How Very Depressing.

[blizeH]

Okay, so the transfer window is closed now, and I know that Scolari and a few players (Lampard included) have said they're happy with what we've got. But are they, really?

Our defence is sorted, no worries at all, same with central midfield, but our wide players and striker situation is just ridiculous.

Di Santo - a promising talent but it's way too soon for him to be playing at the top level

Kalou - shows signs of potential but seems hugely inconsistent, no where near Chelsea standard imo

Malouda - has been completely useless ever since he joined

Sinclair - see Di Santo

Cole - this'll be controversial, but honestly, I think we can do a lot better

Anelka - almost has useless as Malouda

So, the way I see it, we don't have a single decent winger, and if Drogba gets injured (as he is now) then we have no suitable cover there either, and no one really good enough to play alongside him.

Perhaps just as worrying as our lack of personnel is the fact we were beaten at our own game last night; Manchester City have made their intentions known (at our expense) and there's every chance they'll continue to grow now, and possibly even surpass us (along with every other team in the league) depending on how it works out for them, and depending on how Roman reacts.

A quick word of warning to City fans though; money and the insta-success that comes with it really isn't all that. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I far preferred being a Chelsea fan back when we were slowly building up a brilliant squad, pushing for a Champion's League spot (and getting it in the end - screw you Liverpool) after season after season of smashing Arsenal or Manchester United one week, then losing to Leicester the next. Good times.

[Mr Chelsea]

A quick word of warning to City fans though; money and the insta-success that comes with it really isn't all that. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I far preferred being a Chelsea fan back when we were slowly building up a brilliant squad, pushing for a Champion's League spot (and getting it in the end - screw you Liverpool) after season after season of smashing Arsenal or Manchester United one week, then losing to Leicester the next. Good times.

;)

it did seem a lot better when as fans we expected very little

now our expectations are always high, which means it hits harder when they are not met

[blizeH]

Yup, I was thinking that last night but somehow forgot to post it! Good point though, going into every single match expecting nothing other than a win, and going into every transfer window expecting nothing less than signing a bunch of fantastic players to boost the squad just leads to disappointment.

Edited September 2, 2008 by blizeH

[ethicalstrategy]

So, the way I see it, we don't have a single decent winger, and if Drogba gets injured (as he is now) then we have no suitable cover there either, and no one really good enough to play alongside him.

Absolutely right. That's the most disappointing aspect of the summer. It was clear where we needed to strengthen and we haven't done it. If anything we are actually weaker than before in both areas after releasing SWP, Sheva and Pizarro without any replacement.

Although, to be fair, I wasn't expecting us to hold on to Drogba which is a massive bonus for us.

[blizeH]

That is a good point, the retention (is that an appropriate word? I'm not sure...) of Lampard and Drogba is huge for us.