Chelsea Teams and Match Talk

17 Apr 2025 23:24:39
The players looked like they didn't want to be there and just all round board of maresca and this robotic way,

17 Apr 2025 23:57:15
Matt, the manager has to take responsibility for the “apparent” attitude of certain players tonight.

I would love to know what Cucarella was saying to himself when he was hooked.

18 Apr 2025 08:42:06
Tom he was saying “Get me out of here”.

18 Apr 2025 09:35:44
Tom

He probably said 'thank goodness for that'

18 Apr 2025 10:46:40
I think it was “I’ve just about got time for a wash and set. ”.

18 Apr 2025 19:27:36
He was head and shoulders above everybody else.

18 Apr 2025 21:22:08
Bill, love it.

17 Apr 2025 23:16:50
If tonight isn’t the final nail in the coffin for Maresca I really don’t know where we are heading as a club. Totally clueless, a spineless starting selection, in the image of a man who is acting increasingly without any clarity. And if one of the directors don’t go with him, god help us. How anybody can defend the direction we’re going in is beyond me. This is the lowest we’ve been as a club since the change in ownership - all the excuses have long gone.

In many ways I can’t help but feel this season is the lowest since Clearlake took over. Zero excusies.

17 Apr 2025 23:32:23
It was an awful performance that was made a lot worse by baffling team selection and tactics.

The only good news is that it was over two legs and we went through. That for me is a very, very minor plus.

17 Apr 2025 22:05:28
That was a truly awful performance. The only player who played 90mins who for me only gets mild criticism was KDH. The others are not even wirth a negative comment.

The manager's tactics were again over complicated with all the midfield taking up each others space. He will get well deserved pelters.

It was a performance that will do nothing for any players confidence.

Big shout for there supporters (bonkers but loud) who never stopped supporting there club at there place when they were getting thumped and tonight they can be very proud but cold, of there team's performance.

17 Apr 2025 23:02:08
He's definitely gone in the summer. Another 4 year severance package we have to pay for a sacked manager. Good lord lol.

17 Apr 2025 23:13:55
We shall see but I have my doubts.

At the moment I think the people that matter will take the view that if we win the competition no one is going to remember that awful performance.

17 Apr 2025 21:45:01
All jokes aside Maresca era is a rubbish show, most of our squad has regressed under him this result is end of the line for me, the football is tragic, cole palmer looks like a 2nd division footballer since christmas, this manager has got to go.

17 Apr 2025 22:13:33
Worse performance for a while the manager has to take the major share of the blame

I would of kept Palmer on he desperately needs a goal still looks quality to me but a few worrying signs tonight, thought we were out run and out fought, our finishing was woeful Madueke shooting was poor, our back three are not good enough at passing the ball out.

Reece is not a midfielder.

17 Apr 2025 22:23:29
Seymns, I might forgive Palmer slightly because he took a whack but Jackson, who I rate, lacked any effort.

Not one RB out of the three on the pitch were actually playing as a RB. The manager is making things over complicated.

17 Apr 2025 20:57:51
I am not happy with that first half performance. Players taking up each others space in the middle of the park and a couple of players looking as if there angry at being selected (that is just a guess) but i expect a lot more from our so called better players. If I was the manager, I would hook them now.

17 Apr 2025 22:04:52
Tom

If I was the owner, I would hook the coach for playing players out of position.

Every game, he is showing he is out of his depth.

17 Apr 2025 23:02:44
If I was the owner, I would not let ANY away supporters into the shed end and I would sell beer ? at half price. It might make it bearable.

13 Apr 2025 16:08:04
Embarrassing for much of the game. The persistent chopping and changing the defence is pointless. 2 of the best right backs in the league just sat on the bench.

That's top 5 gone for us now. Time for Maresca to go and take half the squad with him. Yet again the 'project' has failed!

Totally disconnected from a team I no longer recognise.

13 Apr 2025 16:25:34
Strangely enough I am probably older than you dan23 this is just the Chelsea I recognise the 70's 80's and 90's Chelsea the Roman years were when I didn't recognise us.

