Delnino

We also played Sheff Utd at home and threw away a 2 goal lead, theyre neither good or world class but ya, we should be picking up our first home PL win here. I'd go 4-3-3 though Kepa Azp Zouma Tomori Alonso Kante Jorginho Kovacic Willian Abraham Mount Subs : Willy James Christensen Barkley Pulisic Odoi Michy

The fact Palace wanted him to replace AWB should speak volumes of the level that hes placed himself at after his very successful Wigan loan. I dont think he'll replace Azp just yet but over time, with more first team training and the odd cup match, it is going to happen. I wouldnt blow my load after the performance last night because it was only a mediocre league 2 side he and the youths played but he has certainly shown at times hes more than capable of being the FB we desperately need on that side.

if we dont win this, Frank and Jody should be sent back to the Championship. Win and keep a clean sheet for once, that would be a decent start. Caballero James Zouma Tomori Alonso Barkley Gilmour Pedro Pulisic Odoi Giroud

Lampard, as usual, a bit clueless in big decisions. Mount wasnt 100% it seemed and was the most useless attacking player we had, hes got a fully fit Pedro and Pulisic both benched because well hes a youth product, so he'll get a free pass, even if hes s**t for 90 odd minutes. Tammy and Mount together missed serious chances and in effect, cost us at least 1 point, if not all 3 points between them. As much as a good display against a strong side is encouraging, we're still pretty dire and if it wasnt for Utd and Spurs having relatively s**t starts themselves, we'd be well off the pace for top 4 now. Its nearly October and we've yet to win a home game and at least one of those games was a gimme that we f**ked away a 2 goal lead. If Lampard doesnt sort out the defence we wont finish higher than 8th and nothing in the last 8 competitive matches fills me with confidence that he can., given we've not kept a single clean sheet in any of them

The biggest issue was he missed a relatively easy chance, and then had another great chance from a header before the end of the half. The fact that he didnt even look up for Mount for the square ball is a worry because he has to score once hes taken the decision to be selfish, hes a decent finisher and will hopefully get better but he was a bit brain dead not looking up for a team mate in that situation. Willian is guilty of it nearly every game he plays, so the same criticism I'd give Willian, Tammy has to get also.

What was so frustrating about their goal was the warning signs were there, they worked 2 corners short and got 2 shots off previously to the free kick goal, both were well worked routines but they got shots off from 18 yards out without anybody closing them down. We simply cant defend, no matter who plays in the back line, theres no resolve in this side, theyre far too soft.

You simply cant lose your first home game in the CL and expect a smooth ride, I'd prefer if we finish 4th in the group rather than sink in to the EL. Lampard and his bizarre subs, among other things, have cost us 3 home wins already this season. That result was bad but the performance of the team and a few individuals was poisonous. It makes a trip to Lille in 2 weeks time a must win game, we follow that up with an Ajax double header, first game is away in Amsterdam, in those 3 games, if we dont take at least 6 points, we're done for in the group stages already.

After last nights s**t show, I'm far less confident than I was 24 hours ago. This team is still as weak as water when it comes to doing any defending and a quicker CF would have had joy last night against us, even with 3 at the back their forwards and wide men got joy down the sides of our CBs, if it wasnt for Tomoris pace, we'd have got done on the turn more than once, we wont have that luxury against Mane, Salah, Firmino and their 2 FBs. 3-4-3 can get in the bin as far as Im concerned, go back to 4-3-3, match them up and pray we can outscore them because no matter who we play in the back line, we're not keeping clean sheet. Kepa Dave Rudiger Tomori Emerson Kante Jorginho Kovacic Willian Abraham Pulisic

Barkley has been utter, utter w**k in any competitive game this year for us. He had a good pre season and reverted to type, which is a decent player but nowhere near the standard required for a club with ambitions for top 4. Lamp and Azp have to shoulder as much blame as Barkley for missing that penalty though, every man and his dog knows that Jorginho is the best penalty taker in the club but the manager and captain allowed Barkley to boss the situation. Barkley deserves all the criticism he is getting but as a panto villian, Willian done his best last night to upset Barkley, Jorginho had the good grace to get out of his way but Willian was hovering over the ball like a vulture.

