Chelsea Teams and Match Talk

03 Oct 2024 15:27:43
I'm predicting:

Jorgensen
Disasi Tosin BB Viega
Casadei KDH
Neto Felix Mudryk
Nkunku

I'd prefer, if possible:

Jorgensen
Acheampong Tosin BB Chilwell
Viega Chukwuemeka
Neto Felix George
Nkunku.

03 Oct 2024 15:45:43
I think you are correct with your first line up RBD.

28 Sep 2024 15:18:37
Got to sort this keeper situation out how he get in over Jorgensen I will never no didn't play most of last season.

28 Sep 2024 15:35:41
And he gives Brighton an assist for their second.

28 Sep 2024 15:36:53
But Palmer goal wonderful. it's just our defence seeks almost as dodgy as Brighton's.

28 Sep 2024 15:42:13
But we have Palmer!

28 Sep 2024 17:48:35
Have possible the best forward line in the league midfield pretty good as is the defence.

Keeper not in the best 10 keepers in the league.

28 Sep 2024 21:06:28
What an exciting game to watch and credit must go to coaching staff and manager as well as players. Attacking play often reaching great heights though still a fair bit of dodginess at the back.

27 Sep 2024 08:02:53
I will not be at the bridge tomorrow to see us take on an unbeaten Brighton side who continue to play good football.

I've picked up two of there games this season and they seem to press with eight men, fullbacks included. If they do that against I can see our wide players having a field day.

We haven't won a game a the bridge so far this season and it's not good to go three home games without a win.

So, I think (JBS) we will drop more points at home.

COME on MY MIGHTY BLUES.

27 Sep 2024 17:58:25
As you said Tom, I think our wingers will have a lot of joy against this Brighton side. I’m going for a 3-0 win, another clean sheet and Nico to get on the scoresheet. KTBFFH.

28 Sep 2024 12:58:36
Tom, we’d better bloody win! Just to the train station and rail replacement service and now on a magical mystery tour. I know, I should have checked!

28 Sep 2024 15:22:01
We will win 4-1 Tom.

28 Sep 2024 17:46:45
Let’s not sop while it’s working JBS.

28 Sep 2024 21:07:20
Agreed Tom!

24 Sep 2024 22:01:32
This squad of players is very very good. 2 players for every position, a top quality forward thinking coach, sporting directors and scouts who can identify a player, sheer brilliance. I seem to remember that a fellow poster on here said a case study would be written about how far ahead of the game the new owners are and how far they have raised the bar. Wow, how right they were. Well done Blueco.

25 Sep 2024 08:28:01
With regards to the playing side, it's looking good but let's see where we are at the end of the season.

Off the pitch there is still so much more to be done, here we are in September and no front of shirt sponser which will hit our finances and not a peep on what's happening with SB.

25 Sep 2024 09:41:27
The playing side is going very well Bill and the recruitment team are doing a fine job as is the academy. We have one of the worlds biggest young talents joining next summer and young Santos over in France is looking a star in the making as well. The forwards are scoring and are full of confidence. Even the keepers are looking better than they did last season. My only position for debate will be who starts alongside Levi at centre back.

25 Sep 2024 10:25:17
Bill, you must have read the reports about ongoing negotiations with a FOS sponsor. Supposedly more than one airline. If I was the owner I would only be offering a one year deal to include the WCC. If I was the sponsor I would want a multi year deal.

The redevelopment of SB was put on hold by the pre owner and as far as I remember the new owners understandably are reconsidering all options. I think we have to except that any move will take time and updating of our current stadium will cause disruption.

25 Sep 2024 13:24:25
Tom,

Yes Ed002 advised that discussions are still taking place but surely they should have been concluded for the start of the season, as each day, we are losing revenue.

With regards to the SB issue, I believe the best and cheapest option would be to move and build elsewhere away from the Bridge.

{Ed002's Note - There is an issue to be resolved which is holding matters up.}

25 Sep 2024 15:14:50
FOS sponsors really are of no consequence to us fans. Others than us reading online that it's hurting our revenue.
The owners and those in charge aren't stupid. They will know they need something.
Besides all the shirts look better without a fos sponsor.

