22 Aug 2023 21:02:51
Rumours have it we are about to sign petrovic for the goalkeeper position. Imo Chelsea have continued in their round-trip transfer again. Chelsea transfer strategies seem wasteful most times.

Like the Ed used to say it's buying for the sake of it. Welack tactics I our transfer. This has been the same with even when roman was here but it's becoming even worse now. It's obvious we need a world class goalkeeper, but instead of going for one we are getting immature one only to return to the chase later and money already wasted on the players we shouldn't have bought in the first place. We should have spent the money on the goalkeeper we needed instead of sanchez, and now petrovic both of whom are not enough to solve our goalkeeper needs.

Again, we aren't tactical enough in the choice of signings. We have spent more than others yet lack balance in the squad. We don't think of how a player will suit us rather how good the players are in the team where they are coming from. We just sign any random good player, but when they come here they struggle to fit in. This looks like the manager does not really play much role in the signings, but he's one who use them.

In the matches played so far this season even if some players are still not ready to play we lack coordination and cohesion in the attack as we lack players that can use the ball at their feet to create chances. The link up play around the attack is not good enough to score goals. We only pass around to retain possessions but no killer instincts. That's the reason I was saying we should bring back hazard to help in this regard.

As for poch his team set up is always flawed with leaving his back vulnerable at the back because he commit them too forward and leaving the back too open for counter. this is as result of not having cohesive attack. When attack loses possession it will be easier to run down the back. We need a proper no. 10. What is the use of good midfielders when there's no channel to launch the attack.

1.) 23 Aug 2023
22 Aug 2023 23:41:18
You are welcome to your views, of course, but I think this is an unfair characterisation in response to Chelsea securing a goalkeeper they have been targeting for a while. As back up to Sanchez, he looks a reasonable option.

For a club without a plan, we seem to be pursuing players with a clearly established and defined profile.

The vulnerabilities at the back could reasonably be seen as playing a 3 that includes Colwill (2 starts for Chelsea) with Disasi (2 starts) and Silva (38 years old), with Sanchez behind them (a starts) and a midfield shielded by CG (out of position) while we wait for Caicedo to get fit.

Give it time to gel. It’s been 2 games.

2.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 07:17:26
Sanchez looks a lot better than Mendy, who ended up being a liability.

After two games and some have their views on players already set in stone. It would bordering on laughable if it wasn’t so sad.

I will be constructive in any criticism of players or manager from game to game and make a fuller but not final assessment on all things Chelsea at the end of the season. For me that works but I acknowledge for others that isn’t the case.

3.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 09:28:49
Ilo, I think Chelsea already have the "world class" goalkeeper on their books, Slonina. He has been loaned to gain experience in Europe after a very good appearance in pre season. This lad is being groomed to be the no 1 keeper for many years to come, hence Sanchez and Petrovic competing this year, rather than perusing an Onana or Maignan signing at great cost.
I agree with Tom, 2 games of 38, and we are judging, before the close of a transfer window, I'm sure the club have everything in hand and have all options covered.

4.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 09:40:23
Petrovic will displace Sanchez as our No.1 by Christmas, he’s that good. There’s a reason why Brad Friedel and many scouts recommended him to most of Europes top clubs. I remember when we signed big Pete, he was hardly a household name and went on to become one of, if not the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history.

The squad and Poch just need time to gel. He’s been in the job about 6 weeks. I think we’ll come good around November/ December and finish around the Europa league places. For me that’s good enough considering where we were last season.

This season was never about winning the league or even finishing top 4. If we can go from 12th to 5th/ 6th and gain a clear identity in the way we play I think that’s a massive achievement. Adding a cup would be a bonus.

5.) 23 Aug 2023
23 Aug 2023 11:02:26
Kiwi and Dan, I enjoyed your well argued posts.