"Covering the ground" means nothing. Cesc covers a lot of ground in any match but is it worthwhile. Does he put tackles in? Does he track his runners? Does he put a lung bursting run to  make a challenge on the forward? 

Most of the time, i find cesc "jogging". I would rather have a player who does the needful defensively than simple make up for his "distance covered" stats.

Didn't Cesc make the 4th most tackles in the league last season

I'm feeling quite positive about next season. I think the players will be desperate to prove themselves and put it right. It was obvious that they were desperate for the season to end and it was evident in the performances.

 

I`ll only feel positive if we buy quality (fit) players to bolster the team and squad

That was a good display and win by Italy against Belgium last night.

So umm, Italy's second goal was from a very quick and beautiful counter attack

Didn't Cesc make the 4th most tackles in the league last season

Dont know how and where that came from or how that is even possible. But just the google search and the first link begs to differ along with my own eyes http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11985682/Premier-Leagues-top-10-tacklers-in-201516.html?frame=endScreen

Didn't he say he never counter attack?

 

 

So umm, Italy's second goal was from a very quick and beautiful counter attack

 

Christ     

 

He said he never coaches counter attacks. Because his footballing philosophy isn't to retreat and spring, it is to press quickly.

 

It's not like when the opposition are attacking and they recover the ball he's going to instuct his team to stand still and wait for the oppo to recover their positions is it?!? 

Calm yourself down there, Glenn... ever heard of tongue in cheek, my dear chap ?

A good short video about the man. Looking forward to next season!

 

https://streamable.com/e/3w3k

Italy's COMPACTNESS and DISCIPLINE when defending. Great teamwork. Conte got it spot on tonight

 

https://twitter.com/TheAnalysisVids/status/742466507549069312/video/1

That was a great display of his tactical abilities. Belgium's wide play is poor and Conte exploited that to the fullest.

 

Just wondering if these bunch of softies we have will be able to stand up and take the challenge that Conte throws at them.

 

Just cant see hazard, oscar and RLC being able to maintain the sort of work rate he will demand.

 

If that is the case, then its the players that need to go.

 

All the best teams work extremely hard. We cannot keep bowing down to these players who want an easy ride. Shape up or ship out as the saying goes. 

 

I would add that if tactically/positionally you are setup very well to win the ball back earlier it will be a lot easier.

Its clear how much he running around he wants be it with Juve or Italy. Now he has to do that with Matic, Cesc, Hazard. Something's gonna give and I feel his stay is going to be a short stay.

Look at Pochettino for example, when he took charge of Spurs, he basically took over mercanary FC, most of the team he inherited from Tim Sherwood were beyond lazy, and I'm talking making Berbatov look like a work horse lazy.

Within two years he has turned them into the fittest and hardworking side in the league, and even players who couldn't be arsed under Sherwood (Vertonghen, Rose, Walker, Dembele the prime examples) are busting their gut for Poch.

What happened with Jose last season went a lot deeper than him simply losing the dressing room, he crossed many lines last season which resulted in a broken/toxic spirit, even if he won half the players back, their was still so much broke that needed fixing.

Conte however won't be afraid to stick his size nine up a player but he will never surf across the line.

If that is the case, then its the players that need to go.

All the best teams work extremely hard. We cannot keep bowing down to these players who want an easy ride. Shape up or ship out as the saying goes.

I would add that if tactically/positionally you are setup very well to win the ball back earlier it will be a lot easier.

These very player's busted a gut and stretched themselves to the limit mentally and physically to bring the title home in 2015, we were floundering after January but kept going.

Season just gone a mix of mental exhaustion (which believe me, is ten times worse than physical exhaustion and actually dangerous to long term well being) and Jose losing the plot (he's been a great manager and I will always love what he gave us, but anyone who thinks he wasn't largely at blame for last season are kidding themselves) resulted in this collapse, Hiddinks more relaxed approach was needed, the players needed to recover a bit mentally from the toxic end to Jose's reign and now they have, hopefully they (and the new signings) will be ready to run some yards for Antonio.

These very player's busted a gut and stretched themselves to the limit mentally and physically to bring the title home in 2015, we were floundering after January but kept going.

Season just gone a mix of mental exhaustion (which believe me, is ten times worse than physical exhaustion and actually dangerous to long term well being) and Jose losing the plot (he's been a great manager and I will always love what he gave us, but anyone who thinks he wasn't largely at blame for last season are kidding themselves) resulted in this collapse, Hiddinks more relaxed approach was needed, the players needed to recover a bit mentally from the toxic end to Jose's reign and now they have, hopefully they (and the new signings) will be ready to run some yards for Antonio.

 

I don't see Bayern, Juve, atleti, Barca use 'MENTAL EXHAUSTION'  as an excuse. If these professional footballers cannot hack going full speed for a season, then something is not right. You make it sound like busting a gut isn't a pre-requesite .