25 Sep 2024 16:17:09
Thank you Ed, is it an issue that is possible to resolve?

{Ed002's Note - Sure.}

25 Sep 2024 16:22:23
JS

Although the shirts look good without a sponser, the loss of the revenue would have to made up in other ways which could possibly affect ticket and food prices.

Do you think fans would be ok with that?

25 Sep 2024 18:28:47
Bill, I’m happy not to have a sponsor but I want us to buy players so I except we need revenue.

For the second season running I bought my grandchildren Chelsea shirts without sponsors name on it. It would be nice if it was an option every season but unfortunately I realise that isn’t possible.

If the club is trying to get what it considers to be the best deal possible then I’m happy with that.

25 Sep 2024 17:30:50
Thank you again ED002.

28 Sep 2024 06:47:04
With a "glass half full" opinion, one could argue that the new FOS sponsors will get far more coverage and exposure being named now rather than before the start of the season with all the other clubs. Whilst the situation is possibly, on one hand, not ideal, it could, on the other hand be a win/ win situation for the club and the new sponsor.
Most people dislike change, the media especially when they have no inside info and therefore can only criticize rather than look foolish or unknowing. Whether it be long contracts, how do they do this accounting wise, 2 SD's, buying youngsters, or appointing an unknown/ unproven coach, or a possible rift between owners, all these things keep people (and us poor supporters) talking about Chelsea, that is how you build a brand!
There is no such thing as bad publicity, whilst people are talking about you, they aren't talking about any one else.
Roman tried to buy Neymar, Messi, Ronalldino and Gerrard during his tenure at Chelsea all of which failed, but here we have Estavau (a generational talent) better than him at that age according to Neymar signing for us.
Maybe the club have got it right. maybe we need to trust!

28 Sep 2024 22:04:31
Well done Kiwi Pete.

24 Sep 2024 21:41:24
Casadei won't get the plaudits tonight but I think he went about his buisness very well. Really liked the look of him tonight.

24 Sep 2024 21:55:15
Thought he started a bit off the pace but grew into the game and overall agree with your comment jsfinchy1986.

24 Sep 2024 22:14:35
I'm a big fan of his. Really like his blend of physicality and skill, and the fact that he's capable of winning big headers in the middle of the park. Would've liked to see him move a little more to receive the ball as we saw with him last year in fleeting glances, but I'm sure he's under instruction from Maresca and wants to do exactly what the coach says.

Really happy to see Carney on the pitch again. I think he's such a great player, and he looked hungry to prove himself. Would love to see him work his way back into this team. For me he's of a much higher calibre than Dewsbury-Hall, for example (though I do like KDH), and I'd rather see him in the 10 position than Enzo any day. Wherever he ends up he's got a very bright future ahead of him.

A great performance by the second string, anyway. Would've been a perfect evening if George had managed to take that chance.

25 Sep 2024 09:18:03
Generally agree EdW, though I think Casadei projects more as a box-crashing second striker. He's very dominant in the air for a midfielder.

Carney simply has to play over KDH. He's just a better player, if this project is really about success then there can be no arguments here.

I was really disappointed with KDH again last night, I went in fully expecting him to get on the ball and run the show and he just didn't. For a player in midfield I didn't remember him winning any duels, but I wasn't sat in the easiest place to get a proper view of the pitch. I guess I was just expecting a fringe first team player to be far more active and involved in one of his only starts this season. I've been critical of Felix (and make no mistake his work rate defensively today was abhorrent) but at least he stamped his authority on the game in the first half.

For a player who most would have assumed has been brought in due to his familiarity with the system, he also looks totally lost the majority of the time. He's caught so far up the pitch it's almost comical. He's looking an early banker for the bomb squad next season, but who is going to want to spend £35m on him if this is what he produces this season. Plenty of time left but I'm not feeling hopeful.

