I know his detractors will point to his miss in the first 2 minutes, however let's give him major props for being an absolute warrior tonight.

His movement to get past the defenders and keeper before that miss, his pace and drive to close down that leads to his goal, that lovely cross across the box that Enzo and Mudryk had both gone central and neither to the back post for a tap in. His involvement in the Maatsen effort thar hit the post.

Not to mention he bullied fulham and had them worried, and his is nowhere near 100% yet. 

If he adds even half the goals to his game that Costa had he will be a very important player for us.

Pace, power, work ethic. A lot of potential IF he cab stay fit.

He's pretty fast for his height and body shape. I think he's a better footballer than Jackson. Less messy in his game and it's not that easy to deal with him in 1v1 situation.

He missed one big chance, but also scored a goal with a bit of luck. Overall his performance was not bad, he just came back and gave his best.

I'd play him against Burnley.

10 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

That was pretty much the best you can expect from somebody that has been out for a long time. Personally, I think he is better than Jackson and I would start him against Burnley if he is fit. His strength alone is major asset. Not everything has to be perfectly played into him because he can bounce defenders out of the way with his strength.

Outstanding for a kid coming back from a major injury, made even better by the way he reacted to the early miss. He could easily have crumbled but he got better and better as the game went on.

The spin where he was blocked (ridiculously ignored by the ref) was excellent, but I thought his best play was getting the ball wide right in the area, he drove to the line and put in a perfect ball to the back post which should really have led to a tap in for Mudryk.

Real shame to see him being called out by our more erm, "emotional" fans after that early miss. He`s a kid returning from an horrendous injury, how about we give him some encouragement rather that slag him off.

Is he 1st choice already? For me he should be but i'm sure opinions will differ.

Got to say i've always liked Broja since i watched him tear West Ham to absolute pieces while he was at Southampton. I feared the terrible injury was going to take his pace and acceleration away but it looks like he's been able to keep that which is fantastic.

 

 

It’s been about 2 years in the making but I’m so glad to see him taking his chance after the loan and horrible injury. Won’t be surprised to see him as number 1 by Xmas. 

Did Broja ever get injured at Southampton? 

Hope he's okay though, he looked excellent. Would much rather hang onto him and Jackson than spunk a load of money on another striker. 

55 minutes ago, Victor90 said:

Did Broja ever get injured at Southampton? 

Hope he's okay though, he looked excellent. Would much rather hang onto him and Jackson than spunk a load of money on another striker. 

Everyone knows I'm a Broja fan Vic. But I would still like to see us get Ivan Toney in if we can. EPL proven. Toney, yes. Osimhen or Vlahovic, no.

Broja, Toney, Jackson and N'kunku. We'd be golden up front.

11 minutes ago, just said:

Everyone knows I'm a Broja fan Vic. But I would still like to see us get Ivan Toney in if we can. EPL proven. Toney, yes. Osimhen or Vlahovic, no.

Broja, Toney, Jackson and N'kunku. We'd be golden up front.

If we get Toney, I think that would signal the end of Broja's career here. Three strikers competing for one position. With Toney, I think it would be best to wait for any potential deal until summer anyway. Will be half a year without football, so how effective would he be for rest of season?

4 minutes ago, STATS said:

If we get Toney, I think that would signal the end of Broja's career here. Three strikers competing for one position. With Toney, I think it would be best to wait for any potential deal until summer anyway. Will be half a year without football, so how effective would he be for rest of season?

That might be the case Stats, but with our injury list and suspensions I think they would all get enough game time. Plus you can play more than one up front.

And, of course, when we get back in Europe, there will be more games to play. 😎

Apologies to all the doom-mongers if that last bit was a bit too upbeat and optimistic for you. 

10 minutes ago, just said:

That might be the case Stats, but with our injury list and suspensions I think they would all get enough game time. Plus you can play more than one up front.

And, of course, when we get back in Europe, there will be more games to play. 😎

Apologies to all the doom-mongers if that last bit was a bit too upbeat and optimistic for you. 

Why should we want to sign a convicted gambling addict? Might as well role out the red carpet for coke head mutu to manage us. Couldn't think of a worse player to have in a dressing room around impressionable youngsters. It is EXACTLY this type of transfer that has blocked the development to the first team. Bang average Premiership striker chosen ahead of far more talented cobham graduates. No worries, im sure he'll be hanging around the back of the east stand asking folk to lay a bet on... 

