ashwin

I had my suspicions...

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I agree it has been coming, but I won't fault him for it either. One, because his aggression was needed to ensure that Arsenal couldn't bully us. It set a marker for a scrap.

Two, because Kante is still relatively fresh on everyone's mind and to compare Caicedo or anyone to him is folly. Kante was the cleanest tackler of a ball since Maldini and Nesta hung up their boots. Caicedo can join many other great DMs - Essien, Makelele, Vieira, Keane - as players who would happily take some of the man with the ball. Caicedo probably cost us today, but I want every other EPL's club's AM to sh*t their pants before playing us knowing hard tackles are in his locker.

I mean, really? Over two seasons Caicedo has carried our midfield and Rice has done f**k all, least of it today when James, not a midfielder, has been twice the midfielder tHan Rice. Why is it that Chelsea fans w**k so much over Rice, an ex wet spam and present Arsenal player, to the point of thinking that Rice is today the better player than Caicedo? What’s next, saying that he is better than Kante was? Are we mad?

He was a pretty big part of the reason that the 'Set Piece Masters™' were unable to lay a glove on us. Sánchez is really very good when he's not f**king up catastrophically.

Have to give him credit today. We were the better team throughout the 90 minutes. Without the red card, we beat them today.

This is 100% a good thing, particularly given our total lack of pre-season. I know that we all want to see the hard Brexit, chest-beating, hamstring-snapping wasted effort that British people mistake for passion, but Maresca deserves credit for us being in third despite this being the case. Particularly impressive considering how many minutes we must have played with 10 men.

Might get stick on here for this, but Maresca is the man. He's going to take us to where we belong, constantly learning from his previous mistakes.

Credit where it’s due, he’s learnt after the Man Utd game that going down to 10 doesn’t mean giving up.
Let’s hope we can get back on track with 2 wins this week.
Maresca did well today.