25 Sep 2024 10:40:30
I hope this makes sense but I see our manager giving players pre match instructions on team shape. I have been impressed with the flexibility he has shown in changing shape during a match. I had concerns about him being rigid in this respect.

Last night he got angry with Felix in my opinion because he kept moving out of position.

I was only watching on TV but I thought KDH did ok but the the Chuka cameo was excellent. If Chuka is going to get the mins, j think he needs to go out on a loan. I won’t be happy but I think it would benefit him as a player.

25 Sep 2024 12:53:50
Carney looked the real deal when on and miust certainly play ahead of KDH imho though perhaps KDH still settling in yet he did v little in the game last night to advance claims to start. Carney made isntant impact when coming on.

28 Sep 2024 05:32:37
Tom, I was like you in regard to your first paragraph, but, EM is dealing with a whole different level of player compared to his previous team in the Championship and, because of that quality can adapt/ change during games which he probably couldn't do previously. Without trying to be mean KDH was his man in the championship, but with our squad we have now he is maybe just not cutting it, yet Caseadei, whilst not used a lot in championship on loan with maresca, was great with the right players around him v Barrow. Carney lifted that a level when he came on, my prediction KDH will get sold to Championship club in Jan or end of year, where he will excel, but not at Chelsea!

23 Sep 2024 17:06:03
My team for tomorrow.

Jorgensen

JA, Disasi, Tosin, Chilly,

Veiga, KDH,

Neto, Felix, Mudryk,

Nkunku,

Subs to include two or three youngsters with George definitely getting mins.

For JBS. I think it will go to pens!

23 Sep 2024 20:12:12
Jorgensen
JA tosin BB chilly
Kdh felix
Neto nkunku MM
Guiu

I think felix can play the enzo roll. He won't play him there. But he can pass, Drive from deep and is industrial when winning the ball back. More so than enzo.

I don't think we need 2 cdm against barrow.

23 Sep 2024 21:47:16
Jorgensen

Josh A
Disasi
BB
Veiga

KDH
Carney

George
Felix
Mudryk

Guiu

I think Carney needs to start.

24 Sep 2024 10:33:57
Jorgensen
Acheampong Tosin Badiashile Chilwell
KDH Chukwuemeka
Felix Mudryk George
Guiu

I would say we need to play more academy players, after all they are playing L2 opposition tonight as well, but the reality is that we need to see players like Chilly and Carney play. I'd play Mudryk in the 10 - just to try and give him some confidence.

Ideally I would like to see McNeilly and Samuels-Smith come off the bench, but they'd only upstage Guiu and Viega, so that won't happen.

If KDH can't put in a performance against Barrow, then we really need to start a conversation about that signing.

24 Sep 2024 10:57:23
You might not be aware RBD but the developmemt squad have their own important game tonight against Bromley. It is being shown live on sky sports plus so I wouldn't expect many other academy players to feature.

24 Sep 2024 12:38:17
Indeed West side, though we could equally argue if the development squad are good enough to play L2 opposition in that game, they should be good enough to do it for the first team. But I digress.

What are your thoughts on Guiu? I find him a really interesting case study, I love how he gets about but I haven't seen anything in his game that suggests he is superior to McNeilly, and his signing raises further questions about Deivid Washington. This isn't a knock on Guiu, it's just how much I rate McNeilly.

There are a lot of exceptional attacking players in the ranks at Chelsea, as you would expect. McNeilly, George and Mheuka are the shining stars but there is so much quality beyond them. I know he is injured at the moment but Dujuan Richardson came on leaps and bounds last season, it's so unfortunate he did his knee.

24 Sep 2024 14:08:49
Difficult to compare Guiu with the others you mention RBD because he is so different. A real throwback to an old school centre forward, big, powerful, aggressive and with the added advantage of being fairly mobile as well. He came through the Barcelona academy so will be mentally strong as well. I hope he starts tonight and scores.

24 Sep 2024 17:38:47
6-0 it must surely be Tom though many changes may her us.

Would like to see Guiu given another start plus perhaps Chilly a bit of game timesecond half given his reported reintegration in squad. in fact largely agree with RBD selections.

