Chelsea Banter 3

29 Oct 2026 19:53:00
Tom, I've just seen you comments about Estavou not working hard enough. I disagree he tracks back as much as any of our forwards. I accept though he is not wingback material. That position is usually filled by fullbacks with pace or wingers who are average performers in their original position.

29 Oct 2026 20:40:58
I can't see how we can play Estavao in anything other than a 433 and then he would have to take the place of either Roger's, Palmer or Neto and I can't see that happening.
You are obviously seeing a different Estavao to me. He is full of tricks and flicks but I haven't seen him tracking back. I love him as a player and he could be another Hazard but when we had Hazard, we didn't have two players like Palmer and Roger's in the team.

The manager gets paid the big bucks to make choices and sometimes those choices are hard on talented players.

29 Oct 2026 19:18:38
Tom, you are absolutely right, I have never been a fan of Neto.
I do agree with you about Palmer and Rogers. With the both playing it llimits tactical solutions for the forwards and attack; personally cannot see a solution but I'm not paid millions a year to do so.
Like everyone, I just don't understand the Estavou situation. The game was there to be won. When Alonso was questioned about it his response was neither convincing nor encouraging. I suspect there will be a lot of interest in Stevo come January.
I am old fashioned, I don't like three at the back and I want players to play in their natural positions.
I worry about the Man United game, their players have been criticised by everyone including the fans and they might just want to put on a performance.

29 Oct 2026 20:42:18
As I said after watching the game, I would have hooked Roger's and introduced Estavao.

29 Oct 2026 13:27:00
Alonso was not my first choice as manager but i was happy enough when he was appointed and it is far to early to make a judgement on his managerial abilities.

He seems like a smart/clever man and I hope he finds a shape and a style of play that works for our current squad and gets results.

At the moment we have no press and no control in midfield. We are relying on moments rather than dominating matches.

I personally can't see how we can control games with both Palmer and Rogers in the team. I really hope Alonso can find a solution.

29 Oct 2026 13:35:17
Agree with your post Tom and will. hope Alonso does too!

29 Oct 2026 13:38:43
And perhaps he can sell Fofana and Gusto and bring in more effective less blunder prone replacements?

29 Oct 2026 10:42:31
My view on penalty shoot- outs has always been if you can't win in normal time you don't deserve it and if you win on penalties, you've got away with it.
When I saw the line up, I feared the worst.
Defence was okay, midfield okay, however, the forward line was absolutely toothless.

Tom, you are entitled to your opinion about Neto but I thought he was very poor, I just don't understand what some of you see in him.
How on earth does Gusto start ahead of Palestra? I am also amazed that Estavou didn't get at least 45 minutes. Some of Alonso's ions are beginning to worry me.

29 Oct 2026 11:22:15
I am also v worried about Estevao not being played or getting a derisory few minutes right at the end of a game when played at all. Are the club still managing the hamstromg injury he seemed to have recovered from? Is he leaving in January ( please not)? Or is it that they cannot see where he fits in right now but may unleas him at some stage with formation change perhaps?

Am also worried by apparent lack of sufficient striker quality as back up to Pedro and way that Rogers and Palmer can drift in and out of games and do little to establish controlled possession.

Then there is the matter of who can really. martial. our defense.

But then I am often a worrier!

29 Oct 2026 11:26:39
Jimbo, you are also entitled to your opinion and we know you have never been a fan of Neto.
So far this season my POS are, 1) Pedro 2) Josh 3) Neto.

29 Oct 2026 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 8 - Quick Round Up

28 Oct 2026 22:41:07
I would like to be told why Estavao is not getting many mins. I would hooked Rogers.

28 Oct 2026 23:38:40
Agree in all the Estevao talk he seemed happy on the sidelines but I would certainly ogf givemn him minutes with either Rogers or Neto (who had a good game) coming off purely on the basis of longterm planning.

Would put Estevao in the group with Palmer Rogers Cacaido Pedro Lavia Colwill of being the future mainstays of the team.

28 Oct 2026 23:42:22
Forgpt Josh.

29 Oct 2026 10:08:16
Alonso knows best, yeah right, he is crucifying one of our best young talents.

Fofana wow, just wow.

29 Oct 2026 10:28:15
Bill, I believe Estavao should have got mins in last nights game but on current form I can't see how he gets picked in front of Neto and I also can't see him displacing Palmer.


