Chelsea International Banter 2

04 Jan 2026 19:36:35
O bviously the goal changes things but even before the equaliser in my eyes the best we have played since the Arsenal game.

Love Delaps agressiveness thought we played at a fast tempo in the second half and missed a few chance.

Great point.

Cole neeeds a goal to get him going.

04 Jan 2026 20:11:31
Seymns, I agree about Cole. He looks well off the pace but he is coming back from injury. A goal would do wonders for the lad.

04 Jan 2026 21:27:26
He has had one. plus the penalty. But he was at his consistent best under Poch cos Caicedo and Gallagher did donkey work behind him i think.

04 Jan 2026 22:50:04
Youre right JBS forgot the Everton goal, but he looks to me that he hasn't got his match sharpness back ,

05 Jan 2026 10:08:58
The problem is that CP was being brought on as a sub or starting then taken off, he has no match rhythm at the moment.

04 Jan 2026 19:30:58
Enzo Fernandez, what a performance. Long may it continue

Acheampong will be a star, Delap has his best game in a chelsea shirt, Reece James world class as always.

If Palmer, Neto and Badiashile didn't have stinkers we would have won this game. I won't criticise Hato as he plays 5 minutes every 2 months.

Onwards and upwards under our new manager.

04 Jan 2026 19:41:09
Spot on with your comments Standard and yes Enzo and Reece superb plus BB and Neto errors cost us. Also thought Santos and Delap pretty goodbwhen on though Delap must curb temper. Trev did a decent job at the back and Gusto also had a fair game.

Tesult will help morale and well done boys and Callum the stand in manager.

04 Jan 2026 19:43:58
Palmer was awful and if not for his popularity in the squad should of been hooked instead of estevao.

Palmer has to pick it up big time as at the minute he is the biggest let down.

04 Jan 2026 20:11:36
Palmer doesn't look match fit to me, thought Estevao was not much better, Santos with the extra body in midfield gave us more balance.

04 Jan 2026 20:12:40
CFB, I totally agree. Very lucky to stay on to my eyes.

04 Jan 2026 20:30:35
I’ve said it many times before but I think 433 works better for our team. The problem is who then plays out wide?

Play James at RB (brilliant in midfield today) and three from Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo and Santos.

I should have also mentioned that Badiashile had a much better second half than first half.

04 Jan 2026 21:12:58
Forgot to mention Santos. Good game from him also. I also thought Jorgensen had a decent game compared to his previous performances.

04 Jan 2026 21:14:48
Palmer and Estevao with overlapping fullbacks.

04 Jan 2026 21:19:32
Bb had a better second half tomb but it can't get any worse for him. And he would be no where near my first 11 I'm afraid.

04 Jan 2026 21:28:35
Agree tgstcPalmer weak today.

05 Jan 2026 08:56:00
Agree with all of this, was a very good performance from Enzo and he is starting to add more goals to his game and suits having 2 behind him, Santos made a big difference and James was superb. I thought Delap had his best game for us and Gusto is a very good right back. Palmer looks petulant though and needs to sort his attitude out.

05 Jan 2026 18:30:16
I don't understand the Gusto criticism honestly. His crossing is poor but very dependable.

05 Jan 2026 19:36:41
Gusto in my opinion is good as a wingback but not so good as a RB. Valuable to the squad.

04 Jan 2026 19:30:38
So much better performance in the second half.

Neto had his worse game for a while.

Big shout out for James for a display that just shows what it means to be a Chelsea player and captain.

Santos was absolutely brilliant and big mis for Josh and Hato.

He has got a lot stick but Delap has had a very good half and Gusto excellent.

Never expected us to get anything so well pleased with a draw.

04 Jan 2026 19:43:15
Yes Neto the one playernin our side today well below best. BB arguably at fault for their goal. But otherwise a performance that the team can beboroud of under current circumstances.

04 Jan 2026 20:14:23
JBS, I agree Neto had a poor game but Palmer was worse today. These things happen and I’m sure class will prevail.