24 Sep 2024 21:56:24
Well if George had taken that easy virtually open goal chance it would have been 6-0.

21 Sep 2024 20:37:52
Great result from the boys today, top performance with clearly more to come. Is that now just 2 defeats in the last 19 games? against City and Arsenal as well. Jackson 4 goals already this season, did anyone say we needed a striker? Moises? what a performance from him, breaks up play, controls midfield, provides assists, what a signing, what a player. I could go on but I think my fellow blues get the point. This young squad has gone under the radar, some brilliant recruitment and fantastic investment in top quality young players. Now into the top 4 and with partnerships forming, confidence building and under the direction of a very calm, very determined and very good young head coach I can see us moving up to that top table very quickly. Glass half full my fellow blues and enjoy your weekend.

21 Sep 2024 22:06:16
Every pleased with performance but don't want to get too carried away with myself.
We still conceded too many chances. We need a rb and stop play WF or AD there.
Colwill has been very impressive recently. Maybe he is the next Captain leader legend.

Caicedo was excellent today also. Winning the ball back countless times. Is he starting to look like that 100mil player. I think so.

All in all very young squad progressing nicely. Will we fall again yes we will. As youth struggle with consistency.

All the bad press on us having brought too many players "100s of players" it's nice having 2 top their young talents in every position.

22 Sep 2024 09:39:37
Agreed with your thoughts on our talented squad JS and your point that our young team will be inconsistent which is why some of us wanted experienced players in important positions.

I still fear injuries could derail all the good things that are happening on the field (off field not do much) such as RJ, Fofana and Labia also I would put Gusto into the equation, yhst is 5 important players.

22 Sep 2024 09:52:51
Agree with almost all in both posts re v promising young squad and was delighted with not just the result yesterday but relative ease of it compared to struggle at Bournemouth and composed way Jackson took both his goals.

But we do need not to get too carried away as often we are either too optimistic after a good result or too pessimistic after a poor one. West Ham were pretty dire yesterday and I am still a bit worried about our defense v opposition that really tests it. Still early days and City the only top club we've played thus far. We must start dominating and scoring more at the Bridge too now and against teams with dreaded low block plus majotity of top 4 rival teams. please let that happen!

But yes a very encouraging result yesterday and am delighted for Jackson in particular.

22 Sep 2024 10:12:21
I agree jsfinchy, too early to get carried away but still nice to have a little enjoyment at our recent results and as chelsea fans I always get a little surprised not to see many of the regular posters who are so keen to criticise individual players and performances on here not coming forward when things go well. Fair play to the likes of you and fuser and tom and nibb for posting after wins as well.

22 Sep 2024 10:47:20
The problem being coming here is too easy. As tomb has said we could all be called trolls.
Come here looking to get a reaction for no reason.

I like to think I am unbiased. We are looking better and better after each game. But I still expect us to lose.
My realistic goal for this season was 4th to 7th if we could get 3rd I would say we over achieved. As I don't think we are better than city, arsenal or Liverpool but we are getting there slowly. Probably slowed down by swapping poch out and changing the whole system again. BUT I didn't like poch never wanted him but could see why they brought him in.
I read this morning that from the squad Potter started his season with, there is only 5 players remaining in this seasons squad. That is a major overhaul as most us have said. And when you look at the players gone you start seeing that they either wanted to leave your didn't perform or wasn't good enough. Would I of wanted to see this so quickly. NO but I can see why the club has done.

Any way just my opinion and can't wait to see more improvement after we fall down again lol.

22 Sep 2024 14:28:11
I seem to remember one of the Ed’s saying that all sites get more posts after a bad result.

22 Sep 2024 14:31:31
Good win we will get more consistent but desperately need Gusto fit, Palmer hasn't quite been at his best appears to me to be playing a bit deeper.

Two clean sheets in a row a bonus Colwill looks a quality centre half

V hopeful for a good season.

22 Sep 2024 15:53:56
My apologies JBS, seymns2 and others who I missed out who all post positive reactions after we win as well as lose.

