Paddy

It’s f**king bent

Kepa woulda scored that one

And don’t bring any valuables either

James v James is an interesting match up , but there’s only one winner there !

Mata v Giroud in a 50 metre race - assuming they can make it to the end, who wins ?

He’s injured , apparently??

Just read the Kepa is ‘unavailable’ for selection because of a shoulder injury ?? Very convenient that ?

I don’t think it’s a confidence thing, I just don’t think he’s any better than his recent performances - he’s just not a very capable goalkeeper , his level is what we’ve seen. I think Cech is returning because he’s seen Kepa in training and realises what a problem he is ? Kepa doesn’t have any value as far as I can see, be amazed if anyone wants him ?

This works for me. Natural ball playing defenders who can do it all (arguably like VVD) are a very rare commodity and consequently very expensive, especially if they already have a reputation - somebody mentioned that our scouts did a good job ‘finding’ Chilwell, I don’t mean to be petty, but I’m not sure he was lost - his pedigree was there to be seen, it was only ever a matter of if he wanted it and how much Leicester could ring out of us. Where our scouts would earn their dough is finding the next ‘one’ , probably needs to be a kid that we can develop, I don’t imagine that they aren’t trying, I don’t say that it’s easy and I’m sure they have to sometimes wait until Real M and Barca etc have had their dinner first ? Sarr played last night for Porto v manc city, they lost but he did ok apparently - who knows ?

It’s ridiculous after 3 games , but your right , it’s like a load has been lifted ??

Your absolutely right about the v Liverpool games, but I just always remember, in the build up especially, feeling a bit ‘comfortable’ v the arsewipes when Drogba was playing, he terrorised their CB’s and Senderos especially - I think he scored something like 12 or more times in not many more matches - so I used to look forward to that fixture particularly and it didn’t matter much where it was being played.

I certainly agree with your thoughts regarding Havertz - he has some learning to do regarding playing in the PL I feel, as do all the newbies really, with the exception of Chilwell who has just slotted right in - maybe that shouldn’t come as a surprise since he has been a PL regular for a while. l don’t mind at all Striders selection and your suggestion of 4 across the middle. I think the history of this kind of fixture might be lost on some of the new guys, I certainly believe, for example, that Drogba was always 20% more pumped v the arseholes, so start with the old guard and let Havertz, Ziyech etc sit on the bench and be ready to come on for a dynamic impact at >65 minutes.

That’s an interesting thought ?!!

It’s amazing what a nights kip does for you and although it’s pissing down, overcast and grey outside I’m feeling much more positive than I was after the game last night. I hope that everyone is fit for Saturday and assuming they are, then there won’t be, I imagine, much change from the side that played last night. Wether you agree with the selection last night isn’t necessarily the point , I understand the arguments for/against Mount, Zouma, Christensen etc, the significant point from last night is the NIL . Given all the furore surrounding Kepa and his f**k ups, aided and abetted, at times, by other Chelsea personnel that have been a freak show these last few weeks/months , it was a relief, a f**king blessed relief , to finish up without having conceded a goal and especially a goal that didn’t need conceding. Consequently, I imagine that the team will feel ok-ish about themselves this morning, especially when you factor in that we were playing the serial winners and almost owners of the Europa league trophy - don’t think it’s wrong to say that Sevilla are decent , very decent infact. James came of age last night, seriously hope he can develop and maintain that game that’s definitely in him and produce it consistently. Mendy IS a goal keeper, let’s hope he too is consistent. Chilwell is going to be a Chelsea legend I feel , really like what I see. Silva - he’s got mistakes in him, but he’s the sticking plaster we need at CB, he’s very comfortable, but old and Brazilian ( insofar as he still wants to play international football almost 6000 miles away). Confidence builds confidence, little steps , don’t think for a moment that we can do what those cu*ts from 3 points lane did to the mancs the other week @ 1-6 (f**king hurts to say it, but they were good value) , so be solid at the back and let Pulisic and Wenger loose on Maguire and co . The important thing is that we may, at last, have a back four and goalkeeper that can compete and hold their own along with Silva oozing confidence and showing absolutely no fear, I hope that becomes infectious throughout the back four and that they “play and die’ for each other, like all great defensive units do. I get the feeling that there’s just a little tweak, a small adjustment or 2 to be made in selection/position to get these guys working as a unit , I feel it’s close - God, I hope it’s not those f**king blue glasses again !!!!

