Is it just me? Is anyone still buzzing about Lamps coming in, even though it was a couple of days ago, I was out running at 6 this morning and I was humming Frankie Lampard songs!! 

12 minutes ago, evissy said:

As I said I haven't seen Mount play apart from some YouTube compilations. It would make sense Frank wanting goals from midfield. He knows all about it. I would love to see Mount take one of Baka, Barkley, Kovacic spot as those three have only seen the goal in some photos. 

Drinkwater is a 50-50 for me. He could be so energized of the chance he impresses Frank. I think Ampadu is loaned out or should be anyway. He needs to play all the time. 

Pedro was an idea. We have 3 heavy footed strikers. Frank will struggle with the 3 I think in any case. 

Bit harsh on Barkley in my opinion, he’s definitely underwhelmed in a chelsea jersey but if frank uses him in the way England do then he could be like a new signing all over again. He has the ability as he showed at Everton. Hopefully the greatest attacking centre midfielder can work to bring out the original promise that he showed as a youngster.

12 minutes ago, evissy said:

As I said I haven't seen Mount play apart from some YouTube compilations. It would make sense Frank wanting goals from midfield. He knows all about it. I would love to see Mount take one of Baka, Barkley, Kovacic spot as those three have only seen the goal in some photos. 

Drinkwater is a 50-50 for me. He could be so energized of the chance he impresses Frank. I think Ampadu is loaned out or should be anyway. He needs to play all the time. 

Pedro was an idea. We have 3 heavy footed strikers. Frank will struggle with the 3 I think in any case. 

Agree on Ampadu, he definitely needs to play week in week out. 

I think Abraham and Batshuayi are quick enough, Derby scored the most counter attack goals last season, but i would say most of them came from overloading with runners from midfield, rather than just sheer pace of the attackers. Its another reason why i think mount will play next season, because he presses extremely well, and makes runs consistently. 

Giroud is not the best fit though, but he has the best link up of the 3, and obviously he has that experience and leadership on his side aswell. 

 

9 hours ago, DidierDrogbalala said:

 

The new training gear is ??

Interesting article on RA appointing Lampard suggesting it is a move by RA to curb player power. The type of power where the players only put in a top performance if they sense a medal.

The analogy is made with Utd and with Utd losing after OGS is made full time manager.

https://www.football365.com/news/f365-says-like-solskjaer-lampard-is-a-blow-to-player-power

 

Frank says he already knows where N'Golo Kante will play. Know what? I can't wait to see Frank's Chelsea play. I think we'll see aggression, pace, fast moving football. Can't wait. 

On 06/07/2019 at 12:03, EdinburghBlue said:

Bit harsh on Barkley in my opinion, he’s definitely underwhelmed in a chelsea jersey but if frank uses him in the way England do then he could be like a new signing all over again. He has the ability as he showed at Everton. Hopefully the greatest attacking centre midfielder can work to bring out the original promise that he showed as a youngster.

True. Barkley can score and he has a lot of talent. Under Sarri he just didn't know what to do with the ball. Sideways, backwards and so on. 

Thinking about Mount I still think he has some way to make the starting 11 in the Prem. So much talent and experience in front of him. Remains to be seen I guess. 

Still trying to figure out where the goals will come from in this team. Giroud has a total of 5 goals in 40 games in the PL. Tammy is young and has yet to prove himself at this level. Batshuayi has scored 12 goals in a total of 43 PL games for both us and Palace. Very underwhelming. Hazard was our main goalscorer/creator last season, but now I'm unsure who takes that role. Two of our most talented players are injured and likely not to be back until Sept/Oct time. 

3 hours ago, enigma said:

Still trying to figure out where the goals will come from in this team. Giroud has a total of 5 goals in 40 games in the PL. Tammy is young and has yet to prove himself at this level. Batshuayi has scored 12 goals in a total of 43 PL games for both us and Palace. Very underwhelming. Hazard was our main goalscorer/creator last season, but now I'm unsure who takes that role. Two of our most talented players are injured and likely not to be back until Sept/Oct time. 

Maybe you just don't worry about it!

10 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

Interesting article on RA appointing Lampard suggesting it is a move by RA to curb player power. The type of power where the players only put in a top performance if they sense a medal.

