Chelsea International Banter 2

31 Jan 2026 19:48:01
The ultimate game of two halfs. Great comeback. Second stringers exposed but great comeback. by the first stringers and essential 3 points secured. Cucu and Pedro and Fofana made huge difference.

31 Jan 2026 20:09:56
Slight change of shape helped.

I know I prattle on about it but please let’s just play 433, with Enzo playing as the forward midfielder.

01 Feb 2026 08:49:20
Agree about needing Enzo in more forward position and whatever shape employed with all players in best positions.

31 Jan 2026 19:37:44
I think we got very lucky but I’m very happy. Maybe a lucky manager because that second half was just frantic nonsense!

31 Jan 2026 19:35:28
Big half indeed.

Fair to say this lot are playing for the gaffer.

Agree wholeheartedly with Tom that LR seems to try to be a little too smart. Hopefully he learns from his mistakes.

Great to see Cole complete 90 minutes. Enzo was fantastic once again and Cucu made all the difference on the left.

31 Jan 2026 20:26:02
Agree. I'm liking Rosonier and im sure hell learn from early mistakes. Agree on Enzo and cucu. Am I seeing sometbing or has he been truly fantastic under rosoneir? I hadn't been impressed with him prior to rosonier but I see it all now. Quality player.

01 Feb 2026 08:59:46
100% Standard. I’ve never understood what Enzo did well. Often hearing pundits talk about his distribution skills and wondering if they even watched the games as he often gave the ball away when presented with an opportunity to send someone through.

These last few weeks he has been absolutely incredible. Huge engine, linking everything together and fighting for the badge. Love him currently and hope the Madrid talk is only that as I’d be very happy to see him help us with trophies for many years.

31 Jan 2026 18:32:15
That’s what we are right there that first half is what I see every time we play in my eyes.
what normally happens though is there’s a few that have half decent games and takes heat off others but that half everyone was terrible. NO they wasn’t enzo palmer caicedo Trevor was the rest played the same as always.


Well done to westham beat us all over the park hato garnacho looked like division 3 players let’s be right as well wrong team selection midweek but made changes and got lucky the PE teacher has pick wrong side again today and is already making changes I wanted meresca out but this kid is just playing Manager mode on Fifa.

31 Jan 2026 19:43:07
Obviously must be a good PE teacher.

31 Jan 2026 19:47:34
Big players turned up in end again we need to half this squad.

31 Jan 2026 20:11:09
Not every player in a squad plays well at the same time.

31 Jan 2026 18:31:35
As a positive, you’d think Estavao is going to get a lot more game time going forward. Garnacho and Gittens have zero confidence between them. Hato looks very out of his depth being ask to invert as he isn’t aware enough to know he still needs to cover the flank. Big second half coming up.

31 Jan 2026 19:42:17
Hato was exposed by Garnacho in my opinion.

31 Jan 2026 19:57:00
Tom, in my opinion Hato and Garnacho are both lightweight: even if a defender is “exposed “ they still have a job to do.

31 Jan 2026 19:58:27
Yeah, he was, but there were quite a few times that we lost the ball and Hato was stuck central leaving a lot of space. I can only assume he was asked to come into midfield when we had the ball, but he hasn’t quite grasped how to balance that tactic, which is understandable for an 18yo.

31 Jan 2026 20:06:53
Melbourne, spot on mate. Hato tucking in means Garnacho has to help the defender. As I said in a previous post it reminded me of the Liverpool full back at our place this season having to play behind Salah.

31 Jan 2026 21:26:12
I accept Hato is 19 but he was picked to play in a PL game; he cost £37 million +. Whereas, Josh is also 19 an academy player and is a far better defender than Hato, albeit on the right hand side.

31 Jan 2026 22:25:49
I would agree that at this moment in time Josh is the better player but hopefully they can both go one to have successful careers at Chelsea.

I remember virtually writing off Cucarella in his first season.

31 Jan 2026 23:07:37
Tom, I hope you are right and I agree we are are all guilty of writing off players to soon. I think Hato is technically good but I am not sure he is robust enough for the PL. As for Josh, perhaps a PL loan might be good for him to get more game time although I would prefer to have him in the squad.

31 Jan 2026 18:24:19
That was a truly shocking first half performance.

Losing individual battles all over the pitch and players not working hard enough. All basic stuff.

Garnacho’s first half performance will not live long in the memory.

Has to take Garnacho off and bring Santos on and then play 433. Rosenoir trying to far to clever.

31 Jan 2026 18:11:48
Well im just glad I no longer have to watch these performances at 4am after no sleep. Otherwise id be very upset.

Hopefully we can turn it around in the second but honestly, I'm not hopeful unfortunately.

31 Jan 2026 19:39:23
Never give up.

31 Jan 2026 20:00:36
I know this feeling all too well. Kick off was 1:30am my time, and I have to get up at 7am to walk the dog and head to work. Very rarely has the decision been worth it this year. Tonight was very sweet though, especially hearing all the “Stamford Bridge is burning down” chants in the first half and knowing those lads are heading home shattered!

31 Jan 2026 20:24:26
Incredible stuff. I don't envy it anymore Melbourne, and I respect your restraint to not get upset when you stay up across all hours. I've been a lot more chill with bad performances when they're on at 3pm.

Anyway. Amazing stuff to turn it around, but definitely work to do to not let ourselves get in that position in the first place.

31 Jan 2026 22:30:09
Melbourne, respect for your dedication. As for walking the dog, obviously it’s a responsibility but once I get started it clears my mind. My dog doesn’t care about Chelsea so we don’t argue.

31 Jan 2026 17:56:51
Gottens subbed. Real injury or just taken off cos a passenger again?

Anyway will stop posting so. much!

31 Jan 2026 18:11:44
But now 0-2 down and vant help saying this is one of the worst first halfs I can recall at the Bridge. Competely open down our left side. Too many of our second stringers been v poor. Showing up lack of real quality in depth in our squad.

31 Jan 2026 18:26:50
I have to say, JBS, I didn't see anything that looked even remotely jarring in the challenge.

31 Jan 2026 17:55:24
Seeing it again perhaps Sanchez should have saved that Hammers goal.

Both Gittens and Garnacho struggling.

31 Jan 2026 17:51:20
Badiashile looking a real liability in first 20 mins or so.

31 Jan 2026 18:04:52
The man is nothing but few good games everyone forgets just like the clown in net and gotten i wouldn’t pay in buttons.

31 Jan 2026 19:41:18
I’m sorry but Gittens was the issue and it reminded me of the left back getting exposed for Liverpool against us with Salah in front kf him.

31 Jan 2026 20:07:35
Not Gittens, I meant Garnacho.

31 Jan 2026 17:47:42
V poor start with CBs looking v unsure and looked to be at fault for Hammers early goal. BB as shaks as too often when pressed almost gifting them another.