I think everyone wants to see us produce academy players that become top players for the club but the best chance to allow that to happen is to have managerial stability.

 

However, Roman's impulsiveness to sack managers and become knee-jerk in troubling times is why no manager of this club will dare to take a risk and to play the youth players on a regular basis if it is to the detriment of our short-term prospects but has long-term benefits. It's the board's fault that they're created this mentality and culture for our managers.

 

Our style of play and our goals seem to be constantly changing every year and the club seems to lack the foresight or ambition to plan long-term and to stick with it and that's why we're in this mess.

 

I really thought re-installing Mourinho as manager would create this long-term vision but it didn't work and the club's reluctance to see this through and instead take the easy option out will be our undoing for years to come.

 

An extensive rebuild is required in all facets of the club. The board needs to start growing up and planning long-term, we need competent coaching staff that will be backed by the board with a long-term plan and we need an overhaul of our squad and bring in guys who want to play here and have the desire to succeed here because at the moment this squad lacks leaders and is mentally weak even if it possesses a world of talent.

The knee jerk sackings have stopped, but they are what has gotten us to this point organizational wise. I think he was hoping Jose would turn to younger players when he needed to, he didn't and we know the story. Someone brought up us going from big spenders to money makers and that's the point isn't it? Spending huge amounts of money every season is nobody's dream. As a billionaire you buy a club, sink a lot of money into it and after a certain point you expect returns. Same with any investment. I find it hard to believe Roman figured he would still be spending 100m every summer 10 years after buying the club. He's not broke but it's hard to ask him to buy superstars every season, pay for a new stadium, hold on to the debt the club owe him and turn a profit for the regulators.

The knee jerk sackings have stopped, but they are what has gotten us to this point organizational wise. I think he was hoping Jose would turn to younger players when he needed to, he didn't and we know the story. Someone brought up us going from big spenders to money makers and that's the point isn't it? Spending huge amounts of money every season is nobody's dream. As a billionaire you buy a club, sink a lot of money into it and after a certain point you expect returns. Same with any investment. I find it hard to believe Roman figured he would still be spending 100m every summer 10 years after buying the club. He's not broke but it's hard to ask him to buy superstars every season, pay for a new stadium, hold on to the debt the club owe him and turn a profit for the regulators.

This piece belongs in the tabloids mate. Excellent post!.

So this thread has had an almighty bump due to last nights defeat I see.

 

Whilst the thread existed before, I do find it a bit odd that it has been resurrected on the basis of last nights defeat.

 

We lost to the same side over 2 legs last year and with much more of a "whimper" in my opinion, despite the score line perhaps suggesting otherwise. And we obviously had the added luxury of playing the majority of the home leg against 10 men.

 

As much as PSG might not be a Barcelona or Bayern Munich, the squad they have is world class and would have given any Chelsea side of the Abramovich era a run for its money.

 

Last nights defeat was frustrating but, for me, it only reinforced what we already knew- we are not good enough to compete with the best in Europe at the moment.

I don't see PSG's squad as anywhere near world class.

Like us they have 3/4 players of a very high standard and the rest are decent players.

Well it initially all comes down to how you define "world class" I suppose.

 

I think they have a squad that is comparable to the best in Europe. I am not saying it's the best, it's not, but there aren't too many better- they have underachieved so far without doubt.

 

Having players like Cavanni and Pastore on the bench is really quite something.

When you try and copy Barcelona, you always fall short. City have got no outstanding youth players at present for them to even try and attempy copying Barca.

 

 

City have a very good Academy setup but it's not going to come overnight. They've got some good youngsters coming through though and are probably the second best in the country at a few age levels after us.

 

 

 

How can you say he treats it with no respect? He's hiring people he believes are good enough. We are more supported than City all over the globe and are more successful. Look where they are this season. Better still they have never won the league with a game to spare and have been poor in Europe. Their stability and continuity isn't exactly producing the best results.

 

 

Again, we had a five year headstart as well as being an established European team before them so of course we're bigger. 

 

But in regards to the people he hires, are you talking about the commerical/business side or the footballing side? People like Kenyon and Purslow had track records in the industry, but what exactly is Emenalo's track record? You've said Im scapegoating him but you can't defend him. Bayern's equivalent is Matthias Sammer - compare his track record and tell me Roman is appointing the best candidates.

 

When you appoint mates to jobs frivolously then you aren't treating the club with respect in my opinion.

 

I could understand your point if Roman was using the club to make money but its the opposite. He's helped this club so much and without him we woulnd't have the success we've had.

 

Other than Barca, what clubs actually make consistent right calls at board level that put ours to shame???????

 

Bayern have a fantastic track record in recent years, but even if club's aren't successful to the extent that you might want don't you want them to act with a measure of corporate responsibility?