21 Sep 2024 13:27:12
Took his goals well Jackson so praise given when required. Still not looking great at
Back always look disjointed not a bad first half.

21 Sep 2024 13:43:28
I think that's been a little harsh on 3 of the back 4.

Fofana is the issue at rb the rest have done well. Especially colwill.

21 Sep 2024 14:33:25
I am always nervous watching Chelsea but god we look going forward so much depth,

Like the idea of resting players when the game is done need Gusto or Reece fit.

21 Sep 2024 15:58:25
Good that Jackdon gets these goals pretty frequently. as he does.
To reward all his v hard work in all games including those he isn't on score sheet.

Tom mate your pessimism and. my optimism doing the trick again!

Had thought and said we might get more points away from the Bridge as at the Bridge teams so. often play low block

Great to have another 3 points and at least briefly be in Top 4!

21 Sep 2024 21:13:43
JBS, I guess we will have to carry on with me being MR Pessimistic.

22 Sep 2024 09:39:44
Yes for as long as it keeps working anyway!

20 Sep 2024 13:51:18
Listening to Enzo in his presser it was good to see him clarify the forward positions. Very clear and a message to the players who they are competing with.

Left wing. Sancho or Mudryk
Right wing. Noni or Neto
10.Palmer or Felix
Striker. Jackson or Nkunku

I like his clarity.

20 Sep 2024 15:41:56
Yes am with you. But I still don't think it will be that clear cut. I think it will be more flexible.

What team are you picking for tomorrow?

20 Sep 2024 16:30:54
I think I would go with.

Sanchez

Fofana
Tosin
Levi
MC

Veiga
Moises

Noni
Palmer
Sancho

Nkunku

How about you JS finchy.

20 Sep 2024 17:40:13
Sanchez.

JA, Tosin, Colwill, MC.

Veiga, Caicedo,

Noni, Enzo, Sancho.

Jackson.

20 Sep 2024 21:08:24
Sanchez
JA fofana colwill CC
MC enzo
Neto palmer sancho
Nkunku

I don't think he will play josh but I would like to see what he can offer. It's no secret am not a massive fan of noni so I would like to see what neto can offer on the right.

And I would like to see nkunku given a chance over jackson.

21 Sep 2024 07:41:22
TOM, no Palmer?

Sanchez

MC COLWILL Fofana Cacaido

Palmer Enzo Veiga

Jackson Nkunku Sancho

with no right back it is hard to fit in all the attacking midfielders and forwards.

21 Sep 2024 09:50:34
I agree jsfinchy about Nkunku. He fully deserves a start.
Interesting that you have dropped Palmer Tom?

21 Sep 2024 15:34:08
To be honest, I thought Palmer was injured.

I do think rotation will be very important this season. Giving players rest time is going to be important if we want to be competitive in the world club championship.

18 Sep 2024 09:30:55
After the opening few games I'm not totally convinced by Fofana, maybe a bit harsh as he's been out for a long time but I would start Tosin alongside Levi who picks himself. Gusto should be fit so he comes back in and Marc C starts. Behind them Sanchez has quietly gone about his business and has started to impress me so he starts.
Moises picks himself and I would play Lavia if fit alongside him. That for me would be a very secure 2 who both have energy and mobility to cover the pitch and Lavia in particular can provide forward momentum. Gets a bit more interesting further forward with so many options but let's be honest, those options helped us win the game on Saturday proving how important it is to have such a strong squad. I think Palmer picks himself as the 10 and Sancho did enough to get a start so for me he comes in and plays on the right in his more natural position. A tough call as Noni has done well but a call nonetheless as I would like to see Jackson and Nkunku linking up again as they did last season in pre-season before Nkunku got that injury. So Nkunku starts left and Jackson up front but with license to interchange. Lots of attacking options off the bench in Noni, Neto and Felix. Just my thoughts and comments/ suggestions very welcome.

18 Sep 2024 10:13:00
Would agree with almost all of your post WSOTS though am in two minds about Noni and might still start him myself.

