8 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

the BlueCo pestilence.

Love that WhiteWall !

Well said JFH. Well deflected from the insistent BBC media and of course the scouse c**t, Murphy

11 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Let's not forget though that the football under Maresca was eye wateringly bad. A crime against entertainment. Whilt this young boy is clearly out of his depth I don't ever want to go back to the tripe under Maresca. But as many have already intimated its all a bit academic under the BlueCo pestilence.

I don’t think this roster can realistically play any other way. Good football starts with a goalkeeper comfortable in distribution, then center-backs who can progress the ball. You also need fullbacks who can either provide width or step into midfield, and midfielders with both range and creativity to break lines. A lot of that is simply missing in this squad.

So while I agree that, reputation-wise, Enzo Maresca wasn’t an obvious appointment, I don’t fault him for the approach. Even Mauricio Pochettino employed a low block, which IMO suits the limited CBs better.

That said, I’m not a fan of false equivalences. Liam Rosenior not being good enough doesn’t make Maresca good, and vice versa. But they haven’t achieved the same things in the game, and Maresca clearly had the backing of the squad. I don’t see Rosenior having that at all—if anything, it looks like the opposite.

He's gone, never to return unless manageing a manchester club. Will be delighted to boo him when he returns as well, and rib the opposition team for playing dogsh*t football. This man is chelsea history, Can we just ditch this thread? bin it to the forum underbelly? Sick of seeing this frauds name associated with us. Dogsh*t manager glad he f**ked off.

13 hours ago, acaeus said:

I don’t think this roster can realistically play any other way. Good football starts with a goalkeeper comfortable in distribution, then center-backs who can progress the ball. You also need fullbacks who can either provide width or step into midfield, and midfielders with both range and creativity to break lines. A lot of that is simply missing in this squad.

So while I agree that, reputation-wise, Enzo Maresca wasn’t an obvious appointment, I don’t fault him for the approach. Even Mauricio Pochettino employed a low block, which IMO suits the limited CBs better.

That said, I’m not a fan of false equivalences. Liam Rosenior not being good enough doesn’t make Maresca good, and vice versa. But they haven’t achieved the same things in the game, and Maresca clearly had the backing of the squad. I don’t see Rosenior having that at all—if anything, it looks like the opposite.

Not true.

There are literally hundreds of ways of playing the game, with almost infinite combinations.

The best rule is, play to your strengths. If you have a goalkeeper who is comfortable as a sweeper with the ball at his feet, and defenders who play in a way that like inviting pressure onto them when they are in possession, then by all means play that way. but if your players, like ours, are completely hopeless at it, and ponderously slow - then FFS - stop trying.

10 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Not true.

There are literally hundreds of ways of playing the game, with almost infinite combinations.

The best rule is, play to your strengths. If you have a goalkeeper who is comfortable as a sweeper with the ball at his feet, and defenders who play in a way that like inviting pressure onto them when they are in possession, then by all means play that way. but if your players, like ours, are completely hopeless at it, and ponderously slow - then FFS - stop trying.

Agreed on “play to your strengths,” but that kind of proves my point. With this squad, that probably means a slightly lower block and more direct play.

The issue is that approach naturally limits what you can do against better sides who dominate the ball from the back.

My point was never that we shouldn’t adapt — it’s that this roster isn’t capable of playing an open, dominant style in the first place. So I don’t think we actually disagree, more that we’re saying the same thing from different angles.

Edited April 5Apr 5 by acaeus

16 hours ago, acaeus said:

Agreed on “play to your strengths,” but that kind of proves my point. With this squad, that probably means a slightly lower block and more direct play.

The issue is that approach naturally limits what you can do against better sides who dominate the ball from the back.

My point was never that we shouldn’t adapt — it’s that this roster isn’t capable of playing an open, dominant style in the first place. So I don’t think we actually disagree, more that we’re saying the same thing from different angles.

My point is that its not a limit - if it is playing to our strength. PSG in the club world cub were the one with possession - we didnt look to piss around with it at the back. And we smashed them. Barcelona in the champions league ditto. These are not limitations.

I think you are right - in that we are saying probably similar things, but from a different mindset. I think we should look to do things differently, and be proud of that. Do it better than others. Make others change their game to play us. Let Pep and his copycats piss around with it at the back and play their tiki taka. Jose mark 1 built a machine. Not one on flamboyance or endless recycled passing - but by being difficult to break down, and relentless in efficiency. We would not look to pass it around the back for the sake of it, but would do what we did best. Batter teams and grind them down.

Lets get back to being chelsea - with the first step of not trying to copy other people.

5 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

My point is that its not a limit - if it is playing to our strength. PSG in the club world cub were the one with possession - we didnt look to piss around with it at the back. And we smashed them. Barcelona in the champions league ditto. These are not limitations.

