A bit over the top reaction from some in here. I guess it’s a reaction to what is come to be the trend of losing points in this time of the year. In any case, we have lost points undeservedly to Burnley, Utd and yesterday at the spammers, while getting points when we did not deserve them at Watford. Having let go my fumes after yesterday, I don’t think we played that bad and definitely we overplayed West Spam. Three individual errors were the reason that we lost, not being outplayed by them. And the same happened against Burnley and Utd. Why are these errors happening? I guess players are getting tired and lose focus during the games. They should get a rest but half the squad is injured, and the choices we have available are not good enough. However, we have very good options on loan. Bring back Gilmour and Gallagher to cover for Jorginho and Kante/Kova while they get rest and get over their injuries. Bring back Maatsen to cover for Chilwell and alternate with Alonso, and if up front things are not working with Lukaku, why not try Armando Broja? He is mobile and seems to be scoring at Southampton. Ok, I know that these players are probably not up to Chelsea standards just yet, but look at how James and Mason have developed in our first team. I think that Tuchel can be the best coach for these players, and they can’t be worse than playing Saul, Lukaku or Alonso week in week out. Just a thought.

I'd be very surprised if we brought back Gallagher, Gilmour etc halfway through the season. Do we even have a recall option in their loan agreements? That would make no sense for Palace/Norwich to develop a player for Chelsea only to lose him in January, 

And what happens when Kova and Kante are back and fit to play? Gallagher is a regular starter now, he should stay where he is and contniue to improve and gain a valuable experience, same for Billy.

15 minutes ago, abramovich said:

I'd be very surprised if we brought back Gallagher, Gilmour etc halfway through the season. Do we even have a recall option in their loan agreements? That would make no sense for Palace/Norwich to develop a player for Chelsea only to lose him in January, 

And what happens when Kova and Kante are back and fit to play? Gallagher is a regular starter now, he should stay where he is and contniue to improve and gain a valuable experience, same for Billy.

Bang on! You can’t just start yanking your loanees because you have a few injuries. Reality is he had options on the bench, the issue is he doesn’t want to change the structure/ formation. Jorginho never had to play if he wasn’t fit enough, he could have moved one of Azpi, Christensen, James into the middle of the park. At 2-2 when he brought on CHO & Pulisic he could have switched to an unconventional 4-2-2-2 with Rudiger at LB, Silva & Christensen at CB, and James RB. You could then have Pulisic at LW, CHO at RW & Mount playing off Lukaku. Just go more direct. 

1 hour ago, abramovich said:

I'd be very surprised if we brought back Gallagher, Gilmour etc halfway through the season. Do we even have a recall option in their loan agreements? That would make no sense for Palace/Norwich to develop a player for Chelsea only to lose him in January, 

And what happens when Kova and Kante are back and fit to play? Gallagher is a regular starter now, he should stay where he is and contniue to improve and gain a valuable experience, same for Billy.

They aren't developing them for us, they are playing them because they are the best options in their position.

1 hour ago, abramovich said:

I'd be very surprised if we brought back Gallagher, Gilmour etc halfway through the season. Do we even have a recall option in their loan agreements? That would make no sense for Palace/Norwich to develop a player for Chelsea only to lose him in January, 

And what happens when Kova and Kante are back and fit to play? Gallagher is a regular starter now, he should stay where he is and contniue to improve and gain a valuable experience, same for Billy.

I agree that it may not be possible, but when Kante or Kova get fit, how long will they last? Wouldn’t they need to be alternated so they don’t get back to the injury list? Many here thought loaning Gilmour to Norwich was a good idea, he would not get playing time here some said. Look how’s panned out, he’d be getting more playing time with us than at Norwich, and that would have even been the case before all the injuries hit us. Now we are down to playing RLC and Saul if you want a fit midfield (Azpi and Christensen are required to alternate Alonso and cover for Chalobah while his not fit to play). With Gallagher is a different story, he’s getting a lot of playing time and doing it good, maybe is wise to let him complete the season at Palace, but we are risking derailing ours.

1 hour ago, Argo said:

They aren't developing them for us, they are playing them because they are the best options in their position.

Well, they are in fact developing them for us by giving them regular playing time which they wouldn't have got at Chelsea and they're playing regularly for their respective clubs because they're best in their position. I don't see a contradiction here.

 

I feel like the Leicester and Juve games for TT were for him like Leeds was for Lampard. Superb display before the awful festive decline.

And to top it off Saint Steven's Villa won again. Really a weekend to make you hate football lol.