The analogy is made with Utd and with Utd losing after OGS is made full time manager.

https://www.football365.com/news/f365-says-like-solskjaer-lampard-is-a-blow-to-player-power

 

that's an interesting theory - when you're face with Lampard it'll be hard not to put in an honest performance every game. The apparent openness to bringing on some of the younger players might also get the more senior guys to up their effort. I'm struggling to see a downside at the minute - I think every Chelsea will be right behind Frank from the start and if there are challenging times, I think the fans will be very patient. All we want to see is honest effort, attacking football and the odd trophy (or three)    

On 06/07/2019 at 08:38, evissy said:

So I'm browsing through news of Chelsea and it is naturally all Frank and the new season ahead. One theme that has been very trendy is Frank and youth. All the experts, ex-players and everyone who is asked about it all say the same. Finally the youth have a chance. 

Lets take a look at the squad

Kepa, Caballero 

Rudiger, Christensen, Luiz, Azpi, Zappa, Palmieri, Alonso, Zouma, Ampadu

Drinkwater, Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Van Ginkel, Bakayoko

Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Pedro, Willian, Batshuayi, Pulisic

Youth in this squad is Christensen, Ampadu, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic. 

On-loan talent that are looking to push into Frank's starting 11 are: Reece James, Abraham, Tomori, Mount, Clarke-Salter. 

Frank used 4-3-3 formation mostly with Derby and 4-2-3-1. It is fair to assume it will be either of the two. 

Kepa will be the goalie so it is a simple choice. 

D-line for me is also pretty simple. Only Reece James could do something there. We have a good d-line with great experience. Azpi and Rudiger will be Frank's go to guys. Both are fighters and very good footballers. Zappacosta might be in trouble with his Chelsea future. Palmieri will take the role from Alonso. I expect Frank to value pace all around the pitch. 

Midfield trio will consist of Kante for sure and with Loftus-Cheek when he comes back. Still not sure about Frank and Jorginho but we will see. Then we have Barkley, Bakayoko, Kovacic and Drinkwater to fight for remaining spots. Mount will probably continue with Derby the following season. Haven't seen him play I have to admit. 

The attack is interesting. Willian and Pedro will be playing good amount of football I'm sure of it. Pulisic will also play a lot I think. When Hudson-Odoi gets back he will fill one of the 4 spots of our wingers. Who pips who I don't know but this is the 4 players.

Strikers dept is interesting as we have Giroud, Batshuayi and Abraham. Giroud doesn't score in the league and Michy is all hit and miss. Maybe Tammy has a real shot here. If he manages to impress Frank he might well start ahead of the pack.

This is the only spot I feel our on loan youth talent could make a giant leap. Mount has too many players in front of him. Reece James is injured and has Azpilicueta in front of him. Azpi will be Frank's right arm I feel and the captain. 

If you count Hudson-Odoi, Loftus-Cheek and Christensen as emerging youth Frank will have a youthful side but Sarri already broke them in. 

In my assesment Tammy would be the man that is promoted by Frank and even that is very 50-50. If Frank values pace none of our strikers have that. Maybe he should just throw Pedro as a striker. 

 

 

I'll give my opinions on the squad. Kepa is a top keeper but if he gets injured for any length of time we're in trouble. Willy may have the odd good game but he's a poor keeper. Who's our number 3? Blackman? If so, unless he gets promoted above Willy then he will suffer greatly this season with his development. I don't know how good he is but if we believe in him and we want him to develop he has to play some games. Last year was a write off for him with injury. He's nearly 26 now with 2 years left on his deal. Logic dictates he will be our 3rd choice next season, having zero experience of the PL. We're heavily reliant on our 1st choice staying fit, far more than all our rivals.

 

Defence. I think Zapacosta will be sold and Reece James will be Dave's back-up, so there's one young player that will get games. I think our 4 CBs will be Rudi, Luiz, Christensen and Zouma. I think Tomori will get loaned to a PL club that can guarantee him games. Left-back is interesting. Emerson will be our first choice but what of Alonso? We need a back-up LB. I have a sneaky suspicion it might go to Kenedy, who has undoubted potential if you can get into his head. He only has one year left on his deal so it may well decide on whether he wants to stay. Alonso is a safer bet but if we're playing a back four he's not really that good.

 

Midfield. Drinkwater and Bakayoko will go. We just have way too much depth in this department. For me, Ampadu has to stay. I think he is the jewel in the crown and is our future captain. I think Frank will look at him in training and decide to keep him. Here's another youngster that will breakthrough IMO. Kovacic, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek and Kante. That leaves room for one more midfielder realistically because you don't need more than 6. Jorginho or Mount? I think Jorginho will stay and Mount will be loaned out to a PL club that can guarantee him games. There's no point keeping Tomori and Mount if they're not going to play. They need to play regularly.

 

Wingers. Pedro, Willian, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic. It's possible Moses or Kenedy stay on to provide depth because they can play in defence or attack,  but unless we let go of FBs they're not really going to play.