I think you are right - in that we are saying probably similar things, but from a different mindset. I think we should look to do things differently, and be proud of that. Do it better than others. Make others change their game to play us. Let Pep and his copycats piss around with it at the back and play their tiki taka. Jose mark 1 built a machine. Not one on flamboyance or endless recycled passing - but by being difficult to break down, and relentless in efficiency. We would not look to pass it around the back for the sake of it, but would do what we did best. Batter teams and grind them down.

Lets get back to being chelsea - with the first step of not trying to copy other people.

Sure, there are sure success stories of teams playing very direct, and with a moderately low block.

My original point was mainly directed at people around this forum who had an irrational dislike of Maresca style of play and wanted to see a more open and attacking mindset; that I absolutely don't think is possible at all with this roster.

9 hours ago, acaeus said:

Sure, there are sure success stories of teams playing very direct, and with a moderately low block.

My original point was mainly directed at people around this forum who had an irrational dislike of Maresca style of play and wanted to see a more open and attacking mindset; that I absolutely don't think is possible at all with this roster.

Open and attacking mindset - not sure about that, because I think mindset will change at different points in the game.

But playing faster and moving the ball forward more progressively absolutely CAN be achieved with this squad. Many people will call it 'more attacking' if we play in a faster/more progressive manner - but I guess thats all subjective (attack is the best form of defense!).

I dont care how it is badged. Just STOP the pissing around with it between defenders. Get the ball to our better players quicker, move the ball faster, and stop passing back to the goalkeeper.

11 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Open and attacking mindset - not sure about that, because I think mindset will change at different points in the game.

But playing faster and moving the ball forward more progressively absolutely CAN be achieved with this squad. Many people will call it 'more attacking' if we play in a faster/more progressive manner - but I guess thats all subjective (attack is the best form of defense!).

I dont care how it is badged. Just STOP the pissing around with it between defenders. Get the ball to our better players quicker, move the ball faster, and stop passing back to the goalkeeper.

Yeah I will disagree on the attacking-minded -- I really don't see nearly enough creativity and skill in midfield for that.
Not to mention that playing quick tempo from the back also demands quality from the defense line and I also don't see any (aside from Colwill if he returns at about the same level). Rice could do it, but he can be marked... we need more.
Agreed on the bolded part tho.

Edited April 7Apr 7 by acaeus

Basically most of the football being played in the EPL is dull, slow, and boring. . Not only are we playing that way too, we're not very good at it either. . The start of Maresca's first season we actually played an enjoyable style and were very good.

That all stopped when he eventually got us playing in the controlled, methodical style that he insists is the only way to play.

As the Jackson fan Jim says, it can be different. The squad can play a faster game .

On 06/04/2026 at 13:38, nonotnowjim said:

My point is that its not a limit - if it is playing to our strength. PSG in the club world cub were the one with possession - we didnt look to piss around with it at the back. And we smashed them. Barcelona in the champions league ditto. These are not limitations.

I think you are right - in that we are saying probably similar things, but from a different mindset. I think we should look to do things differently, and be proud of that. Do it better than others. Make others change their game to play us. Let Pep and his copycats piss around with it at the back and play their tiki taka. Jose mark 1 built a machine. Not one on flamboyance or endless recycled passing - but by being difficult to break down, and relentless in efficiency. We would not look to pass it around the back for the sake of it, but would do what we did best. Batter teams and grind them down.

Lets get back to being chelsea - with the first step of not trying to copy other people.

I hate that Roman succumbed to entertainment and employed Sarri. Seems we haven't looked back since then. I alwayd loved how efficient we were. Hardly any shots in a match but we scored when it mattered. I miss our old DNA.

13 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Open and attacking mindset - not sure about that, because I think mindset will change at different points in the game.

But playing faster and moving the ball forward more progressively absolutely CAN be achieved with this squad. Many people will call it 'more attacking' if we play in a faster/more progressive manner - but I guess thats all subjective (attack is the best form of defense!).

I dont care how it is badged. Just STOP the pissing around with it between defenders. Get the ball to our better players quicker, move the ball faster, and stop passing back to the goalkeeper.

Watch when the World Cup starts and you see the lower level teams like Saudi Arabia put in effort playing progressive football despite their limited ability. Makes my head boil why we don't have the same approach.

On 07/04/2026 at 19:02, KonaKai Blue said:

Watch when the World Cup starts and you see the lower level teams like Saudi Arabia put in effort playing progressive football despite their limited ability. Makes my head boil why we don't have the same approach.

That’s the problem with our style of play and a lot of other prem teams to be fair.

It comes across as half hearted without the energy. It’s hard to watch and harder to get behind.

On 07/04/2026 at 18:52, The Rising Sun said:

Basically most of the football being played in the EPL is dull, slow, and boring. . Not only are we playing that way too, we're not very good at it either. . The start of Maresca's first season we actually played an enjoyable style and were very good.

That all stopped when he eventually got us playing in the controlled, methodical style that he insists is the only way to play.

