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That is a Cup game though, and he will definitely start. I just don’t think he will hang around post Jan playing 10-15 in PL games. That also applies to Quenda & Gittens. If the manager insists on playing 3-4-3, he needs to be able to offer his options more than 15mins each game.

Dates confirmed. 23 September 2026 - Austria Vienna (H) 8pm 30 September 2026 - OL Lyonnes (A) 8pm 28 October 2026 - AS Roma (H) 5.45pm 10 November 2026 - BK Hacken (A) 5.45pm 18 November 2026 - Paris Saint-Germain (H) 8pm 16 December 2026 - OH Leuven (A) 8pm

It was a tough one yesterday. I would like to have seen Estevao and Welbeck introduced earlier yesterday, but Alonso probably thought go too gung-ho and they get a third and then it's definitely game over. But I agree with Pedro. Bar a couple of moments, he was well off it yesterday and that is a slight concern as it seems to happen in all of our "big" games. With Palmer, unless he was having an absolute shocker or of course picked up a knock, I would be loathe to take him off as he IS the player that can make something happen. He was okay yesterday but didn't get enough of the ball in the danger areas - not helped by Pedro dropping deep so often. That's why a wish we had signed Wharton. He would be feeding all three of our attackers rather than them having to come and look for the ball.

I agree, it's not enough minutes, but I guess they are mindful of the injury and to be fair, the team has been performing pretty well. But he definitely should have come on earlier yesterday and it would be good to see him get at least 45 minutes v Leeds mid-week.

Doesnt offer enough end product. I dont really have an issue with him as he has survived the summer cull and the manager obviously see's something in his game. Im genuinely interested to see what Alonso can do. IMO Neto is a far less effective Willian. Dare I say it, but I'd much rather have kept George, who on here wasnt good enough, but had more redeeming qualities than Neto and would have saved us spending on Gittens, Garnacho and Neto (circa 150 million). Always do this, but probably good to compare how both George and Pedro handle the season and finish with the better stats. Put George in my Fantasy team ahead of Neto so that's my take on it. It's also why Im keen for Alonso to work some magic with the squad he has (if possible) and be given 18 months to sort out the mess he has inherited from the past 3 seasons. Madueke hasnt kicked on since moving to Arsenal, didnt really impress at the world cup, glad he's no longer here, think I'll eventually say the same about Neto, but hope he can up his game while he's here, he's probably a demon on the five a side kick abouts.

Judging from these first 3 games, there is no comfort in our backline or defensive shape whatsoever. We could have 10 defenders on the pitch, and it would be more of the same. This will take the most time to sort out.

Expecting another strong team here like Luton.

+ Bruno and Merino. I think I am starting to agree that it should be Scott + Wharton instead of one or the other. Not sure why Alonso didn't bring on Barco, especially for some creativity, needing a goal.

They're paid to just agree with whatever the on field decision is. Its embarrassing and everyone sees through it.

Yup, and that muppet Tim Sherwood saying Emi made to much of it. Honestly, the levels of punditry and officiating are in the gutter.

Dermott Gallagher buy any chance? The blokes an over stretched scrotum.

Ref watch deemed Gabriel was going for the ball when he kicked Emi in the head...surprise surprise.

Last season he scored 10 PL goals, for reference this would be double Neto's highest ever PL goal tally in a single season (8th season). If 10 goals for Palmer is 'poor', then 5 goals for Neto is absolutely abysmal. Thank you for proving my point. By attracted i mean there must be some form of arousal to defend someone so painfully average. Hope this clears up any confusion.

I d like to see Estevao get at least 30 minutes in every game, it should be enough time for him to affect the game positively. One of Palmer Pedro or Rodgers can make way for him. 7mins v Fulham 0mins v Brighton 9mins v Arsenal isnt enough.

I guess you have to question why Odegard was allowed to get on the end of that ball unmarked, although the clever dummy from Havertz helped with the goal. So that's down to James and Lavia. But I wouldn't say they were really to blame. Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say that was a well worked goal. Perhaps we could have prevented it but it's more the first goal I was annoyed with than the second. Thinking back, only minutes earlier Odegard went down and was moaning as James had caught him. If only James had kicked him harder and put him out the game!!

That's a lie. He only had 3 full seasons with Chelsea so far. Previous one definitely poor, 2nd one is pretty good but not in world class cat. Only the first one that would be just enough to be classified as world class. And what do you mean 'attracted' to neto? in what way?

We're going to be stuck with him forever

Because we admit that mistakes were made. Top four is a decent shout after all the clown show that has been happening for the past four years. Investing 1.5B does not translate to automatic success because 30 Disasis and Garnachos for 1.5B is not the same as 15 Cole Palmers foe 1.5B. At least the owners have finally admited they have no clue and gave a man with reall football knowledge the keys. Now let's wait and see what happens next, Alonso talked about "phase 1" of rebuilding the culture being done. To suddenly think we must talk about a title challenge is silly. We will get there, but at the moment it's small steps, four years of wrongdoings can't be undone in a few months only. Let's see how the next "phases" look first, but if you ask me I do believe that Alonso will start next summer's pre-season by talking about winning the PL as the main target. It won't be a long project anymore. Now we got a world class GK and front three, we just need one great midfielder next to Caicedo and one or two very good center backs next to Lacroix and we are good to go.

Ahye, meant to type 2-1 He’s also essentially at fault for both the late goals. An absolute disasterclass.

It's a fair reflection of the game. Who's to blame for the winning goal?

Is this the Palmer thread? Palmer has multiple world class seasons to fall back on if he has a quiet game, i genuinely can't remember a single game where Neto was the stand out player in a Chelsea shirt. Anywho, Palmer actually manager 2 shots on target in the game, Neto managed a grand total of zero. He lost the ball less, which is impressive seeing as he played 20 minutes longer than Neto (10 times v 14 times). Carried the ball further. Even on his bad day, he's still head and shoulders above Netonyahu. Look, its okay to be attracted to Neto, that won't make him a good player though. Just lock yourself in a dark room and whisper sweet nothings to your Neto shrine, one day the voice in your head may reply.

Peculiar take on zinchenko. thought he's never good enough, bin by city and arsenal pretty quick. renato is still injury prone no? No idea with brozovic, never heard of him. Out of that list , i think alaba could be another thiago for us but he gives the impression he's more money focus. What's the reason again he becomes free agent?

really? his acceleration looks quite light though, low center of gravity. Just for comparison, which players in Chelsea's camp that excels in acceleration?

This is the only downer for me too. They are not giving Xabi everything yet. Once fitness levels increase, once injury prone players have confidence in their bodies, then we need to move nearer to Alonso’s gegenpressing principles. I think he wants us to give the ball to the opposition and then as they come forwards to press high and hard, thereby finding space and countering with our clinical attack. We are not there yet but I still think we're on the right path and we'll get there. Many of the posts we put on here can come back to haunt us on occasions but I really like this manager's philosophy. I like the brand of football and I hope we are successful with it. Not just because we're Chelsea, but because I don't want this robotic mindless borefest football being the template. I want to be entertained when I watch a match and I really believe this guy could deliver it.