I have been musing recently about football teams/clubs and their identities and wondered what ours is and what it might be in the future.  

 

In the past we have been known to have a strong spine with Cech, Terry Lampard, Drogba, stout in defense and ruthless in attack (under Jose, Ancelotti etc.)   Obviously when you lose key players you lose a part of the team's identity and with Lampard, Drogba and Cech all gone it has been difficult to see what our new identity looks like or if there is even a new one forming.  Of course this is made difficult by the constant changing of managers and the ease at which players seem to come and go at Chelsea but I do find the situation quite sad.   (I don't want to live in the past but I bring up the previous legendary players as an example of when I last felt we had a clear identity.)

 

Just wondering what you guys think our identity is now and what you'd like it to be in the future?

For me, until we have a strong manager who can enforce a certain ideology we will not see much success and obviously i'm hoping Conte will have a positive impact.  I'd like to see us have more passion across the field, buy or introduce players who understand our history and want to fight for the team (see Costa) and ultimately I want us to have good compact shape and be ruthless in attack again (again see Costa.) 

 

Anyway let me know your thoughts! 

 

Cheers

I think Conte is that man, but I think players are softer now than they've ever been, and that's a huge challenge.

Our golden era from 2004 onwards we had physically strong and mature players (for the most part), a lot of them born winners with a terrific fire within, and a never say die attitude.

Fast forward to now, whilst we have great success we have changed the business model considerably, and we do look like we are a bit lost. Our previous identity is gone. We have been chasing the 'beautiful' way to play, and purchased smaller framed guys (Oscar, Hazard, Ramires, Fabregas, Pedro) who dont have the same bite or physicality. Costa is a breath of fresh air - but only when he doesnt cross the line. 

Whilst the game has got much faster, we havent found the right blend just yet, but I dont think we are too drastically far off. 

 

 

 

I'd love to see us get a couple of strong centre mids with an all rounded game much like prime Lamps and Ballack brought in and build from there.

No-one likes us we don't care.

(which is of course merely an update on ye olde traditional f**k 'em all)

35 minutes ago, Zola said:

I think Conte is that man, but I think players are softer now than they've ever been, and that's a huge challenge.

Our golden era from 2004 onwards we had physically strong and mature players (for the most part), a lot of them born winners with a terrific fire within, and a never say die attitude.

Fast forward to now, whilst we have great success we have changed the business model considerably, and we do look like we are a bit lost. Our previous identity is gone. We have been chasing the 'beautiful' way to play, and purchased smaller framed guys (Oscar, Hazard, Ramires, Fabregas, Pedro) who dont have the same bite or physicality. Costa is a breath of fresh air - but only when he doesnt cross the line. 

Whilst the game has got much faster, we havent found the right blend just yet, but I dont think we are too drastically far off. 

 

 

 

Absolutely spot on- there was a never say die kind of mentality regardless of score, I remember actually sitting up and starting to enjoy a game more when we went a goal or 2 down because it allowed all our attacking players to truly stand up and showcase their abilities, as they never really got out of 2nd gear in most games.

I don't remember a single game between 2004-2010 that we just gave up and were comfortably outplayed in, the number of games over the last year where you could see the players have just given up is almost embarrassing especially at SB. I think that is one of the main reasons that Luiz has been brought back, he may be inconsistent and error prone but at the same time has the ability to lift those around him.

46 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

strong centre mids with an all rounded game