 

If you honestly think that Grant and Emenalo were responsible hirings brought in on the strength of their track records then say so and we'll end the discussion there.

I think you're panicking too much. We need an overhaul yes but look at every other team around you in the league. None are showing any signs that they are a level above us:

 

Will Leicester finish above us next season? I dont think so

Are Arsenal Liverpool Utd Spurs stronger and better than us? I dont think so

 

Its only City who I class above us and they have never dominated a league campaign. Its up for grabs next season.

 

I do tend to panic when I see us get outclassed like we were last night!

 

But I think City, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool ALL have better squads than we currently do and with the exception of Arsenal, ALL have coaches I rate very highly and they will all improve next season (I used to rate Wenger but he has clearly had his day).

 

We are in danger of some wilderness seasons unless we get away from this looking for the short term fix all the time. Look at the revolving door of players who have come and gone in a relatively short space of time, or come and gone out on loan or come and just not got games because they aren't seen good enough. And during all that time we have failed to bring through ONE player from our highly rated, very expensively run Academy. Instead we still throw money at the likes of Falcao and Pato which both frustrates me and angers me. It HAS to be time to change all that.

This piece belongs in the tabloids mate. Excellent post!.

Thank you? I always thought tabloids were meant to be rubbish

So much wrong at the club but let's start with the DJ.

First song after the final whistle last night was Atomic Kitten.

Now I can live with sacking managers, not playing kids, overpaying for underperforming players and wasting money on players that don't play. But Atomic Kitten is a step too far.

Sack the board.

City have a very good Academy setup but it's not going to come overnight. They've got some good youngsters coming through though and are probably the second best in the country at a few age levels after us.

 

 

Again, we had a five year headstart as well as being an established European team before them so of course we're bigger. 

 

But in regards to the people he hires, are you talking about the commerical/business side or the footballing side? People like Kenyon and Purslow had track records in the industry, but what exactly is Emenalo's track record? You've said Im scapegoating him but you can't defend him. Bayern's equivalent is Matthias Sammer - compare his track record and tell me Roman is appointing the best candidates.

 

When you appoint mates to jobs frivolously then you aren't treating the club with respect in my opinion.

 

 

Bayern have a fantastic track record in recent years, but even if club's aren't successful to the extent that you might want don't you want them to act with a measure of corporate responsibility?

 

If you honestly think that Grant and Emenalo were responsible hirings brought in on the strength of their track records then say so and we'll end the discussion there.

 

Well that's good for Bayern and Barcelona but in our league, no one other than Man Utd are exceptionally stronger than us commercially or have achieved more football wise of late. So overall we been a success.  The only consistent negative over the years has been the lack of academy players to first team from what you could say are, perennial youth league winners.

 

I'm not trying to defend Emanalo, but it's obvious that people were seeking a scapegoat once we witnessed historical damage on and off the pitch from the start of the season. At first it was the disrespectful banners ,"3 rats(& some)" but you can't continue to boo your own players once they suddenly hit a good run of form and score can you?......

 

Unless there is a situation where the board sells it's star players or suffer an injury crisis (both of which we haven't had) in a single summer, the blame for such a drastic drop from Champions to 16th place in November certainly doesn't lie upstairs.

 

At the end of the day, the only ones defending would be those defending Jose this season, from a meltdown that stared us all in the face every week. We even had people defending Jose in that Eva case by saying her and Hazard were having a fling ffs l. She got married a month later LOL.

Thank you? I always thought tabloids were meant to be rubbish

Not all. some are worth their salt

First song after the final whistle last night was Atomic Kitten.

 

Was it The Tide is High?

 

If so, that's even more disgraceful considering they could have instead played the original and superior Paragons (John Holt) version:

 

We need to decide on a philosophy and a style of play, and bring a manager that will play that style and back him fully in the transfer market.

Since 2011 we have signed technical players that like to be in possession, yet most of the time we have had a manager that wants us to play on the counter.

Psg, and man city have both developed a style of play that everyone at the club from top to bottom seems happy with. I'm not sure roman has managed that yet.

I never said big European clubs don't need to spend, I said they don't rely on spending to succeed or even maintain a good level which Jose failed at.

Bottom line is our club could be run much worse. Have a look at Cardiff, Newcastle, Villa even Arsenal (ticket prices) before moaning about our own board who have done far more good than bad. Bunch of spoiled brats on this forum for Christ sake.

We need to decide on a philosophy and a style of play, and bring a manager that will play that style and back him fully in the transfer market.

 

 

According to the Telegraph, that's almost exactly what the club is demanding from Conte and it's what many of us pointing out the root flaws of this club have alluded to. Maybe there's a positive outcome on the horizon.

 

I never said big European clubs don't need to spend, I said they don't rely on spending to succeed or even maintain a good level which Jose failed at.

