6 hours ago, ducavis said:

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/enzo-fernandez-chelsea-fc-mauricio-pochettino-b1088240.html

 

“I think [we will see Enzo play further forward]. He was going to ask [Pochettino] to play further advanced.”

 

 

Depends what the definition of further forward is.

If it's a bit more positional freedom (ie someone next to him doing the dirty work) then it will work well, if he's basically going to be playing number 10 then well what a waste that will be.

Kudos to uncle Todd.  FFP lost this battle 😆

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

9 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

Reece James next?

Just now, axman2526 said:

Reece James next?

If we have another sh*t mid-table season, I can defintely see it happening. City or Madrid or someone coming in for him.

2 minutes ago, Zeta said:

If we have another sh*t mid-table season, I can defintely see it happening. City or Madrid or someone coming in for him.

Think of it from a business perspective.  If James can have a really good season and stay mostly injury free, and Gusto shows himself ready for thus level, we could cash in on Reece for probably 80mill minimum and not need a replacement.

Gotta make sense to our new owners when it comes to making money.

8 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

It's really bizarre. The only positive take is that the CL-winning team had run its course, and what we saw last season was a dysfunctional, dispirited squad that needed a massive overhaul to be competitive in both the short and longer term. The disastrous recruitment (coupled with silly wage deals) of last summer seriously harmed our finances, forcing us to raise money while we could to avoid being crippled by FFP penalties. The clear-out appears to have avoided those and gives the new manager the chance to really start afresh.

The worry is that we'll make similarly bad purchases once again and will become an established bottom-half club at which no ambitious talented player will want to stay.

The hope is we can rebound as Arsenal have done and build a quality squad with real desire and hunger.

19 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

I understand what you mean and I myself feel a real sense of not knowing what it is I now support. It’s been like a Pol Pot year Zero kind of 12 months. It is hard to feel any connection or even care an awful lot at the moment.

And what bit I do care, I reckon that we’re definitely in for another very difficult season with the bunch of players we’ve got left. There’s no way on earth we can buy our way out of it and Pochetino is only human.

56 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

What was he supposed to do exactly? 

The players haven't performed well since then, Rudiger and Christensen were totally out of his control, if he keeps the same dross that have been crap for two seasons we'll be complaining that the squad is too big and full of sh*te players again. The man can't win.

If anything we should be giving Todd credit where it's due. Got the best deal we could for Mason who wanted to leave, and almost made our money back on Havertz, who on earth expected that? Managed to sell Koulibaly for 20 million who was on ridiculous wages. And still plenty more deadwood to go. The only player I have mixed feelings on going was Kovacic, but I'm sure we can find someone that's more tailor-made for Pochettino's football. 

We should be happy about this, not gloomy. 

Edited June 29, 20233 yr by Victor90

Todd and Co have done a lot wrong, but to give them their credit there is also quite a few things they've got right. One being player sales great job by those running the club.

Getting Pochettino in also a masterstroke. Now we need to build a Pochettino Chelsea side. One that is still dripping in Chelsea DNA, but also designed to work for Pochettino. I'm convinced if the owners back Pochettino and we are able to get the types of players be wants (ideally as many first choices as possible). We will be back.

Very hard to get on board with all this. Selling off all the players that have actually won trophies here, and so far we have 1 upgrade to the starting 11 that was here 12 months ago in Enzo Fernandez. 

I get that change needed to happen, players have under performance, but I'd also say be careful for what you wish for, next season could end up worse than season.

I've never seen a club make this amount of changes in 12 months, both on the pitch and off it. 

This is the most pessimistic I've been since we signed just De Lucas in 2002. 

Hopefully there is some players that can actually compete now coming in. Absolutely gutted about Mount. Not even my favourite player by any stretch, but it's a big statement, and a negative one, that we have sold an academy player up the table to a rival, who has won 2 poty's here, all because we couldnt agree a wage, while at the same time paying Sterling 300k a week. 

With all the decisive players all gone, and Rice at Arsenal, I wonder what the next civil wars will be about. 