13 Apr 2025 16:47:49
Seymns, the first game I saw at the bridge as a supporter. We were seven points clear at the top of the old second division and we were player the team that was bottom of the league we lost 1-0.

I looked back at seasons and was trying to find the time when I first felt a disconnect with my club and it was when Roman appointed (Rafa) the Spanish waiter.

It was probably the closest I ever came to sending ba k my ST. Even winning a trophy made no difference. It was so stupid and tribal of me.

13 Apr 2025 17:06:15
I'm sure the defenders of this 'project' will move the goalposts dan.

13 Apr 2025 17:06:34
Didn't like the Rafa appointment with the Roman years it all became quite easy to win things, this teams needs a bit of experience think the talent is there.

13 Apr 2025 17:26:35
Ah i remember when everyone was up in arms about the Rafa appointment and all the abuse he suffered. Got us a Europa league and 3rd?

13 Apr 2025 17:27:01
Seymns, I would love us to sign another couple of leaders. Can never have enough leaders.

The Ken Bates putting wire fencing up wasn’t a good look and the very very public spate between KB and MH makes the recent supposed dispute between the shareholders look like a love in!

13 Apr 2025 18:50:26
Rafa is better than what we have now.

13 Apr 2025 21:36:45
Nib, he certainly has the tee shirt to say he was a good manager. I have very little idea how the Liverpool supporters viewed him but I found his football at Chelsea predictable and a total durge. You could almost set your watch by his substitutions and he always seemed to struggle to change tactics if necessary during a game.

I have to try and be consistent and repeat that EM’a lack of tactical flexibility should also be criticised.

{Ed001's Note - his football was too negative, it cost him the chance to win the title with Torres and Gerrard. And his subs were deliberately timed because he had some statistical analysis that said those were the most effective times to make subs.}

13 Apr 2025 16:04:43
I'm not happy with the draw but obviously would have took it at HT.

No point in bossing games if you don't take your chances and to be fair Ipswich looked dangerous every time they went forward.

EM hooks Noni probably because he is only just back from injury, the away fans ain't happy with the substitution and then Sancho scores a cracker.

Six more games to go with every one like a final. Oh what fun we have.

13 Apr 2025 16:19:04
Tom

You are flogging a dead horse if you think we will finish in the top 5.

For God's sake, we have drawn and lost to what is a relegated side.

This boring, posession football has to be ditched, we spend three quarters of the game going nowhere.

The other thing that needs ditching is LeicesterMaresca, at least Poch had us playing good football before he did not agree with the incompetent SD's.

13 Apr 2025 16:36:18
Bill, I had no idea that the season finished after 32games.

The only dead horse being “flogged” is you thinking that for some reason calling our manager “LeicesterMaresca” is funny.

I will just carry on from game to game being critical and giving praise when I think it’s justified.

I will then make my assessment on how “I” view the season, players, managers SD’s and owners performance at the end of the season.

Unlike some I didn’t get carried away when we were 2nd and I won’t get carried away now.

Strangely, I was looking at some of the glowing posts about the players and how they were all playing as a team and “for the manager. ” Some of those posters are now saying the players are crap and the manager should be sacked.

The glowing stuff was after 16 games. After another 16 games its all change, I’m afraid that’s not the way I make judgements.

13 Apr 2025 16:36:39
I honestly think we play some quite nice stuff 34 attempts at goal their keeper played a blinder by all accounts, don't think Tom is flogging a dead horse more like flogging a horse that isn't very well.

13 Apr 2025 16:59:49
Seymns

If Tom is not floggingva dead horse, it's certainly one thar needs to be put out of his misery.

Tom

Officially, the season does not finish after 32 games but when you are second in the table in December and now be are where we are with absolutely no chance of recovery, it certainly feels finished.

As for you saying I'm calling our so called coach, LeicesterMaresca for a laugh, that's not true and you know it. I'm calling him that because he is consistent, his tactics fell apart whilst coaching Leicester and his tactics have fallen of a cliff with us since December.

Sometimes in life Tom, we cannot be nice and sit on the fence all of the time.

