Blue Armour

Thank you Silva.

They have to though. For FFP reasons? I don't think they'll budge unless we're back near the relegation zone

Gilchrist coming on. At least something to watch for the rest of the game. Even if Wyss will be sniffing around like a bloodhound for profit.

Gallagher's free kick looking like a golf shot.

Really think we're stuck with him for a while, due to FFP and the rest.

Finally, Jackson and Nkunku up top.

Disasi backing off, backing off. Caicedo forced to commit a foul. Team doesn't do enough to help each other out.

Should put Jackson up front, so that Nkunku can play withdrawn and see more of the ball. More likely to see Nkunku subbed off for Jackson though.

Possibly. We'll never know for sure. And back to the game, not sure why Poch cant instruct Enzo and Caicedo to play closer to each other. Caicedo playing as the lone withdrawn CM far too often.

Yes, not on their own. Not yet. They're being forced to learn on the fly, and are thus failing hard.

The midfield IS clueless playing together. That's the point I'm getting across. They don't have the ability to dictate the game on their own or manage it. And I'll keep using that word until I see otherwise. WC Enzo couldn't do crap against Liverpool or even against Wolves today.

Fit now apparently. I would have still kept him even if it was a for a few games, in a more Silva like role to help manage the game., and break-in the newer CMs. Even Kovacic or Jorginho., regardless of their shitty form. All said and done. Our current CM 3 are clueless., regardless of their potential.

Sorry to burst that bubble, but that's also unlikely to happen soon, or this easily, with the payoff he is going to get. All the PL clubs are spooked after what's happened to Everton this season.

But hey, we've managed to tremendously lower that wage bill. Removing Ol'Kante's near 300k weekly wage bill, was just too tempting for Clownlake to get rid of. Gotta get'em cheap.

Keep saying it again, at least having one experienced midfielder (named Kante) for one or two seasons could have helped out our inexperienced CMs this season. But no, Clownlake needs to keep that cash counter running on overdrive

No, he probably means that the current regime see any Cobham product as pure profit. Raise their value and ship them out. Regardless of whether you could improve the Chelsea first 11.

Disasi is experienced, but he is lacking in quality. Unless he undergoes an Alex or Rudiger type evolution, I don't know what more we can expect. Signings like Alex, Ivanovic & Azpi were super shrewd. We probably should have pushed for Skriniar in that window of last season

I agree with those points, especially with what you mentioned about our defence and midfield. IMO the midfield two of Enzo and Caicedo could have benefited immensely, playing along side an experienced midfielder like Kante for at least 1 or 2 seasons. We were too quick to ship our experienced CMs (Kante, Kovacic, & Jorginho) regardless of their fitness & form issues (Kante has had very little issue since moving in fact), just for the sake of profit. I agree that in defense, we were screwed partially by the old board, that let go off Rudiger (which in turn worsened Tuchel's reign), but in the first season we recruited poorly. Fofana with a poor injury track record, and Koulibaly who, despite some underwhelming stats, was made a first choice CB on high pay. The mistake was not bringing in a quality experienced CB in the last summer window, despite knowing that Silva isn't likely to stick around.

Will probably see Jackson and Nkunku link up again, like preseason. That is, if Poch starts Nkunku

But how can you definitively say we are better? 4 seasons ago we were a top 4 side. Under Lampard of all managers. You need a magic ball to say that all the young talent that we have is going to magically hit new heights next season. If the new management is serious about FFP, like you say, then the next window will be quite slow, in order to balance the books. The lack of European football for two consecutive seasons is going to leave a dent, for sure.

Poch maybe shite, but I think he is far from the biggest problem in the club atm.

Fucking annoying if it happens. More danger from the current stooges we have upstairs, than we were under Roman. Thanks to their kamikaze management. Top 4 team dragged to midtable., all on the prayer that this young squad will miraculously improve next season.

Delusional to think that Chelsea could overtake United or Newcastle this season for a European spot. 8th is the most realistic upper target for this current Chelsea side. Haven't changed my mind.

Not going to happen. Not if the board is serious about FFP.

Ah the ol' injury during warmup. Our players are so well conditioned.