1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

God help Lukaku if he is warming up in front of me. 

Will there be a buffet alongside the pitch? If not then no danger of you seeing Lukaku "warm up". ;)

8 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Will there be a buffet alongside the pitch? If not then no danger of you seeing Lukaku "warm up". 😉

He would prove the "slow" comments wrong in an instant. See that big sweaty head glisten as he races to the dessert table at super swift speed.

6 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

He would prove the "slow" comments wrong in an instant. See that big sweaty head glisten as he races to the dessert table at super swift speed.

He reported to pre season at Inter a ton overweight apparently. Well above his “ fighting weight” of 15 stone 9 pound.

Comfort eating/ overactive thyroid?

 

 

Saw this comment from Lampard and I agree, and I think we all agree. 

 

I always wonder how things would have turned out if we had kept Carlo, signed the likes of Pirlo, Aguero, David Silva during that 10/11 campaign and from there on.

All the rumours of players we could have gone for and were interested in back then was so tasty. The Gerrard signing was never going to happen, but the rest very well could have with Carlo in charge. Oh well...

2 hours ago, enigma said:

I always wonder how things would have turned out if we had kept Carlo, signed the likes of Pirlo, Aguero, David Silva during that 10/11 campaign and from there on.

All the rumours of players we could have gone for and were interested in back then was so tasty. The Gerrard signing was never going to happen, but the rest very well could have with Carlo in charge. Oh well...

Ray Wilkins confirmed Carlo asked for Torres.

1 hour ago, Argo said:

Ray Wilkins confirmed Carlo asked for Torres.

Really? That sucks. Although I sort of understand he probably thought Torres was like his former self, but he wasn't post injury. I still think Carlo deserved way more time at Chelsea than he got. 

8 minutes ago, enigma said:

Really? That sucks. Although I sort of understand he probably thought Torres was like his former self, but he wasn't post injury. I still think Carlo deserved way more time at Chelsea than he got. 

It's difficult because it was becoming evident the team needed a rebuild. Torres was just the second mistake Carlo made that season. The first was suggesting to Roman that he didn't want new players/whole sale changes to the squad as he thought he could've milked more out of them, when in reality that 2010 was the last bit of true quality our spine had. 

Ancelotti has little to no track record in managing a club through a rebuild. 

Edited May 2, 20233 yr by Sconnie Blue

Just now, Sconnie Blue said:

It's difficult because it was becoming evident the team needed a rebuild. Torres was just the second mistake Carlo made that season. The first was suggesting to Roman that he didn't want new players/whole sale changes to the squad as he think he could've milked more out of them, when in reality that 2010 was the last bit of true quality our spine had. 

Ancelotti has little to no track record in managing a club through a rebuild. 

That's why it's so difficult to find the ideal coach for a rebuild. Klopp and Pep were perfect for Liverpool and City respectively, but it's difficult to find the ideal coach. I hope that Pochettino can be that for us. We need that stability and have done for years. 

11 minutes ago, enigma said:

Really? That sucks. Although I sort of understand he probably thought Torres was like his former self, but he wasn't post injury. I still think Carlo deserved way more time at Chelsea than he got. 

I can't find the article anymore but here's a reddit thread discussing it.

Maybe he should have got a third season due to credit in the bank but I can't believe it's being forgotten just how crap that season was. People will say we "finish 2nd" but we did it behind the weakest Champions in PL era (via a gutless UCL exit to them and handing them the most one sided decider in PL history, well atleast until a week ago) with less points than Sarri/Rafa season and even one point above Conte when he was half arsing the job.

I think the UCL performances is what ultimately sealed his fate, if you're appointed for your European pedigree and can't match any of your predecessors efforts you'll be in trouble no matter what you do domestically.

Edited May 2, 20233 yr by Argo

8 minutes ago, enigma said:

That's why it's so difficult to find the ideal coach for a rebuild. Klopp and Pep were perfect for Liverpool and City respectively, but it's difficult to find the ideal coach. I hope that Pochettino can be that for us. We need that stability and have done for years. 

