LAM09

21 minutes to be precise. That surely has to be a PL record? Edit: Second-earliest. City did it even quicker against Watford in 2019.

That's humiliating.

Pep doesn't hang around. Mahrez might have scored today, but I'm shocked he's back to the front of the queue considering his PK record. AFCON 2022 and West Ham away last season come to mind.

Haaland replaced as City's PK taker? That's certainly one thing City don't have going for them. I can't see Newcastle dropping down tbh. More chance of United with their injuries & recent form.

It doesn't matter how bad your defence is most of the time when you have attackers that can score, one of whom is among the best in the world.

I mentioned in the post above we were top by some margin under Tuchel before vital players got injured. Poch was at spurs between 2014 and 2019 - His targets during those years weren't to win titles. I'll reiterate that any appointment will be asked to win titles within 16–24 months, which is something I can't see Poch being able to deliver.

How many points clear were we under Tuchel before a bad run of injuries? The lack of smart buys held us back. However, it seems like that and poor ownership will do the damage. The above touches upon this issue. Spurs objectives aren't comparable to ours unless Boehly has other things on his mind.

Last I checked, this season aside, our aim has always been to fight for honours on all fronts, so mentioning his top 4 finishes with a side known for having low expectations means literally nothing. If Poch joins, we're settling, & people better be prepared for what comes with that mentality.

That was, in my opinion, always likely to be the case. They do have their slumps, but they typically have long winning streaks that help them win championships.

Southampton have taken points away from home against us, Arsenal, Tottenham, & United. If only they could do the same against those around them.

Where are those individuals that were raving about this vibrant Arsenal side led by a mastermind in Arteta? I've lost count of how many times Arsenal have been 1st at Christmas (normally a good indicator) only to throw it away.

That's how bad things have become in less than a year under Boehly's ownership. 🥲

It's funny how there was a constant narrative that managers wouldn't want to join Chelsea during Roman's ownership due to his trigger-happy nature, but look at the state of things now. The sole candidate who was somewhat appealing has stepped away from the job. To say it's worrying is a massive understatement.

If you want to insult others, at least have the gall to quote them. 😉 I think you should direct your anger to Roman's right-hand lady in this case.

Highest level aka finishing in the top 4 thanks to Tottenham..... Tuchel just happens to be part of this particular conversation. However, my rationale applies to every manager aside from Mourinho, as I stated in another post. I've never once said Tuchel or any other manager shouldn't be held accountable for transfers. My issues have always been with those that say "X was useless in the transfer market" when the large majority of signings were at the very least 4, 5, or even six on a list of targets for those during their tenure.

That's a bone to pick with him personally. It might have come down to his eagerness to compete for the title after winning the CL. My guess is as good as anyone's in that regard. On the topic of Klopp, isn't it meant to be believed that Salah was never his choice? If accurate, your comparison doesn't really mean much.

As @Vegetable pointed out, he wasn't exactly going to publicly say he wasn't satisfied with the business. If I'm thirsty, would you rather I died of dehydration than have the only other alternative? The above echoes the obvious. Tuchel wanted Haaland & Kane; if you think those players aren't significantly better than Lukaku, I'm already fighting a losing battle.

Would he have been a squad player, though? His minutes would have been reduced when Lukaku joined, but following that, he would have most likely been an undisputed starter, if fit.

"His". 😄 How is it on that hill?

Or you keep thinking he's to blame because it suits your narrative and your opinion of him.

An investment chosen by the previous ownership, not the manager in charge. The point still stands. All right. I concur with the former, but I still hold to my prior opinions regarding the latter. He is superior to what people believe, as he has demonstrated at City.

Letting Giroud go has to be up there as one of the worst decisions in recent seasons. His recent achievements for the French NT & for Milan go to show that.

That was exactly my point. I've always said and will continue to say so until there's evidence to provide otherwise—that most managers didn't get their main targets. A quick analogy: I want a can of Coke more than anything but would be okay with store brand lemonade if I were forced. I end up with the latter as a result. I didn't WANT the latter but will put up with it. The two options aren't equal. That was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

He publicly stated Lukaku was his first choice CF option? If so, please provide that quote while I prepare the humble pie for Iftar.

"Unrealistic list". It's apparent that the players that signed were most likely not first choices and, like those before him, were stuck with what he was given. Tuchel WANTED Hakimi. How did that turn out?