MoroccanBlue

KDB did. Salah not so much. No one expected Salah would turn into the beast he is but everyone had a good idea about KDB, especially after the 2013 preseason.

We were more influential on the ball, but it was a bit concerning how we have had 3 games more than Barca and they still out possessed us with ease, and the fact it took us a while to retain the ball.

Was Barca’s first game, and if you’ve watched them last season, their defense wasn’t the issue. It was the space in midfield that was open to exploit, left by Busquets and Rakitic. Valverde is going to prevent them from winning the CL. Not their defense.

We beat Barca convincingly in 2016 season as well. Shouldn’t look too much into it however I don’t expect Lampard to suffer a Mourinho esq implosion

Like I said, if Kovacic is used properly, he will be well worth the money.

Utterly embarrassing to the highest degree. We are giving an attacking player who averages 5 league goals a season, one who shows up only 1/4 of a season, and one the Brasílian national team just mocked for being selected for the Copa, the most important kit number. This man deliberately insulted Conte and simultaneously threw his daughter under the bus to save his cowardly arse. I honestly can’t believe the club have stooped this low. Maybe I’m over exaggerating, but the #10 kit is very valuable to me, and the fact we are giving it to this fraud of a footballer, screams the ambition and standard we are at. Rant over.

It’s annoying RLC and Kante are injured as Lamps has no choice but to persist with Drinkayoko

Every top club has ball playing CB’s, and even lower clubs are trying to follow suit. Rudiger, Christensen,Luiz,Tomori

Need to start fielding 1st teamers vs experimental squads. Get some chemistry going. Barca’s first game so it will be quite telling if they mop the floor with us.

The quicker Lampard realises certain players aren’t good enough, the quicker we will see improvement.

Like I said a few weeks back, I’m more confident in Tomori being a success here than Zouma. Under a progressive manager at least. Team needs the fat trimmed

Pulisic has those same exact boots....

I want to see more of the 442 diamond

Great post

In error.

Wow. Lad had literally no holiday, went straight back to the club. Thats great to see

Proper Chels

Lineup's are misleading. Watch how Italy operate and you will see Jorginho and Verratti always covering each other's space with Barella the CAM. Note that I agree with you, that Jorginho is best suited as the lone holder. However, he can operate with a partner next to him.

He was probably our only midfielder last season who looked to make things happen with the amount of forward passes he's made. More than anyone. He plays in a double pivot with Italy and performs fine. In fact, he still leads the transition even though Italy play with a double pivot.

Which is essentially why I stated that if we were moving on from Sarri, of those rumored, Lampard would be the best fit. Aside his connection to the club, Lamp's plays progressive football. It's better to continue steering the ship vs starting over with someone like Allegri, Santo, or Blanc. Taking two steps backwards. This pre-season schedule is looking to work in our favor in terms of fitness and development. Starting out easy, progressively getting stronger opponents.

Class from Giroud. #1 for me.

Singing Lukaku and Nainggolan would of been disasters. Hindsight of course. The former can't even control a ball and the latter looks to be on his last legs. Was terrible for Inter.

We are playing a 433 if anything. Hope we really nurture Gilmour. Has the potential to be something special. Almost Xavi esq.

I’d say Arsenal are favorites. We finished 2 points ahead of Arsenal in a season where Hazard was our main influence. Emery also has a knack of doing better in his second season whereas United will be anyone’s guess.

Talk is cheap.