I am not sure but the coaching staff might be - after Nkunku's bad injury last season - be trying to manage Nkunku game time and not wanting to give him full 90 mins or not often as yet. If so I'd start with Jackson who does at v least work and hopefully tire the opposition CBs/ defense and bring on Nkunku either for him, or Noni or dare I say it even CP - who had v quiet game v Bournemouth - depending on whose not firing/ appears lower in impact.

The only other query is who would you/ we pick if Lavia is not fit. Seems he is back in training now but we all worry about him staying fit given his problems all of last season. Viega did get better as game when on v Bournemouth but for much of the game Bournemouth ran the midfield despite Caicedo's valiant efforts. If Lavia not yet fit should we stick with Viega v Hammers to see if he and Caicedo can forge more of an understanding or try Casadei say who at least got a bit of game time last EPL season and looked pretty good when on imho? Suspect anyway that Lavia's game time will need to be managed carefully for a while at least so in absence of Ugo and Santos on loan - and with CC more of an AM perhaps than CM let alone DM - Maresca needs to find best back up. And of course Caicedo could get injutred at some stage (please no! ) .

18 Sep 2024 12:05:11
Looks like we are in agreement JBS. As regards your very good point of Lavia and his fitness I do feel we made a mistake letting both Ugo and Santos go out on loan as they would of provided cover. I wonder if either has a release clause in January? Veiga grew into the role and is a warrior on the pitch, the fans at games have taken to him as well and he might be the answer? I guess the gaffer will play Enzo though if Lavia is not fit and invert Gusto to shore up the midfield. Not what I would do though. Carney could certainly play that box to box role as he is a real unit and full of power and running, I read somewhere that he was part of the reason the club sold RLC as he can do a similiar job just better. Will the gaffer give him an opportunity though?

18 Sep 2024 14:16:20
Think you are most probably right re Enzo F return and then need for Gusto to help cover midfield.

CC? Some media reports - not sure what light ED002 could shed on them? - suggesting that we would be willing to sell CC possibly in Jan window but not sure if any truth in them.

Before his injury at West Ham, indeed inat match right up to his injurty, CC looked the real deal as you say and if he has fully recovered he could be again for us. Just don't know how or if he figures - or where on the ladder - in Maresca's plans.

18 Sep 2024 17:56:00
I can’t see Lavia or Gusto starting against the happy hammers.

I think Lavia will be a star for us but we need to manage his fitness for a while. I hope that over time that necessity improves.

I’m hoping Chuka gets mins in the cup games to prove his talent. I would not be happy if we sold him.

I agree about Santos and Ugo. The big plus for me is they are both out on loan and not sold.

19 Sep 2024 10:27:20
It does look like Gusto and Lavia will be out. Who goes to RB? MC did a brilliant job there last season and Veiga can play LB?

19 Sep 2024 12:27:12
I’m hoping it’s not Disasi at RB.

19 Sep 2024 14:36:58
If we had kept TC at te Bridge and integrated him in the squad - and loaned out AD [but where? ] - then TC could have played RB.

Perhaps Maresca will start how things ended at Bournemouth with Fofana at RB and Toson at CB alongside LC? Or all in a back three. But EM had seemed to want Fofana and LC as first choice CB pairing.

19 Sep 2024 18:15:13
I would prefer Chalaboa over Disasi at RB but I was never convinced about TC when he played there either.

We have other options but I can’t see them starting Caicedo at RB.

20 Sep 2024 09:34:46
I don't want Disasi at RB. Maybe he will go with Fofana again and Tosin next to Levi.
As much as I like Reece James it might be time to look at selling him if a buyer can be found. Highest paid player at the club and very few appearences over the last few seasons.

14 Sep 2024 23:15:49
First away clean sheet in 17 games, first win after an international break for quite some time, clever use of subs, a top performance from our keeper, Moises looking far better than many give him credit for, MC and LC steady, Nkunku deadly in the 6 yard box and a very impressive debut from Sancho. Oh, and red scouse lost at home to agent CHO. Good night and sweet dreams.