting towards that combo of experience that can help youth/ new signings to adapt more readily.

Leadership is an interesting matter and one that i know I've said seemed lacking still in some games. I also am not sure how we are defining leadership but clearly if it is by example then likes of Caicedo and Cucurella provide that in bundles as indeed does Enzo F with bis work rate particularly fierce desire to win perhaps. But if we mean providing calmness even in adversity then perhaps it is more the Reece James presence that offers this and particularly when he's in the back line.

I think it's especially there - and GK cab be v important part of this of couse - that what I can only decsribe as cool commanding authority and constant confidence v important. I reckoned LC was beginning to provide this before his injury. It was something that Tiago Silva had offered us - together with leadership by example - as had combo of Cech and Terry in the past.

07 Oct 2025 10:58:53
Supporters can effect calmness and authority but obviously so can player performance.

Players may well have the ability to forget a bad performance but fans struggle with that.

Key Issues Liverpool FC Need To Address

06 Oct 2025 07:39:53
{Ed's Note - NewPaisley79 has posted a new article entitled, Key Issues Liverpool FC Need To Address

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05 Oct 2025 11:55:22
Watched the match back this morning and obviously the Caicedo goal was something special but our winner was an amazing team goal. From Sanchez to Estevao, ten passes and the ball was sitting in the back of the Liverpool goal. I love a team goal. A thing of beauty!

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05 Oct 2025 14:37:37
It was a wonderful goal Tom and Cucurella' s movement and reading of game plus Enzo's beautifully weighted pass to put him in behind defenders key to it. What made it all the more beautiful of course was the timing and I'm still recovering from the post match celebrations! What an atmosphere at the Bridge and to have not onky held on after they equalised plus both our CBs off injured but pushed hard late in game for winner was fantastic.

This time Maresca substitutions spot on in personnel and timing plus Lavia and Estevao made biggest difference imho.

I do think though that we should remember some of our weaknesses still on show yesterday including fair amount of misplaced passes, Sanchez generally poor distribution and lack of top class box striker meaning for much of game crosses into or across the box had no-one to get on end of them. Also that we only had one shot on target other than MC splendid goal I think until Gittens produced good shot latish in game. Plus if Salah had had shooting boots on LFC might have scored several more.

Still now is the time to enjoy this last week's turnaround that post of mine had hope for and that can get our season back on track.

05 Oct 2025 14:44:24
Both were really good goals in different ways Tom.

05 Oct 2025 15:13:19
Yes the Caicedo unstoppable sizzler sensationally spectacular Bill.

05 Oct 2025 06:54:11
I have obviously already posted how happy I was with yesterday's performance. I loved it.

The manager matching up James with Gakpo was something I hadn't expected and it was needed because Gakpo is a real, strong player and a handful.

On the other side Cucarella and Garnacho bossed our left side of the pitch. To be honest that was made easier because Salah was lazy and woeful. Any RB would struggle with Salah in front of him on that performance.

Caicedo was brilliant and Enzo had his best game of the season. McCalister for them was a shadow of the player of last season.

Although the substitution was slightly forced on the manager, Lavia coming on gave us total control of midfield. We miss him a lot, we must keep him fit.

Two other small things. The little pass from Enzo to Cucarella for deserved winning goal move was very clever. Also, Gusto dragging VVD away for the Caicedo goal was very clever and showed some intelligence.

Just one small thing. I wanted to hear our manager at the end of the game. I had no idea that a sending off meant he can't do press conferences.

Agree1 1Disagree

05 Oct 2025 09:36:07
It was a brilliant performance Tom and I'm still buzzing mate. The Bridge was rocking, arms and limbs everywhere when that goal went in. I love it when all the haters are on our case and they are expecting us to lose, they almost write the headlines before the game, you can see it now, Chelsea in crisis, mini slump begins etc etc. As positive fans we are entitled to enjoy and celebrate the good times and moments mate just as the lurkers celebrate and and enjoy the bad times. All good fun and great reading all the banter. Up the Chels.

05 Oct 2025 10:06:24
Absolutely agree Greenaway, great performance bearing in mind the injuries at the back.

We actually have their God, VVD look his age.

Also loved Maresa's passion.

05 Oct 2025 10:26:32
Greenaway, it was a fantastic performance and one that I enjoyed enormously. The atmosphere in the ground throughout the match was amazing and when that late winner went bonkers. I loved it and it sent an old man home very happy. My post match meet up with all my usual crowd was also, let’s say merry.

We had a few results that give us supporters the hump so it’s good to see people/ fans happy.

We also now go into an international break with smiles on the majority of fans faces and hopefully return with a few more fit players. I understand our Brazilian players and possibly Caicedo will not be asked to travel away on international duty and I hope that Enzo gets a similar couple of weeks off. In fact I wouldn’t mind James missing out on these two England games.

05 Oct 2025 12:06:52
That was the best atmosphere i've heard at the Bridge in years. After Estevao scored literally the whole stadium was standing up singing super Chelsea. Gives me goose bumps now thinking about it. I have watched the replay of the goal I think about 30 times now.

Tom your right in what you say Lavia is a must to keep fit just consistently breaks the lines and seems to create an extra 5 seconds on the ball compared to anyone else.

05 Oct 2025 14:09:01
whitey, a truly joyous occasion, reasons to be cheerful.

It is one of the best team goals I’ve seen I’ve seen at the bridge in a long time.

05 Oct 2025 05:39:31
Imagine not liking Maresca after that celebration? He showed such passion and the togetherness of the whole squad was great to see. We were winless in 13 games against Liverpool. Maresca has beaten them twice in a few months. He is a very talented manager who keeps learning and evolving after making mistakes which is good enough for me. He also admits to his mistakes, takes stock and comes again.

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05 Oct 2025 10:28:54
RPD, I have to be honest and say loved the EM celebration but I would have probably been critical of another manager doing it but then I’m just a fickle old fan!

Open Letter to the Rangers Board and Andrew Cavenagh

04 Oct 2025 07:39:34
{Ed's Note - KarenJardellLoyal has posted a new article entitled, Open Letter to the Rangers Board and Andrew Cavenagh

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