How it all came right in the end

[ozboy]

A few weeks ago it was hopeless. Couldn't win anything. Slipping down the ladder. Injuries,age,factions,mental blocks. Nothing but disaster. We wouldn't be able to attract new talent.

Now it's champions of Europe, fa cup winners, back in the champions league next season. Can't stop smiling.

And yett.

We still need a big team rebuild. That magic dust that protected our goal against barca and Bayern won't last for long.

Frankly we were very lucky as well as brave. You can't build a season based on 11 guys hanging round their own penalty area. there is much to do before next season kicks off.

In the meantime ill just keep smiling

[Gem]

We were lucky?

Garcia's goal

The pitch in Moscow

Tom Henning Ovrebo

Iniesta's last minute goal.

I think we just got what we deserved in the end.

I'm not sure where I stand with the squad... I thought we needed an overhaul in the Summer and we've just won the Champion's League - not sure what I think anymore.

[Phillip]

Yes, the worm has turned regarding our luck, as Gem noted in our past horrible luck.

I think we were extremely lucky, but in my estimation we have had more bad luck than good luck over the past 7 seasons or so. This helps even things up, for sure.

[The Moos]

We were lucky?

Garcia's goal

The pitch in Moscow

Tom Henning Ovrebo

Iniesta's last minute goal.

I think we just got what we deserved in the end.

I'm not sure where I stand with the squad... I thought we needed an overhaul in the Summer and we've just won the Champion's League - not sure what I think anymore.

Lucky, Karma. Could call it many things.

But I have to say that looking back at the great chances Barcelona had against us - four in the post/crossbar and a couple of open nets they managed to miss - it really feel like we got back what was taken from us.

[HisDogSpot]

Beating Napoli was not luck it was pure determination and drive from players and fans I've never been in the Bridge when it was that atmospheric. I wasn't at Barca game though so maybe I'm wrong. As for beating Barca them hitting the bar the post how does that make us lucky. Just because they were unlucky doesn't make us lucky Cech tipped it onto the post sometimes and nothing he ever does is luck its skill and the research he does on penalty takers. Defending is part of the game and against teams like Barcelona and Munich thats what you have to do you dont win games for possession or more shots or corners for that matter its goals and thats what we've had more of.

Ramires' goal perfect composure and brilliant ball by Lampard

Torres' goal maybe he was lucky the to get the ball or poor defending from Barcelona as there was no-one there.

Drogba's goal was outstanding as the ball was low for a 6ft something guy.

Penalties Cech went the right way for everyone and saved 3 out of 6 in one match surely thats some sort of record in CL

[Ruh Buh Juh]

We need an injection into the squad for sure, but I see no problem in keeping the "old guard" around for as long as possible. A few players are out of contract now anyway (Kalou definitely, Bosingwa might be as well, Drogba looks like he's leaving) so that'll open up a few spaces where we need to invest or promote the youth (whether it's Hutch or Kane) to being the second choice RB behind Ivan. I definitely feel like we need another central midfielder unless Essien and Romeu can step it up. There are a lot of variables to consider, Marin coming in is going to be a boost, De Bruyne will presumably go out on loan, Lukaku too but that would mean we need a striker to be Torres' substitute, Sturridge can play there but I prefer him on the right; someone like Schurrle would go down a treat.

Squad for next season:

GK: Cech, Courtois, Blackman

RB: Ivanovic, Hutch, new signing

CB: JT, Luiz, Cahill, Chalobah, Ivan (optional)

LB: Cole, Bertrand

CM: Lamps, Mikel, Ramires, Essien, Romeu

LW: Marin, Sturridge (opt), new signing

CAM: Mata, Piazon

RW: Sturridge (opt), Ramires (opt), new signing

ST: Torres, Sturridge (opt), new signing

Out: Drogba, Bosingwa, Kalou, Malouda

It's difficult though, as Gem said, with our current squad we won the Champions League. We should invest here and there, but I don't think an ENORMOUS overhaul is necessary.

PS: Just counted, the squad I just listed complies perfectly with the 25 man squad rule, plus Blackman, Chalobah, Piazon are all under 21 and wouldn't count toward the 25 so we'd have another 3 spots available.

Edited May 21, 2012 by Ruh Buh Juh

[Backbiter]

We proved so many people so wrong with this triumph. The squad was too old, Drogba, Lamps, Cech, JT were spent. We sack managers too often to ever be successful. We can't compete with Barca, Real and the aristocrats of the game. There's no team spirit. Player-power means it's an impossible squad to manage. The players hate RdM even more than AVB. (Please add more of the same old clichés written about us this season alone).