Oh yeah I agree. Klopp and Pep both joined their clubs at the perfect time. 

Everything points to being the same with Pochettino and our current state. 

8 minutes ago, Argo said:

I can't find the article anymore but here's a reddit thread discussing it.

Maybe he should have got a third season due to credit in the bank but I can't believe it's being forgotten just how crap that season was. People will say we "finish 2nd" but we did it behind the weakest Champions in PL era (via a gutless UCL exit to them and handing them the most one sided decider in PL history, well atleast until a week ago) with less points than Sarri/Rafa season and even one point above Conte when he was half arsing the job.

I think the UCL performances is what ultimately sealed his fate, if you're appointed for your European pedigree and can't match any of your predecessors efforts you'll be in trouble no matter what you do domestically.

Horse sh*t officiating that match. But story of our lives eh. 

Should of had a least two penalties and saw off the first leg 2-1. VDS also played a blinder. 

16 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Horse sh*t officiating that match. But story of our lives eh. 

Should of had a least two penalties and saw off the first leg 2-1. VDS also played a blinder. 

I was thinking more at OT. We showed absolutely no urgency or desire to chase down the one and then two goal aggregate deficit and then when we somehow got back into it we conceded a minute later.

And the 'title decider' was even worse, Alex came on at HT with us down and out and single handedly prevented a cricket score IIRC.

Regarding UCL qualification if I'm not mistaken doesn't the two highest ranking non qualifiers get an automatic place from 24/25 onwards?

Not that I agree with it but you would imagine that gets us back in regardless of where we finish next season.

13 minutes ago, Argo said:

Regarding UCL qualification if I'm not mistaken doesn't the two highest ranking non qualifiers get an automatic place from 24/25 onwards?

Not that I agree with it but you would imagine that gets us back in regardless of where we finish next season.

Yes, and based on 5 of the last 6 seasons an English club was always ranked. 

Essentially we need to finish in a European place next season and we qualify for Champions League 2025 season. Assuming City and Liverpool finish above us. 

** Note that this is currently set for 2023 so who knows where we will fall at the start of next season. 

https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/club/#/yr/2023

 

Edited May 2, 20233 yr by Sconnie Blue

We're not even halfway through the game and players in their early 20s can barely run or kick a ball competently. Unforgivable incompetence.

Hope Boehly and Eghbali are at the Emirates watching their very own clusterf**k they've solely created in full display. 

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Hope Boehly and Eghbali are at the Emirates watching their very own clusterf**k they've solely created in full display. 

Hopefully someone keys their cars

Just now, PloKoon13 said:

Hopefully someone keys their cars

I really hope someone digs into who decided on Lampard as interim. 

 

On 27/04/2023 at 18:49, Argo said:

You're right, we won the UCL with an elite pressing, passing and interplaying system and thought adding Romelu Lukaku to it was a good idea.

People dont realise but losing Jorginho, Werner and Rudiger really impacted us.... Werner was underrated we wouldnt have a CL without his darting run to take away the defender. He was always putting a shift in not like sterling

Will Clearlake ever remove Boehly?

40 minutes ago, Conte said:

People dont realise but losing Jorginho, Werner and Rudiger really impacted us.... Werner was underrated we wouldnt have a CL without his darting run to take away the defender. He was always putting a shift in not like sterling

Werner was not underrated. His work rate was always good, but he could barely control a ball, missed sitters for fun and could never stay onside. Just because we are sh*t now, it doesn't mean Werner shouldn't have been sold, same for Jorginho. It's Rudiger leaving that hurt us the most.

3 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Will Clearlake ever remove Boehly?

I am absolutely sure they are sh*tting their pant’s right now seeing how f**ked they are literally burning money because of arrogance!!

5 minutes ago, El regreso said:

I am absolutely sure they are sh*tting their pant’s right now seeing how f**ked they are literally burning money because of arrogance!!

I'm just wondering because this is genuinely all on him. When exactly will Clearlake prevent him in making such crucial decisions whilst ignoring the football brains now at the club? 

Edited May 2, 20233 yr by Sconnie Blue

Get Corden on the phone ASAP