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I feel like the Leicester and Juve games for TT were for him like Leeds was for Lampard. Superb display before the awful festive decline.

The game that actually seemed to start the slide for Lamps was the Krasnodar home game right after Leeds. Even though it didn't make any difference to the final group standings we put in a sloppy performance that was unfortunately a warning of the month to come. A week later we were suddenly lurching into crisis mode after 2 defeats against Everton, and Wolves.

Although we have had a couple of poor results in the last few games, it remains to be seen which direction our season goes in from here. The next 2 league games are Leeds and Everton at home. Both teams have been struggling for form and I would think anything other than 2 wins for us may lead to increasing concern. Hopefully we get 2 wins and that gives us something to build on and start another run.

 

36 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

And to top it off Saint Steven's Villa won again. Really a weekend to make you hate football lol.

Villa are enjoying a new manager bounce, as are most of the teams with new managers. On the flip side it adds to the pressure on Brendan at Leicester now.

38 minutes ago, forbzy said:

The game that actually seemed to start the slide for Lamps was the Krasnodar home game right after Leeds. Even though it didn't make any difference to the final group standings we put in a sloppy performance that was unfortunately a warning of the month to come. A week later we were suddenly lurching into crisis mode after 2 defeats against Everton, and Wolves.

Although we have had a couple of poor results in the last few games, it remains to be seen which direction our season goes in from here. The next 2 league games are Leeds and Everton at home. Both teams have been struggling for form and I would think anything other than 2 wins for us may lead to increasing concern. Hopefully we get 2 wins and that gives us something to build on and start another run.

 

Anything other than 15 points from Leeds, Everton, Villa,  Wolves and Brighton is cause for concern.

And while everything about the men's game is cause for unhappiness right now, we'll done to Emma Hayes and the Chelsea women's team, what a phenomenal job and team she has made 👏 

5 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Anything other than 15 points from Leeds, Everton, Villa,  Wolves and Brighton is cause for concern.

And while everything about the men's game is cause for unhappiness right now, we'll done to Emma Hayes and the Chelsea women's team, what a phenomenal job and team she has made 👏 

Hopefully it will be a while before we are back in the market for a new manager again. However whenever we reach that point I hope Emma Hayes is given some consideration.

15 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Anything other than 15 points from Leeds, Everton, Villa,  Wolves and Brighton is cause for concern.

And while everything about the men's game is cause for unhappiness right now, we'll done to Emma Hayes and the Chelsea women's team, what a phenomenal job and team she has made 👏 

All wins against those teams? That would be overachieving all things considered.

I don't think that everything is a cause of unhappiness, the team might not play that well right now but for the first time in years we're managing to challenge the 2 top teams. So far only 2 points behind Man City and that's even after losing to them. They will drop points, specially considering that both want to go far in Europe this season, while we are most likely not going to be too much upset after going out since we won the CL last season.

13 minutes ago, Gol15 said:

All wins against those teams? That would be overachieving all things considered.

I don't think that everything is a cause of unhappiness, the team might not play that well right now but for the first time in years we're managing to challenge the 2 top teams. So far only 2 points behind Man City and that's even after losing to them. They will drop points, specially considering that both want to go far in Europe this season, while we are most likely not going to be too much upset after going out since we won the CL last season.

Before our injury woes we were looking mighty impressive, first choice players were stepping it up, momentum was ours, then we lose 4-5 of those players and the replacements are not on the same level. WHU were bloody lucky the weekend, Mendy had to learn the row Z lesson the hard way, without that cock up we win that game. Watford we looked terrible but escaped.

Where we finish the season will all depend on how long some of theses injuries will be plaguing us. If we can get NG, Kova, Trevoh back on the pitch very soon we can get through December no problem, then fingers crossed Chilwell comes back mid January, when Kepa comes in for Mendy he will need to be ready, then we will still have a chance of pushing those above us to the very end.

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

All wins against those teams? That would be overachieving all things considered.

I don't think that everything is a cause of unhappiness, the team might not play that well right now but for the first time in years we're managing to challenge the 2 top teams. So far only 2 points behind Man City and that's even after losing to them. They will drop points, specially considering that both want to go far in Europe this season, while we are most likely not going to be too much upset after going out since we won the CL last season.

Yes all wins, and why not? Pool and City would expect all wins.

11 hours ago, forbzy said:

Hopefully it will be a while before we are back in the market for a new manager again. However whenever we reach that point I hope Emma Hayes is given some consideration.

