4 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

Bakayoko! Now I know you're looking to get a rise out of us! 

Still Mikel gets no respect even after all these years. I suggest you watch Munich carefully and see that he was nearly MoM that night.

Bakayoko had an excellent CL away game at Athetico. He looked a beast that night!  Yes, of course i remember Mikel's fine performance in Munich, but i'm judging him on his whole time at Chelsea and imho he didn't bring enough to the team, same as Kova in the current team.  I really  liked Mikel as a person and as a pro. He always had a smile on his face and never kicked off when dropped, he just got on with it like a good pro. I just didn't think he was good enough for one of Europes top teams.

24 minutes ago, abramovich said:

We did the right thing parting ways with Mourinho back in 2007, he has proved since that he's not a long term manager, in fact I think that was his longest job to date. We were playing dire football, and the dressing room was not a happy place at the time, something had to be done.There are no guarantees we'd have won the CL in 08 with Jose, he was stopped by Benitez on two occasions prior, we might not have made it to the final had he stayed, it's all speculation.

 

 

Couldn't disagree more; this is (for me) still the most ridiculous, unjust, and unforgivable sacking of the Abramovich era.

We were not playing "dire" football really were we. Sure, we were going through a bit of a purple patch, but nothing compared to some of the situations we have been in since then. As Coco pointed out, his trophy haul in his first stint speaks for itself. 

I don't recall the dressing room being an issue at the time of his sacking (the spine of the team was the old guard who always adored Jose), I always thought it was much down to Jose & Abramovich not seeing eye to eye. 

Edited June 5, 20197 yr by mclovin83

1 minute ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Since when are Liverpool known for ambition? They sell all their best players to Spain and haven't won a trophy in a decade (until last week).

Since bringing in one of the world's best managers and spending a fortune on new players.

Have to comment on Liverpool here although a bit off topic. They bought the best money can buy to areas they sorely needed strenghtening. Without Van Dijk and Allison they would have not reached the final and for certain wouldn't have competed head to head with City. They bought their success as have we done for over a decade.

They have a more stable base because of long term planning and one of best managers around in Klopp so it looks more rosy and they could actually look for a dynasty where as we are always looking for the next Jose. 

4 minutes ago, mclovin83 said:

Couldn't disagree more; this is (for me) still the most ridiculous, unjust, and unforgiving sacking of the Abramovich era.

We were not playing "dire" football really were we. Sure, we were going through a bit of a purple patch, but nothing compared to some of the situations we have been in since then. As Coco pointed out, his trophy haul in his first stint speaks for itself. 

I don't recall the dressing room being an issue at the time of his sacking (the spine of the team was the old guard who always adored Jose), I always thought it was much down to Jose & Abramovich not seeing eye to eye. 

Yeah I thought this started the season before, Abramovich signed his favourite player which meant Mourinho had to change from his favoured formation to accomadate him. Then I'm sure Mourinho wanted a centre back due to the lack of numbers which was proven when we had to play Essien and Ferrari as centre backs away to Liverpool. I agree it was more to do with them falling out than actual performances, should never have been sacked.

11 minutes ago, abramovich said:

Since bringing in one of the world's best managers and spending a fortune on new players.

Klopp one of the worlds best before Liverpool? No chance. Sure he almost got Dortmund relegated before he left.

As for spending money, did you see how much they made from Coutinho and Suarez?

8 minutes ago, mclovin83 said:

Couldn't disagree more; this is (for me) still the most ridiculous, unjust, and unforgiving sacking of the Abramovich era.

We were not playing "dire" football really were we. Sure, we were going through a bit of a purple patch, but nothing compared to some of the situations we have been in since then. As Coco pointed out, his trophy haul in his first stint speaks for itself. 

I don't recall the dressing room being an issue at the time of his sacking (the spine of the team was the old guard who always adored Jose), I always thought it was much down to Jose & Abramovich not seeing eye to eye. 

At the time I felt that but in hindsight (how's he's dealt with similar situations in his career) I'm not so sure.

In the league over the start of that season and the end of the previous season we won 5 times in the 14 games and I felt we were struggling to create chances. Drogba came out a few years later (think it was in one of his books) and said that his methods weren't working as well as it was. Infact we didn't really improve until we brought an attacking coach (Ten Cate) in, maybe we missed a trick not doing that while Jose was still here but I guess we're never know now.

In the moment I thought to myself that he'd turn it around because he was Mourinho, however since then at his numerous jobs he's never been able to turn it around at the point his teams started stagnating which has made me reacess that view somewhat.

13 minutes ago, dkw said:

Not enough step overs and back heels for some....

Nope, you can't get me on that! No back heels from Makalele, who i'd have in the best Chelsea 11 of alltime! And, as a player on the ball he was even more limited than Mikel, but the little guy was a bloody genius in his specialist role and brought a huge amount to the team!

18 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Klopp one of the worlds best before Liverpool? No chance. Sure he almost got Dortmund relegated before he left.

As for spending money, did you see how much they made from Coutinho and Suarez?

