Sterling peaked at 26

I think under the condition Jackson, Nkunku and one or two other provide enough goals Maatsen will be starting in the front line more than we think.

He's been the best for pressing in pre season.

Edited August 2, 20232 yr by Argo

27 minutes ago, Argo said:

I think under the condition Jackson, Nkunku and one or two other provide enough goals Maatsen will be starting in the front line more than we think.

He's been the best for pressing in pre season.

He's an intelligent player too.

Knows when to get wide, come inside, can do the half turn, knows when to release and looks to be very coachable. 

56 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

He's an intelligent player too.

Knows when to get wide, come inside, can do the half turn, knows when to release and looks to be very coachable. 

Probably make a good emergency centre forward as well LOL

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

Probably make a good emergency centre forward as well LOL

The new Eddie Newton

6 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Sterling peaked at 26

One of my son's best friends used to play for Southend youth and they played Liverpool in teh FA Youth cup. 9-0 to Liverpool and Sterling scored 5. He was electric in that game.

I have not seen him put in the same level of performance since. 2011. 😲 

I don’t get the negativity on Sterling at all……none of our team did well last season but Sterling was one of the few that did “ok”.  I say give him a chance in this new look side, heaven knows we are going to need a premier league proven player with this line up. 
 

if we get to say Dec and he is still gash the off load Jan 

19 hours ago, evissy said:

In terms of experience and Premier League experience it is a fair statement. Our average age is 20.8 years.

No it's not.  At least not from those likely to start. The average age of the team that started against Dortmund was about 25 or 24 if you exclude Silva.

11 hours ago, andy said:

I don’t get the negativity on Sterling at all……none of our team did well last season but Sterling was one of the few that did “ok”.  I say give him a chance in this new look side, heaven knows we are going to need a premier league proven player with this line up. 
 

if we get to say Dec and he is still gash the off load Jan 

Agreed, he's a very good option to have and offers experience which we are sorely lacking. He can play on the left and right which gives us options, I don't understand the hate he gets. I do think he's a little past his prime due to how early he started but It sounds like fans have a fascination with next upcoming thing they see on youtube clips and twitter posts.

Luckily managers don't see it that way.

 

Some of the reactions to players is abominable, as if they could do any better, this team looks the most cohesive I’ve seen for ages, Pochettino knows you know…

Just watched the highlights how did we not win that game !! 
We look so much better under Pochettino it’s a night and day difference.

24 minutes ago, El regreso said:

Just watched the highlights how did we not win that game !! 
We look so much better under Pochettino it’s a night and day difference.

So finishing is not the problem? I had no chance of watching the game but will do today.

1 hour ago, El regreso said:

Just watched the highlights how did we not win that game !! 
We look so much better under Pochettino it’s a night and day difference.

Simple. Colwill flubbed two golden chances, Carney should have done better with his chance, their GK had at least one very good block.

18 hours ago, andy said:

I don’t get the negativity on Sterling at all……none of our team did well last season but Sterling was one of the few that did “ok”.  I say give him a chance in this new look side, heaven knows we are going to need a premier league proven player with this line up. 
 

if we get to say Dec and he is still gash the off load Jan 

Problem is Andy if we get to Dec and he is still gash any outside chance of a top six finish and a domestic cup will probably already be gone.

You don't get the criticism fair enough, I don't get why people are saying things like "he was our best attacker last season" or "he did OK" as a rationale for his inclusion this term. That attacking bar set extremely low with a fag paper between Sterling and Havertz. And the majority of his performances were well below average in the overall context of attacking, defending and, crucially for me, his work rate.

The difference now is the back end of last season, and this pre-season, has shown we now likely have other viable options. Mudryk looks fit and like he really has the bit between his teeth. Madueke was one of the few bright spots last year, (gutted he has been injured for the pre-season games), and can go past defenders with ease. Carney has been a total revelation.  And Gusto has looked real quality both defending and getting forwards and is someone Pochettino could probably use ahead of James in a wide midfield / wing role. Even Angelo has looked more than decent for someone so young.

Though he has been bang average to poor in the pre-season games, (last night was his "best" display and even that was nothing to write home about), I'm certain Pochettino will be starting Sterling against Liverpool. That's fine, but he has to deliver a proper performance. Not another 6 or 7 turn-up-and-phone-it-in display. As I said in another thread, he has no excuses now. Everything is set up nicely for him. He's vastly experienced, he's fit, he has had lots of pre-season minutes, he has players in the side who can hold the ball up for him, he has targets to aim for, and with a fit Reece James he has the best right back in the world behind him on the right hand side and a rock-steady Eddie in Chilwell if he is on the left. If he doesn't deliver consistently from the off I would hope Pochettino pulls the trigger and swaps him out for someone else who will, well before December.

Edited August 3, 20232 yr by just

Sterling deserves the least amount of time. 