This could, then, be the right time for a proper re-build. The core of José's team won it for us, and could they ever do it again? It was the pinnacle of Drogs, and Lamps' careers, and while JT, Cech and AC are young enough to play together for a couple more years, I'm sure most of us accept that this was probably it for the heart of the team (Barring injuries, Essien would be counted amongst that magnificent backbone, but he hasn't properly recovered to regain that place).

A rebuild was always going to be a sad and painful event, but it will be a lot less painful knowing that this great side achieved everything we ever hoped for. OK, we should have won the CL at least twice, but I can settle for just one - for now. The next great team we put together has a hard act to follow.

Yes, after years of agonising near-missess, it all came right in the end. And it may well be the end for our senior core. And if it has to end, Saturday was a damned happy way to do so.

[TheWestwayWonder]

Agree with Backbiter. Finally the "old guard" at Chelsea no longer feel like they have unfinished business. They are all proud professionals, but now that they have won it all they might be more willing to ride the bench more often in favor of youth.

It might make the club a more attractive option for signings, too. Not just because of the win, but because the stigma of chasing that trophy and failing is now gone.

[That Boy Brandinho]

It might make the club a more attractive option for signings, too. Not just because of the win, but because the stigma of chasing that trophy and failing is now gone.

I don't think there's any doubt that this is the case. Not that this is necessarily a good thing, but Hazard would have signed for City or United by now if we hadn't won. I think it's a massive draw. What undoubtedly is good would be the timing of it all. We need to overhaul the squad if we're to remain on top in the future. To do that, we'll need to buy some top quality players. If the Champions League Trophy persuades the right players to come here, all the better. There's no downside, certainly.

[Castiel]

We were lucky?

Garcia's goal

The pitch in Moscow

Tom Henning Ovrebo

Iniesta's last minute goal.

I think we just got what we deserved in the end.

I'm not sure where I stand with the squad... I thought we needed an overhaul in the Summer and we've just won the Champion's League - not sure what I think anymore.

Hmm.

Chels v Napoli comeback -> Garcia ghost goal

Chels v Barca comeback -> Ovrebo incident

Inexplicable penalty saves in the final -> Moscow

I guess it does even itself out in the end. :D

I wonder how many travesties we'll have to go through before our next one.

[Gem]

Exactly, it's all down to the maths, law of averages etc

[Celery1989]

I think what Ruh Juh Buh said was right. We don't need a revolution, but evolution. Malouda, Kalou, Bosingwa, Essien out, Drogba sadly I think too. Therefore 2 wingers, a RB a CM and a striker needed either from the youth that has already been purchased/developed (Lukaku, Marin, McEachran, De Bruyne etc) or from elsewhere.

[mad_mac]

We need an injection into the squad for sure, but I see no problem in keeping the "old guard" around for as long as possible. A few players are out of contract now anyway (Kalou definitely, Bosingwa might be as well, Drogba looks like he's leaving) so that'll open up a few spaces where we need to invest or promote the youth (whether it's Hutch or Kane) to being the second choice RB behind Ivan. I definitely feel like we need another central midfielder unless Essien and Romeu can step it up. There are a lot of variables to consider, Marin coming in is going to be a boost, De Bruyne will presumably go out on loan, Lukaku too but that would mean we need a striker to be Torres' substitute, Sturridge can play there but I prefer him on the right; someone like Schurrle would go down a treat.

Squad for next season:

GK: Cech, Courtois, Blackman

RB: Ivanovic, Hutch, new signing

CB: JT, Luiz, Cahill, Chalobah, Ivan (optional)

LB: Cole, Bertrand

CM: Lamps, Mikel, Ramires, Essien, Romeu

LW: Marin, Sturridge (opt), new signing

CAM: Mata, Piazon

RW: Sturridge (opt), Ramires (opt), new signing

ST: Torres, Sturridge (opt), new signing

Out: Drogba, Bosingwa, Kalou, Malouda

It's difficult though, as Gem said, with our current squad we won the Champions League. We should invest here and there, but I don't think an ENORMOUS overhaul is necessary.

PS: Just counted, the squad I just listed complies perfectly with the 25 man squad rule, plus Blackman, Chalobah, Piazon are all under 21 and wouldn't count toward the 25 so we'd have another 3 spots available.

pretty much the way I see it and the players, however I think if an offer came in for Essien we should go for it. Also, you're missing Kevin De Bruyne as either a CM or an option on the wing as well as Lukaku up front. And then we've added Marin too. Or, have they already been told that they're out on loan next season

I think if we added a Lucas, Hazard or Hulk to the team we'd be good . if we added two, it's be seasons worth of a great team there

[mad_mac]

Sorry mate, I see you have Marin in there.

[ozboy]

CM: Lamps, Mikel, Ramires, Essien, Romeu

See I dont think that's enough in centre midfield. Essien is basically finished, to me that is very obvious. Sad but true. Lampard is winding down a bit. Mikel and Ramires yes, and a big yes, but more is required.