On 31/05/2025 at 23:21, El regreso said:

Luis Enrique has just well and truly killed the nonsensical dumb stupid boring passing passing crap football that Maresca is trying to copy from Pep and and I truly happy.

His PSG side averaged 68% possession this season, compared to 57.1% for us

Obviously PSG are against inferior opposition in Ligue 1, but the main reason their football looks so much better is they have Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Barcola and Doue, not to mention Hakimi bombing forward.

We only have Palmer, who largely gets suffocated these days as teams know he's our only attacking threat.

Edited June 4, 20251 yr by Drogba1

Delap, Ekitike, Maignan, Gittens, Hato, new CB + Santos, Estevao, Essugo.

Not sure about everyone else but I’m expecting a title push.

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Delap, Ekitike, Maignan, Gittens, Hato, new CB + Santos, Estevao, Essugo.

Not sure about everyone else but I’m expecting a title push.

Excluding Maignan, the oldest player on that list is Ekitike at the ripe old age of 22 (turns 23 at the end of the month). We're just adding more inexperience to and already inexperienced squad.

Edited June 4, 20251 yr by yaz

41 minutes ago, yaz said:

Excluding Maignan, the oldest player on that list is Ekitike at the ripe old age of 22 (turns 23 at the end of the month). We're just adding more inexperience to and already inexperienced squad.

• 5 points off 2nd despite having a horrid 9 match run.

• Contested the Champions, twice.

• Spent 80% of the season in Top 4.

I think we are well in our right to challenge. Delap and Ekitike are both superior to Jackson. Maignan is a leader at the back and brings experience. Santos boosts our midfield immediately. Estevao and Essugo to be integrated.

The experience is building among the group. Grinded out a Top 4 finish despite the odds and won their first trophy.

2 hours ago, yaz said:

Excluding Maignan, the oldest player on that list is Ekitike at the ripe old age of 22 (turns 23 at the end of the month). We're just adding more inexperience to and already inexperienced squad.

It has been a while since we've had some of the world's best on our team that is continuing to grow.

It would be ideal to add 1 experienced CB and a top class GK to the mix but I'd rather the club sell first before buying anyone for the sake of "experience"

4 hours ago, Drogba1 said:

His PSG side averaged 68% possession this season, compared to 57.1% for us

Obviously PSG are against inferior opposition in Ligue 1, but the main reason their football looks so much better is they have Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Barcola and Doue, not to mention Hakimi bombing forward.

We only have Palmer, who largely gets suffocated these days as teams know he's our only attacking threat.

Yep, speed and directness is refreshing and fun to watch.

Tippy tappy sh*t is for statlovers

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

• 5 points off 2nd despite having a horrid 9 match run.

• Contested the Champions, twice.

• Spent 80% of the season in Top 4.

I think we are well in our right to challenge. Delap and Ekitike are both superior to Jackson. Maignan is a leader at the back and brings experience. Santos boosts our midfield immediately. Estevao and Essugo to be integrated.

The experience is building among the group. Grinded out a Top 4 finish despite the odds and won their first trophy.

Albeit it looks like we might be swapping out 7 of the starting eleven for new players LOL.

5 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Delap, Ekitike, Maignan, Gittens, Hato, new CB + Santos, Estevao, Essugo.

Not sure about everyone else but I’m expecting a title push.

I'm not. The wings are still weak, Estevao is too young to be relied on to do much next season, Gittens I don't really rate much at all and see him struggling. The strikers are big gambles for me.

4 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I'm not. The wings are still weak, Estevao is too young to be relied on to do much next season, Gittens I don't really rate much at all and see him struggling. The strikers are big gambles for me.

Wingers will be more productive with actual strikers to feed.

I’m not turning my head on strikers anymore given we turned down both Duran and Samu earlier in the season, yet we were desperate for either one of them in January when Jackson decided to miss sitters and be a useless bellend. 1 goal in 2025 FFS.

On 01/06/2025 at 18:02, Ukraine Bolt said:

Absolutely bizarre but not surprising.

He just doesn't get it does he ? . Trying to find another club to support because it was unfair what Roman was doing ?! . Fancy wanting to change your hobby over something like that ??😂

JUNE 2024....

'Key Philosophy and Principles:

The absolute pinnacle idea of Maresca’s is to dominate the ball with a slower and intricate style of play, starting with deeper build up patterns and an obsession with control.