Klopp was one of the biggest names when they signed him. He assembled a very good Dortmund side, had them playing great attacking football and won Bundesliga titles back-to-back. He also reached the CL final with Dortmund back in 2013. He was a proven top class manager before taking over at Liverpool.

Not sure what does selling Coutinho and Suarez have to do with anything. The players were determined to leave and the club made some good money in the process, which they invested in acquiring new top players. We're going to sell Hazard to Real, not because we want to, but because we have to, doesn't mean we've no ambition, it's what we do next, that's what's important.

P.S. We were close to the relegation zone back when Jose was sacked in 2016. Does it mean he wasn't one of the world's best?

Edited June 5, 20197 yr by abramovich

11 minutes ago, evissy said:

Have to comment on Liverpool here although a bit off topic. They bought the best money can buy to areas they sorely needed strenghtening. Without Van Dijk and Allison they would have not reached the final and for certain wouldn't have competed head to head with City. They bought their success as have we done for over a decade.

They have a more stable base because of long term planning and one of best managers around in Klopp so it looks more rosy and they could actually look for a dynasty where as we are always looking for the next Jose. 

Net spend of about £40m a season since Klopp arrived. 

Compare that to Chelsea at the start we were averaging a net spend of about £130m a season to get those first bits of silverware. Remember that was 15+ years ago so would have been a hell of a lot more today.

Pep's got a net spend of about £130m a season too since arriving at City. 

I despise Liverpool but they haven't really bought titles like us and City, they've just invested wisely. 

10 minutes ago, abramovich said:

Klopp was one of the biggest names when they signed him. He assembled a very good Dortmund side, had them playing great attacking football and won Bundesliga titles back-to-back. He also reached the CL final with Dortmund back in 2013. He was a proven top class manager before taking over at Liverpool.

Not sure what does selling Coutinho and Suarez have to do with anything. The players were determined to leave and the club made some good money in the process, which they invested in acquiring new top players. We're going to sell Hazard to Real, not because we want to, but because we have to, doesn't mean we've no ambition, it's what we do next, that's what's important.

P.S. We were close to the relegation zone back when Jose was sacked in 2016. Does it mean he wasn't one of the world's best?

One of the worlds best is a stretch though. 

Liverpool have a history of selling their best players, we don't. Hazard is an exception to the rule after 7 years of service. The best players wanting to stay with you shows ambition, perhaps that we are now lacking.

And yes, Jose is no longer a top manager. 

23 minutes ago, mclovin83 said:

Couldn't disagree more; this is (for me) still the most ridiculous, unjust, and unforgivable sacking of the Abramovich era.

We were not playing "dire" football really were we. Sure, we were going through a bit of a purple patch, but nothing compared to some of the situations we have been in since then. As Coco pointed out, his trophy haul in his first stint speaks for itself. 

I don't recall the dressing room being an issue at the time of his sacking (the spine of the team was the old guard who always adored Jose), I always thought it was much down to Jose & Abramovich not seeing eye to eye. 

The atmosphere in  the stadium was like a morgue and a pathetic 25,000 turned up for a CL game. Also, Chelsea were always not selling out their away allocations for away games. Furthermore, as Champs we were a turnoff at some grounds with some attendances (places like Blackburn)  even falling below average. I remember commentatorrs saying it was a bit embarrassing for the Champs to be such a turn off. Worldwide, the clubs popularity grew much faster post Jose. 

8 minutes ago, Argo said:

At the time I felt that but in hindsight (how's he's dealt with similar situations in his career) I'm not so sure.

In the league over the start of that season and the end of the previous season we won 5 times in the 14 games and I felt we were struggling to create chances. Drogba came out a few years later (think it was in one of his books) and said that his methods weren't working as well as it was. Infact we didn't really improve until we brought an attacking coach (Ten Cate) in, maybe we missed a trick not doing that while Jose was still here but I guess we're never know now.

In the moment I thought to myself that he'd turn it around because he was Mourinho, however since then at his numerous jobs he's never been able to turn it around at the point his teams started stagnating which has made me reacess that view somewhat.

An interesting take for sure.

What I would agree with is that Jose has done absolutely nothing since his departure in 2007 to suggest  that he could ever have been our man for the long term. 

There has always been a bit of a "what if" about it for me though. I just wonder if we as a club had handled him differently, whether he could have been our Ferguson. 

1 minute ago, Dixons said:

The atmosphere in  the stadium was like a morgue and a pathetic 25,000 turned up for a CL game. Also, Chelsea were always not selling out their away allocations for away games. Furthermore, as Champs we were a turnoff at some grounds with some attendances (places like Blackburn)  even falling below average. I remember commentatorrs saying it was a bit embarrassing for the Champs to be such a turn off. Worldwide, the clubs popularity grew much faster post Jose. 

Have you experienced the atmosphere at the Bridge recently?

If you think it is better now than in 2007 then you need your head examined. 

Don't recall us ever struggling to sell out away games- examples/evidence needed on that one. 

A CL group stage game against Rosenborg if I remember correctly? It was a one off as far as I recall, and in no means reflective of the feeling towards Mourinho at the time, probably more to do with the ticket pricing which was subsequently reduced for group stage games in the following years. 

