kmk108

It's not optimistic, it's realistic. We were absolute shit last season. We're not going to bring in a new manager and a couple players and be a title-winning side again. It's going to take time and patience. Last night was not good, but EVERYONE has bad games. It's not like we haven't won a match this season. It's been one bad week.

Sounds like some people are going on the policy of a manager should be sacked the first match he loses

Fucks sake, get a grip We didn't lose 6-0. Everything else being the same, a freak strike from Henderson separated the two teams. The way you are all talking, we were laughed off the pitch. We weren't going to get a new manager and instantly challenge for the title. The early wins really inflated some expectations for this team, but Conte isn't going to just come in and flip a switch that makes us a title contender. He's working things out, the players are working things out.

In before the meltdowns. The gegenpress killed us tonight I don't know why subs weren't made earlier But it's still early.

Gullit with some interesting remarks

The sooner the fans stop feeding the rumor mill the "journalists" create, the sooner they'll be treated more like real people.

Now that the transfer window is closed, what is everyone's thoughts now? I think we've got a good squad at the moment. Some of the players who under performed last season have stepped it up this season. Batshuayi and Kante have made instant impacts in games. Time will tell how the defense stands up, but it's definitely improved from last season. That's not to say everything is great, but compared to last season, there's plenty to be happy about. I love what I see from the chemistry of the team. Of course, when the team is losing people aren't going to be happy, but it's been a while since the players have seemed to get along so well. One of the bonuses of signing David Luiz over the other CB targets is his attitude and sense of humor. Players are making jokes on social media, having fun in training, and seem to genuinely buy into Conte.

Every transfer is a gamble. The other CB targets could have been massive failures for any number of reasons. In Luiz, we at least know he is a player that likes the club and has played in the Premier League before.

I get that he hasn't exactly done well at Real, but he's on a far higher level than Musonda and Boga.

Waste of a transfer window? Batshuayi and Kante have been two of the biggest impacts on the team this season. Just because we didn't get everyone we wanted doesn't mean it's a waste of a transfer window. It takes two clubs to make a deal. I couldn't care less that Luiz celebrated. I don't care how much I cared about Chelsea, I'd be celebrating taking my club through to the next round of the Champions League.

Just because there haven't been any rumors doesn't mean nothing is going to get done. The Batshuayi transfer surprised everyone.

It's not evidence, but you were making the point that the managers that came after mourinho have made the same choices, but they didn't have the choice of picking Felipe Luis. Mourinho stuck with a lineup nearly every week. He may have thought Ivanovic was the better choice. We don't know what they looked like in training. But there has to be a certain level of rotation to keep players fresh and fighting for their places.

When Cole left, I was really worried about the fullback positions. It doesn't seem like there's many truly world class fullbacks. They either are great attackers and suspect defenders or good defenders and suspect attackers. They're out there, but clubs want to hold on to them. Filipe Luis was an exception, but he never got a chance with Mourinho playing favorites. If only he was available this summer instead of a couple summers ago.

Have you seen him play? I haven't, but it's not too hard to look better than Ivanovic or Baba. Conte seems a little more flexible with players than Mourinho. Mourinho had his favorite, who were the best defense in the league, and unless they weren't able to play, he picked them. Conte seems like he will adapt to what's needed. Not to mention that first choices aren't always going to work out. There's been enough examples of that this window alone. It's better to find other suitable players that the club can get than just saying "screw it" when they don't get their first choice.

Because he's probably better than Ivanovic and Baba

I don't think one team being dominant is the same as the same big clubs being in the Champions League every season. There will still be great matches and since the same number of teams would stay, I don't think you'd get the same matchups over and over. I haven't gotten tired of the Champions League and I never bother watching the smaller teams play, unless it's the last 15 minutes of an upset. Money will come with added interest, which is what I think this would provide. You get more tickets and more TV sets from big matchups. People will not tire of big matches. I do agree that it should be based on merit, but I would honestly watch more champions league games if more of the group stage matches weren't Grasshopper v. Basel.

It's not just about money. It's great to see a small team beat a big team, but at the same time, those games are the ones that draw the smallest audience. People love to hear about Legia beating Real, but more people will actually watch Chelsea play Real.

"Look at all those empty seats...let's expand some more." It feels so weird not having Chelsea in the Champions League draw. It's been a long time.

Yep, I've never been to the Bridge, so I'm just a pathetic rentboy

They need to pull him back to the bench. Not sure what people see in him.

He's just signed a four year deal. He's staying put.

I'm more worried about Carroll than Payet tbh. He loves playing against us.

New season, new manager I'm not making any judgements about the lineup until we've had a few matches to see how everything is coming together.

Ribery (literally) strikes again. What a cunt.

This is great. Both teams are getting a chance to bottle it.