1 minute ago, olderschoolcfc said:

Why should we want to sign a convicted gambling addict? Might as well role out the red carpet for coke head mutu to manage us. Couldn't think of a worse player to have in a dressing room around impressionable youngsters. It is EXACTLY this type of transfer that has blocked the development to the first team. Bang average Premiership striker chosen ahead of far more talented cobham graduates. No worries, im sure he'll be hanging around the back of the east stand asking folk to lay a bet on... 

.

Really? Personally I don't know Toney well enough to say if he is a gambling addict or not. You obviously do.

Kerry Dixon was a gambling addict and he did alright for us.

1 minute ago, just said:

.

Really? Personally I don't know Toney well enough to say if he is a gambling addict or not. You obviously do.

Kerry Dixon was a gambling addict and he did alright for us.

What dont you get about why Tony is suspended from the game globally? What has Kerry Dixon got to do with the modern game? If you can read, try this. 

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37732597/fa-reduced-ivan-toney-suspension-due-gambling-addiction-diagnosis

Dont want this ill man to lead a CFC front line... Club doesn't need the headlines or the possibility of a relapse of his mental illness that could see him banned for a longer period of time than 8 months. do you need me to explain further why signing a player with an addiction isn't a good idea? 

4 hours ago, OriginalS said:

Is he 1st choice already? For me he should be but i'm sure opinions will differ.

I agree with you, he looks a better player than Jackson right now and crucially he seems to have more self belief - something I've always seen in him. He isn't afraid of anyone and wants to take the bull my the horns. 

I like Jackson though and glad he's at the club. He'll improve with time and games. 

Just now, olderschoolcfc said:

What dont you get about why Tony is suspended from the game globally? What has Kerry Dixon got to do with the modern game? If you can read, try this. 

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37732597/fa-reduced-ivan-toney-suspension-due-gambling-addiction-diagnosis

Dont want this ill man to lead a CFC front line... Club doesn't need the headlines or the possibility of a relapse of his mental illness that could see him banned for a longer period of time than 8 months. do you need me to explain further why signing a player with an addiction isn't a good idea? 

I'm totally with you on this. Toney is a very good player but he's high risk and not what we need right now. 

10 minutes ago, olderschoolcfc said:

What dont you get about why Tony is suspended from the game globally? What has Kerry Dixon got to do with the modern game? If you can read, try this. 

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37732597/fa-reduced-ivan-toney-suspension-due-gambling-addiction-diagnosis

Dont want this ill man to lead a CFC front line... Club doesn't need the headlines or the possibility of a relapse of his mental illness that could see him banned for a longer period of time than 8 months. do you need me to explain further why signing a player with an addiction isn't a good idea? 

Yes I learnt to read last week. 

Firstly, I wouldn't describe Toney as "bang average". I don't think many others do either.

Secondly, I am obviously not as keen to judge someone and write them off as quickly as you appear to be. Yes, for sure it was wrong. But IMO the fact that he has acknowledged the mistakes he made and is getting help is a step in the right direction.

Thirdly, what difference is a modern game gambling addict, from an "older school" (see what I did there?), gambling addict? Merson, Samson, Dixon, Adams, all had documented gambling problems and still delivered on the pitch. I would bet, (see what I did there too?), that there are probably more players in the "modern game" who bet excessively. Young blokes, with large amounts of money and lots of time on their hands, it's easy to see how it happens. They need guidance and education to avoid these pitfalls. Not immediate writing off of their careers.

26 minutes ago, just said:

Yes I learnt to read last week. 

Firstly, I wouldn't describe Toney as "bang average". I don't think many others do either.

Secondly, I am obviously not as keen to judge someone and write them off as quickly as you appear to be. Yes, for sure it was wrong. But IMO the fact that he has acknowledged the mistakes he made and is getting help is a step in the right direction.

Thirdly, what difference is a modern game gambling addict, from an "older school" (see what I did there?), gambling addict? Merson, Samson, Dixon, Adams, all had documented gambling problems and still delivered on the pitch. I would bet, (see what I did there too?), that there are probably more players in the "modern game" who bet excessively. Young blokes, with large amounts of money and lots of time on their hands, it's easy to see how it happens. They need guidance and education to avoid these pitfalls. Not immediate writing off of their careers.

You're mellowing with age @just, I find that worrying.