Very positive pre-season from Pochettino and the boys. You really have to give him praise how he has transformed the mood inside the group. Same exact thing happened when Tuchel took over. 

What is also impressive so far is we look pretty comfortable 4 at back. Something we struggled with for so long. 

On a negative side it is not optimal the squad is still a couple of pieces off from the one we go on with most of the season. Mainly the DM spot that is probably going to go to Caicedo. 

We are also shipping out players on loan and to Strasbourg to cut down the numbers. 

But for the longest time it is refreshing to follow us. Positive things and a good vibe from the club.

Need to work on set pieces

Please, for the love of God, keep Sterling on the bench. He is utter garbage, complete trash.

Mudryk is cooking and in the right environment he will definitely be a world beater. Must play every minute of every game.

If the Caicedo deal drags on to the last minute of the transfer window, just play Reece James in the pivot with Enzo and Malo Gusto at right back.

Wish we'll get one of Olise or Kudus. Preferably Olise. This way Sterling would cement his place on the bench. Wish Newcastle would come for him. Or any other team. Can't remember the last time I've felt such animosity towards one of our own players. Maybe that sissy Morata.

 

So far so good re Maurizio as new manager. While pre season results mean nowt I have been very entertained watching the matches and pleasantly surprised at some of the players performances, that i put down to the coaching team, however the squad is not yet fully equipped for long EPL campaign, a couple more experienced heads needed through the door just not promising kids. I'm keen to see who makes the cut this next week or so, pity it cant be CooCoo & Sterling as whenever they have featured in pre season they have imo weakened the team adding nothing of note. In fact with CooCoo we will be targeted down the left and will ship goals because of him.

So despite, selling players with others leaving the club on a free, the Club Website still lists THIRTY NINE players in our Senior Mens Squad. Many have no squad number and there are some of the younger guys clearly there because they have gone on the USA tour. But, this number has to come down to 24/25 in the next SEVEN Days.

Hopefully good young players will be loaned or returned to the development squad. But more "dead wood" will have to go and I think that the following will be cut;

Slonina, Beach, Bergstrom, Cumming, (all GK's)  Cucurella, Gilchrist, Humphreys, Sarr, Anjorin, Sterling, Ziyech, Burstow, Hudson-Odoi, Lukaku. 14 in total.

 

Edited August 4, 20232 yr by coombsie

51 minutes ago, coombsie said:

So despite, selling players with others leaving the club on a free, the Club Website still lists THIRTY NINE players in our Senior Mens Squad. Many have no squad number and there are some of the younger guys clearly there because they have gone on the USA tour. But, this number has to come down to 24/25 in the next SEVEN Days.

Hopefully good young players will be loaned or returned to the development squad. But more "dead wood" will have to go and I think that the following will be cut;

Slonina, Beach, Bergstrom, Cumming, (all GK's)  Cucurella, Gilchrist, Humphreys, Sarr, Anjorin, Sterling, Ziyech, Burstow, Hudson-Odoi, Lukaku. 14 in total.

 

The only ones there that look difficult to shift are Cucurella,  Ziyech and Lukaku. Possibly CHO as well.

Can't see Sterling going anywhere to be honest, not on his money.

I would possibly add Moreira, Gabriel, and Casadei to no option loans to give Pochettino some room to bring in experience. Casadei must be a PL loan now though surely.

2 hours ago, coombsie said:

So despite, selling players with others leaving the club on a free, the Club Website still lists THIRTY NINE players in our Senior Mens Squad. Many have no squad number and there are some of the younger guys clearly there because they have gone on the USA tour. But, this number has to come down to 24/25 in the next SEVEN Days.

Hopefully good young players will be loaned or returned to the development squad. But more "dead wood" will have to go and I think that the following will be cut;

Slonina, Beach, Bergstrom, Cumming, (all GK's)  Cucurella, Gilchrist, Humphreys, Sarr, Anjorin, Sterling, Ziyech, Burstow, Hudson-Odoi, Lukaku. 14 in total.

 

I'm sure Pochettino already knows who his 22-24 are.

Those that aren't immediately off to Strasbourg or back to the Development squad will no doubt form a second training group at Cobham for fitness/coaching, while the various loans and transfers are formulated. The transfer window itself closes on 1st September at 11pm, so still time to sort out CHO, Lukaku, Ziyech etc.

What I like so far is that everything is simpler. 

Everyone play in their "position" / area and they just combine. Chiwell push up high, Nkunku narrow. Jackson a st, playing as st. Everything is simple, no longer Sterling as wb or false 9 with no goal threat. 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/04/mauricio-pochettino-we-are-building-something-special-at-chelsea

2 minutes ago, carrickblue said:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/04/mauricio-pochettino-we-are-building-something-special-at-chelsea

Building something special...like a nursery?