1 hour ago, Argo said:

To sum up pre season in layman terms so far.

1. It's clear we won't recover in the short term as well as the last time we finished mid table.

2. Anyone expecting us to not be much better than last season or even have a sequel are being very dramatic.

I think it's all screaming at us that we need a midfielder though. Personally, I would say two. 

Pochettino is also saying it, I like the idea of Caicedo as much as anyone, but I'm hoping we find a cheaper alternative. 

Getting a good DM was always the priority in my eyes, even above a ST and GK. 

Goal reminded me of the Xavi/Torres linkup at Euro 2008 final. 

We've gotten in behind teams a lot so far this preseason, which has been fun to watch. I wonder how we'll fare breaking down teams that want to park 10 men behind the ball.

I'm pretty happy with the young players , but it's the more experienced that worry me, , Cucurrela isn't a left back and Sterling is a bit naff .

But I'm liking the way we are playing , although I've only seen highlights. I liked the way Pochettino was instructing players at half time.

I've got no high expectations for top 4;etc  an attractive, attacking team is all I want to watch, anything else would be a bonus and a pleasure!

1 hour ago, cfr95 said:

We've gotten in behind teams a lot so far this preseason, which has been fun to watch. I wonder how we'll fare breaking down teams that want to park 10 men behind the ball.

Hard to say, but I've never believed it's a tactic that is used almost exclusively against us . 

 

1 hour ago, The Rising Sun said:

I'm pretty happy with the young players , but it's the more experienced that worry me, , Cucurrela isn't a left back and Sterling is a bit naff .

But I'm liking the way we are playing , although I've only seen highlights. I liked the way Pochettino was instructing players at half time.

I've got no high expectations for top 4;etc  an attractive, attacking team is all I want to watch, anything else would be a bonus and a pleasure!

I think we have the makings of a cup run in us if we get a midfielder in. Top 4 highly unlikely but maybe Top 6.

Almrion was offsides too. 

14 hours ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

we're literally playing kids against a full Newcastle team tbf

Maybe we should change our name to something like that Swiss team " Young Boys Bern" ? To YB Chelsea?

Although I'd draw the line at changing our Stadium name to their name. 

The w**kdorf Stadium 😂

Always seemed a bit off to me, the team and stadium names 🤣

9 hours ago, Zeta said:

I'll probably get run out of the forum for this opinion, but I don't see what all the fuss is about with him. He's not shown me anything special so far. Barely seems an upgrade on Kovacic.

There were times last season when I thought Harrison Reed looked just as good, only cost Fulham £6.5m 😅

10 hours ago, Zeta said:

I'll probably get run out of the forum for this opinion, but I don't see what all the fuss is about with him. He's not shown me anything special so far. Barely seems an upgrade on Kovacic.

I reckon he's ok, but I was expecting something special after all the drama and the fee we paid.  Last season wasn't good for anyone really, hoping for a lot more from him now.

12 hours ago, just said:

That was David Luiz style defending at it's worst.

He did also have this though, swings and roundabouts!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cu_hIGZATZE/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

9 hours ago, Mod said:

He did also have this though, swings and roundabouts!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cu_hIGZATZE/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

No argument from me Mod. He could pass, shoot and took a cracking penalty. Unfortunately he was a defender who couldn't defend very well. 

Noticed we essentially played a back 3 with Mudryk + James pushing high. 

Would've preferred to see Humphreys in that LCB role. 

On 27/07/2023 at 17:53, Sexyfootball said:

And if Enzo doesn't buy the dummy from Gordon, but instead only gives him an option to go sideways or backwards, then the move stops right there ...

Are you saying that Enzo, Cucu and murdyk are questionable defensively 😁😁

As we move away from back 3 to conventional back 4 I think you will see more and more of this next season. 

 

Chelsea v Fulham

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Andrey Santos, Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling

Injured: Fofana, Badiashile, Broja, Bettinelli

Time and date: 7:45 BST on Sunday July 30, 2023

Venue: FedExField

 

Madueke will be back - it will be interesting to see how he does in this new team.

 

At that point now where I am getting annoyed seeing Sterling's name. 

The most used players in the pre-season friendlies so far are Chalobah (220 mins), Casadei (213), Maatsen (200) and Humphreys (199).  Pretty sure no-one would have bet on those four as the top 4  !

Lewis Hall only played 37 minutes so far, and would seem a likely candidate for a loan season based on that.

 

37 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

The most used players in the pre-season friendlies so far are Chalobah (220 mins), Casadei (213), Maatsen (200) and Humphreys (199).  Pretty sure no-one would have bet on those four as the top 4  !

Lewis Hall only played 37 minutes so far, and would seem a likely candidate for a loan season based on that.

 

Must admit would never have thought that the latter 3 would have got 200 between them. Really good to see these young lads being given a good run even though pre season.

 

bit premature

Looking forward to the Fulham game. 4th run out for the team now, fitness should be up there, understanding starting to grow. I can't see Madueke starting. Pochettino might be thinking about the likely Liverpuddle 11 and start them here. If I look at Celery's team and assume Reece is indeed rested. then replacing Madueke with Mudryck gets you fairly close

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Andrey Santos, Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling

Match Day!

Come On Chelsea!!

Couldn’t resist😀

Pochettino's presser was apparently cancelled due to horrible weather in the area. I was hoping to hear from him..anyway it should be great weather for the match which is luckily today. 

I am hoping to see Madueke, Casadei, Santos, Jackson, Mudryk and Colwill play today. Would also be lovely to see Gaga Slolina play. Would love to see how his distribution is. 

Anyway let's take the summer series trophy (I bet there is a trophy) home by winning today. I saw Tottenham players lift one the other day. It looked awkward. Not because of the trophy but because the players have never had seen one. 

Hope Chuckie starts. He has looked class everytime he has been on the pitch in this tournament.

Also don't want to see the Cucurella/Sterling pairing on the left hand side again. Once was enough.

What, is this one on at a time I can watch it?

Edited July 30, 20232 yr by Munkworth