2 hours ago, just said:

Everyone knows I'm a Broja fan Vic. But I would still like to see us get Ivan Toney in if we can. EPL proven. Toney, yes. Osimhen or Vlahovic, no.

Broja, Toney, Jackson and N'kunku. We'd be golden up front.

I like Toney myself Just, but 4 is a bit too many for a spot where we usually have 1? 

Don't get me wrong I know our players are made of glass but at the same time it's not the best mindset to go into a season with, we all have hope the likes of Nkunku and Broja are going to stay consistently fit in the future and get their injuries under control. 

1 hour ago, just said:

Yes I learnt to read last week. 

Firstly, I wouldn't describe Toney as "bang average". I don't think many others do either.

Secondly, I am obviously not as keen to judge someone and write them off as quickly as you appear to be. Yes, for sure it was wrong. But IMO the fact that he has acknowledged the mistakes he made and is getting help is a step in the right direction.

Thirdly, what difference is a modern game gambling addict, from an "older school" (see what I did there?), gambling addict? Merson, Samson, Dixon, Adams, all had documented gambling problems and still delivered on the pitch. I would bet, (see what I did there too?), that there are probably more players in the "modern game" who bet excessively. Young blokes, with large amounts of money and lots of time on their hands, it's easy to see how it happens. They need guidance and education to avoid these pitfalls. Not immediate writing off of their careers.

Again, ask yourself this... What did the club do with Adrien Mutu? He was an addict, slightly different kind. The players you all mention were not just addicted to drink, they were also addicted to other substances as well... Please familiarise yourself with addictive personalities and the trouble it causes. Let me put it to you this way. 

You can pick two players, both have impressive statistics and score and lay on goals for fun, however, one is clean and drink, drug free, the other likes a drink and a flutter... I know exactly which one I'm going for and it won't be the guy who likes a drink or flutter. 

The difference between then and now, the Kerry Dixon era and the players you mention, is money. Its not hundreds of thousands of pounds, its an entire corporate culture that will protect itself and the brand ambassadors around it that is worth billions of pounds yearly, is about to generate/ print more billions than you or I will ever see with the new TV deals to be negotiated.

Im all for players who seek help, it should be encouraged, and its not lost on me that a very significant number of professionals are declared bankrupt within 3 years of hanging up their boots... But do I want junkies and or addicts around a professional/ Elite dressing room that also has a duty of care to other professionals and children on its books or  has just spent 1 billion cleaning its image from the Roman days? Absolutely not. He can bang in as many goals as he likes, play for whoever he likes, but I dont want that type of character in the Chelsea dressing room. There will be a lower/ leasser club, like Brentford, who will be very happy for Tony's services, if any club wants to risk repetitional damage buying such a player, it is on them. 

 

As for Tony, in two seasons in the premiership he's one in two return and that is the mark of a decent/ average striker in the Premier league. 

Much rather keep Jackson and Broja this season and save the club 80 million in fees for a gambling junkie. 

 

4 hours ago, just said:

Yes I learnt to read last week. 

Firstly, I wouldn't describe Toney as "bang average". I don't think many others do either.

Secondly, I am obviously not as keen to judge someone and write them off as quickly as you appear to be. Yes, for sure it was wrong. But IMO the fact that he has acknowledged the mistakes he made and is getting help is a step in the right direction.

Thirdly, what difference is a modern game gambling addict, from an "older school" (see what I did there?), gambling addict? Merson, Samson, Dixon, Adams, all had documented gambling problems and still delivered on the pitch. I would bet, (see what I did there too?), that there are probably more players in the "modern game" who bet excessively. Young blokes, with large amounts of money and lots of time on their hands, it's easy to see how it happens. They need guidance and education to avoid these pitfalls. Not immediate writing off of their careers.

Much bigger concern is he is a Liverpool fan.

6 hours ago, just said:

EPL proven. Toney, yes. Osimhen or Vlahovic, no.

 

Doesn't matter, Osimhen is the best of those 3 by a large margin.

On 03/10/2023 at 14:03, olderschoolcfc said:

Why should we want to sign a convicted gambling addict? Might as well role out the red carpet for coke head mutu to manage us. Couldn't think of a worse player to have in a dressing room around impressionable youngsters. It is EXACTLY this type of transfer that has blocked the development to the first team. Bang average Premiership striker chosen ahead of far more talented cobham graduates. No worries, im sure he'll be hanging around the back of the east stand asking folk to lay a bet on... 

