MetsajCFC

Men vs boys

Kepa to RM loan till 2024, official. https://www.realmadrid.com/noticias/2023/08/14/comunicado-oficial-kepa

What's the negativity all about? Tons of debutants (infact January buys can be regarded as 'veterans' looking at the team sheet), young (we've got the youngest squad in the league, correct me if I'm wrong) hungry players giving the team their all and on top of it totally acceptable result aswell. Tons of positives. The crowd was amazing aswell.

He is not worth 127 million euros, easy as that. Move on. Aside from great PR, we're looking at a very talented, promising player who has played just 1 season in a competetive league. I'm sure he is a great player but at the moment half of the fee is the PL/media hype. It's a big gamble for any club willing to part with that sum of money for one player. Get this wrong and the club is financially crippled for seasons to come. We're in a position where we do not need to panic buy - no european football, just the league and FA/league cup. Bring in alternatives and exploit the market for any other oppurtunity that might rise (getting rid of unwanted players for great fees - Lukaku to Spurs?).

Without the sponsor logos I always get the impression that the shirt is worn inside-out 😄

I do not get the logic behind this timing of events. Sacking him now and replacing him with an interim low profile manager till the end of the season, when we have realistically nothing to play for anymore, does not make sense. I'm sorry to say, getting past Real Madrid and Bayern Münich/Manchester City with this mentality and form the players are showing, is unrealistic, regardless of the manager in charge. Getting top four is not realistic either anymore given the games we've got left. There were two options - he should have been sacked 2 months ago or given till the end of the season so the new manager in charge would get a fair introduction. Bizzare!

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/gusto-signs-for-Chelsea

This has Moyes to Manchester United vibes. What I do not get at all is the timing. Be up front and change the manager after the season ends, gives time to adapt to the new system and have a meaningful pre-season. While I do think this might give Chelsea a boost with regards to performances and even results short-term, I'm rather pessimistic on the long term outlook. Hope I'm wrong and good luck nevertheless.

I would not read too much into it, 4 months ago, in a much bigger game, they were truly beaten by pretty much the same team (minus the summer additions). We were too respectful and defensive the first half, that cost us. Upwards and onwards.

From the interviews and behind-the-scene footage, seems like a great bloke. Wish him well.

Seems reasnoble this. For me it's finding the fine balance between taking advantage of our position both achievement wise and financially in the market and keeping the inner-peace and togetherness in the squad. For me, personally, Lukaku would be a wrong choice, I'd rather try get Lewandowski if he's up for a challange. The publicity alone will repay his wages. I'd much rather take a "Demba Ba" if nothing reasnoble is on offer. I do feel Werner will come good, his movement and positional awareness, mentality is spot on. I'd much rather loan Tammy out to mid-table team like Arsenal (kidding!) and re-evaluate next season. Would be gutted to see CHO go permanently, I think he'll definately come good.

Congratulations! Deserved Champions! Remember - Super Cup and CWC incoming!

Not to be provocative but in whatever field of life you are in, stay there, and don't dip into football management.

Interesting stat here: Chelsea have scored 10 Premier League goals via corners this season, more than any other team. Indeed, the Blues last bagged more goals from corners in a single top-flight campaign in 2016-17 (13).

Wow, what a humble and likeable guy. 22 years old!

The timing of the statement makes me wonder. Could it be that discussions in the background did not satisfy the big clubs nor the possible discussions brought any compromise for neither side, and they wanted to make a statement to "one up" UEFA's imminent public proposal? Either way I'm more than certain that these things will play out - there's too much money on the line for all sides involved. And I must reiterate - UEFA/FIFA /... are NOT the victims, they're all the same.

Oh and by the way, Pulisic is 20 years old. Win would be superb, of course, but this first half gives Chelsea so much reasons to see rays of hope going forward. Go on!

Like your post and the points you make. Just to clarifty, Emerson represents Italy and has been selected a couple of times this year.

I feel this was a game where the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story. As much as we shouldn't make long-term conclusions based on one game, United shouldn't be too confident going forward. I don't see them finishing top four this season. We're very much into the pre-season fitness and timeframe, still. Time will tell, but I do feel very positive looking at that youthful-energy in that Chelsea team. I really do think we played alright. What if we didn't concede a penalty? What if TA's and Emerson's strike didn't hit the woodwork? What if we didn't have as many game-changing injuries? What if...? Very positive 45...60 minutes. Professional press conferences. Defence needs sorting out but other than that lots of promising young players in Chelsea's hands right now. It's unheard of to get a chance like this in top football, let alone England. No time to sulk. Work's just starting.

So much negativity. Brilliant signing, a potential superstar (he's only 20!) for £57.6m, which is nothing in today's market. Timing can be questioned, but if we do miss out on a Champion's League spot and end up losing Hazard, then it won't be another catabolic sh*tshow of a market trying to get anything and everything come the summer. Immense potential, great transfer!

You're talking as if this problem started today. It's been looming since the sacking of Ancelotti. Football manager, the irony

With FFP and this transfermarket, we won't ever have a squad capable of performing any style to perfection, because there's a tendancy to sack every manager every 1-2 years. Chelsea is no Real Madrid or Barcelona or Bayern Münich, we need stability to achieve success (e.g. the "Mourinho" team from first era that gave Chelsea the core to go on to with everything).

Relax. That's the difference between a team that's been trained towards a certain philosophy for two years (and still has needed tons of investment for fine tuning!) versus 2 weeks of "pre-season" on a World Cup year.

Direct rivals for any competition we're in at the moment par the CL. We just lost FA cup and Community Shield to them in the space of 3 months.

You're right, Arsenal aren't a fantastic side but today they had the better chances. Against Tottenham we lucked out and got the points, today it didn't happen. We go again next week.