Kepa is 100% at fault for the first goal IMO, the header didnt have massive power behind and he should know Tammy is on the post, he bloody put him there. 😄 So pushing it out to the side instead of stopping it, is something he has to work on. Hes got weak enough wrists, I mean hes got hi shands to penalties and shots in the past and they've still gone in, its not a major criticism but he cancertainly improve that part of his game. Cant fault Kepa for the 2nd though, first shot, if its more in the corner to his right hand side, it probably goes in first time so the rebound goal is nobody's fault really, maybe Alonso for allowing Doherthy to ghost in behind him if you really want to blame someone but if we win every game by 2 or 3 goals this season, I'd happily leave in a few goals at our end. 😄

Ampadu is quality but he has to really nail down a position first, IMO. Hes being used as a CDM for Wales and a CB/CDM at Chelsea. I dont think hes big enough physically to be a CB myself but Azp was fine there in a 3 and Cannavro was hardly useless, was he? Another player from the Academy, Ake, is not a hulking CB and hes a decent player so hes certainly got a chance to make it at Chelsea as a CB but as you were saying, hes so composed on the ball, he could nearly be a Jorginho light, type CDM, keeping it ticking over and getting his side out of trouble. It really depends on how this loan season goes and where Frank sees him for next year, as it stands, we're pretty stacked in CB and CDM options but if he performs well in Germany and impresses in next pre season, theres nothing stopping him playing for us long term, i just hope he identifies where HE wants to play long term and tries to stick with it.

With the CL back, transfer money from Morata, Hazard, next season we should have, and i hate saying it, a war chest of money. I'd prefer if it was used to finally redevelop the Bridge, the team as it stands is the youngest its been for a long time and not only that, the youngsters are pretty decent. There is no better time to spend money on the Bridge than right now with players that will be only entering their prime by the time the updated Bridge would be ready for nearly 60k fans.

I reckon James, because of the lack of competition for his place at the moment. Mount, Abraham, Odoi can all be replaced within the current squad and at a swipe of a pen in the summer if the club decides it. I still think Mount, Abraham and Odoi will all be top class too, as long as they perform, they wont be replaced from the starting XI. I would have had high hopes for Bulka too but signing another relatively young GK that breaks your transfer record, he was never going to stay, unfortunately.

Confident, someone needs to stop the scouse hype train, especially after City lost at the weekend.

We have to go full strength tomorrow night and start off with a win in the CL. Win your 3 home games and you're well set up to top the group and get potentially an easier draw in the K/O stages. I'd go with Kepa Azp Tomori Christensen Alonso Barkley Jorginho Kovacic Willian Tammy Mount Bring in Kante, Rudiger and Emerson for the Pool game if theyre fit. Pulisic could be rotated with Willian but Pulisic himself had a good game against Pool in the super cup and was inches away from scoring an exceptional goal against them.

Cant see us winning this game at all, we're a shambles at the back. If everyone is ready we should line up as Kepa James Rudi Christensen Emerson Kante Jorginho Kova Pulisic Abraham Mount

I'll start off by saying i really like Kepa, when a team is trying to play football like Chelsea, you need a keeper thats very good with their feet, can pass first time and not be afraid to leave their line to sweep up, sure Kepa could be a more dominant in the 6 yard box but he doesnt have the height or strength for it, Chelsea, for about 15 years before Kepa, were blessed with 2 absolute monsters in that regard in Courtois and Cech who are both well above 6'4 , Courtois was one of the most dominate GKs i've seen in claiming high balls but Kepa doesnt have that in his locker, he must be giving up about 3 inches or so to those guys so dominating the area is something he wont do or will ever do, IMO. He does however have fantastic reflexes and a great spring, a trade off for his size and physicality. I think given the circumstances in losing Courtois, we couldnt have asked for a better GK to play the type of football that Sarri and Lamps want to play, the only other GKs you'd want to play that style and that are currently better than him are Ederson, Ter Stegen, Alisson and none of them were available at the time, Alisson was but Liverpool beat us to him and TBH, hes had more in play mistakes last year than Kepa last year. Hes very similar to De gea, although his distribution is much better and if you compare both of their first seasons in PL football, Kepa has made the transition a lot more smoothly than De Gea did all those years ago and hes now Spains #1 GK, I think we'll be fine with Kepa long term as he adjusts to the PL even more.