Convicted gambling addict hahahaha please tell me this is a satire post

On 03/10/2023 at 16:21, olderschoolcfc said:

 

As for Tony, in two seasons in the premiership he's one in two return and that is the mark of a decent/ average striker in the Premier league. 

Much rather keep Jackson and Broja this season and save the club 80 million in fees for a gambling junkie. 

 

I agree with your sentiment that Toney isn't needed. Having said that, he scored 20 in 33 last year, not exactly 'average' in a Brentford side. Salah didn't even manage that many goals in 5 extra games.

On 03/10/2023 at 16:21, olderschoolcfc said:

Again, ask yourself this... What did the club do with Adrien Mutu? He was an addict, slightly different kind. The players you all mention were not just addicted to drink, they were also addicted to other substances as well... Please familiarise yourself with addictive personalities and the trouble it causes. Let me put it to you this way. 

You can pick two players, both have impressive statistics and score and lay on goals for fun, however, one is clean and drink, drug free, the other likes a drink and a flutter... I know exactly which one I'm going for and it won't be the guy who likes a drink or flutter. 

The difference between then and now, the Kerry Dixon era and the players you mention, is money. Its not hundreds of thousands of pounds, its an entire corporate culture that will protect itself and the brand ambassadors around it that is worth billions of pounds yearly, is about to generate/ print more billions than you or I will ever see with the new TV deals to be negotiated.

Im all for players who seek help, it should be encouraged, and its not lost on me that a very significant number of professionals are declared bankrupt within 3 years of hanging up their boots... But do I want junkies and or addicts around a professional/ Elite dressing room that also has a duty of care to other professionals and children on its books or  has just spent 1 billion cleaning its image from the Roman days? Absolutely not. He can bang in as many goals as he likes, play for whoever he likes, but I dont want that type of character in the Chelsea dressing room. There will be a lower/ leasser club, like Brentford, who will be very happy for Tony's services, if any club wants to risk repetitional damage buying such a player, it is on them. 

 

As for Tony, in two seasons in the premiership he's one in two return and that is the mark of a decent/ average striker in the Premier league. 

Much rather keep Jackson and Broja this season and save the club 80 million in fees for a gambling junkie. 

 

Spot on mate.

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Convicted gambling addict hahahaha please tell me this is a satire post

How else would you describe a player found guilty by the FA for placing bets on the clubs he played for that gave way to a global suspension from the game?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/26/ivan-toney-bet-on-own-club-tried-to-conceal-gambling-fa-addiction-ban-brentford

Flip this argument: Imagine we the club wanted to sign Adrien Mutu after his ban for drugs? would you have wanted that? Would you have welcomed Ray Parlour or Tony Adams to the club? On a different scale - would you have been happy if CFC signed Ched Evans (cleared of Rape or Mason Greenwood (no police charges))    

Again, I think Jackson has the talent to do what Toney does, I also think that Broja has the talent to score goals for us. I'd be much happier seeing these two players be given the chance (very much more deserving of a chance) than a man who bets against the teams who pay him and he plays for. 

51 minutes ago, olderschoolcfc said:

How else would you describe a player found guilty by the FA for placing bets on the clubs he played for that gave way to a global suspension from the game?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/26/ivan-toney-bet-on-own-club-tried-to-conceal-gambling-fa-addiction-ban-brentford

Flip this argument: Imagine we the club wanted to sign Adrien Mutu after his ban for drugs? would you have wanted that? Would you have welcomed Ray Parlour or Tony Adams to the club? On a different scale - would you have been happy if CFC signed Ched Evans (cleared of Rape or Mason Greenwood (no police charges))    

Again, I think Jackson has the talent to do what Toney does, I also think that Broja has the talent to score goals for us. I'd be much happier seeing these two players be given the chance (very much more deserving of a chance) than a man who bets against the teams who pay him and he plays for. 

You're making out he's a criminal. He was betting on Newcastle games while on loan in league one, its hardly the same as being a top tier criminal like you're making out. 

Genuinely shocked you're trying to compare someone sticking acca's on at a weekend to someone smashing class A drugs and others with genuine evidence of sexual assault. Actual criminal offences.

I too don't believe we need Toney as we're building for the future and i'd rather the games go to Jackson/Broja, but lets not pretend like Toney wouldn't improve us or that he's some criminal mastermind.