As the Jackson fan Jim says, it can be different. The squad can play a faster game .

Possession based football dull as dishwater IMO. How many goals have we conceded by playing too much football in the wrong areas…

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/manchester-city-pep-guardiola-succession-enzo-maresca-chelsea-departure

Bump to the old thread

Going to call it now, despite BlueCo's bluster we will receive a mere pittance, if anything, from City

11 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/manchester-city-pep-guardiola-succession-enzo-maresca-chelsea-departure

Bump to the old thread

Going to call it now, despite BlueCo's bluster we will receive a mere pittance, if anything, from City

Morning / Evening.

You all good ?

Far from sure of the numbers but from what I have read if Chelsea’s claim is validated the numbers in his contract are significantly in excess of the £12 m was paid to Leicester.

I know that City have far more established and yes better players but I can’t see who replaces Pep and keeps them at their current level . I know that some call Meresca Pep light but I just can’t see it he is David Moyles in disguise as far as I am concerned.

The real possibility is that we may have ,no would have, finished in a higher position had he stayed but the reality is that the vast majority thought his style and decisions left a lot to be desired. To be honest, and yes hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I wonder if we would have achieved the same had Mc Farlane been given a longer term as interim.

He , Mc Farlane, from what I saw seems to have had a better rapport with the whole squad and not as it seems was evolving under Meresca where it is strongly rumoured he encouraged cliques. There is claimed to have been a strong preference toward Spanish speaking .

Ahhh its all making sense now. Chelsea and Maresca colluded to get him out of the club so he could take the City job. Then Maresca will demand 5 Chelsea players for City and Chelsea recoup a heap of money for a big rebuild. Thank you Enzo. The Eni Aluko logic😂

Edited May 25May 25 by Roland The Bruin

I can’t wait to see Maresca completely ruin Donnarumma.

And Haaland will hate his tactics too.

31 minutes ago, 19seventyone said:

I can’t wait to see Maresca completely ruin Donnarumma.

And Haaland will hate his tactics too.

No Txiki or Pep. City are heading into the unknown.

From the outside you would fancy Xabi Alonso in an arena populated with Arteta, Maresca, Slot, Carrick, de Zerbi, Rose, Hurtzler. You would take that competition over anything from the last 10-15 years.

But this ownership, these clown directors, this appallingly misguided and misshapen project, and the underlying entitled, loser mentality that with each passing year of this oppression is now becoming part of the cultural fabric, makes me think that all bets are off.

Oh and watch the Spurs mockery come bite us on the arse now. They have hit their bottom and it shook them to their core. I am not yet convinced that anyone, other than the fans, can see this for the catastrophic failure it has been. Take a half arsed approach with Alonso and fck him over and we are well and truly doomed. This is last chance saloon for so many reasons now.

53 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

From the outside you would fancy Xabi Alonso in an arena populated with Arteta, Maresca, Slot, Carrick, de Zerbi, Rose, Hurtzler. You would take that competition over anything from the last 10-15 years.

But this ownership, these clown directors, this appallingly misguided and misshapen project, and the underlying entitled, loser mentality that with each passing year of this oppression is now becoming part of the cultural fabric, makes me think that all bets are off.

Oh and watch the Spurs mockery come bite us on the arse now. They have hit their bottom and it shook them to their core. I am not yet convinced that anyone, other than the fans, can see this for the catastrophic failure it has been. Take a half arsed approach with Alonso and fck him over and we are well and truly doomed. This is last chance saloon for so many reasons now.

Spurs better watch out. Unless they have a rebuild, I don’t see them anywhere other than fighting relegation again. We could be in a similar position with the clowns in charge, but the spuds have no right to any entitlement because they can go down next season unless they do like us, a massive build. At least we’ve got the better coach, on paper.

1 hour ago, RMH said:

Spurs better watch out. Unless they have a rebuild, I don’t see them anywhere other than fighting relegation again. We could be in a similar position with the clowns in charge, but the spuds have no right to any entitlement because they can go down next season unless they do like us, a massive build. At least we’ve got the better coach, on paper.

Not sure that I totally agree with that. With a fully fit squad there a number of players once you get over the half way line that are plenty good enough. Kulusevski, Tel, Simons, Madison, Odobert, Kudus and to a lesser extent Solanke can be crafted into an effective unit. However I do agree that trying to implement de Zerbi's press baiting defensive tactics with that defence and pedestrian midfield could be disastrous. If he shores up that defence maybe with Van Hecke and Verbruggen from his old stomping ground abd with a couple of other additions and they could easily come sailing past us.

My understanding, when Maresca left in mid season, was his contract had been terminated by mutual consent.

It would now appear that he was on some sort of “garden leave” and we are now negotiating with City for his contractual release and compensation.

So he was throwing a strop to get out of his contract to get the city job. That was his plan all along granted and the clowns in charge got played like a fiddle by Maresca.