Chelsea Banter 4

30 Oct 2026 10:06:21
Tom, Estavou is more than tricks and flicks; he already has more football intelligence than Neto. A lot of supporters agree that Palmer and Rogers just doesn't work and limits our tactical options. I can't understand why we signed a player of Roger's profile considering the other areas of weakness in our squad. If you are going to to discard a player with huge potential you'd better have a plan to prove why it was for the greater good and back it up with success on the pitch. Without Pedro and Palmer we were toothless up front. Perhaps Rogers should sit it out on the bench.

30 Oct 2026 11:16:18
I wouldn't have a clue about Estavao's football intelligence but in my opinion his desire to work isn't as good as Neto's. He may well become a better player than Neto but with the team shape and style Alonso is prefering he ain't going to get much game time.

30 Oct 2026 13:49:56
Estevao simply has to be used more or we will lose him just as we have lost other young talents over the years. This kid should of been Palmer's replacement at Anfield on Wednesday and Alonso got it wrong. Liverpool are intergrating Rio (who we lost) and we should be doing the same with our young talent.

30 Oct 2026 14:26:24
All clubs occasionally lose young talented players. I always hope it doesn't happen but it happens at every club.

Anyway, it hasn't happened yet.

30 Oct 2026 18:37:21
rogers and palmer don't work?! since when - its still very early in season. the defence is still shaky and that's more due to the players in defence and midfield and we look a much worse side coherence wise when JP is missing.

we won't know how this team really works till we get another proper CM in. hendo doing what he can but visible when he tires in games.

30 Oct 2026 21:56:02
Well let's hope Alonso can make it work.

31 Oct 2026 07:30:28
Rogers, Palmer and Pedro don't work?
Do me a favour guy's, they are electric together. I agree with kazblue, the midfield and defence are the issues.
Estevao can rotate into that front 3 as can Neto.
Next step is sort a midfield partner for Caicedo because Enzo Fernandez was never replaced and sign a world class and robust centre half to partner Josh.

31 Oct 2026 09:12:12
I don't think a single poster or fan would suggest that Pedro doesn't work. He is unbelievably good.
My issue with the Roger's and Palmer duo is they do not "work" hard. When I look at PSG the current champions of Europe they "all" work hard. Obviously we will play game when we can cope without hard work from every player but not against the very best teams or team who go man for man like Brentford.

I repeat, I hope Alonso finds a solution.
It would be interesting if Alonso ever picks Roger's, Palmer and Estavao in the same team.

31 Oct 2026 13:27:29
You don't risk losing a player like estavao by playing a player like Neto if it was a world class player I get it.

31 Oct 2026 14:37:33
Neto has been class so far this season.

01 Nov 2026 12:47:50
I think Rogers, Palmer and Estevao worked really well yesterday Tom.

01 Nov 2026 13:14:50
JT, it did in the second half but it certainly didn't in the first half, we had gaps all over the place.
In my opinion it worked better in the second half because Lavia and Caicedo dropped a bit deeper and the defence pushed up a few yards.

We looked far more solid with Lavia and Caicedo covering in the holes in our defence. This allowed the other players the freedom to express themselves.
It was a good tactical change by Alonso.

30 Oct 2026 10:09:22
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

30 Oct 2026 09:54:25
A year ago we were newly crowned champions of the world, still going strong in the Carabao Cup, still in Europe and top 4 in the Premier League and I was hopeful that we would kick on.
This season started brightly and was certainly entertaining but injuries and quite weird team selections have left us with a watershed match tomorrow.


Win, and we can hopefully kick on but lose, and the knives will be sharpening again amongst the natives and press alike.
I hope Alonso plays a 4-3-3 and I don't want to see Fofana, Gusto or Welbeck in the line-up.
And I do want to see Estevao on the right of that front 3 at some point.

30 Oct 2026 12:48:52
I would like us play 433 as we did against Liverpool. I assume Fofana will play because
of the Lacroix injury.

This time last year we had Maresca plotting and scheming his move to Sham City. As far as managers are concerned we are in my opinion, in a better place.

30 Oct 2026 13:45:21
Only time will tell Tom but right now I'm concerned that Estevao and his people might well be "plotting and scheming" his way out of the club if Alonso keeps ignoring him.

30 Oct 2026 14:23:52
If the manager doesn't pick him then there's no point in keeping him.

30 Oct 2026 17:57:20
I agrre Yom, if Alonso does not pick Estavo, Alonso should go.

31 Oct 2026 07:25:28
I agree with both of you, if Alonso doesn't pick him Alonso should go.

31 Oct 2026 09:52:17
JT, I have "never" said that if Alonso doesn't pick Estavao then Alonso should go.

30 Oct 2026 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Where Manchester United Are Right Now

29 Oct 2026 19:53:00
Tom, I've just seen you comments about Estavou not working hard enough. I disagree he tracks back as much as any of our forwards. I accept though he is not wingback material. That position is usually filled by fullbacks with pace or wingers who are average performers in their original position.

29 Oct 2026 20:40:58
I can't see how we can play Estavao in anything other than a 433 and then he would have to take the place of either Roger's, Palmer or Neto and I can't see that happening.
You are obviously seeing a different Estavao to me. He is full of tricks and flicks but I haven't seen him tracking back. I love him as a player and he could be another Hazard but when we had Hazard, we didn't have two players like Palmer and Roger's in the team.

