Seymop

Think the point about some defenders having an eye on their future has some merit. The Premiership needs 110% effort and concentration. Who let Rudi,Aspi,Christianson all run their contracts down at the same time ? Not saying they are not trying but can’t be the 110% needed when part of their mind is on when they are moving, new houses, new club pre season etc. Meanwhile we can’t even talk to replacements !! I just pray the sale is sorted sooner rather than later !!

Totall agree and Tuchel is an “ elite coach”. However he doesn’t seem able to change tactics when our standard way of playing is not working. I can just about take the losing but let’s play with a bit of heart and positive tactics

Good point — but we have got 10 in the chart for completing the most back passes !!

I know many will disagree but Lukaku is a proven goal scorer but we have totally knocked the confidence out of him, because we don’t get him the ball early enough. In the same way as we ruined other centre forwards — Morata and Tammy to name but 2 !! We could sign Haarland ( not that we will) but if we take 20 minutes to get the ball out of our half, we would ruin him too

Hate to say it but we are a country mile behind City and Liverpool. Jorginho ,Reece, RLCheek to name but 3 all play the ball backwards/sideways 9 out of 10 times. Werner won’t take any responsibility and Havertz just looks miserable!!! We are clueless going forward and just soooo boring to watch

No urgency, no threat, no forward motion. As I say time and time again we spend way too long passing the ball sideways and backwards— but NOT forwards. Individual errors yet again. Too many players at the core of the team who know they are leaving. We shouldn’t kid ourselves , Everton deserved it. Top 4 looking ever more difficult!!

The look on the faces of Zinchenko and Mykolenko yesterday was gut renching . They may be safe, but I am sure they have family who are currently far from safe. I know this is a football forum, but what is going on currently transcends all sport. I hope our players can lift themselves this afternoon as a farewell gift to Roman. Then as much as it saddens me, I think he should sell the club. The conflict could go on for many months and many will wrongly view Chelsea as guilty by association. However unfair on the club, our name and standing in the game will be diminished. Roman — thank you so,so much for all the great times, but maybe now it’s right to go

Such a sad, sad day. Thoughts must be with the people of Ukraine and the people on all sides who will loose their lives. As other have said before me, it could also have major repercussions for the club that we all love. I guess we can only watch and wait .

I’ve said this before, but if ever a player should be kept on as a coach ( assuming he wants to stay) it’s Thiago. Nobody could be a better example to young players on positioning, tackling, keeping your body in total condition and how to lead by example. A very special player

It seems to be getting worse by the minute. The biggest concern is obviously for the people of Ukraine who must be very worried about the fate of their country. But also a worrying time for the short-term future of our club

I did make this point under another topic but — in my opinion the current Ukraine situation could have massive repercussions for our club. Roman has been an amazing owner of our club but as a known close associate of Putin, he is likely to get the full might of any business and personal sanctions. Putin may even put pressure on Roman to cut ties with the U.K ???? We all pray it doesn’t happen but it must be the single biggest worry for all Blues supporters

I’ve not seen it mentioned anywhere but is anyone else concerned about the possible effect on our long term stability of things going on in Ukraine ? We have a Russian owner who is apparently very close to Putin. Roman could be hit with all sorts of business and personal sanctions in the coming months. Could this change his desire to own a football club in the U.K. He has been a great owner for our club, I hope that doesn’t change, but am I alone in being worried ?

Also agree squad needs complete overhaul in summer . Goodbye to Loftus-Cheek, Barclay,Alonso, Pulisic, Christiansen and for me Jorginho. Bring back Connor G and Broja and sign at least 2 “world class” players. Also stop messing about and sign “Rudi” to a new deal.

I think Rudi has been “world class” but we seem to be doing our best to loose him, also N’Golo can still be “ world class” when fully fit. As for the rest , we have some good Premiership players, but they have not shown themselves as “world class”, yet !! I hate to say it, but agree with comment that we are miles behind City and Pool — they both play football that any neutral would want to watch. In contrast we are predictable, boring and so, so slow in our build-up

I know that I will be in the minority and most want shot of Lukaku. But yesterday was a prime example that it’s not all down to him. Match of the Day highlighted the many times when we had chance to play him the early, forward ball. Instead Time and again our midfield went sideways or backwards. There is just no point paying £90+ million for somebody and then not trying to play to his strengths. We don’t score enough goals and the way we play it wouldn’t matter who we had at centre forward, they would struggle to score consistently

I know many will disagree and Lukaku has been a massive waste of money — but to be a bit balanced we don’t play to any strength that he has !! The number of times he has his arm up calling for an early ball, but by the time we get it anywhere near him, he has 4 defenders all round him. We either have to be more direct and get him the ball early or no point playing him

Look at our results in last few months against lower ranked teams, who set themselves up to defend in depth. We get 80%+ possession and no goals !!! Until we get the ball forward quicker it wouldn’t matter who we had up front, they would still struggle

As an attacking force we are non existent, but still think it’s down to the game plan we try and use. We give any opposition who wants to pack their box all the time in the world to set up, because we take too long playing the ball round in circles. But the time we get the ball anywhere near the box we have 7 or 8 defenders to shoot or dribble round and we are not good enough to do it !!

This man is just class. If he was prepared to stay as/when he hangs up his boots — he should be offered a coaching role. What an example for all young players to look up to

Amazing what you can do when you move the ball forward quicker, take people on and create chances !! We needed the win, but we also needed to play with a bit more excitement, which we did . Thiago has been amazing since he came !! Now the Boards priority must be to keep Rudi — he deserves parity at least with the top earners

Don’t think it’s been mentioned, but I think another problem is The Board . We have relied on solid defense, but due to injuries we are having to play way too many players at the back who are coming out of contract. They cannot be 100% focused when half their thoughts are where they will be next season ( Rudi is an exception to this). The Board must take some of the blame for the shambles we have become

Here I go again — Brightons first thought is get the ball forward, our first thought is who’s behind me that I can offload the ball to. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room — we don’t look a happy team to me !! Nobody takes responsibility to take defenders on , we have totally lost momentum !!

Absolutely true Lukaku was very poor and he may just not be right for us. But I just remember many occasions when he was in the box with his hand raised calling for the ball and we just ignored or didn’t see him, preferring instead to go sideways or backwards. Surely if we paid that money for him we have to try and play to his strengths ? Otherwise just get rid now !!

Yes Harland would be a great signing, but we would still have to get him the ball , without giving the opposition defence every chance to set their stall out. Possession is great , but you need more than that to win games !! How many times have we had 70%+ possession and lost the game to a breakaway by the opposition? Some of our guys hardly ever look forward, the first thought is sideways or backwards !! We only moved the ball forwards once we went behind !!