Bottom line is our club could be run much worse. Have a look at Cardiff, Newcastle, Villa even Arsenal (ticket prices) before moaning about our own board who have done far more good than bad. Bunch of spoiled brats on this forum for Christ sake.

 

If you're using those as your benchmark above which anything else is acceptable, then of course you'd be happy with how things are. But I think many people here have higher expectations than 3 clubs who are either in the Championship or are about to be relegated to it so I can see where the disagreements arise. 

 

No need to call people spoiled brats though. That's not in keeping with the manufactured atmosphere of the KonaKai is it. What would the inflatable Hula Girls think of that?

According to the Telegraph, that's almost exactly what the club is demanding from Conte and it's what many of us pointing out the root flaws of this club have alluded to. Maybe there's a positive outcome on the horizon.

If you're using those as your benchmark above which anything else is acceptable, then of course you'd be happy with how things are. But I think many people here have higher expectations than 3 clubs who are either in the Championship or are about to be relegated to it so I can see where the disagreements arise.

No need to call people spoiled brats though. That's not in keeping with the manufactured atmosphere of the KonaKai is it. What would the inflatable Hula Girls think of that?

That article was very encouraging. I think conte is the right man for the job aswell. I don't think we need a massive overhaul in personnel, just some more quality in a couple of key areas.

That article was very encouraging. I think conte is the right man for the job aswell. I don't think we need a massive overhaul in personnel, just some more quality in a couple of key areas.

 

Everything I've read and heard about him sounds encouraging. His passion, his commitment, that edge that we need in a coach in my opinion, the things he demands of players, his tactical flexibility.....it ticks a lot of boxes. 

 

Personnel-wise, there are a few players I would retain under all costs but anyone else is up for grabs but that's easy for me to say. If the coach looks at someone like Matic and thinks he can use him and get him firing again then I will back him. I just want the club to back the guy. Reading that article makes me excited for the future though.

There really isn't a benchmark, certainly not in the prem. I'm just saying its far worse elsewhere yet some fans are really going overboard and it's all down to the fact that they can't accept a manager royally screwed up and was sacked because there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

United are the big cheese and they are a mess right now. There isn't one club I can point out that have run their club better than ours on and off the pitch in the last 5-10 years. That's not to say we are perfect but you have to accept both positives and negatives.

And yes some fans are spoiled brats. The club don't suck the fans dry for money, they are building a new ground, have made some good money on transfers, regularly pump money into the market and don't force our manager to sell his best players.

Some people really need to wake up and stop picking someone to fight just because a popular yet self destructive figure had to leave.

There really isn't a benchmark, certainly not in the prem. I'm just saying its far worse elsewhere yet some fans are really going overboard and it's all down to the fact that they can't accept a manager royally screwed up and was sacked because there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

United are the big cheese and they are a mess right now. There isn't one club I can point out that have run their club better than ours on and off the pitch in the last 5-10 years. That's not to say we are perfect but you have to accept both positives and negatives.

 

 

In Europe or just England? Let's be honest, the quality of this league (espeically at the top end) is at it's lowest point in probably two decades so again, low benchmarks. But excusing our performance by pointing at others isn't particularly helpful, and what it does is highlight the missed opportunity to dominate this league.

 

Look at where we are though after those 5-10 years, and I'll cite that Telegraph article because it agrees with me (fnar fnar). Lack of identity, no philosophy, no recognisable way of playing - you can't say we've been well run for a decade if that's where we are now can you? 

 

That to me is because the owner never committed to one style of play but also appointed poorly in key positions and I'm afraid it comes back to Mr Emenalo. I asked you before if he was appointed on the strength of his record and you didn't come down on either side.

 

Here's the thing - when Jose was sacked he was the senior footballing figure at the club. Over the course of 5-6 coaches, he has been the constant presence. Now whether he's a puppet or not, that role should be important in establishing all those things we are now saying we are lacking, correct?

 

So has the appointment of that role or the way in which it has been carried out been effective? I honestly don't know if you can say it has when we're saying that after 5 years in the role that we need to establish 'a recognisable style of play'.

 

That's not a personal dig at him either. I think he's unqualified for his position and I think he's been undermined by the owner. 

The league is at its lowest and that's football. You can't predict it and no one has a divine right to dominate. It's virtually impossible to do so now regardless of philosophy and identity. You win some you lose some. Emanalo is not the key decision maker at this club. If he leaves you will be in for a shock when nothing much changes and domination doesn't come.

Plus Roman will employ another yes man so if you want to vent at someone, start at the source. Then we can get him out the club, go back to any the club we were before him. Then you won't have to worry about dominating the hardest league in the world.