Couldn't think of anywhere else to post this.
https://chelseasupporterstrust.com/wp-content/uploads/Protect-the-Fans.-Protect-the-Game.-Collective-Statement.pdf
Home ticket pricing – Time to halt the increases We, supporter organisations and Fan Advisory Board (FAB) representatives from Premier League clubs, are writing to you about the serious issue of rising costs in football and the impact this is having on supporters.
We are deeply concerned by the continuing trend of rising home ticket prices across the Premier League. These increases risk pricing out the very people who make the game what it is.
We are calling on all Premier League clubs to agree to a two-season halt on home ticket price increases for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
A collective halt would:
● Stop the arms race between clubs.
● Recognise that Premier League clubs are seeing considerable increases in commercial revenue, underpinned by the payments from the new broadcast deals, and that this provides the opportunity to explore how to allow the fans who are a part of the Premier League story to secure a small benefit.
● Allow for transparent sharing of ticketing data – including prices, sales, policies, and demographics – so everyone can understand how decisions are made
. ● Create space for proper dialogue between clubs, supporters, and FAB representatives on future ticketing plans.
Why we need a halt to home ticket price increases
1. Supporter consultation is vital Consultation with supporters is essential to the future of our stadiums. Open, fully transparent conversations about pricing, strategies, and policies should be the norm at every club. We understand the demand for tickets – we helped build it. We want clubs and the Premier League to work with supporters to create ticketing plans that are fair and sustainable.
2. The burden has never been greater Late TV fixture changes lead to higher travel costs, rearranged plans, and unsociable kick-off times. Fans are expected to be available for multiple possible TV slots, across multiple days, without any recognition of the extra cost or disruption that this causes to supporters.
This is extremely challenging for all supporters, but the impact this has on those with accessibility needs is even greater again, given the need to plan transport and assistance. Matchdays have never been harder to plan for, or more expensive to attend.
3. Your spending power – not ours £3 billion transfer windows, soaring agent fees and record wages won’t be paid for by increases in ticket prices. But increased ticket prices do have a real impact on ordinary supporters already facing rising costs in everyday life. We understand the commercial realities – but that’s exactly why we need to halt the increases and work together on a more balanced approach.
4. Maintain the passion
Atmosphere, loyalty, devotion – these are what make the Premier League the best in the world.
Our communities, friendships, and sense of belonging are built in our stadiums.
This shouldn’t be maximised for profit – it should be protected for the good of the game.
5. The £30 away cap showed it’s possible
The £30 away ticket cap was a landmark agreement that proved clubs and supporters can work together to make positive change.
It showed that valuing your supporters strengthens the game, and is something that must continue.
Now we need that same collective approach to deliver a two season-long halt on home ticket price increases and plan for the future together.
6. The broadcast deal.
The Premier League’s record-breaking UK and international broadcast deals continue to grow.
With three years remaining on the current UK deal, now is the perfect time to agree a two season-long halt – to allow proper review and alignment between club revenues and supporter costs.
7. Ensure access for all.
Football is for everyone. Rising prices are making it harder for regular fans, especially younger generations and working-class communities, to attend matches.
A halt on ticket increases gives us the chance to make sure football stays inclusive and accessible to all.
8. Stop the arms race.
We know some clubs worry about holding prices if their rivals continue to raise theirs. That’s why a Premier League-wide halt is needed.
It stops the constant cycle of increases and allows time to find a fairer, more transparent approach that doesn’t keep loading the burden onto fans.
Our Call.
We’re calling on Premier League clubs to:
● Commit to a two season-long halt on home ticket price increases for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
● Share clear and transparent ticketing data with supporters.
● Hold open, ongoing discussions with Fan Advisory Boards and supporter groups on future pricing plans.
● Use the two years to create proper dialogue structures between clubs and their supporters on ticketing.
Taking these steps now would show that clubs value their supporters and communities, and that they’re serious about the long-term health and sustainability of our game.
Protect the Fans. Protect the Game.
Signatories:
Co-signed by the Football Supporters’ Association and: 1894 Group MCFC (Manchester City), 93:20 Podcast (Manchester City), AFC Bournemouth Disabled Supporters Association, Aston Villa Fan Advisory Board, Aston Villa Supporters Trust, Arsenal Independent Supporters Association, Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST), Supporter Group Representatives of the Arsenal Advisory Board, Away Scheme Members (West Ham United), Blue Moon Podcast (Manchester City), BluesAway Supporters Club (Brighton & Hove Albion), Brentford Independent Supporters Association (BIAS), Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club, Brighton & Hove Albion Fan Advisory Board, Burnley FC Independent Supporters Association, Canal Street Blues LGBTQ+ (Manchester City), Change for Tottenham (Tottenham Hotspur), Chelsea FC Fan Advisory Board, Chelsea Supporters Club, Chelsea Supporters Group, Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, Cherries Trust (AFC Bournemouth), City HQ (Manchester City), City Matters - Manchester City Fan Advisory Board, City Report (Manchester City), City Xtra (Manchester City), Claret Members (West Ham United), Crystal Palace Independent Supporters Association, Crystal Palace Fan Advisory Board, cultuRED (Liverpool), Dads Our Job TV (West Ham United), Detroit Hammers (West Ham United), Dogma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Everton Fan Advisory Board, Everton Fans Forum, Football Flashbacks Podcast (West Ham United), Fulham Disabled Supporters Association, Fulham FC Fan Advisory Board, Fulham Lillies, Fulham Supporters Trust, Fulhamish, Garibaldi Girls (Nottingham Forest), Hammers Bond Company (West Ham United), Hammers United (West Ham United), Inclusive Irons (West Ham United), Junior Supporters Board (West Ham United), Kop Outs (Liverpool), Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA), Leeds United Supporters Network, Leeds United Supporters Trust, LGBeeTs - Brentford FC LGBTQIA+ Supporters Group, Liverpool Supporters’ Board, Manchester City Official Supporters Club (OSC), Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association, Manchester City Youth Supporters Club, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support (Manchester City), MCFC Lads (Manchester City), Minnesota Wolves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), Manchester United Youth Supporters Club, My Old Man Said (Aston Villa), Newcastle United Fan Advisory Board, Newcastle United Supporters Club, Newcastle United Supporters Trust, NUSCL - The London Mags (Newcastle United), NUFC Fans Foodbank (Newcastle United), North West Sussex Seagulls (Brighton & Hove Albion), Old Gold Pack (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Old School Hammers (West Ham United), Pride in Fulham (Fulham), Pride of Irons (West Ham United), Proud Forest (Nottingham Forest), Proud Lilywhites (Tottenham Hotspur), Punjabi Forest (Nottingham Forest), Punjabi Villans (Aston Villa), Red All Over The Land (Liverpool), Red and White Army Supporters Trust (Sunderland), Redmen TV (Liverpool), Save Our Seniors (Tottenham Hotspur), Solid Citizens (Manchester City), Spion Kop 1906 (Liverpool), Spirit of Shankly Liverpool Supporters Union, Spurs REACH (Tottenham Hotspur), SpursAbility (Tottenham Hotspur), Sunderland AFC Branch Liaison Council, Talking Cherries (AFC Bournemouth), Talking Hammers (West Ham United), The 1958 (Manchester United), The Anfield Wrap (Liverpool), The Bobby Moore Stand Fan Channel (West Ham United), The Mancunian Way (Manchester City), The Red Army - TRA (Manchester United), The West Ham Way, Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, Trade Union Blues (Manchester City), Trans Pennine Irons (West Ham United), United with Pride (Newcastle United), Up the Clarets (Burnley), Villa & Proud (Aston Villa), Villa Bellas (Aston Villa), VillansTogether Aston Villa), We Are The Shed (Chelsea), West Ham Network, West Ham United Disabled Supporters Association, West Ham United Fan Advisory Board, West Ham United Supporters Club, West Ham United Supporters’ Trust, Westhamfan86, White Rose Reds (Liverpool), Women of the Lane (Tottenham Hotspur), Wolverhampton Wanderers London Supporters Club - London Wolves, Wolves 1877 Trust (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Wolves Fan Advisory Board (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Wolves Women Podcast (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Wor Flags (Newcastle United).
For more on “Protect The Fans. Protect The Game.” or if you wish to add your supporter organisation as a signatory email: [email protected]
● www.thefsa.org.uk
● Search socials: @WeAreTheFSA

