03 Dec 2025 22:44:43
Difficult not to be too reactionary after that performance, from which there are very few positives to take.
You know how for a long time, whoever played alongside Van Dijk, at CB for Liverpool, looked top class too, but, play them without Van Dijk and they showed their true qualities. Well, I’m not saying he’s at the same level as prime Van Dijk, but Fofana is having that impact on our CB’s, particularly Chalobah.
The difference to our defensive structure and intensity with and without Fofana is night and day. Going back to Chalobah, he’s decent enough, what a squad player he is, but, if he starts 15+ games in a season, you don’t win the title that season. Tosin isn’t up to this level, he’s too passive in possession and too passive out of possession - he waits for the game to come to him and the doesn’t positively impact it when it arrives. Acheampong is a better player.
Up front, Delap is ok, but again, if he’s starting 10-15+ games in a season, you’re not winning a title that season. The fact I question if Marc Guiu is better or not, speaks volumes for Delap’s level, and it’s not main strike in an EPL winning team.
04 Dec 2025 05:49:19
J, generally I think Chalaboa has been very good this season particularly in a defence that’s continually changing, mainly through injury.
I’m not going to judge Delap until he has had a run of games. I rushed to judge both Morata and Drogba and got of those wrong.
For me last night was more about mindset. The manager has to take some responsibility along with certain players just being sloppy. Maybe some believed the hype. At the moment, to me we are an “on there day” sort of tea if that makes sense?
04 Dec 2025 06:54:52
I pretty much agree with everything you have said there J.
As soon as Tosin steps into defence we look a mess, I don't get this whole rotation policy Maresca seems to employ. The team that wins the league usually has a consistent starting 11.
Realistically are either Delap or Jao Pedro an upgrade on Nicholas Jackson?
04 Dec 2025 07:05:11
Whitey, I personally would never had let Jackson go and as things stand today neither Delap or Pedro are an upgrade but it’s early in there Chelsea careers.
04 Dec 2025 07:56:33
J, I agree with your post. One of our main problems is our defence particularly CBs but I won’t repeat myself. As for Delap and Pedro; no real surprises, I never thought they looked like players who would score 15 goals.
TBF, the main striker needs to play regularly to get his eye in and the constant rotation doesn’t help. As for Jackson, no thanks, he had his chance, he is not the answer.
04 Dec 2025 08:26:38
But not early in their football careers Tom, they both have a lot of games under their belt.
I also agree with Whitey97, I don't get the rotation system, it's like Maresca is looking to throw 3 points away every few games. Without Caicedo, he should have played James.
If players can't play 3 games a week then we should let them go and bring in players that can. There is no point in them being good if they are not available.
04 Dec 2025 09:09:00
That was a poor showing last night and maybe highlighted what Maresca said pre-season when he almost begged the sporting directors to buy him a ball carrying centre back to play out from the back when Levi got injured. Did you see how bad Badishille was trying to attempt it? he slowed everything down and all the movement going on ahead of him was lost.
Tosin was the same. It improved in the second half but the confidence was gone. ED01, are we looking at buying a CB in the January window because without Fofana we look lost back there.
{Ed001's Note - I have not heard of any in the pipeline, sorry.}
04 Dec 2025 09:51:06
Pretty spot on J though I do think TC very decent old style CB when playing alongside either LC last season or Fofana this season.
As have posted above Tom I got Morata wrong but was at least v hopeful for Drogba in is first season when I think he scored onlly ten or eleven EPL gaols - as did Jackson! Like many others I could not see why on eartn we loaned out Jackson for this season if not bringing in another striker though I suppose the Delap injury came quyite late in the transfer window and fater we'd done the deal with Bayern. Jaoa Pedro looks to have skill and may do well for us in certain games but perhaps not mid-winter away games up north. Delap must surely get better and Guiu imho deserved mor game time last night and especially after that brilliant assist for our second goal v Burnley. Would have had him on for JP much earlier.
04 Dec 2025 11:48:35
Bill, Cucarella had lots of games under his belt but it took him a season to settle. Although some of us had belief in Neto he is far more of an all round performer than he was last season.
It’s not a one size fits all situation.