3 minutes ago, forbzy said:

Also a reminder that McNeilly was a striker option that we chose to totally ignore the last few months for some reason.

Supposedly he is out of contract at the end of the season and (I assume for obvious reasons) hasn't yet signed another. As a result he is being Acheampong'ed until he complies.

On 30/03/2025 at 06:22, PloKoon13 said:

Supposedly he is out of contract at the end of the season and (I assume for obvious reasons) hasn't yet signed another. As a result he is being Acheampong'ed until he complies.

At least the first-team was performing okay when Acheampong was sidelined, it gave the club's threat some weight.

Now? The only thing worse than having "Chelsea first-team" on your resume is probably Tesla...

8 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

At least the first-team was performing okay when Acheampong was sidelined, it gave the club's threat some weight.

Now? The only thing worse than having "Chelsea first-team" on your resume is probably Tesla...

I'm clinging to the idea that it could be worse... we're not Tottenham (at least until Thursday night).

13 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

I'm clinging to the idea that it could be worse... we're not Tottenham (at least until Thursday night).

It's about all we have left.

How does one unlock a beard?

5 hours ago, Scott said:

How does one unlock a beard?

Repeatedly shave the top of your head until it is shiny. The hair fears the razor and migrates to the jaw.

He's had a beard before (I seem to recall Liam's glowing praise). I think he's just dyed it. For reference:

Changing the colour of your beard won’t help mate. He’s going full Pep now!!

Opta's predictions for Chelsea:

• 2nd - 0.1%

• 3rd - 9.1%

• 4th - 15.9%

• 5th - 22.3%

• 6th - 23.2%

• 7th - 15%

• 8th - 8.4%

• 9th - 4%

• 10th 1.5%

30 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Opta's predictions for Chelsea:

• 2nd - 0.1%

• 3rd - 9.1%

• 4th - 15.9%

• 5th - 22.3%

• 6th - 23.2%

• 7th - 15%

• 8th - 8.4%

• 9th - 4%

• 10th 1.5%

Snatch your hand for 5th.

8 hours ago, Scott said:

How does one unlock a beard?

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Opta's predictions for Chelsea:

• 2nd - 0.1%

• 3rd - 9.1%

• 4th - 15.9%

• 5th - 22.3%

• 6th - 23.2%

• 7th - 15%

• 8th - 8.4%

• 9th - 4%

• 10th 1.5%

This is the perfect motivator for the team to grow and it is massive to have a clear objective for the remainder of this season. A bit different situation than with Tottenham or Manchester United.

Would be massive to get a good result against a top team. We haven't made that hurdle yet. We have beaten Newcastle but eventually we need to beat City, Liverpool or Arsenal.

I think these next few games are will define Maresca. Will he find an upturn in form and secure 4th or will the season just slowly ebb away?

3 hours ago, El regreso said:

Changing the colour of your beard won’t help mate.

At least he's had a "productive" international break LOL

1 hour ago, JM7 said:

I think these next few games are will define Maresca. Will he find an upturn in form and secure 4th or will the season just slowly ebb away?

Excuse already in he doesn’t have Lavia.

FROM DAILY MAIL+( PAYWALL)

What really happened in defeat by academy team 

Last Wednesday, while the bulk of Chelsea’s senior squad were still coming back from international duty in their dribs and drabs, a drill was being prepared for those present at their Cobham base.

It was a pretend match. Nothing too serious, 50 minutes overall, 25 a half, and those involved were told to listen for the shouts from Enzo Maresca because it would be a very stop-start affair.

Chelsea’s head coach likes to pause play during such in-house exercises in order to issue individual instructions. Understandable, therefore, that a full 90 is not considered feasible.

Maresca did not have enough numbers to make up two teams given how many had been away representing their countries – from Enzo Fernandez to Moises Caicedo – so the best and brightest available from the academy were called up to form the opposing side.

I’m told that included Yaya Dieme, the 17-year-old Senegalese winger who Confidential reported last week is set to become the newest 2007-born talent to sign with BlueCo from the Diambars football academy set up by Patrick Vieira.

Another youngster involved was Donnell McNeilly, the 19-year-old English striker who we revealed two weeks ago has been offered a contract by Chelsea but has not signed it, because there is no proof of a pathway for him despite his reliable goalscoring record.

Long story short, the academy side won 3-0, McNeilly scored twice, and Maresca responded by scrapping what was supposed to be a scheduled day off for his first-teamers the next morning.

25 minutes ago, Caps_Lock_King said:

FROM DAILY MAIL+( PAYWALL)

What really happened in defeat by academy team 

Last Wednesday, while the bulk of Chelsea’s senior squad were still coming back from international duty in their dribs and drabs, a drill was being prepared for those present at their Cobham base.

It was a pretend match. Nothing too serious, 50 minutes overall, 25 a half, and those involved were told to listen for the shouts from Enzo Maresca because it would be a very stop-start affair.

Chelsea’s head coach likes to pause play during such in-house exercises in order to issue individual instructions. Understandable, therefore, that a full 90 is not considered feasible.

Maresca did not have enough numbers to make up two teams given how many had been away representing their countries – from Enzo Fernandez to Moises Caicedo – so the best and brightest available from the academy were called up to form the opposing side.

I’m told that included Yaya Dieme, the 17-year-old Senegalese winger who Confidential reported last week is set to become the newest 2007-born talent to sign with BlueCo from the Diambars football academy set up by Patrick Vieira.

Another youngster involved was Donnell McNeilly, the 19-year-old English striker who we revealed two weeks ago has been offered a contract by Chelsea but has not signed it, because there is no proof of a pathway for him despite his reliable goalscoring record.

Long story short, the academy side won 3-0, McNeilly scored twice, and Maresca responded by scrapping what was supposed to be a scheduled day off for his first-teamers the next morning.

I fancy a Yaya in the squad.

18 hours ago, Scott said:

How does one unlock a beard?

"Chelsea’s head coach likes to pause play during such in-house exercises in order to issue individual instructions. Understandable, therefore, that a full 90 is not considered feasible".

Apparently this is true and there is a video of Pepilini waving his arms about and shouting at a player who has just had a shot " No-er!!! Pass-er it a sideways-er"

“Full-backs when they play up and down, they spend much more [energy] than when they go inside, for big distances and for the amount of times they go up and down.”

He will die by his positional football philosophy

His new beard has unlocked a new ability to win football matches.

1 hour ago, JM7 said:

His new beard has unlocked a new ability to win football matches.

His system is completely dependent on Jackson.

Not sure about the salmon jumper. Thoughts?

14 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

Not sure about the salmon jumper. Thoughts?

He's a sartorial mess LOL. Almost as bad as Sarri !

8 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

His system is completely dependent on Jackson.

and the opposition being sh*t