04 Jan 2026 21:29:02
True re Palmer.

04 Jan 2026 18:34:01
They are just so so so much better than us all over the pitch and am hoping its due to injury but BB is the worse defender I’ve ever seen, it’s between tosin and him would love to no if the person is still at the club as they shouldn’t be.
We’ve done what I thought they’d do just sit and try and counter but the likes of palmer estavao Neto have just not turned up first half.
APedro is a poor forward and except from holding the ball up a few times hasn’t done anything.

James has done ok enzo has but some tackles in but still so easy to go past him gusto must be coming to one of his last games, all round performance first half is how I expected it to go their just way better all over the field we require a lot of luck and a great moment to get something out this game or it could go other way and be a goal fest on the other hand positive Man U and Liverpool drew so still in about the mix.

04 Jan 2026 20:07:09
How about, just bring on a midfielder. I personally would have kept Eatavao on and hooked Palmer.

04 Jan 2026 20:32:40
Palmer and estavao didn’t really shine to be fair but the way everything is at the minute surrounding the team it must get to you.

04 Jan 2026 18:22:33
I wasn’t expecting much from this game and so far I haven’t been surprised.

Second best in so many areas particularly in 50/50 challenges.

Palmer looks lost and JP looks lightweight. I’m struggling to think of any positive, maybe James who is at least showing some sort of aggression.

04 Jan 2026 18:45:28
Enzo? Normally im quite critical but he's been fantastic. That should be assist to neto was great too.

Neto missing that chance is horrendous. Your opinion on neto mate? Got a great work rate and a good option but I don't think he's good enough to be a starting winger.

04 Jan 2026 19:04:24
I think Neto had a slow start last season but his work rate this season has meant his game has generally improved.
He hasn’t had a good game today but I don’t judge players over a game.

04 Jan 2026 18:08:36
I do have to mention i've been very impressed with Enzo defensively today.

03 Jan 2026 11:34:40
My team against City,

Sanchez,

James, Fofana, Chalaboa, Cucarella.

Fernandez, Caicedo

Neto, Palmer, Estavao

Pedro,

03 Jan 2026 15:56:25
Caicedo is banned Tom.

03 Jan 2026 20:58:34
Greenaway, how could I forget. I personally would play Santos then. My guess is James will play in midfield with Gusto at RB.

03 Jan 2026 21:28:07
I agree, though santos has been generally unimpressive for us thus far. Maybe needs another loan. James midfeild gusto RB

Is essugo still at the club? Shame Lavia is always injured its been a disaster depth wise due to constant injuries.

03 Jan 2026 22:04:32
I think Santos had a couple of good games but I admit he has a couple of stinkers. It happens it’s players trying to find there premiership feet.

I personally think it was a mistake by EM not to play Santos in midfield rather than James but then as most posters know, I’m not a fan of the inverted FB tactic.

04 Jan 2026 18:09:27
Santos will come good. He had a good loan spell in france and has a lot of ability.

30 Dec 2025 23:09:31
In the press conferences both Fofana and Cabellero referenced that we were a young side.


Blaming the youthfulness of the side is fair to a degree but it is a deliberate policy of the owners.

Experience and street wise player needed in the middle of the park especially as Cacaido is not at his best or suspended

In many ways I feel this team is so close and yet miles away at the same time.

Not looking forwrd to the city game.

30 Dec 2025 23:26:39
Seymns, you are correct, can’t complain about a young squad when it seems to be the intended business plan.

I personally don’t buy into this “young squad” excuse.

31 Dec 2025 08:25:30
Tom. I agree with but I would like to see a football plan. Maresca didn’t show up for the post match interview because he wasn’t feeling well; he must have the same bug as Grealish.

31 Dec 2025 08:59:28
The first 45 mins and the result made me feel sick.

31 Dec 2025 09:54:31
I think that is the same for us all, time to celebrate the new year.

30 Dec 2025 22:00:51
Egghead needs to feck off. Simple as. Todd needs to put a deal together to save our club. The project is rubbish, fecking dodgy foreign americans. We want english owners.