 

Strikers. Abraham, Giroud and Batshuayi. A breakthrough season for Tammy. Whether he's good enough, we'll soon see. People will need to be patient. Go on the RLC thread and see how many people thought he'd never be good enough. You need to be patient with kids, it takes time to assert yourself. Not always but usually. I always thought RLC would make it but I'm not so sure about Tammy but he's got a chance. There's no way of knowing just yet. One thing's for sure, he will get games.

 

That's five young players breaking through I reckon (CHO, Tammy, Ethan, Pulisic and Reece James). When you think of RLC, Christensen and possibly Kenedy as well, all of whom have just turned 23, we start to see it's a young squad. Then you factor in the 24 and 25 year olds (Kepa, Emerson, Barkley, Zouma, Kovacic and Batshuayi). The only players in their 30s are Luiz, Giroud, Pedro and Willian, and they all have a few years left, so it's a young squad and it's a strong squad.

 

As I say, back-up keeper is our weak spot but hopefully Kepa will stay fit and our only other point of weakness is up front but in a way that's a good thing because it gives Tammy his chance. Maybe left-back but we'll see by the season's end. On the flanks, Pulisic and Callum may give us real strength. We hope so, because without Hazard we may struggle for goals.

 

Edit: All in all I'm very optimistic for the season ahead and I think the ban may well work in our favour. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of our kids. Whatever happens, with Lampard at the helm, there's no reason not to be extremely happy.

Edited July 7, 20197 yr by Davey Baby

1 hour ago, carrickblue said:

that's an interesting theory - when you're face with Lampard it'll be hard not to put in an honest performance every game. The apparent openness to bringing on some of the younger players might also get the more senior guys to up their effort. I'm struggling to see a downside at the minute - I think every Chelsea will be right behind Frank from the start and if there are challenging times, I think the fans will be very patient. All we want to see is honest effort, attacking football and the odd trophy (or three)    

I agree and think his formation is going to be interesting. I think Frank will want a goal scoring midfielder like he was and we were short in that department last season. Because of this I see a change in personnel and or a change in formation.

7 minutes ago, Davey Baby said:

All in all I'm very optimistic for the season ahead and I think the ban may well work in our favour. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of our kids. Whatever happens, with Lampard at the helm, there's no reason not to be extremely happy.

I think we will be 4th next season. Not sure about Ampadu, he has quality yet get the feeling like RLC he is injury prone and will spend far too much time on the injury list, hope I am wrong.

Edited July 7, 20197 yr by strider6004

Any new gossip about Drogs coming back?

It would be a cherry on top!

4 hours ago, Davey Baby said:

 

I'll give my opinions on the squad. Kepa is a top keeper but if he gets injured for any length of time we're in trouble. Willy may have the odd good game but he's a poor keeper. Who's our number 3? Blackman? If so, unless he gets promoted above Willy then he will suffer greatly this season with his development. I don't know how good he is but if we believe in him and we want him to develop he has to play some games. Last year was a write off for him with injury. He's nearly 26 now with 2 years left on his deal. Logic dictates he will be our 3rd choice next season, having zero experience of the PL. We're heavily reliant on our 1st choice staying fit, far more than all our rivals.

 

Defence. I think Zapacosta will be sold and Reece James will be Dave's back-up, so there's one young player that will get games. I think our 4 CBs will be Rudi, Luiz, Christensen and Zouma. I think Tomori will get loaned to a PL club that can guarantee him games. Left-back is interesting. Emerson will be our first choice but what of Alonso? We need a back-up LB. I have a sneaky suspicion it might go to Kenedy, who has undoubted potential if you can get into his head. He only has one year left on his deal so it may well decide on whether he wants to stay. Alonso is a safer bet but if we're playing a back four he's not really that good.

 

Midfield. Drinkwater and Bakayoko will go. We just have way too much depth in this department. For me, Ampadu has to stay. I think he is the jewel in the crown and is our future captain. I think Frank will look at him in training and decide to keep him. Here's another youngster that will breakthrough IMO. Kovacic, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek and Kante. That leaves room for one more midfielder realistically because you don't need more than 6. Jorginho or Mount? I think Jorginho will stay and Mount will be loaned out to a PL club that can guarantee him games. There's no point keeping Tomori and Mount if they're not going to play. They need to play regularly.

 

Wingers. Pedro, Willian, Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic. It's possible Moses or Kenedy stay on to provide depth because they can play in defence or attack,  but unless we let go of FBs they're not really going to play.

