6 hours ago, lukecfc said:

Why's that?

Maybe because so many of them seem to be whinging w**kers

who think they are entitled to victory every time we play.....

I hope Benitez gets treated with a bit of respect when he comes back with Newcastle (provided he is still their manager by the time we play them)

 

I just realised this seems a bit off topic, but anyway I'm leaving it in.

Edited August 29, 20178 yr by SHELLY
a bit off topic

it's pretty bemusing how this thread is so popular. it seems it's popular to have poor opinions about the club. i honestly see nothing negative as i realise we're in such a privileged position. roman could have picked any other club and we wouldn't be in this position, at least nowhere near as fast as we have. it's not just he chose our club to buy, but he bought us at arguably the right time with ffp and sanctions for overspending coming in. 

Edited August 29, 20178 yr by enigma

This will be a very unpopular opinion.

I don't think we would have won the league with Mata as a prominent player in our first 11.

On 29/08/2017 at 03:04, lukecfc said:

Why's that?

This forum is brilliant because you know there are so many people who have been supporting this club for years & give you insight, if you look on twitter all you get are selfish fans with football avatars thinking it's a game of ultimate team. I think with Chelsea especially we attract those fanboys, although it definitely helps our marketing, silver lining and all that. 

On 8/29/2017 at 22:32, JMaher94 said:

This will be a very unpopular opinion.

I don't think we would have won the league with Mata as a prominent player in our first 11.

I actually agree, especially when you consider that:

1) Mata has never won a league title, and

2) Both of our 2014/15 and 2016/17 sides were built on a strong defensive work ethic, which Mata could not provide. His lack of tracking back would make it easier for opponents to counter after one of our offensives. Willian and later Pedro, despite lacking Mata's overall talent, are very strong defensively and so could fit the 2016/17 side much better than Mata could have. 

However, I reckon Mata could have been a valuable impact-sub for both sides. Whenever some offensive thrust was needed, he could replace Willian or Pedro on the right. In 2012/13 he was arguably at his most dangerous when allowed to cut in onto his natural left foot. 

 

Edited September 1, 20178 yr by DaRick

2 hours ago, DaRick said:

I actually agree, especially when you consider that:

1) Mata has never won a league title, and

2) Both of our 2014/15 and 2016/17 sides were built on a strong defensive work ethic, which Mata could not provide. His lack of tracking back would make it easier for opponents to counter after one of our offensives. Willian and later Pedro, despite lacking Mata's overall talent, are very strong defensively and so could fit the 2016/17 side much better than Mata could have. 

However, I reckon Mata could have been a valuable impact-sub for both sides. Whenever some offensive thrust was needed, he could replace Willian or Pedro on the right. In 2012/13 he was arguably at his most dangerous when allowed to cut in onto his natural left foot. 

 

It's not that Mata did not want to carry out his defensive duties. He always gave 100%. I  once remember seeing him at the Bridge tackling Yaya Toure. Yaya just kept running with Mata hanging on :) That is what is amazing about Kante - how he can tackle the big players.

 

Edited September 1, 20178 yr by mez
Mistake with picture

You couldn't fault Matas effort defensively, it's just that he was incredibly sh*t at it.

5 minutes ago, dkw said:

You couldn't fault Matas effort defensively, it's just that he was incredibly sh*t at it.

I am a little disappointed that we missed out on signing Barkley. I believe conte could turn him in to a very good player and would like us to have a more British core, though I don't give a stuff the ox turned us down.

People buying tickets for games and then selling them on the ticket exchange saying they can't go, thinking they're doing people a favour. I bet you won't give them the 5 loyalty points that go with it!!

The fact nobody has turned Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby into a song for Rudiger is an outrage...

John Terry sheds crocodile tears.

There is no media bias against Chelsea.

 

4 hours ago, Richard P said:

People buying tickets for games and then selling them on the ticket exchange saying they can't go, thinking they're doing people a favour. I bet you won't give them the 5 loyalty points that go with it!!

To be fair i don't think many of the people after tickets are bothered about the points and are just happy to get a ticket. But i sort of get your point.

What is worse is people selling tickets for face value + £15 handling/postage.

On 8/28/2017 at 22:57, Slojo said:

My unpopular opinion would be on the fans.

 

I dislike a lot of our young fan base of today, but I guess that's kind of common with a lot of big clubs. 

so says the newby who in another thread has told us he's 22.

David Luiz is still not, and never will be, a world class defender..........

1 hour ago, just said:

David Luiz is still not, and never will be, a world class defender..........

For sure. But as long as he realizes his limitations, he can work on emphasizing his own strengths like having the ball at his feet and ball winning abilities. 

11 hours ago, mez said:

It's not that Mata did not want to carry out his defensive duties. He always gave 100%. I  once remember seeing him at the Bridge tackling Yaya Toure. Yaya just kept running with Mata hanging on :) That is what is amazing about Kante - how he can tackle the big players.

 

 

11 hours ago, dkw said:

You couldn't fault Matas effort defensively, it's just that he was incredibly sh*t at it.

Personally I thought Mata's inability to properly track back was down to his relative lack of athleticism rather than a lack of professionalism. 

Hazard is overrated, don't get me wrong he's easily our best player and in the top 3 players in the PL but I think the Calibre of player in the league isn't want it was at one time. He's inconsistent and I think at times too relaxed to really be a truly great player.

Edited September 2, 20178 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

Prefer away games to home ones,,,,,,not a lover of SB please can we have the old Bridge back.

9 hours ago, just said:

David Luiz is still not, and never will be, a world class defender..........

In the same way Pique and Ramos shouldn't be classed as world class defenders 

We wont make a serious run till Hazard is around.

I love the club, top to bottom, good times and bad, I love all the players win lose or draw, because they are what I've got. No where near as popular an opinion these days as once it was, but there it is. KTBFFH.

Edited September 2, 20178 yr by Blue Ballet

Gueye is better than Kante.

Don't know if this is popular or not but I think the club is not utilizing Conte's contacts in the Serie A well enough when it comes to snapping up youth and established quality players, the majority of whom can be bought at more reasonable prices than paying 35 million pounds or more for Drinkwater.  There's more to the Serie A than just Sandro or Nainggolan.  And Conte knows them like the back of his hand.

Also, I don't believe Drinkwater will amount to much despite the overwhelming positive accolades given to him by the posters here.  He can do a bit of everything but does nothing very well.  Reminds me of Tom Cleverley of Man Utd.  If you ask me, I would suggest Daniele Baselli in a central midfield role who is also from Torino like Zappacosta.  Good shooting, reads the game and passes well and can also intercept and tackle consistently. Can play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder or box-to-box.  Don't think he's capped at senior level for Italy but that would only serve to lower his transfer fee.  

 

Edited September 2, 20178 yr by lchk