Is that the official line ? I’m thinking that Peta has watched Kepa in training for a while now and has realised that as long as he’s got a hole in his bum, Kepa will never be a top 4 CL keeper, hence the decision to get himself included in the squad and available for selection. It cannot be a surprise to Kepa that there is a need for additional goal keeping staff, he must realise that he’s playing way below what is expected and is being criticised by everyone - he must surely realise that it’s all justified and he must seriously doubt his abilities, but bringing back the bloke who did your job before, just to ‘help out’ - Kepa’s death knell I reckon ?? Still, 200k a week until 2025, there are worse things for him to worry about I guess ?

I agree with most everything you have said, although I think Zouma might have been off sick when the defence was being trained ???! Actually, his f**k ups are mostly because he’s not a very good ball player, never seems especially comfortable with the ball at his feet , ask him to run through plate glass and he’s a 10/10 man, but play a soft, deft pass here and there and he is more a 7/10? Silva is a worry, he took a pill on the pitch during the warm up - I don’t know why ? and I too thought he done his groin at the finish ? Like so many on here, I think he is essential for our season, so FL needs to wrap him up and keep him safe to play in the appropriate games. I said on another thread that none of our CB’s seem good enough, often enough to play alongside Silva, someone suggested Azpi becoming the other half of a pair with Silva ? It could work although it was pointed out that there is a lack of height with an Azpi/Silva pairing, but assuming that that suggestion doesn’t get any traction with the coaches, then it really is any 1 from Zouma, Christensen or Tomori as the centre back pairing? However, given Silva’s continuance with Brazil and his age, he won’t be available for all the games, in which case, on occasion, it’s 2 from 3 ?! Given FL team selections so far this season, I would say that Zouma is in pole position to partner Silva and I’d like to think (and hope) that Zouma has had his quota of mistakes for a while and so he gets the seat on Saturday for me - might be worthwhile someone, preferably bi-lingual, explaining the concept of ‘putting ya laces through the ball’ and explain where row Z is before the weekend ? James and Silva were great last night and I wish it were the CF who scored a hat trick and not a defender who had to work his nuts off that gets MOTM, but that accolade goes to James I think, just because it’s the first time I’ve seen that type of performance in him and he worked his arse off last night. What I am really pleased about, however, are Mendy and Chilwell. Mendy didn’t do anything too spectacular - did paw away a deflected effort that was goal bound - but he just did what you expect your goal keeper to do, he seems safe and competent and the NIL against us last night will feel great to our defence and must give them confidence in the last man , the goalkeeper !!! Ben Chilwell , I thought when we bought him he was ok, and I still do, well he’s better than ok actually, he does most everything well, but what I’m really pleased about is he is consistent - he consistently turns out an 8/10 performance and God knows we some names that are first on the team sheet !!

To be honest, Zouma gave Tomori’s chances of selection a massive boost with his performance this evening. None of our crop of CB’s seems consistent or good enough to secure a place along side Silva and given he is unlikely to play every game , the need for a couple of solid, capable, dependable guys is critical. Frank is going to have to work with what we’ve got for now, so perm any two from Christensen, Tomori or Zouma, unless the Azpi at CB idea works ?

Just need a Snow White to keep the 7 dwarves in order ?? Hi ho, hi ho ?

Football will always be subjective. I thought they deserved more from the game tonight, they had quality possession and were a unit in attack and defence. I didn’t think that we played much of any decent, cohesive football - although there were some positives - Chilwell, James, Mendy, Silva. At times I thought we were being overran and out bullied all over the pitch and had we have ‘nicked’ it tonight - there were opportunities , I would of seriously considered us to be fortunate. Had it of been a boxing match, I reckon Seville would have won it on points, but it wasn’t was it, it was a game of football , so you are 100% correct , it was indeed a draw.

Gotta be worth some consideration surely ?

Yeah they might, but not if they watch the video of this game ? ?

Ridiculous to say that I’m happy with a point at home, they deserved more , so I count my blessings . The positive from tonight, Mendy looks like he’s competent and can be trusted - thank f**k !

I get that - chances probably even but Sevilla loads more possession - they look comfy, we don’t especially - that said two decent saves from Mendy and he’s been competent and capable - I’m not have an episode every time the ball gets into our area. if you read the posts you’ll know Mount is a hard done by, never to be picked, franks love child , on the left, on the right and anywhere he really wants to cu’t of a player, James is doing ok , Jorginho has been booked as has the bloke we can’t talk about anymore, Werner has had a couple, Kia is average, kante is running about a lot and zouma is good and bad in equal measure.

I wouldn’t say allow - Sevilla are very very comfortable - Chelsea have had a couple of chances though , perhaps Werner should have done more with the last kick of the half ?

It’s Brexit hate