This is getting quite off topic

12 minutes ago, mclovin83 said:

Have you experienced the atmosphere at the Bridge recently?

If you think it is better now than in 2007 then you need your head examined. 

Don't recall us ever struggling to sell out away games- examples/evidence needed on that one. 

A CL group stage game against Rosenborg if I remember correctly? It was a one off as far as I recall, and in no means reflective of the feeling towards Mourinho at the time, probably more to do with the ticket pricing which was subsequently reduced for group stage games in the following years. 

I dont know where to find actual proof of how many fans Chelsea fans went to Blackburn 14  or so years ago, you might be able to find something on youtube. But as i said, i do defo remember radio 5 commentators mentioning it and saw with my own eyes how poor the crowds were at Blackburn and our section half empty. 

Saw a rumour earlier that Sarri's departure is being held up on our insistence on Juventus paying compensation to release Sarri from his contract early. 

Meanwhile Derby are apparently eyeing up Charlton's Lee Bowyer to succeed Frank Lampard should we approach him to take over. 

Insigne, quoted during an Italy press conference: 

“Sarri did so much for us players and all the Neapolitan people. He’s also a professional, but choosing Juve,  will hurt: it’ll be a betrayal for us Neapolitans once it becomes official”.

 

5 hours ago, bisright1 said:

We don't know what's gone on behind the scenes. There's stories Sarri would have been happy to stay if X Y Z. There's stories Sarri wanted to leave regardless.

My guess is Sarri offered to see out another year and the board told him he could leave now. 

Probably because of what happened with Conte. 

I'm curious to know why the last two managers we've had wanted to leave. It's rare that happens in football. 

I don't think he's kept it a secret that he wanted to go back to Italy at some point.  But I think several events coming together have probably conspired to make him decide now is the time:

1. The Juventus job does not become available very often.  It's an opportunity too good to pass up
2. Sarri may never be a more attractive coaching candidate than he is after doing well at Napoli and doing really well in his first year with us in difficult circumstances
3. It's his first time managing outside Italy, so may have underestimated how homesick he could get
4. He knows he can't repeat this year's success without his best player and without the ability to bring in one or two to fit his system
5. He knows that supporters turned on him at times this year, and next year might be worse without Hazard and without the ability to bring in players

There are things I like about Sarri, and things I disliked about him last season.  I would have liked to have seen what he could with another year and a couple of players he felt suited his system.  This time when we need a manager, there are few attractive candidates, and we have never been a less attractive club to manage.  

3 hours ago, Dixons said:

I dont know where to find actual proof of how many fans Chelsea fans went to Blackburn 14  or so years ago, you might be able to find something on youtube. But as i said, i do defo remember radio 5 commentators mentioning it and saw with my own eyes how poor the crowds were at Blackburn and our section half empty. 

I mean if there was a prolonged  period in 2007 where Chelsea were unable to fill away ends as you suggest, it would have been well documented at the time, and thus would be fairly easy to find something about it on the internet. 

If, however, it was a one off game up North which probably wasn't even "half empty" then, yeah, you won't find anything on it. and it wouldn't be worth bringing up in the first place. 

Sorry, but as someone who has followed Chelsea home & away since before 2007 I know full well that bar the odd game here and there, we have never struggled to fill away ends in 2007, or any other season, 

I am not a fan of Goal.com, but I loved seeing this bit of news

Make Juve pay for Sarri & no we don't wan't Higuain as compensation

50 minutes ago, robdog said:

I am not a fan of Goal.com, but I loved seeing this bit of news

Make Juve pay for Sarri & no we don't wan't Higuain as compensation

Been reported by a few media that he might stay now if he is offered an improved contract.

Would the club want him to stay though? And would you trust him? Juve are a bit ridiculous for wanting him on a free. 

Why would we let him go for nothing? Surely it's a logical conclusion that Juve would have to buy him out of his contract. He can't stay now he's effectively given two fingers to the supporters, Jumping ship at the first opportunity (was he homesick when he did his banking job in London prior?)

He's going to insult the Napoli fans and he's already shown precious little consideration for the fans here that wanted him to stay. What a total farce.

3 minutes ago, Luca Vialli said:

Why would we let him go for nothing? Surely it's a logical conclusion that Juve would have to buy him out of his contract. He can't stay now he's effectively given two fingers to the supporters, Jumping ship at the first opportunity (was he homesick when he did his banking job in London prior?)

or it's a contract ploy. Arrigo Sacchi said he did the same at Milan & Sacchi mentors Don Maurizio, so I can see Sarri taking a page out of  Sacchi's book.

3 minutes ago, Luca Vialli said:

Why would we let him go for nothing? Surely it's a logical conclusion that Juve would have to buy him out of his contract. He can't stay now he's effectively given two fingers to the supporters, Jumping ship at the first opportunity (was he homesick when he did his banking job in London prior?)

or it's a contract ploy. Arrigo Sacchi said he did the same at Milan & Sacchi mentors Don Maurizio, so I can see Sarri taking a page out of  Sacchi's book.