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

It's bonkers to me. I've held the opinion that we are taking absolute massive gambles for a long time but that feeling is just getting stronger. We've spent record amounts of money and all they've done is taking the squad backwards. Have a look at midfield and attack right now and it's a complete shambles and we are going after Bournemouth-targets to do something about it because he'll accept a decade long contract on low wages.

Next summer we'll have James, Enzo and Colwill (if he's not leaving this) pushing for a move away after we've been miles off competing once again and at that point we'll be done for as a top club.

 

Just now, OriginalS said:

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

 

 

I mean, Todd clearly wants us to be Brighton. And that;s their gameplan.

8 minutes ago, OriginalS said:

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

It's bonkers to me. I've held the opinion that we are taking absolute massive gambles for a long time but that feeling is just getting stronger. We've spent record amounts of money and all they've done is taking the squad backwards. Have a look at midfield and attack right now and it's a complete shambles and we are going after Bournemouth-targets to do something about it because he'll accept a decade long contract on low wages.

Next summer we'll have James, Enzo and Colwill (if he's not leaving this) pushing for a move away after we've been miles off competing once again and at that point we'll be done for as a top club.

 

Caicedo (assuming it gets done which is looking very likely) and Enzo is up there with any middle pairing in this league while one of the best forwards in Europe of the last couple of years has joined us.

I get there's more issues than there should be given the outlay but this narrative we're on an avalanche downwards is getting beyond tedious.

20 minutes ago, OriginalS said:

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

It's bonkers to me. I've held the opinion that we are taking absolute massive gambles for a long time but that feeling is just getting stronger. We've spent record amounts of money and all they've done is taking the squad backwards. Have a look at midfield and attack right now and it's a complete shambles and we are going after Bournemouth-targets to do something about it because he'll accept a decade long contract on low wages.

Next summer we'll have James, Enzo and Colwill (if he's not leaving this) pushing for a move away after we've been miles off competing once again and at that point we'll be done for as a top club.

 

James, Enzo, and Silva went nowhere?

1 hour ago, Zeta said:

If we have another sh*t mid-table season, I can defintely see it happening. City or Madrid or someone coming in for him.

Chitwell, Silva, etc. Many of the winners are still there. Chelsea will be fine and I have huge hopes for our future.

7 minutes ago, Argo said:

Caicedo (assuming it gets done which is looking very likely) and Enzo is up there with any middle pairing in this league while one of the best forwards in Europe of the last couple of years has joined us.

I get there's more issues than there should be given the outlay but this narrative we're on an avalanche downwards is getting beyond tedious.

Agree 100%. 

It's understandable to feel a bit disconnected to the new players coming in, but it's not as if the ones that were here were really carrying the club on their backs or setting the path to consistent silverware challenge. Even when we won the CL and still had TT as a WC manager at the helm, players decided to leave on a free anyway, so it's not entirely Boehly & Co fault either when players decide to move on for any reason whatsoever. 

If anything, I'm really excited to see this new batch of "unproven" players going all in to show they deserve recognition and be up there with the best. They got the platform and possibly the manager to do it.

Nkunku, Madueke, Mudryk, Enzo, all our defenders, Caicedo/Veiga will definitely have something to prove this season. Meanwhile Ziyech, Pulisic, Kova, etc just weren't at that level either technically or mentally and we move on. Bring in the new season. 

18 minutes ago, Brigadeiro Mk II said:

Agree 100%. 

It's understandable to feel a bit disconnected to the new players coming in, but it's not as if the ones that were here were really carrying the club on their backs or setting the path to consistent silverware challenge. Even when we won the CL and still had TT as a WC manager at the helm, players decided to leave on a free anyway, so it's not entirely Boehly & Co fault either when players decide to move on for any reason whatsoever. 

If anything, I'm really excited to see this new batch of "unproven" players going all in to show they deserve recognition and be up there with the best. They got the platform and possibly the manager to do it.