I have no idea why he was appointed and I really do not care. All I want is for the owner to keep running the club and for us to succeed on the pitch. It won't always happen but I can live with that within reason.

I look at every other premier league club and I see no better examples of this Emanalo role you speak of. It's not that big an issue soley on one man as you make it out to be.

Funny thing is we have been criticised for pulling the trigger and as a result are badly run.

We could've kept avb and won no champions league etc. Utd have stuck by lvg and are getting worse.

We were lambasted for not having managers stay longer than 3 years. Now managers are changing jobs every second. It only took fergie retiring for people to see why Roman does what he does. It's not always right but it's not always wrong either.

The league is at its lowest and that's football. You can't predict it and no one has a divine right to dominate. It's virtually impossible to do so now regardless of philosophy and identity. You win some you lose some. Emanalo is not the key decision maker at this club. If he leaves you will be in for a shock when nothing much changes and domination doesn't come.

 

I don't start from a position of wanting domination or success though. I want us to act responsibly and build something sustainable and uniquely Chelsea, and the success will come from that. I want us to be proud of who we are and not try and copy Barcelona on the pitch.

 

Plus Roman will employ another yes man so if you want to vent at someone, start at the source. Then we can get him out the club, go back to any the club we were before him. Then you won't have to worry about dominating the hardest league in the world.

 

 

You've read the title of this thread I assume. Roman is at fault for where we are, as well as his money being responsible for what we won. If he employs another 'yes man' then that's a shame. 

 

As for going back to the club we were before him, that's not a problem for me. I had many happy years following the club then.

 

I have no idea why he was appointed and I really do not care. All I want is for the owner to keep running the club and for us to succeed on the pitch. It won't always happen but I can live with that within reason.

 

 

That seems a cop out but if you don't care why appointments are made at the club and only care about the success then that's a perfectly fine position to take. Not sure what there is left to say if that's the case.

I do tend to panic when I see us get outclassed like we were last night!

 

But I think City, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool ALL have better squads than we currently do and with the exception of Arsenal, ALL have coaches I rate very highly and they will all improve next season (I used to rate Wenger but he has clearly had his day).

 

We are in danger of some wilderness seasons unless we get away from this looking for the short term fix all the time. Look at the revolving door of players who have come and gone in a relatively short space of time, or come and gone out on loan or come and just not got games because they aren't seen good enough. And during all that time we have failed to bring through ONE player from our highly rated, very expensively run Academy. Instead we still throw money at the likes of Falcao and Pato which both frustrates me and angers me. It HAS to be time to change all that.

 

??? Liverpool barely have a starting 11, never even mind a squad 

??? Liverpool barely have a starting 11, never even mind a squad 

 

Hasn't stopped them blowing a few teams away this season, City(twice), Southampton, us and The Bridge, Utd last night.............

 

I know they have been as inconsistent as anyone but Klopp will have the summer to get the squad how he wants it and they WILL be better next season. I really do wish we had got Klopp whilst we had the chance.

I don't start from a position of wanting domination or success though. I want us to act responsibly and build something sustainable and uniquely Chelsea, and the success will come from that. I want us to be proud of who we are and not try and copy Barcelona on the pitch.

 

 

You've read the title of this thread I assume. Roman is at fault for where we are, as well as his money being responsible for what we won. If he employs another 'yes man' then that's a shame. 

 

As for going back to the club we were before him, that's not a problem for me. I had many happy years following the club then.

 

 

That seems a cop out but if you don't care why appointments are made at the club and only care about the success then that's a perfectly fine position to take. Not sure what there is left to say if that's the case.

You're right, I don't want us to try and copy Barcelona. I miss our old machine like efficient style so yes we did mess up on that front. Was that Emanalos fault? No. That's ultimately down to Roman.

 

The reason why I think this Emanlao out brigade are pathetic is because even if he did leave, our old identity is not liked by the football purists and a footballing person advising Roman would probably advocate the Barcelona way as the right way anyway.

 

Does anyone care about Bruce Buck or Maria (whatever her surname is)? No they don't, as right now the target is Emanalo. Until the club start charging me a fortune and pocket my ticket money ala Arsenal, I really couldn't give a monkeys what Emanalo's skills are.

 

As I said, on the grand scheme of things, the club is run better and just as good as any other Premier League club. Just read up and read the doom and gloom merchant saying Utd, Pool, Spurs and Arsenal will have a better squad and ultimately brighter future than us. Please do me a favour, we are not THAT BAD! Major damage was done in the space of 12 weeks and it was just impossible to recover from in this campaign.

 

I have no doubt that next season we will see major improvement and I cannot see why we can't win the league unless City after 6 years finally reach their potential.

 

All I know is we need to get back to winning ways so people will conveniently forget about him and praise how good we are run as a club, achieving positive net spend etc. Much like last season.