This is what I don't get. It's not been sh*t, we're 8 wins out of the last 10, with 26 goals scored in those games. That isn't sh*t. Your expectations are too high...
If this was Chelsea from 2021, 2017, 2015 or before then I understand. If you judge it on the last 4 years, then we're playing pretty well. Still lots of room to improve but the curve is heading upwards. I just find it weird that there is little optimism.

It's weird how quiet this forum has been after last night. That was the best game I have been to in a long time, better than the Liverpool win earlier this season. Sure, the red card helped, but we were on top before that moment anyway.
These nights don't come around often and I thought more would be revelling in this great win. This is a good Barca side, they have very good players and we made them look average.
Also I don't get this talk of our team "struggles to create chances". We're one goal away from having scored the most in the league this season (23 scored, City and Arsenal 24). I mean come on, clearly we're creating a decent amount, or we're just really good at finishing off opportunities which I totally don't buy.
We've won 8 out of the last 10 games, including Barcelona, Liverpool and Spurs, scoring 26 goals at 2.6 per game (quick maths). Arsenal have won 9 out of the last ten, with the only "good" side being Spurs at home.
I get the feeling that unless we're winning 5-0 with the most scintillating and intricate football imagineable, nothing will be good enough.

I just think it's very very hard for a game against a bottom half premier league side to be that entertaining. When we play a side that actually wants to play football, we are entertaining. I think it's nostalgia bias to say Chelsea under Jose MK1 or other managers was always entertaining, he did invent the "park the bus" phrase to complain against how teams played us.
There are issues, some of those are down to Maresca but I'm not fully convinced he can't fix them. The united game was shocking, hopefully he's learnt from that.
Also, I don't understand the unlikable thing about Maresca some say. He seems like the type of bloke I'd love to have a beer with. Unlike Potter or Sarri or Poch.

You should watch the game again mate, he was top playmaker today, deserved to score 2 goals at least, chose the best option almost every time, never stopped running. His best game of the year by far.

Yes I watched it. I was happy. We won. We defended well. Santos played great. We were easily the better side for the entire game. Gave up very few genuine chances.
Could we have performed better? Sure. Id love to see us zip it around faster at times. But we got the job done, kept a clean sheet, had no injuries and we look like being the biggest challengers to Arsenal for the title and now move onto the bigger games this week.
Im all for criticising Maresca. But a 2 nil away win on a weekend when Liverpool, Man city and Tottenham lost is not the time for me to reach for the Maresca is sh*t button.

In the modern game rotation is a fact. It's one of the reasons Arsenal are top at the moment. It's not an option when you are trying to win every competition.
Was it you who was banging on about playing Estavao last week instead of Neto? We played Neto, rested Estavao and now have him for our biggest two games of the season. Neto played well and as I've said in past he can hold that position down. He was probably the second best player on the pitch after Santos who wouldn't get a look in if you got your way.

I think saying we need to put out our strongest team so we dont drop points is the definition of thinking its a banana skin.
Maresca didnt do that, we won the game. Clean sheet. But we continue on this "Everything bad is manager. Everything good is luck / player"

Although I have been critical of Maresca's choices and selections, Arteta has rested Rice this season too when they played Forest. Tottenham is a different magnitude of game. Caicedo played 90 mins in both games whilst Rice didn't. Also we had a game on Saturday at 12.30pm which is much less recovery time. Arsenal played Sunday. Big difference. If Caicedo got injured, then fans would be questioning what is point of bringing likes of Santos back if we don't play him. We have a lot of key games coming up week in, week out. Players are not robots.
Arsenal are in a good position in the UCL, that losing to Bayern they still should be ok. The game against us is a lot more important for them. I know some of their fans would prefer players are rested against Bayern.

You’re undermining the popularity of the cemetery there Jim, I’ve heard people are dying to get in there.

"Everything manager does is bad. Everything player does is good"
So tired of seeing these takes.
Maresca put out the right team, made the right subs, we won away from home in a game everyone said we'd find sticky.

295M spent on central defenders under these owners and our 3 best in the squad (Colwill, Chalobah, Josh) all came from the academy and the next in line was free from Fulham.

Think he is going to frighten a few people this season.

I believe so. We cant forget Musialas injury. Chances are that Jackson will play ST and Kane will move into the CF/SS/CAM position to compensate for the lack of players and also his legs. It will definitely not be Kane or Jackson, they will both play games. Wings/ST/CF is how Jackson will be utilized.
Honestly, I think he will do great there. There is a massive gap between PL and Bundesliga. He can miss plenty while scoring plenty, games are wide open over there.