 

Strikers. Abraham, Giroud and Batshuayi. A breakthrough season for Tammy. Whether he's good enough, we'll soon see. People will need to be patient. Go on the RLC thread and see how many people thought he'd never be good enough. You need to be patient with kids, it takes time to assert yourself. Not always but usually. I always thought RLC would make it but I'm not so sure about Tammy but he's got a chance. There's no way of knowing just yet. One thing's for sure, he will get games.

 

That's five young players breaking through I reckon (CHO, Tammy, Ethan, Pulisic and Reece James). When you think of RLC, Christensen and possibly Kenedy as well, all of whom have just turned 23, we start to see it's a young squad. Then you factor in the 24 and 25 year olds (Kepa, Emerson, Barkley, Zouma, Kovacic and Batshuayi). The only players in their 30s are Luiz, Giroud, Pedro and Willian, and they all have a few years left, so it's a young squad and it's a strong squad.

 

As I say, back-up keeper is our weak spot but hopefully Kepa will stay fit and our only other point of weakness is up front but in a way that's a good thing because it gives Tammy his chance. Maybe left-back but we'll see by the season's end. On the flanks, Pulisic and Callum may give us real strength. We hope so, because without Hazard we may struggle for goals.

 

Edit: All in all I'm very optimistic for the season ahead and I think the ban may well work in our favour. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of our kids. Whatever happens, with Lampard at the helm, there's no reason not to be extremely happy.

I agree with you on everything here except Ampadu.  I just don’t see a path for him to get games this year, if they think he’s a CM.  Perhaps if we sell Jorginho, but otherwise I don’t see it.  Think you have to put him in the same boat that you have Mount and Tomori, and loan him out to a PL (or Championship in Ethan’s case IMO) team that will guarantee him games.

Jorginho is among our most important midfielders with Kante and Ruben. People maybe think he is just Sarri's favorite boy. He starts for Italy regularly and was in Pep's radar before we bought him. Wheter he fits Frank's system of football it is to be seen. Frank is super smart guy who just wont dismiss this talent in our squad. 

34 minutes ago, evissy said:

Jorginho is among our most important midfielders with Kante and Ruben. People maybe think he is just Sarri's favorite boy. He starts for Italy regularly and was in Pep's radar before we bought him. Wheter he fits Frank's system of football it is to be seen. Frank is super smart guy who just wont dismiss this talent in our squad. 

Not suited to 4-2-3-1 though which i think is the system Lampard will go for here. Even Sarri said Jorginho is not suitable for that formation last season.

19 minutes ago, Sindre said:

Not suited to 4-2-3-1 though which i think is the system Lampard will go for here. Even Sarri said Jorginho is not suitable for that formation last season.

Why not? That’s a 2 man pivot fab played in a 2 man pivot why can’t jorginho and kante but frank plays 4-3-3 

1 hour ago, Sindre said:

Not suited to 4-2-3-1 though which i think is the system Lampard will go for here. Even Sarri said Jorginho is not suitable for that formation last season.

Frank played most of the season 4-3-3 with Derby. I read it somewhere anyway. However Kante makes me think he could go 4-2-3-1. I think Frank will talk with Kante about his preferred position. 

Edited July 8, 20197 yr by evissy

Just because he used certain tactics at Derby doesn’t mean he’ll come in and mirror exactly what he did there. Maybe he’ll tailor his tactics to fit in with the players available to him and the opposition he’s coming up against? He doesn’t seem the Sarri ‘this is my football and I’m doing nothing else’ type. 

I’d like to see Jorginho with Kante alongside him in a 4-2-3-1. 

3 hours ago, Sindre said:

Not suited to 4-2-3-1 though which i think is the system Lampard will go for here. Even Sarri said Jorginho is not suitable for that formation last season.

In the thread about the lineup that will play the first game I posted this formation with Jorgihno and Kante as the deeper midfielders, while Kovacic would be in front of them running around with the ball and putting pressure. Jorginho maybe isn't perfect for this formation but he can adapt, if Kante adapted to the 4-3-3 I don't see why someone like Jorginho wouldn't adapt to 4-2-3-1.

3 hours ago, Sindre said:

Even Sarri said Jorginho is not suitable for that formation last season.

Yeah but Sarri used to chat a load of old sh*t about formations and tactics. 

It is weird how some people here want to see Jorginho gone and don't see his value. He is a player of very high quality and has one season of premier league league under his belt. I see him as an intelligent footballer. Frank will absolutely value that. I agree at this point he might not be a perfect fit for Frank but who are we to say he wont adapt or become very important to us what he actually was for the whole of last term. 

I'd definitely rather keep him than not.  Good players adapt, and if Frank can get the best out of him and Kante in the middle then it has the potential to be the best midfield duo in the league.