The manager gets paid the big bucks to make choices and sometimes those choices are hard on talented players.

29 Oct 2026 19:18:38
Tom, you are absolutely right, I have never been a fan of Neto.
I do agree with you about Palmer and Rogers. With the both playing it llimits tactical solutions for the forwards and attack; personally cannot see a solution but I'm not paid millions a year to do so.
Like everyone, I just don't understand the Estavou situation. The game was there to be won. When Alonso was questioned about it his response was neither convincing nor encouraging. I suspect there will be a lot of interest in Stevo come January.
I am old fashioned, I don't like three at the back and I want players to play in their natural positions.
I worry about the Man United game, their players have been criticised by everyone including the fans and they might just want to put on a performance.

29 Oct 2026 20:42:18
As I said after watching the game, I would have hooked Roger's and introduced Estavao.

29 Oct 2026 13:27:00
Alonso was not my first choice as manager but i was happy enough when he was appointed and it is far to early to make a judgement on his managerial abilities.

He seems like a smart/clever man and I hope he finds a shape and a style of play that works for our current squad and gets results.

At the moment we have no press and no control in midfield. We are relying on moments rather than dominating matches.

I personally can't see how we can control games with both Palmer and Rogers in the team. I really hope Alonso can find a solution.

29 Oct 2026 13:35:17
Agree with your post Tom and will. hope Alonso does too!

29 Oct 2026 13:38:43
And perhaps he can sell Fofana and Gusto and bring in more effective less blunder prone replacements?

29 Oct 2026 10:42:31
My view on penalty shoot- outs has always been if you can't win in normal time you don't deserve it and if you win on penalties, you've got away with it.
When I saw the line up, I feared the worst.
Defence was okay, midfield okay, however, the forward line was absolutely toothless.

Tom, you are entitled to your opinion about Neto but I thought he was very poor, I just don't understand what some of you see in him.
How on earth does Gusto start ahead of Palestra? I am also amazed that Estavou didn't get at least 45 minutes. Some of Alonso's ions are beginning to worry me.

29 Oct 2026 11:22:15
I am also v worried about Estevao not being played or getting a derisory few minutes right at the end of a game when played at all. Are the club still managing the hamstromg injury he seemed to have recovered from? Is he leaving in January ( please not)? Or is it that they cannot see where he fits in right now but may unleas him at some stage with formation change perhaps?

Am also worried by apparent lack of sufficient striker quality as back up to Pedro and way that Rogers and Palmer can drift in and out of games and do little to establish controlled possession.

Then there is the matter of who can really. martial. our defense.

But then I am often a worrier!

29 Oct 2026 11:26:39
Jimbo, you are also entitled to your opinion and we know you have never been a fan of Neto.
So far this season my POS are, 1) Pedro 2) Josh 3) Neto.

29 Oct 2026 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 8 - Quick Round Up

28 Oct 2026 22:41:07
I would like to be told why Estavao is not getting many mins. I would hooked Rogers.

28 Oct 2026 23:38:40
Agree in all the Estevao talk he seemed happy on the sidelines but I would certainly ogf givemn him minutes with either Rogers or Neto (who had a good game) coming off purely on the basis of longterm planning.

Would put Estevao in the group with Palmer Rogers Cacaido Pedro Lavia Colwill of being the future mainstays of the team.

28 Oct 2026 23:42:22
Forgpt Josh.

29 Oct 2026 10:08:16
Alonso knows best, yeah right, he is crucifying one of our best young talents.

Fofana wow, just wow.

29 Oct 2026 10:28:15
Bill, I believe Estavao should have got mins in last nights game but on current form I can't see how he gets picked in front of Neto and I also can't see him displacing Palmer.


Also, if we play wingbacks he doesn't get picked.
I think the lad is a talent but unless he is prepared to wait for his opportunity, my guess is we sell him.

29 Oct 2026 11:25:02
That would be dreadful Tom imho and would hope Alonso can be flexible with formation and starting attack lineup to accommodate him.

29 Oct 2026 11:34:09
JBS, who would he replace and at the moment? He doesn't work hard enough and we certainly don't need another player who isn't going to work hard.
If the rumours are to be believed PSG are interested and that would be interesting as their manager makes that team work very hard, particularly without the ball.

29 Oct 2026 18:26:55
Tom

If we sell Estavo in zhan to PSG that's on Alonso and therefore he can follow him out of the door.

29 Oct 2026 20:43:45
Bill, what position would you play Estavao?

30 Oct 2026 09:27:37
Tom

I believe our front line are believing they are great bit without Pedro, look ordinary and I wonder where the goals are coming from.

You say where would he play with Rogers and Palmer in the side. Against Liverpool, Palmer was suspended yet he still could not get a game.

It feels like another youngster who will be a superstar will be released, where have we heard that one with our club, certainly City and Liverpool benefited from our transfer stupidly and yes we cannot blame our current sporting directors for that.

30 Oct 2026 12:56:27
As I have said several times, I would have hooked Roger's and I also think the midfield three that played against Liverpool gave the team a solid look.

At the moment I can't see Estavao being picked ahead of Neto. I can't see him getting in instead of Palmer, so that only leaves Roger's and I can't see that happening.

If he isn't playing what's the point of keeping him and I can't imagine the player being very happy. I think PSG may well test our resolve in the January window, we will say "he is an important part of our squad" and then sell him next summer. I will not be happy but we all know it's happened before.