My main fear this season was goal scoring before we kicked a ball but now after seeing Mount and Tammy playing well, its shifted to the back line, im not confident in this back 4, in any of its make up, to keep a run of clean sheets going. I still think we'll be pushing for 4th but if we finished 5th-6th, with Lamps, a ban and losing Hazard, it would be a good season.

I'd have no issue selling Alonso in Janaury or in the summer coming, he excelled as a WB in a very particular formation but as a FB, he makes a 30 odd yea old Ivanovic look like prime Dani Alves, hes just a shambles back there and looks every bit the type of player that has played for Bolton and Sunderland. Emerson has had a impressive start to the season and must be considered a nailed on starter at this stage, whether or not hes good enough long term remains to be seen but if he has a good season, I'd happily keep him for the future. Chilwell would be a great option at LB but youd be paying 50m+ for him in todays market and for a FB, I think thats madness.

We paid a lot of money for Pulisic but im delighted we got him in when we did and beat the transfer ban as the kid can play. Himself and Odoi on the flanks for us going forward will be massive threats, both can play off either foot and are very quick across the ground. I cant see either of them getting 15-20 PL goals and matching Hazards figures, not just yet, but I've faith that they'll push on and be a force in the PL in the next 2 years.

Luiz has played a blinder here. Hes managed to convince Emery to sign him AGAIN. I think long term Zouma & Rudiger will be the CB pairing but the fact Luiz wouldn't fight for a jersey shows you exactly what type of person you're dealing with. Hes had some real high points in the Chelsea shirt, including 3 European titles but leaving the club in the manner he has is a joke. Honestly, had it happened at the start of the window, I dont think anyone would have cared all that much but leaving the club when you're the senior CB, the next best CB is recovering from a knee issue and the other 3 still have question marks over their head, its a bit sh*t from Luiz. The sooner the Brazilian mafia are cut of the club the better and hopefully Willian follows him next year.

The lad has joined up with the squad 9 days after the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Shows hes willing to put in the work and make every session count. He gets nothing but respect for me for not taking a 2 week holiday and coming back late to pre season., it shows great desire to impress Lampard and the fans. Meanwhile, Willian is still in Brazil, granted hes got a minor knock but he should have come back to Cobham to work on it and not take an extended, unnecessary leave.

If Odoi stays, he'll be the new Hazard here. If he leaves it will probably be the most bitter departure from Chelsea in as long as I can remember, Chelsea have done everything for Odoi and also, hes grabbed the opportunities hes had by performing but the club isnt penny pinching with the deal being offered to him. I'd hope at 18 it wasnt all about money, nor should we have to sell the idea of playing for Chelsea to him but its clear as day he'll be a starter when hes fit and that he's going to be a millionaire many times over with a good chance of success at Chelsea in the coming years. Bayern is a bit like going to PSG or Celtic, sure you'll win everything for years to come but theres no challenge for 95% of the games you play every week.

Theres no way Odoi leaves IMO. Once back from injury, himself and Pulisic will be the starting wingers and at 18 and 20, they've got a decade at the top with the club. The only other options for Chelsea out wide are a useless Brazilian and an ageing Pedro.

Kane and Salah will see half their penalties turned down. Hopefully if they start booking those diving twats for going down easy, Spurs and Pool might actually drop a few more points this year.