By the way, did we really miss Jackson while he was injured?

13 Apr 2025 17:08:33
To be fair to Maresca bill that Leicester side is shocking he did brilliantly to get them promoted at all.

{Ed001's Note - they were miles better than the rest of the Championship mate. The gap between the two divisions is huge right now. It would have been shocking if they failed to come back up.}

13 Apr 2025 17:17:55
Bill, there is a continuous misconception about me being super supportive of anything Chelsea. I am critical when I think it’s deserved.

I repeat, unlike some did not get carried away when we were 2nd and playing well and I’m certainly not getting carried away now. Maybe some should look at what they were posting just 16 games ago.

If I remember correctly Leicester won there division last season.

When the season is over I will give my opinion on “the season” not the first sixteen games not the second sixteen games but 38 games.

It could well be they even if we qualify for the champions league I will be critical of the manager. Waiting to see how we play over the next six premiership games will be significant for me.

13 Apr 2025 18:20:42
Ed agree that there is a huge difference between the two divisions, a few mistakes have been made the fact that we are lacking experience and a lot of our players are the same age, in terms of Maresca the use of James is weird i think the fact he doesn't play at right back is wrong,

If we don't get champions league it is because the team is not ready.

{Ed001's Note - no, it is because Maresca is tactically inept and threw away a big lead by playing terrible footie with players that are more than good enough to be challenging for a top 3 place. I can't believe the excuses being made for him. He is doing exactly what he did at Leicester - stifling the team and holding them back.}

13 Apr 2025 18:53:59
To be fair ed, the excuses for maresca are made by the same fans making excuses for the league position after 1.3Bn spent. We all see it differently but I can't excuse either. I think we will almost certainly see a return to the drawing board this summer. Carlo return if he's leaving madrid? My choice would still be mourinho if only for a return of identity. Until then hoping maresca can turn it around, but that's overly hopeful I think.

13 Apr 2025 19:06:41
As I’ve said many time I’m not a fan of the inexperienced argument as we have players who have premiership and World Cup experience. I am probably alone but I also don’t go with the age means a player is a leader argument.

As I’ve said many times j think the more leaders or maybe players who understand responsibility you have the better.

I have said many times that EM has made mistakes and the game that stands out for me a was also like a mini turning point was our home defeat to Fulham. In that match EM got the team selection wrong but made no attempt to make substitutions that would have helped Gusto and Neto on our right hand side.

After a try awful pre season we started well and praise was heaped on the players and manager when we were 2nd. I personally wasn’t convinced about our performances, particularly the so-called inverted FB tactic.

So I will just carry in being critical and giving praise when I think it appropriate. I obviously want him to succeed as our manager and i will honestly be shocked if our current owners go for a 6th manager after just three seasons of being in charge.

If they do sack him then I would only want the Stuttgart manager or maybe at a pinch the Villa manager.

13 Apr 2025 20:02:14
Seymns, I’m not sure what you mean that the team isn’t ready. Surely, cucurella, caicedo, palmer and Enzo are ready? Obviously, concerns about James, Lavia and Fofana hardly kicking a ball for us; the rest of the team aren’t good enough. I disagree that we are playing good stuff, we are predictable and have mentality which is down to the coach as his ineptitude. Maresca has no relevant experience or pedigree. Leicester had the most expensive squad by miles and won the Championship by one point- no great achievement. Ed001 is spot on. The most disappointing player for me this season is Colwill, he has been bang average: his attitude when his mistake was responsible for one of Ipswich’s goals today summed him up- another academy player who thinks he is better that he is, just like Mount. I was right about Mount, let’s hope I am wrong about Colwill but on the evidence of this season I wouldn’t care he he was moved on.

13 Apr 2025 20:54:28
Jimbo, Colwill has had a strange season. Played really well with Fofana playing next to him and then we Fofana got injured and his form fell off cliff. Lately he has had a few solid games but he wasn’t at his best today but I don’t think continuous partner changes has helped.

Anyway the player who has disappointed me the most is Gusto, mainly because I expected so much of him this season. On the other hand I think he is a FB who likes to get beyond the winger and he is not allowed to do that when Cucurella is the inverted FB.