This metamorphical line of yours differs by players. All evidence points to them crumbling at the slightest sign of trouble.

I don't see Bayern, Juve, atleti, Barca use 'MENTAL EXHAUSTION'  as an excuse. If these professional footballers cannot hack going full speed for a season, then something is not right. You make it sound like busting a gut isn't a pre-requesite .

 

Because their leagues aren't as tough as the PL. Bayern can phone it in most weeks. PSG won the league in like March already.

Edited June 14, 201610 yr by Stim

after watching italy under conte last night i am hoping just one thing, that the twats who pull the strings at chelsea give him the money he wants for the players 'He' wants, and some time !!

I don't see Bayern, Juve, atleti, Barca use 'MENTAL EXHAUSTION' as an excuse. If these professional footballers cannot hack going full speed for a season, then something is not right. You make it sound like busting a gut isn't a pre-requesite .

Ah yes, the old "but they earn so much money so they are not allowed human feelings" line.

Either way I'm not saying it's an excuse to have such bad results (although having been mentally drained myself at one stage i can certainly sympathise) just saying why one of reasons it happened, the main point I'm disputing is the myth that these players have never worked hard, they have and they brought two trophies home in the process, which is what I don't like about the short termism opinion on players from the average Chelsea fan, judgement almost on current form, it's almost as bad as a selection of Arsenal fans choosing Wenger in or out based on the latest result.

after watching italy under conte last night i am hoping just one thing, that the twats who pull the strings at chelsea give him the money he wants for the players 'He' wants, and some time !!

If Conte shows some positive signs we are heading in the right direction, I will bet my mortgage he will get time unless the results are beyond bad.

The reason he "pulled the trigger" on AVB and Scolari is along with the damaging results was sh*t football and no progression, Roman isn't half as trigger happy as people make out, he even delayed the sacking of AVB and Jose this time round until their was literally no choice.

Look at Pochettino for example, when he took charge of Spurs, he basically took over mercanary FC, most of the team he inherited from Tim Sherwood were beyond lazy, and I'm talking making Berbatov look like a work horse lazy.

Within two years he has turned them into the fittest and hardworking side in the league, and even players who couldn't be arsed under Sherwood (Vertonghen, Rose, Walker, Dembele the prime examples) are busting their gut for Poch.

What happened with Jose last season went a lot deeper than him simply losing the dressing room, he crossed many lines last season which resulted in a broken/toxic spirit, even if he won half the players back, their was still so much broke that needed fixing.

Conte however won't be afraid to stick his size nine up a player but he will never surf across the line.

 

Thats probably the main difference between Mou and other managers, he never played at their level, so they no the boundaries that shouldn't be breached, Mou just did what he believed was correct, blow their feelings and the consequences, i'm pretty excited at Contes imminent restructuring of the team..

Look at Pochettino for example, when he took charge of Spurs, he basically took over mercanary FC, most of the team he inherited from Tim Sherwood were beyond lazy, and I'm talking making Berbatov look like a work horse lazy.

Within two years he has turned them into the fittest and hardworking side in the league, and even players who couldn't be arsed under Sherwood (Vertonghen, Rose, Walker, Dembele the prime examples) are busting their gut for Poch.

What happened with Jose last season went a lot deeper than him simply losing the dressing room, he crossed many lines last season which resulted in a broken/toxic spirit, even if he won half the players back, their was still so much broke that needed fixing.

Conte however won't be afraid to stick his size nine up a player but he will never surf across the line.

I totally agree about Jose and our players and even about Pochettino. But honestly do you think ROMAN and the BOARD would give Conte that much time? If we dont get CL place (at the least) next season, Conte is as good as gone. I can already see some players throwing hissy fits because of the tactics and the amount of running they would have to do.

Love the amount of passion he shows was bouncing along the touchline non stop for 90 minutes.

I totally agree about Jose and our players and even about Pochettino. But honestly do you think ROMAN and the BOARD would give Conte that much time? If we dont get CL place (at the least) next season, Conte is as good as gone. I can already see some players throwing hissy fits because of the tactics and the amount of running they would have to do.

Well, like I've already alluded too, I think Romans itcht trigger finger is wildly exaggerated, AVB and Jose especially would have been gone a lot earlier if he was as bad as made out.

If he shows he is moving us (back) in the right direction, I can't see him being sacked, although I cant for the life of me seeing us out of top 4 again.

And the players worked hard to get the title back, and these players ran for Jose the first two years, if Jose falling out with them was due to his excessive off the ball demands it would have happened long before it actually did.

What about Roman actually backing the manager when he is on top

What about Roman actually backing the manager when he is on top

Thats one thing we do have to improve as a club, 2005 aside we have never really improved on a title win.

Thats one thing we do have to improve as a club, 2005 aside we have never really improved on a title win.

It's difficult to retain a title in the EPL just ask City who spend millions every year, the level of competition is ridiculous. Also that new stadium won't build itself. Roman is rich but he is no Croesus.