Vincent

Makes me think how bad some of our older strikers were, but so much better than Jackson

They were right, what Cucurella does after Haaland's foul is somewhat irrelevant. Also, if Taylor didn’t give the penalty the VAR would never question it.

How on earth is that a penalty between Haaland and Cucurella. Referee decided it's a penalty and in those cases the VAR don't overrule the referee, really disappointing. Also the chance of Gusto, such poor finishing.

I see what you're saying but Azpi was the exception, it's not the standard of the players nowadays. Also, right now I see way more positive and potential in United compared to Chelsea.

Can't blame him for leaving, it's an absolute shit show at Chelsea and there doesn't seem any clear direction they want to go. Whoever thinks club loyalty or love is still there is delusional, as soon as players can fill their pockets they're gone, it's the reality. And if they do, it's still for their own sake, not for the club.

He must have been saving it for his national team, I haven’t seen him give a pass like that for us in ages.

L I wonder what he's thinking when taking that much risk, this guy seems never be fully awake

I don't see the similarity other then that they are playing in the same line. There are players that you can place throughout the pitch that are chameleons, wherever they play they adapt. And you have players that have never scored a goal in their lives and start shooting from 40 yards at 0-0. Alvarez is very different, he's very dedicated to his position and his role, he solely focusses on stealing the ball and give it to the right colour. So as Superblue says, if you want a more well rounded player, Alvarez isn't the player you want. But well rounded doesn't necessarily mean better in a team, if one player just solely focus on defending in midfield, the rest has to focus less on that and can just focus more on attacking. He has quite an underrated role in Ajax' success in Europe the last years. What I do wonder if he can cope in the pressure of the Premier League every week, with Ajax there are important Champions League games followed up by games against teams that they could deal with on 50%. Plus there obviously are many examples of Eredivisie players that couldn't make it in the Premier League. Now that I'm typing anyways, what about Kvaratskhelia from Napoli? Awesome player that gives it his all every single game. I don't think we would be able to sign him though, but what a player he is.

In a recent interview Edson Alvarez mentions his upset about his failed transfer to Chelsea last summer. I'm curious what people here think of him. To me he's a decent player but the good kind of decent, he really knows his strength and weakness altough I'm personally always very skeptical with rated Eredivisie players.

Must admit, had my doubts about this signing due to the lack of space you get as a striker for Chelsea, but is doing very well, playing with his heart! 💙

That's where my doubt lays too, he needs space, and that's something you barely get at as Chelsea striker.

Chelsea is doing shit, the forum is shit, Chelsea is coming back, the forum is back!!

Valid point, although i rather not look at clubs like Manchester United. If you look at the most succesful clubs in the last decade, they all had players that wore the identity of the club they were playing for. And as i said, not necessarily leaders, but players you think of when you think about a certain club in a certain period. If you look at clubs in their prime, they all had these kind of players, and it definitely doesn't have to be players that been at the club since they were young. It might help, but some players adapt easier, and have a different mentality than others. Lahm, Ribery, Muller, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Neuer Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, Dani Alves, Messi, Villa, Pique Cesar, Zanetti, Maicon, Sneijder, Cambiasso, Milito, Eto'o Kroos, Marcelo, Ramos, Benzema, Ronaldo, Modric

Do we have a leader? A player that is proud to be a Chelsea player, and not just proud to be a player at a big club. A player that really feels connected to this club and wears our DNA. I am aware of the fact that these kind of players are rare, but these are the kind fo players we used to have. A leader like Terry of even Frank himself. These were the kind of players that would fight for our club and for the head of our managers. We don't have the type of players you'll win a war with, which we had with Drogba, Ballack, Carvalho, Ivanovic, Essien and many others. Not necessarily the best leaders, but players that would do anything in their power to win. I also believe the will and hunger to win is very contagious to the rest of the squad. In this squad i don't see a player that has such a big influence on the rest of the squad that i'm trying to sketch.

Maybe this could be our 'turning point' like we were for Arsenal, but that might be just wishful thinking.

"Since the beginning of October, Arsenal Football Club have had more foul throw-ins (5) than Premier League goals (4)."

Abraham doesn't have a clue what to do with Ziyech's crosses, should have brought Giroud earlier. They've been on the pitch together for only 4 minutes for fucks sake. A player with a good pass and cross together on the field with Giroud, it's not rocket science.

Agree. Not sure why you quote me, unless its an addition to what i've said or an answer to the member i questioned.

Has done really well in the pre-season. And since vd Beek was left out of the squad for transfer negotiations, we might get to see him for a full season at Ajax. Not been his biggest fan, and still not convinced, but really curious to see him for a full season.

Why is he not captain material according to you? I think for us as fans it's really hard to notice the mutual bond and respect between players. I think a captain should be someone who is respected by the manager and the entire squad really. Lampard, working day in day out with his team, probably has an idea what he wants and expects from a captain, and apparently that's Azpilicuate right now. Also, if you look at our captains in the history, all of them could handle themselves quite well, English wise. Different story for Thiago Silva, from what i've seen.

Such an absolute brilliant no-look header-assist by Hudson-Odoi today

We finished 6th when we won the Champions League though Yes, great player! And fun to see players and a team like Lyon i usually never see, because i simply don't follow their league. Personally my favourite is their number 25, Caqueret. I really see a bright future ahead of him.

I think we agree on most things, i only mentioned Ziyech's and Wililan's qualities as a winger to show each of their players' strength lays elsewhere. And besides i'd be surprised if Ziyech puts up better numbers than Willian has produced. I even doubt if Ziyech will be continiously playing as a winger for the next 2-3 seasons. I believe Ziyech is physically wise very average or below average, which doesn't mean he cannot succeed at Chelsea or in the Premier League though. I'd say Pulisic is physically ahead of most players, just look at his neck he could swallow Ziyech's head in a whole.