Kante apart,its gona be the same team that ended last season, the club is a shambles,has been for a while now, you think the threat if missing out on CL again and turning into a liverpool would force the board to actually make an impact, they f**ked mourinho with it and probably will f**k conte with it

 

I think one minor difference is the attacking frontline looks in much better shape with Hazard on fire and Costa seemingly fit.

We need to stop saying we won the league two seasons ago, that is all history now. I would argue we need 4 starters (a LB, a CB, a midfielder & a winger). Everyone around us is improving but we seem to be stuck in 2014. It is not squad depth we should be after, but improving on some starters who are not good enough IMO. Bar Kante we really have improved our starting 11, and our defence is scary as things stand.

 

Mostly agree, but another winger is the last thing in the world we need. We have issues accomodating what we have already.

I think one minor difference is the attacking frontline looks in much better shape with Hazard on fire and Costa seemingly fit.

Im preying thats the difference!! Until i see the players knocking down walls like i seen the italias doing, i wont b convinced,

I think we are in slightly better shape than the last time we played them. The defence is probably at the same level as last time, can't remember if we had Zouma for that game. The midfield should be a slight improvement, Kante will provide good cover and that first pass out from the back. The front 3 is in better shape, Hazard seemed to play with his usual confidence in the preseason, Willian/Costa looked no worse than last time around. Let's hope Ivanovic doesn't get picked, otherwise it will be a nightmare on that side. Carroll will score, I could live with that as long as we get a result.

5-0 would do alright

5-0 would do alright

 

For them or for us?

I personally wouldn't mind if we get beat to a pulp. At least that offers the powers to be a signal that massive upgrades in defence are needed (RB or LB and at least one CB).

Losing to the Pikies is never acceptable.

They bought Andre Ayew. Chances are he will run down that flank and cause Ivanovic all sort of issues. Payet, Kouyate, Feghouli (excellent free purchase for West Ham by the way, even if just a 1-2 season buy) in midfield and Lanzini probably running at Azpi. 

 

With our defence I fret for the game.

Lanzini is not available, at the olympics i think, Payet not really match fit.

Carroll is the issue we have, always struggle to contain him. 

Chalobah should be starting and Chelsea should play 4-3-3.  I have watched all pre-season matches for the 3rd time assessing our team and I think Chalobah has been by far better than Matic.  The line up i would want is this

 

                        Kotwa

Aina          Cahill         Terry       Azpi

       Chalobah    Kante       Osca

Willian*            Diego                 Hazard

 

That's the best balanced team we have at the moment, based on merit.  I put a * on Willian cause he's interchangeable with Cuadrado and / or Moses.  But that team will get us a positive result

 

Come on Chelsea!!!

Chalobah should be starting and Chelsea should play 4-3-3. I have watched all pre-season matches for the 3rd time assessing our team and I think Chalobah has been by far better than Matic. The line up i would want is this

Kotwa

Aina Cahill Terry Azpi

Chalobah Kante Osca

Willian* Diego Hazard

That's the best balanced team we have at the moment, based on merit. I put a * on Willian cause he's interchangeable with Cuadrado and / or Moses. But that team will get us a positive result

Come on Chelsea!!!

Who's our new keeper? [emoji6]

*Psst* It's Courtois [emoji846]

Who's our new keeper? [emoji6]

*Psst* It's Courtois [emoji846]

 

Hahaha - of course i know is Courtois, just It's easier to spell Kotwa than Courtois.  

For them or for us?

I personally wouldn't mind if we get beat to a pulp. At least that offers the powers to be a signal that massive upgrades in defence are needed (RB or LB and at least one CB).

What a stupid thing to hope for.

For them or for us?

I personally wouldn't mind if we get beat to a pulp. At least that offers the powers to be a signal that massive upgrades in defence are needed (RB or LB and at least one CB).

 

No way - we need to win and we need to do it starting with West Ham.  weak players should be exposed and replaced alright but still we need to win!!!

For them or for us?

I personally wouldn't mind if we get beat to a pulp. At least that offers the powers to be a signal that massive upgrades in defence are needed (RB or LB and at least one CB).

Do you think the board don't know that we are weak in defence or something,after all they are probably going to proven right that Terrys days are numbered, not saying I wanted him to go but if he did then we would have definitely had to have gone for a defender and maybe might have splashed out but us fans got what we wanted and he stayed, problem is this board is stuck in 2010 and not going to spend money on players at todays prices. 

 

The board are well aware of our defence being poor but they just are not willing to splash the cash on players they dont feel are worth it, I think Koulibaly is in the last year of his contract,lets make sure we get him on a pre contract agreement in January instead of paying 47 million on him.We'll need him as this will more than likely be Terrys last year. 

 

I'm not in any way happy about not spending millions on players but none of us are in the position the board is in, and the reality is we are the ones being bullied in the transfer market these days

 

Why hasn't Kennedy been tried has lb during preseason is he injured or something...?

If we try to compare the players, the shape, the transfers, the time that Conte had and the time that Bilic had... we lose. We definitely lose. But they are a strong opponent. Maybe one of the toughest ones. Then i realise... hey, this is what Antonio is best at. They will attack us, they have a big confidence, we are at home... jesus, we will win the way we've done so many times. 2-0 with 3 shots on target, great saves from Thibaut and goals by Diego and Eden(solo goal). I am more concerned what we are going to show against Bristol and Burnley when we will have to create and attack. 

Edited August 12, 20169 yr by Pendergast

I wish we didnt have to wait to f**king monday night for this!!

 

I think at least for the beginning of the season, you will see Kante and Matic roles switch.  I base that off of what happened in the two final preseason games.  Other than that I think it's about right.  

Edited August 12, 20169 yr by TheChelsRVA

Shocking lack of Fabregas in these line ups, Probably the only player in our team able to pick out an early long pass.

Prediction = Chelsea 1-2 West Ham.

Our defence will struggle, etc.

However, I think we will bounce back and win our next Prem. fixture.

Sadly think it will be a 1-2 loss or 1-1 draw. Then it will be panic buy mode.

and a few more hecktors and djlsajfldsfj, then people still defending the board (meh the transfer market overpriced player not worth it) (our youth system is great they just need a chance) blah blah blah

Press Conference

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMc928GZhzM

Prediction = Chelsea 1-2 West Ham.

Our defence will struggle, etc.

However, I think we will bounce back and win our next Prem. fixture.

Surprised by that post as you are generally positive even though you suggested we might we the game after....I could understand it if we had lost the first 5 games and stunk the joint out but FFS we haven't kicked a ball in anger yet.  Yes the defence looks pretty sh*te on paper, knowing what we know, but lets give the new manager a chance especially on home soil...it might be a dicey game but I think we will sneak it.

Surprised by the number of people predicting a poor result... It's not Barcelona we're playing it's only f**king West Ham.

2-0 Chelsea horse face Andy Carroll to off injured during the game.