This comes as no surprise being a “Guardiola disciple” and being someone who fell in love with this way of playing the game.

Maresca wants his side to “play in traffic” and “occupy the right spaces” two very key quotes that can be heard in the italians masterclass video for TheCoaches‘ Voice, and in many of his interviews.

This insistence to play out from the back, progress the ball at a slower tempo and control the game is exactly why Chelsea have picked Maresca.

Maresca’s style suits the squad being built by the owners and sporting directors."

Edited June 5, 20251 yr by The Rising Sun
Info

1 hour ago, The Rising Sun said:

JUNE 2024....

'Key Philosophy and Principles:

The absolute pinnacle idea of Maresca’s is to dominate the ball with a slower and intricate style of play, starting with deeper build up patterns and an obsession with control.

This comes as no surprise being a “Guardiola disciple” and being someone who fell in love with this way of playing the game.

Maresca wants his side to “play in traffic” and “occupy the right spaces” two very key quotes that can be heard in the italians masterclass video for TheCoaches‘ Voice, and in many of his interviews.

This insistence to play out from the back, progress the ball at a slower tempo and control the game is exactly why Chelsea have picked Maresca.

Maresca’s style suits the squad being built by the owners and sporting directors."

Where has all this guff come from ?

This bit is comedy gold : Maresca’s style suits the squad being built by the owners and sporting directors

😂

6 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Where has all this guff come from ?

This bit is comedy gold : Maresca’s style suits the squad being built by the owners and sporting directors

😂

It beggars belief doesn’t it.

1 hour ago, Kev56 said:

It beggars belief doesn’t it.

Interesting timing isn't it... self-propaganda from the ivory towers of BlueCo?

Perhaps a bit cynical but appears they'd like to pat themselves on the back for Maresca's top 4 finish and Conference league trophy!

Reality was we were lucky everything was so tight and, one fluke(?) signing, Palmer was there to get us over the line.

On 05/06/2025 at 19:21, Sexyfootball said:

Where has all this guff come from ?

This bit is comedy gold : Maresca’s style suits the squad being built by the owners and sporting directors

😂

To be honest, at the rate they’re buying young potential (sh*t), among the five teams we could field, Maresca could play one that suits his style.

4 hours ago, RMH said:

To be honest, at the rate they’re buying young potential (sh*t), among the five teams we could field, Maresca could play one that suits his style.

That one would be the one that bores the arse off football fans.

On 04/06/2025 at 18:28, Ukraine Bolt said:

Roman took over around the same time Arsenal went invincible, i assume they were high on the list.

Good job his morals didn't overcome him or he could have had a very miserable couple of decades after that.

Amazing singlemindedness on this. Would be lovely if some of the other Chelsea global fans actually voiced their opinions on this. I understand they are not as stupid as me on speaking what I mean/and thought but each of their own. Who am I to criticize on what you do with your own time and money.

I didn't consider any other club. I just thought over can I stomach a Russian billionaire changing the game for us. I am from Finland and Russia is our enemy number one as it is for most of Europe these days. Take a small history lesson and you realize why that is. I am sure Ukrainians are pretty much in the same mind. Anyway Roman ended up being amazing owner for the club.

37 minutes ago, evissy said:

Amazing singlemindedness on this. Would be lovely if some of the other Chelsea global fans actually voiced their opinions on this. I understand they are not as stupid as me on speaking what I mean/and thought but each of their own. Who am I to criticize on what you do with your own time and money.

I didn't consider any other club. I just thought over can I stomach a Russian billionaire changing the game for us. I am from Finland and Russia is our enemy number one as it is for most of Europe these days. Take a small history lesson and you realize why that is. I am sure Ukrainians are pretty much in the same mind. Anyway Roman ended up being amazing owner for the club.

Well , you've look left it till NOW to explain your dislike of Abramovich

Actually, although I didn't object to his spending, I knew that his wealth belonged to the Russian people. You will know as well as I how that wealth found it's way into the hands of the few.. We fans look at it from a purely football context, as a football club owner he was the best, but I'm.not blind to as how he became a billionaire.

So, I understand your feelings completely, thanks for the personal information mate, take care.

15 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

Well , you've look left it till NOW to explain your dislike of Abramovich

Actually, although I didn't object to his spending, I knew that his wealth belonged to the Russian people. You will know as well as I how that wealth found it's way into the hands of the few.. We fans look at it from a purely football context, as a football club owner he was the best, but I'm.not blind to as how he became a billionaire.

