BostonBall

We played well, especially first half, but we were always vulnerable in transition. They got the ball and bang, they were swarming all over us. We had absolutely nothing shielding the defence. It was a problem the entire pre-season and hopefully this is a wake up call for Frank. Away from home, we were way too open. It was easy for them to attack us. Right from the off.
 
Performances, well our CBs are a concern. Rudiger walks into this team but one of the other three has to step up. Kante obviously walks back in too, for one of Jorginho or Kova. I feel Frank made a mistake with Barkley. He excelled at number 10 in the pre-season, our best player by far, he should have started there today, with Mount on the bench. I'm very surprised Mount got a start, though he looked confident. 
 
We're going to have to be patient. I really feel Callum will be the key player this season as he will give us an attacking edge. He obviously needs to sign that contract.
 
The likes of Tammy, our CBs, Mason, Reece James when he comes in, Callum, Pulisic, we're all going to have to be very patient. We're on the start of a journey and it will take time but I'm fully signed up to the journey and I hope you all are too. We lack a commanding CB without Rudiger, we lack a top class striker but Tammy may grow into one, and we lack a midfield enforcer though I think Ethan will provide that next season.
 
On another day the game could have gone differently but the scoreline may have done us a favour. I think it might focus everybody's minds. This is going to be a hard season and we mustn't be under any illusions. Our manager is a rookie, with only one year under his belt in the Championship. The same applies to his staff. The same applies to a few players, including Tammy and Mason today. Let's be realistic. Let's temper all our expectations. Let's embrace the journey we're on. Most importantly, have faith.
 
Mourinho? I can't stand him. Think he took pleasure in watching us lose. He certainly has no loyalty towards Chelsea and he's going to delight in trying to apply as much pressure on us as possible. Frank is right to play the youth. Jose resents that because he's not a nurturing manager, Frank must learn to cut off all the noise. I've got a feeling most of it will be coming from Jose's mouth.
 
Appointing Frank Lampard and playing all these kids is never going to be about the short-term. That's something Jose Mourinho will never understand.
 
Onwards and upwards. Come on Chelsea.

As a new Chelsea sympathizer (stereotypical american pulisic fan) I've enjoyed your coverage of the preseason.  I also worry for the back line and strikers of course.
 
I have watched Dortmund for the last 2 seasons, so here's some thoughts on Batshuayi and Pulisic.  The bats man was also at Dortmund on loan and I'll say that though he has sparks of form, he only did so well because he came off the bench.  He just doesn't have the well rounded and solidified game to be reliable yet.  Expect some ups and downs with him.
Pulisic has energy and determination to "make stuff happen" in a game, which will be a good refreshing feeling for the culture of the team, but half way through the season you'll get annoyed by it too.  It's never out of place on those games where you feel like your team lack the drive to score though.  Regardless he's still a good offensive winger and will tee up lots of assist opportunities.  His big struggle is that his dribbling is better than his finishing, though it's hard to place because while he can finish very well sometimes, he just isn't a person that has that reliable nose for the right type of shot to take in the right moment.  You can and should call it youth, but try as he might it didn't get much better in his 2+ years at Dortmund.
 
That being said, go crush man u in the opener!

As a new Chelsea sympathizer (stereotypical american pulisic fan) I've enjoyed your coverage of the preseason.  I also worry for the back line and strikers of course.
 
I have watched Dortmund for the last 2 seasons, so here's some thoughts on Batshuayi and Pulisic.  The bats man was also at Dortmund on loan and I'll say that though he has sparks of form, he only did so well because he came off the bench.  He just doesn't have the well rounded and solidified game to be reliable yet.  Expect some ups and downs with him.
Pulisic has energy and determination to "make stuff happen" in a game, which will be a good refreshing feeling for the culture of the team, but half way through the season you'll get annoyed by it too.  It's never out of place on those games where you feel like your team lack the drive to score though.  Regardless he's still a good offensive winger and will tee up lots of assist opportunities.  His big struggle is that his dribbling is better than his finishing, though it's hard to place because while he can finish very well sometimes, he just isn't a person that has that reliable nose for the right type of shot to take in the right moment.  You can and should call it youth, but try as he might it didn't get much better in his 2+ years at Dortmund.
 
That being said, go crush man u in the opener!

As a new Chelsea sympathizer (stereotypical american pulisic fan) I've enjoyed your coverage of the preseason.  I also worry for the back line and strikers of course.
 
I have watched Dortmund for the last 2 seasons, so here's some thoughts on Batshuayi and Pulisic.  The bats man was also at Dortmund on loan and I'll say that though he has sparks of form, he only did so well because he came off the bench.  He just doesn't have the well rounded and solidified game to be reliable yet.  Expect some ups and downs with him.
Pulisic has energy and determination to "make stuff happen" in a game, which will be a good refreshing feeling for the culture of the team, but half way through the season you'll get annoyed by it too.  It's never out of place on those games where you feel like your team lack the drive to score though.  Regardless he's still a good offensive winger and will tee up lots of assist opportunities.  His big struggle is that his dribbling is better than his finishing, though it's hard to place because while he can finish very well sometimes, he just isn't a person that has that reliable nose for the right type of shot to take in the right moment.  You can and should call it youth, but try as he might it didn't get much better in his 2+ years at Dortmund.
 
That being said, go crush man u in the opener!