Nkunku, Madueke, Mudryk, Enzo, all our defenders, Caicedo/Veiga will definitely have something to prove this season. Meanwhile Ziyech, Pulisic, Kova, etc just weren't at that level either technically or mentally and we move on. Bring in the new season. 

Not to mention, many times after a defeat or draw last season Tuchel's quotes about the having the same problems because we have the same players was constantly brought up and now replacing them is apparently a problem.

2 hours ago, Zeta said:

Really torn this squad apart. Hardly anyone left from the CL winning team of only 2 years ago.

Usually players come and go in dribs and drabs and you adjust. But for me, it's hard to feel connection with basically an entire new team so quickly, full of mostly players who haven't really achieved much and cost a sh*t tonne.

 

You could also think it another way, decimated a squad that stank the place for a full season. Other than Mount, I don’t think there’s been that many crucial players sold or other player that the fan base felt much connection with.

27 minutes ago, Argo said:

Not to mention, many times after a defeat or draw last season Tuchel's quotes about the having the same problems because we have the same players was constantly brought up and now replacing them is apparently a problem.

Good point. Had to be done to sone degree. 

Whilst the CL winning squad did win the CL, their league form suggested that there were major problems - very inconsistent and unreliable results. Tuchel managed managed to get 6 months out of them before they reverted to type. 

7 hours ago, OriginalS said:

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

It's bonkers to me. I've held the opinion that we are taking absolute massive gambles for a long time but that feeling is just getting stronger. We've spent record amounts of money and all they've done is taking the squad backwards. Have a look at midfield and attack right now and it's a complete shambles and we are going after Bournemouth-targets to do something about it because he'll accept a decade long contract on low wages.

Next summer we'll have James, Enzo and Colwill (if he's not leaving this) pushing for a move away after we've been miles off competing once again and at that point we'll be done for as a top club.

 

We will be fine, I think we will get Caicedo and

Jackson/Borja

Sterling/Murdyk - Nkunku/Chuku - Madueke/Cho 

Enzo - Caicedo/Conor

Chilwell/cucu- Colwill/badi - Fofana/chalo - James/gusto

Kepa/bet

Will be more than enough to get at least top 6. The big question will be that CF position. 

 

Rather Santos instead of Gallagher in that deeper role. Still need another DM on top of Caicedo imo. 
 

 

6 hours ago, JM7 said:

Whilst the CL winning squad did win the CL, their league form suggested that there were major problems - very inconsistent and unreliable results. Tuchel managed managed to get 6 months out of them before they reverted to type. 

I think the bigger question how do we get worse every summer under TT? 

8 hours ago, OriginalS said:

Echo everyone who feel it's hard to be connected right now. For me as well it feels like a completely different club and in many ways we are just acting as some premium feeder club that's prepared to sell our best players to rivals so that we can purchase a gazillion youngsters so that they can hopefully become top players and we can make profit by selling them in the future to the sides that actually wants to compete.

It's bonkers to me. I've held the opinion that we are taking absolute massive gambles for a long time but that feeling is just getting stronger. We've spent record amounts of money and all they've done is taking the squad backwards. Have a look at midfield and attack right now and it's a complete shambles and we are going after Bournemouth-targets to do something about it because he'll accept a decade long contract on low wages.

Next summer we'll have James, Enzo and Colwill (if he's not leaving this) pushing for a move away after we've been miles off competing once again and at that point we'll be done for as a top club.

 

At the end of the day, this is the difference between owned by a wealthy individual as a personal plaything, versus being owned by a hedge fund for its enrichment. Clearlake's goal is to increase the on-paper value of the club in the next ten years, whether that results in footballing success is merely a correlation. Clubs don't get wealthy by winning trophies, they get wealthy (as in, book-value rich) by acquiring playing assets and increasing their value. Footballing success is only one of the ways that can happen.

The most relevant example is Arsenal post-2004, where the club essentially became a profit machine for its shareholders at the expense of football considerations. It is plain to see that the club is being restructured to increase its book value with footballing success being just a tangential consideration.