30 Dec 2025 22:18:09
RPD

I agrre with most but I don't think we will get English owners, they seem to be a thing of the past.

Egghead leaving, that is can agrre with.

30 Dec 2025 22:22:49
Careful tomb will add that to the list of names he doesn't like for egghead.

Shouldn't laugh at that am bald ?.

30 Dec 2025 22:25:25
Talking of dodgy, how about a Russian owner!

30 Dec 2025 22:37:46
Tom

Nobody called Roman dodgy when we were watching good players, teams and winning MAJOR trophies.

30 Dec 2025 22:44:43
Bill, I didn’t mention RA. I meant Russians in general.

I thought the term egghead was a description of a clever person!

30 Dec 2025 22:55:52
Bill no Chelsea fans complained but a quite a few other team supporters did call Roman Dodgy.

31 Dec 2025 08:55:58
There are a lot of dodgy people around.

I saw a little bit if the Arsenal game and Arteta was playing in midfield he was that far out of his technical area.

01 Jan 2026 20:31:02
Bill – that's bs. Loads of Chelsea fans called Roman dodgy while we were winning, myself included. It's possible to hold two ideas in mind at the same time – liking the fact of winning, not liking the reality of where it's coming from.

30 Dec 2025 21:44:02
Can someone explain to me the progress we have made since poch left
Not saying poch was the messiah
And I know your going to say 2 trophies and cl qualification
1 conference league was a given load of rubbish teams
2 world club club we were very very ordinary other than final
Cl qualification wow after spending that much we should be more than enough
Maresca I don't think is the man IMHO
Why take off our most influential player estevao with 3 mins to go for gittens makes no sense
Not knocking gittens.

30 Dec 2025 21:53:07
I assume you are joking?

The football under Poch was poor and we won zero. I must be missing something!

30 Dec 2025 21:57:29
Tom
The football under Maresca is poor.

30 Dec 2025 22:00:15
That wasn’t the question plus I generally enjoyed last seasons performances, qualifying for the Champions League and winning two trophies.

That was more than I expected from last season.

30 Dec 2025 22:07:21
We’re no better that’s what he’s getting at except two cups that aren’t really rated and by rights the final was the only game that was challenging, I agree meresca isn’t the man and never was the process isn’t working whatever it was in the first place.

The Delap sub did me 10minutes to go and we need a goal and we bring another midfielder on why not just go for broke. Watching arsenal walk all over Villa we are so far behind in style shape team work identity we are a team of pure individuals.

30 Dec 2025 22:14:52
Are you serious? Poch had the best players in Europe for Spurs and lost a Champions league final and finished 3rd in a premier league battle with little Leicester. He played Liverpool's under 4 team and lost!

30 Dec 2025 22:21:22
The foitball under Poch was not always poor and CFC weren't in the Conference League or CWC. He had to contend with worst injury crisis in clubs history. He got the best out of Palmer. But yes after 19 games his CFC only had 25 points . though theybwin matches 20 and 21. We ended on 63 that season plus a semi final and a finsl in domestic cups Since he left the club has spent hundreds of thousnds more on new players but we ate still horrendously inconsistent. Vision 2030 still in the making.

But we should surely still finish between 3rd and 7th.

30 Dec 2025 22:27:11
Not sure Nib on your first paragraph, but I agree with the second one would of kept Delap on,

Villa have been riding their luck for weeks but Arsenal have real strength in midfield an area where we are lacking, we have lots of real talent but we miss a player or the tactics to knit it all together.

30 Dec 2025 22:27:12
Nib, Delap and Palmer are both getting over injuries. I’m surprised he kept Delap on as long as he did.

30 Dec 2025 22:50:18
Tom

Didn't Maresca recently say CP can play 90 minutes?

30 Dec 2025 23:02:01
My guess is he can play 90 mins but surely it makes sense with a top player who has an injury that still needs to managed, to be a tad careful.

