2 hours ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

Fair and interesting points. I do think though, as we are getting to grips with a new shape and style, missing Caicedo and playing with what will probably be our backup wingbacks, the defensive issues were inevitable. I expect this to be less of an issue in just a couple of weeks time.

Most importantly for me though - for the first time in years I actually had fun watching Chelsea. Even with our defensive fragility I just enjoyed it, such a wonderful feeling after years of it almost feeling like a chore to watch us

Agreed. And I’m still hopeful we will get a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. Someone like Adam Wharton would be absolutely incredible in this team

Team shape was glorious.

Sanchez is going to undo all of his hardwork every match

14 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Team shape was glorious.

Credit to Reddit

For comparison, check out a prime Marescaball one from 24/25:

The first thing to notice is how perfectly organised and spaced that formation is. The second is the absence of thick passing lines amongst the defenders, and instead big, thick vertical arrows. The third thing to notice in the 24/25 map is...what the f**k was Neto doing when he was the RW?

Edited Wednesday at 01:202 days by SydneyChelsea

10 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Credit to Reddit

For comparison, check out a prime Marescaball one from 24/25:

The first thing to notice is how perfectly organised and spaced that formation is. The second is the absence of thick passing lines amongst the defenders, and instead big, thick vertical arrows. The third thing to notice in the 24/25 map is...what the f**k was Neto doing when he was the RW?

My ocd LOVES how perfectly Lines up our 3-4-3 is. Also - Fulham will go down if they continue their build up without anyone in the middle. Crazy stuff

HOPE!!!, I'LL can let clowns take of 1 piece of clothing from clown suit! TROUSERS, I say trousers you got to keep, boots, clown make up faces, and clown top, especially clown HAT! ME as fan can only THINK! AND HOPE! IM backing ALONSO! best profile of our twenty managers as A PLAYER won everything! and his 1st 2 years were top draw, EXCEPT at real Madrid, PLAYERS FAULTS MR MBAPPE and co in my EYES all about OPINIONS, your first job to go buy KELLERMAN at Brentford young, played for Liverpool under Klopp, played a champions league final got smacked by real madrid right dirty player, but won it all, grrrrr forget! we AINT got EUROPE top 4 was EVEN MONEY! to win was 12.0, I AINT EVER PUT MONEY ON US EVER, but did pennies! HOPE! PLEASE NOT ARGIE for keeper, arsenal did't play him for years, everyone hates, him Trafford look's NERVOUS I think, like sanchez, well martinez he played in a villa side that won europa league, and won WC he had messi fernanades mac allister etc a few good others and a second final with ageing! lot, so come on CHELSEA,if he dont make top 4 he gotta go

On 02/06/2026 at 21:40, JM7 said:

Someone convince me that Alonso isn’t all hype please.

I wonder if Jordan ( good in the changing room) Henderson had any effect on the team Monday night?

3 minutes ago, LEGSDIAMOND5 said:

HOPE!!!, I'LL can let clowns take of 1 piece of clothing from clown suit! TROUSERS, I say trousers you got to keep, boots, clown make up faces, and clown top, especially clown HAT! ME as fan can only THINK! AND HOPE! IM backing ALONSO! best profile of our twenty managers as A PLAYER won everything! and his 1st 2 years were top draw, EXCEPT at real Madrid, PLAYERS FAULTS MR MBAPPE and co in my EYES all about OPINIONS, your first job to go buy KELLERMAN at Brentford young, played for Liverpool under Klopp, played a champions league final got smacked by real madrid right dirty player, but won it all, grrrrr forget! we AINT got EUROPE top 4 was EVEN MONEY! to win was 12.0, I AINT EVER PUT MONEY ON US EVER, but did pennies! HOPE! PLEASE NOT ARGIE for keeper, arsenal did't play him for years, everyone hates, him Trafford look's NERVOUS I think, like sanchez, well martinez he played in a villa side that won europa league, and won WC he had messi fernanades mac allister etc a few good others and a second final with ageing! lot, so come on CHELSEA,if he dont make top 4 he gotta go

Bonkers and entertaining 😂

On 26/08/2026 at 03:15, SydneyChelsea said:

Credit to Reddit

For comparison, check out a prime Marescaball one from 24/25:

The first thing to notice is how perfectly organised and spaced that formation is. The second is the absence of thick passing lines amongst the defenders, and instead big, thick vertical arrows. The third thing to notice in the 24/25 map is...what the f**k was Neto doing when he was the RW?

Awesome, thank you for posting this!

The stark difference and improvement was obvious to the eye, but it's great to see it laid out like this just to make sure we were not imagining things, haha.

We look organised and play the ball with a bit more purpose and players appear to be playing in positions they understand. Hope it continues. please.

I know it is very early days but what a breath of fresh air Alonso has been already.

He's clearing out the deadwood quicker than I ever thought possible whilst getting us playing football the right way. Already love the bloke!