She should be, if she was interested.  Has already said she feels she has the best job in football.

Mind you it is working for the Canada men's side. Women's team coach moved over to the men's and they top their world cup group as it stands.

13 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Yes all wins, and why not? Pool and City would expect all wins.

She should be, if she was interested.  Has already said she feels she has the best job in football.

Mind you it is working for the Canada men's side. Women's team coach moved over to the men's and they top their world cup group as it stands.

I didn't know that about the Canadian team. I've watched a few of their qualifiers and they play some really good football. They actually look like the best in the Concacaf region at present.

Article about our recent troubles and the difficulties facing TT in our historically bad period of the season. Including stars for stat lovers lol:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12488436/chelsea-surrender-premier-league-lead-but-is-stuttering-form-just-a-blip

I’m not even worried, you can’t expect us to sustain title challenge and keep winning when we have so many players out. It’s just a blip, when you have Mount and James in midfield you know we are short of players.

At least it’s clear that we need more quality in depth, get rid of the deadwood and bring in high quality players.

Players like Barkley and Sarr need to be replaced.

What do people expect, 5 points ahead in the league and won all 6 group games? If the football God offers us a top 3 finish and a cup win at the start of the season, most of us would take it. With the 3-4 key players out, and 3 games a week for the foreseeable future, we bound to drop some games, even with a fully fit squad. We are starting to see the real depth of the team, some players ( no naming required) just aren't up for it, they will be replaced and we will be better for it. It's hilarious after a couple of losses, the media and fans turns on Tuchel. It's no wonder we dont get the stability of a SAF, Klopp, Pep.

I fear the Juventus game at home was our peak this season.
 

We’re definitely on a downward spiral at the minute. I really hope Tuchel can stop it and turn it around. As ridiculous as it sounds, A few more defeats and questions will be asked. 

1 hour ago, icecoolguy22 said:

It's hilarious after a couple of losses, the media and fans turns on Tuchel. It's no wonder we dont get the stability of a SAF, Klopp, Pep.

We have had stability, in the Roman era we've had a stable owner with two solid core group of players with a third well on the way to being established.

Stability doesn't begin and end in the dugout. Although that said who actually is turning against Tuchel? Not that the club listens to fan and media opinion anyway, Tuchel wouldn't have been appointed in the first place if they did.

1 hour ago, icecoolguy22 said:

What do people expect, 5 points ahead in the league and won all 6 group games? If the football God offers us a top 3 finish and a cup win at the start of the season, most of us would take it. With the 3-4 key players out, and 3 games a week for the foreseeable future, we bound to drop some games, even with a fully fit squad. We are starting to see the real depth of the team, some players ( no naming required) just aren't up for it, they will be replaced and we will be better for it. It's hilarious after a couple of losses, the media and fans turns on Tuchel. It's no wonder we dont get the stability of a SAF, Klopp, Pep.

That festive Chelsea show up no matter who the manager is, not matter who we can or cannot play and who we face. Every year we have this drop at this time.

56 minutes ago, JM7 said:

I fear the Juventus game at home was our peak this season.
 

We’re definitely on a downward spiral at the minute. I really hope Tuchel can stop it and turn it around. As ridiculous as it sounds, A few more defeats and questions will be asked. 

Yup is the Chelsea way and Roman just saw his team look embarrassingly bad. Is a shame cause I like TT as our manager however between the injuries, our usual festive slump and Toni/AC dropping their performances due to their contract issues he is in big trouble.

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2021/12/8/22824829/nobody-can-be-happy-today-tuchel-fuming-as-chelsea-give-up-two-more-leads

 

Has accused the players of taking it too easy and getting complacent went we take the lead. 

1 win in 4, starting to look like the players are betraying him.

Fair to say that this is the first real test of Tuchel’s leadership and if he can improve results. Everything he has touched, he has turned to gold so far but he needs to somehow stop the rot before it gets bad. 
 

You lose a few games in a row and it isn’t long before the players lose faith and stop running for you. He’s just got to grind out some wins until he can get some players back. 

21 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Fair to say that this is the first real test of Tuchel’s leadership and if he can improve results. Everything he has touched, he has turned to gold so far but he needs to somehow stop the rot before it gets bad. 
 

You lose a few games in a row and it isn’t long before the players lose faith and stop running for you. He’s just got to grind out some wins until he can get some players back. 

Our players always pull this same trick. Get bored of a manager, stop trying, stop being professional till a new manager comes in.