Also, if we play wingbacks he doesn't get picked.
I think the lad is a talent but unless he is prepared to wait for his opportunity, my guess is we sell him.

29 Oct 2026 11:25:02
That would be dreadful Tom imho and would hope Alonso can be flexible with formation and starting attack lineup to accommodate him.

29 Oct 2026 11:34:09
JBS, who would he replace and at the moment? He doesn't work hard enough and we certainly don't need another player who isn't going to work hard.
If the rumours are to be believed PSG are interested and that would be interesting as their manager makes that team work very hard, particularly without the ball.

29 Oct 2026 18:26:55
Tom

If we sell Estavo in zhan to PSG that's on Alonso and therefore he can follow him out of the door.

29 Oct 2026 20:43:45
Bill, what position would you play Estavao?

30 Oct 2026 09:27:37
Tom

I believe our front line are believing they are great bit without Pedro, look ordinary and I wonder where the goals are coming from.

You say where would he play with Rogers and Palmer in the side. Against Liverpool, Palmer was suspended yet he still could not get a game.

It feels like another youngster who will be a superstar will be released, where have we heard that one with our club, certainly City and Liverpool benefited from our transfer stupidly and yes we cannot blame our current sporting directors for that.

30 Oct 2026 12:56:27
As I have said several times, I would have hooked Roger's and I also think the midfield three that played against Liverpool gave the team a solid look.

At the moment I can't see Estavao being picked ahead of Neto. I can't see him getting in instead of Palmer, so that only leaves Roger's and I can't see that happening.

If he isn't playing what's the point of keeping him and I can't imagine the player being very happy. I think PSG may well test our resolve in the January window, we will say "he is an important part of our squad" and then sell him next summer. I will not be happy but we all know it's happened before.

28 Oct 2026 22:26:07
Year 5 of the takeover now. Just so disappointed. In a positive light, 'pong' has been unreal, I've been a fan of him for years so I'm glad he's getting games now.

28 Oct 2026 22:36:37
I can't remember the longest gap between trophies since I started supporting my mighty blues, I'm sure there must have been a ten year ish gap at least once. It's only been a couple of years for this set of owners so far.

28 Oct 2026 22:39:54
Josh was good and several others with little game time like Palestra and Barco looled ok when on.

Neto excellent yet again and CFC playernnof the season thus far for me.

But what is happening with the non- playing of Estevao? Fact he wasn't given game time tonight extraordinary and worrying.

29 Oct 2026 06:21:42
Expectations and quality was a lot lower back then tom.

29 Oct 2026 08:20:46
In my 64 years of supporting my mighty Chelsea my expectations have never changed.
Highs and lows are something most people expect when they support a football club. Winning the FA cup at Old Trafford, the Cup winners cup against Real Madrid, our first premiership win in 50 years, winning the Champions League against BM in Munich and most recently winning the WCC.

They have all been part of my journey. I try to forget about Moscow and a couple of relegations.
On the quality question, the 70's team and the Viali team would have given any recent team a stern test.

29 Oct 2026 08:45:15
FA cup win at O Trafford MY Favourite memory.

29 Oct 2026 09:11:59
My best would be CL in Munich closely followed by winning the Premiership for the first time in my Chelsea supporting life.

The whole day in Munich was unbelievable, due in no small part to the people of Munich.

30 Oct 2026 09:32:12
I would still go with the Leeds cup final and replay, do much happened in those two games and the takles were great, just wondering how many of today's players would survive, Bruno Fernandes would probably be a groundsman as he would be on the grass so much.

Just look at the Cat hobbling around in goal for most of the replay, today if somebody broke a toe nail, they are out for several months.

28 Oct 2026 10:33:17
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 8 - Quick Round Up

28 Oct 2026 07:39:09
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Carrick, Injuries, and United's Bigger Mess

27 Oct 2026 22:55:08
Great, Arsenal lost.

28 Oct 2026 09:32:23
Standard, your joy will probably be short lived as we will probably follow the same route as Arsenal tonight.

28 Oct 2026 22:18:15
It was predictable bill.

28 Oct 2026 22:23:45
And of course given it went to. penalties v Liverpool yet again we did. Though Emegha and Fofana (headless as ever) penalties dreadful and not sure why Emegha put under pressure to take a potentially decisive one. Also not sure why Estevao given no game time at all. being sold in January? or.?

28 Oct 2026 22:42:58
JBS, I 100% agree with you post.