We know your agenda is for EM to be sacked and that’s ok but just sometimes imagine EM is acting in the best interest of a players career.

31 Dec 2025 08:58:51
Then why say he can play for 90 minutes, that suggests to me he thinks he is fit enough.

Constant changing of players (so called protecting them) is hurting us with trying to get a settled side.

31 Dec 2025 09:13:06
Bill, as far as I know you are not doctor or a fitness coach and we have zero idea what fitness or medical advice is given to EM.

He would get even more pelters if he ignored there advice completely and any player got injured again because he ignored their advice.

31 Dec 2025 10:51:34
Tomb you neither are a medical of sport so. Your comments are also invalid too us that believe after he said he can play 90minutes. Us getting frustrated that he isn't playing him until we don't need him.

31 Dec 2025 10:53:03
And a side note he has been told he can play 90minutes that's why he has said it.

The fact he doesn't is anyone's clue. Just like his boring tactics.

31 Dec 2025 12:22:14
CFB, my opinion is valid but I openly admit to guessing as I’m not a manager, player, owner, doctor, coach, SD, or physiotherapist.

What I would say is it’s pretty common for a player coming back from a long term injury who may well be physically fit to be eased back to match fitness. There is a world of difference between the two!

31 Dec 2025 16:30:11
And its pretty common. if you say "Cole is ready for 90 minutes" for fans to take that as if. He will play 90minutes if we need his magic.

Instead they then claim "we are protecting him" so from my point of view why say the first statement.

31 Dec 2025 17:33:36
I have not seen a claim of protecting Palmer. That was just me guessing again.

If I was qualified as a manager or coach it is also what I would do.

31 Dec 2025 20:19:30
Willy cab said they took him off to protect him.

This has been my point. Just don't say he is able to play 90minutes then proceed to not play him for 90minutes.

01 Jan 2026 17:27:10
If that was the doctor/medical departments advice then the substitutions make sense.

I repeat being fit to play 90 mins and it being the best thing for the player are two different things!

30 Dec 2025 21:38:32
More points dropped. Conference league again next season. if we're lucky!

Results don't go our way over the next few days we could be 8 points off the top 4 or 11 points a week tomorrow. I'd call that season over in terms of the league.

30 Dec 2025 21:46:02
Im sure we'll come into stronger form to end the season. December is never good for us.

But it does have to be said. How many years into this regime are we? It has not been good after the amount spent.

30 Dec 2025 21:46:32
I will stick with 2nd-4th. I know I’m bonkers but I stood my ground last season and we eventually came good.

30 Dec 2025 21:59:00
Tom

I hate to say it but I agree with you, not the 2nd to 4th spot though.

30 Dec 2025 22:20:42
I m also bonkers Tom think we will make champions league but if we don't so be it,

Think City and Arsenal will be top 2 now am unsure about Villa Utd dropped points against Wolves .

Assuming it's top five, three out of Chelsea Villa Man Utd Liverpool or Newcastle.

30 Dec 2025 22:28:58
Bonkers is one of my very few strengths.

I got called the same last season.

30 Dec 2025 22:47:19
Seymns, I seem to remember that you kept the faith last season. ?we are right for this season.

30 Dec 2025 23:19:02
TomB I am not as convinced as I was mainly because i can't put my finger on what has gone wrong we seem so open when we lose the ball, maybe we should try Palmer out wide and have another body in midfield . it's the goals we concede that concern me, often when we are in control of the game.

Last year I blamed Sanchez but that is not true this year.

30 Dec 2025 23:30:44
Seymns, I would stop this inverted FB plan and play Santos as a third midfielder at least until Lavia returns.

As you say, the problem then is what position does Palmer play? Playing him on the right could well be a solution.

31 Dec 2025 09:17:24
Seymns I agree about another mobile tackling player with a pass in them in midfield. A fit and on form Lavia would do nicely but have said almost since he joined that after his bad injury even before he joined us his fitness a huge concern and will he ever get back to what he looked to be in early Southampton days.