13 Apr 2025 21:05:14
ED001,

I totally agree with you regarding LeicesterMaresca.

Rather than improving, the players are going backwards.

I see he is blaming thexplayersand fans for today's result but nothing to do with him.

His tactics are so boring and it's stifling our play.

Although Tom does not agree with me, I believe that the top 5 is out of the question.

{Ed001's Note - never a good sign when the manager has a go at fans, unless he is in a position of strength. If they don't love you, then you are only pushing yourself towards the exit door.}

13 Apr 2025 21:25:21
Bill, I keep just keep saying the same thing. When some posters were getting carried away when we were 2nd I continued saying 3rd-5th.

I will stick with my 3rd-5th prediction now we are 6th.

I wasn’t at the game today but I have mentioned fans showing there displeasure during a match before. Today was a classic EM takes of Noni for Sancho probably because of Noni’s recent injury and some fans booed the decision, Sancho then scores a worldie.

Just as an add on to fans supporting the team and manager. A mate who is an away season ticket holder told me that the support for the players and manager against Brentford was amazing. Mind you our away supporters are amazing!

13 Apr 2025 21:57:53
Tom, I accept what you say about Gusto but I have some sympathy with him as he is playing in a position/ system which doesn’t suit his style of play: the coach must take some responsibility for that. Colwill is playing in his natural position and I don’t accept the absence of Fofana ( who hardly ever plays) for his poor performances. For the reasons I mentioned before I believe it is down to his attitude.

13 Apr 2025 23:01:09
Jimbo, as I said in my post I do have some sympathy for Gusto because defending isn’t his forte and his attacking ability is nullified with Cucarella playing as the so called inverted FB.

I have no idea what you mean about Colwills “attitude” as he seems like a very bright level head young lad to me.

I have never been a massive fan of Fofana but on the rare occasions he has played for us he has looked good and in my opinion it’s coincided with Colwill playing well.

14 Apr 2025 00:03:10
Tom, we will have to agree to disagree about Colwill’s attitude As I said he appears to believe he is a better player than he is and I have changed my mind about him and frankly I wouldn’t care he we cashed in on him and brought in a player with a better mentality.

14 Apr 2025 06:00:44
Jimbo, all players have a price they will be allowed to leave for in my opinion and he is no different.

I just think that some CH’s play better with different CH as a partner and it also helps if it’s consistent partner.

14 Apr 2025 09:22:48
Tom,

If you are looking for a consistent CH to play along side Colwill, it won't be Fofana as he is injured for mostvof each season hence the need for anther experienced CH.

14 Apr 2025 14:11:08
Maybe Bill.

14 Apr 2025 16:00:03
I think it's more than a maybe Tom, it's a definitely.

14 Apr 2025 16:38:37
Apparently we want MG back. It was a totally disgraceful decision to sell him in my opinion.

Time will tell.

{Ed001's Note - who is MG?}

15 Apr 2025 20:20:07
Marc guehi I assume ed.

{Ed001's Note - oh ok, nor sure why Tom is upset about his sale then as he is not very good. Very weak defender.}

16 Apr 2025 08:26:54
To be honest I wasn’t really upset. It was just a very clumsy way of highlighting that academy sales took place under the previous ownership.

13 Apr 2025 15:59:10
I didn't see any of the game but the stats suggest we are not clinical in either box probably need to win most of our remaining fixtures to make top 5.

13 Apr 2025 16:10:38
Not going to happen Seymns, if we can't beat Ipswich at home and lose to them away, we don't deserve it.

We sacked Poch last summer, LeicesterMaresca to follow suit shortly.

13 Apr 2025 16:22:36
Think its unlikely but I just don't see the point in changing managers every season should never of sacked Poch, do i think Maresca is the guy probably not but he will be better for the experience next year the only manager I would go to is if Carlo became available.

13 Apr 2025 16:39:44
Seymns,

There is little point in keeping a coach who is well out of his depth and taking us backwards and plays outdated, boring possession football.

