05 Jul 2025 04:05:05
Well pleased with that result.
After giving away a poor goal on lots of levels early ish in the second the substitutions by EM really changed the dynamics. Noni and Pedro caused them all sorts of problems when they came on.
Santos had a very good debut and was probably my MOM.
Big downside, Colwill missing for the semi as will Delap.
05 Jul 2025 09:32:11
We controlled the first half but were very sloppy after the break but dug in and did enough ( just) to win. Noni had a lot of the ball but his judgement and end product were poor. Colwill and Gusto had good games. I have to agree with Mikel’s post match comments: “ Sanchez, Oh my God, what was he doing. We need a better goalkeeper if we want to win trophies “.
05 Jul 2025 09:59:53
Neto, should never have played, his mind may well have been elsewhere.!
Strangely Sanchez has been anticipating crosses in this tournament and cut out lots of dangerous moments but it never looks good to get beaten at the near post even though it was a fierce shot from a player I hope to be seeing a lot of next season at the bridge. Cucarella and Colwill were also poor in the build up to that goal but what a shock that wasn’t mentioned.
Gust, certainly had a better game that he has recently, so that was good.
05 Jul 2025 10:45:27
Tom, it is always possible to analyse a goal and identify where players should have done better but the goalkeeper is the last line of defence. It is also worrying that Lavia and James have picked up injuries again: let’s hope this is a minor glitch and not a repeat of last season.
05 Jul 2025 10:53:06
I haven't watched the game yet but saw a report from Kaveh Solhekol on Sky Sports who said we have now earned £61 million from the CWC so far! Crazy money. I also saw the Cole Palmer interview and he said that Joao Pedro was exellent for us? I have read from others that he looks a very astute signing and offered real quality. Any views?
05 Jul 2025 11:17:57
Jimbo, you are stating the blindingly obvious about keepers being the last line of defence. As I have said it never looks good when a keeper gets done on the nearside even though it was one hell of a shot.
Some fans find it difficult to give praise when a player is playing well but find it easy to be critical when a player makes a mistake.
I have said many times that I would give someone else a run as our first choice keeper but I will continue to judge a player from game to game.
I’m hoping that both Lavia and James will be ok for Wednesday but it’s good the EM and the medical team are taking no chances.
The tactics of EM in the first half were spot on. The manager made some changes and they caused some issues for about 15 mins but the EM made substitutions that gave us back control. I like the tactical flexibility that EM is now showing long may it continue.
05 Jul 2025 11:21:15
RPD, I have spoken to a mate who goes home and away and he said Pedro will get you out of your seat with flashes of brilliance but then have 3-4 average games.
I guess that lack of consistency is a slight concern. So, I think it’s best to judge him over a period of time.
05 Jul 2025 12:43:40
Tom, it is also blindingly obvious that Sanchez is not good enough. As for Pedro he did okay considering he had virtually just stepped off the plane. I am far more looking forward to seeing Estevao next season.
05 Jul 2025 13:27:17
I couldn’t agree more Sanchez looks nervous in goal and has shown no signs of improvement I don’t understand why Chelsea are stalling on purchasing Mike Maignan he ticks all the boxes for me. Estevao and palmer playing on the same team will be a joy to watch.
05 Jul 2025 14:47:12
The lad has been ok and doesn’t get any credit but he makes a makes a mistake and he gets pelters. He may well not be good enough but give criticism and credit when it’s due.
Mike Maignan had a season to forget last year and even at what appears a reasonably low asking price, so far no takers! Maybe other clubs aren’t as convinced as some fans.
05 Jul 2025 17:11:21
Tom, that is not the issue. I didn’t praise Palmer for his top notch goal yesterday because he’s a top class player Sanchez was no good at Brighton and nothing has changed. As for Maignan, I have no particular view. I would pay Costa’s buy out fee but it looks like he is going to City. Failing that, I would try for ter Stegen and bring in Penders as No 2.
05 Jul 2025 18:01:55
I guess if you choose not to praise but only be critical that’s entirely up to you. I guess that’s why Greenaway made his recent comment.
05 Jul 2025 18:43:05
Tom, once again you have dodged the issue, I certainly don’t need to praise a keeper who makes bog standard saves that any keeper would make. I have no idea why G8 made his comment but it’s par for the course. Thankfully, most posters on this site have demonstrated objectively but I respect that all of us want the best for our club.
05 Jul 2025 19:04:23
It’s hard to imagine why Greenaway would make such a comment.
I have certainly not dodged the issue ( (whatever that is) but I do tend to wait before making any assessment.
People “demonstrating objectivity” would suggest a balance in there outlook.
Your example of a keeper you never stop telling us is rubbish makes good saves and they become “bog standard. ” It’s a view but in my opinion not balanced or “objective. ”.
05 Jul 2025 20:57:46
Tom, it highlights your insight why you can’t imagine why Greenaway aka G8 would make such comments because you are always his Tailgate Charlie. A lot of posters on this site and the people I speak to at games hold the same opinion about Sanchez not to mention objective football journalists. It reminds me of your posts and observations about Sterling.
05 Jul 2025 21:37:18
Bravo that you have found like minded people.
My original posts about Sterling and Sanchez would be about me giving people/ players a chance. This would then allow me to be “objective” about a player playing for Chelsea.
You can wriggle all you want and try to justify your continued agenda about the manager and certain players by saying your objective. If you were objective and gave criticism and praise when it is due then that in my opinion would be “objective” but you don’t you just can’t wait for certain players or the manager to make a mistake just to reinforce your not very well hidden agenda.
I have no idea why Greenaway made his comments. ?.
06 Jul 2025 08:21:04
Tom Sterling and Sanchez have had plenty of chances and yes I didn’t want them to come here in the first place. I am willing to to give my opinion and not sit on the fence getting splinters in my bum. You are obsessed with hidden agendas presumably because you couldn’t have one as it would take you too long to form an opinion. The only agenda I have which is not hidden, is for Chelsea to go back to the top table of football, which, of course. is an impossible agenda because I have no control or influence over it.
06 Jul 2025 09:39:36
Not sure why my name comes up in your discussion chaps but hey ho. Jimbo, I asked you a direct question in a previous thread, you kindly answered and I thanked you to close the matter.
06 Jul 2025 10:02:43
Jimbo, I give my opinion about players before they join but after they join I give them time at Chelsea to prove themselves.
I judge players and the manager from games to game and then generally give my assessment on there season’s performance at the end of the season. That seems reasonable to me.
I certainly would never be lurking with an “I told you so” commentary. My “agenda” is give praise when it’s due and criticism when it’s due. I’m happy enough with what I consider to a balanced approach.
06 Jul 2025 10:28:21
Greenaway, as Oscar Wilde said: “ There is only one thing worse than being talked about and that’s not being talked about “.
06 Jul 2025 10:54:53
I forget who once said “some people complain a lot but never tolerate a complaint about themselves. ”.
06 Jul 2025 17:06:21
Probably some old Biddy in a Post Office queue.
06 Jul 2025 19:23:01
I bet you could have a nice little chin wag with such an “old biddy. ”.
06 Jul 2025 21:33:46
Tom, probably they don’t generally sit on the fence.
07 Jul 2025 04:30:18
No but they do love to moan and very rarely give praise when it’s due.
07 Jul 2025 07:48:26
I don’t praise people for doing their job unless they do it consistently over a long period of time.
07 Jul 2025 11:54:43
Don’t tell other people when to praise and criticise.