So, I understand your feelings completely, thanks for the personal information mate, take care.

More than dislike on the likes of Roman I hated the idea a millionaire just suddenly changing the game. I am 100% sure many people see it the same way.

7 minutes ago, evissy said:

8 minutes ago, evissy said:

More than dislike on the likes of Roman I hated the idea a millionaire just suddenly changing the game. I am 100% sure many people see it the same way.

Other clubs have benefitted from wealthy owners well before Roman arrived.

Blackburn Rovers were transformed into League Title winners with the wealth of their owner, whose name for the life of me I can't remember now. It's been in football ever since the beginning. Millionaires changing the game to benefit their clubs is not rare .Before Roman, we simply never had anyone to inject money into our club to help us compete with other clubs and their owners.

Liverpool were bankrolled by the old Moores family back in the 60s. etc etc

So you must be annoyed by.our current billionaire owners too ?

2 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

Other clubs have benefitted from wealthy owners well before Roman arrived.

Blackburn Rovers were transformed into League Title winners with the wealth of their owner, whose name for the life of me I can't remember now. It's been in football ever since the beginning. Millionaires changing the game to benefit their clubs is not rare .Before Roman, we simply never had anyone to inject money into our club to help us compete with other clubs and their owners.

Liverpool were bankrolled by the old Moores family back in the 60s. etc etc

So you must be annoyed by.our current billionaire owners too ?

Jack Walker at Blackburn. Sir John Hall at Newcastle.. Jack Hayward at Wolves. Dave Whelan at Wigan. Gillette and Hicks at the scouse

9 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Jack Walker at Blackburn. Sir John Hall at Newcastle.. Jack Hayward at Wolves. Dave Whelan at Wigan. Gillette and Hicks at the scouse

It's literally how professional football came into existence, rich people funding a team. To take umbrage at it now is just nonsense.

Liverpool in the 70s/80s were funded by a family that owned the football pools competition too.

10 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Jack Walker at Blackburn. Sir John Hall at Newcastle.. Jack Hayward at Wolves. Dave Whelan at Wigan. Gillette and Hicks at the scouse

Cheers mate !

On 07/06/2025 at 20:46, The Rising Sun said:

Other clubs have benefitted from wealthy owners well before Roman arrived.

Blackburn Rovers were transformed into League Title winners with the wealth of their owner, whose name for the life of me I can't remember now. It's been in football ever since the beginning. Millionaires changing the game to benefit their clubs is not rare .Before Roman, we simply never had anyone to inject money into our club to help us compete with other clubs and their owners.

Liverpool were bankrolled by the old Moores family back in the 60s. etc etc

So you must be annoyed by.our current billionaire owners too ?

King of Spain funding Madrid's success.

Henry Norris saving Arsenal from bankruptcy and buying their way into the top division for Hill-Norris to then fund their success in the 30's.

Its a tale as old as time.

Like you say, its funny to see him say he hates billionaires changing the game with how he'll defend our current owners to his last breath when they spend far more than roman ever did.

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

King of Spain funding Madrid's success.

Henry Norris saving Arsenal from bankruptcy and buying their way into the top division for Hill-Norris to then fund their success in the 30's.

Its a tale as old as time.

Like you say, its funny to see him say he hates billionaires changing the game with how he'll defend our current owners to his last breath when they spend far more than roman ever did.

Him?..I am here. Don't patronise me. Makes you look pretty ignorant.

I had my reasons and I wonder if no one else here reacted the same way or similar. Roman ended up being amazing owner. No matter the way Roman actually made his money or what he might represent to different people.

The sudden influx of money poured into a side like it happened back then changed the landscape of Premier League. He was one of the pioneers in that sense and now we have many rich owners and groups who have done the same thing. That is why we have these idiotic weird systems trying to keep the playing field level such as FFP and PSR. My only comment on the matter really relates to the way European top football is run compared to NHL for example. Their system is actually pretty smart and it keeps the sport itself interesting. Football works via clubs and what they want. Different system and different culture.

Time has also passed since 2003. World looks different. I am not defending the owners per say. I am among the few that sees what they are trying to do and try to take a positive outlook on them. This forum is something like 2% positive on them 98% negative. Based on the vibe that is here in the comments.

Because then plan they are selling would only bare fruit after years of building. Why would you then spend years of wallowing in negativity around these matters? Life choices I guess. Or just the negative outlook on most things. I chose to be more positive.