The way we finished last season, we should have given Povh another go this season.

13 Apr 2025 17:00:50
Bill1955 who would you appoint?

you may be right on Enzo but coaches can get better as well as players.

13 Apr 2025 17:22:05
I will shocked if EM is sacked now or at the end of the season but then I was shocked when we sacked Poch.

If we do go down that route “yet again” I would only want the Stuttgart manager.

13 Apr 2025 21:47:07
It is worrying that we hope a coach might get better. Chelsea should not be a club appointing coaches who have not got above track record. There is no reason to believe Maresca will improve; he is stubborn, arrogant and inept. There is nothing wrong with arrogance if you have something to back it up with. He is 45 years old, managed Parma for 14 games and got the sack. Then Leicester : no great achievement. Contrast, Jose when he joined us he was 42. He broke the stranglehold of Benfica and Sporting by winning 2 Portuguese League titles, the Champions League and the UEFA cup. He was arrogant by calling himself “the Special One” but he backed up up. Worst of all, Maresca has no respect for Chelsea supporters. He won’t be sacked this season but if that miserable so an so is still head coach next season I will be very disappointed.

13 Apr 2025 22:12:14
Jimbo, some would say Jose was arrogant, I would say super confident. I loved Carlo because he just made everything seem so simple. No press conference dramas.

I found the AVB appointment and his arrogance annoying. I don’t recall him doing anything much before he got the Chelsea gig. Mind you in the back of my mind did he win European trophy pre joining us?

Also, for some reason I never warmed to Conte or TT. Actually when I think about it, there are more managers I’ve disliked than liked but that is probably a reflection of me and Chelsea’s performances over many years.

14 Apr 2025 09:30:18
If that is the case Tom, then you need to add Leicester Maresca to your list.

Seymns, I would go for the Bournemouth, Villa, CP coach and add to that list the Stutgart coach.

We could have and should have gone for Slot in the summer as our beloved ED002 championed.

14 Apr 2025 15:34:03
Strangely, I don’t dislike EM. I don’t find him arrogant as some seem to and as far as I can see he hasn’t embarrassed himself or the club in any interview he has given.

Obviously the vast majority of his press conferences are the usual football manager cliche crap. I’m sure there must be a book somewhere that they have all memorised.

13 Apr 2025 14:55:41
So wasteful with chances and not making the best use of possession. All been said before.

If I remember correctly we had the most chances in an away game we have ever had and then got stuffed. This is turning out to be very similar.

It would a good game to get anything from let alone a win.

Very important 45mins.

10 Apr 2025 19:52:07
Professional performance and good to see some youngsters given more mins. Shame Nkunku had his pen saved.

They didn't want to play and just wanted to sit and that's not always easy to breakdown.

Fantastic for Noni who made a big difference and showed how important it is to take a risk in the box. Well pleased for George who looks a talented prospect.

Should be able to give more academy players some mins in the return leg and that's always interesting.

10 Apr 2025 20:48:42
Sorry I should have added that Josh was my MOM. Very mature performance, always looking comfortable on the ball.

10 Apr 2025 21:44:33
Good result and great to see the academy youngsters doing well.

Nkunku has been for sometime now been thinking about his next club.

06 Apr 2025 16:34:03
Bizarre team selection today cost us.

06 Apr 2025 17:12:42
Whitey, I was surprised by the starting eleven but as I said in a previous post maybe it’s more to do with managing certain players recent injuries.

I spoke to an away season ticket holder who was at the game and he said our fans were amazing today. That’s always good news. I think we have one the best sets of away supporters.

06 Apr 2025 17:14:02
Agree if there are fitness issues play your best 11 early then replace them when they run out of steam.

06 Apr 2025 17:26:30
Seymns, that’s what I would have done. If fact in my opinion that’s what we did against the spuds.

Anyway, we are all armchair managers and we are all only guessing about players true fitness levels.

06 Apr 2025 17:48:03
Tom i think I am the best armchair/ couch manager who has ever

lived. ha ha.

06 Apr 2025 17:56:12
Seymns, without doubt. I would add that my hindsight views are second to none!