Blue Armour

That used to be the case up until about 5 or so seasons ago. Even with a solid core and a decent manager you could still have shitty season, if you don't replenish the squad with the right talent or succumb to injuries. And that's my point. We had a core which, when fully fit, could challenge for top 4. With the injuries we easily slide down the table. In the past decades, we could easily make up 15 point deficits to end up challenging for the title again. Nowadays only sides like City can afford to lose players like DeBruyne or Aguero for extended periods and not experience a hiccup.

On a positive note, looking at the highlights, Colwill seems to have had a great game against Liverpool. Good defending and great passing.(Especially that through ball at minute 28 of the game. Almost Terry-esque) Hope we integrate him in the next season. Fuck Gvardiol.

Liverpool going from 2nd in the table last year to a likely Europa League finish this year. That's why I find all this talk about us needing a massive rebuild for 2 years to become challengers again, pointless. We could just as easily return to top 3 next season (injuries notwithstanding) and still finish outside top 6 in the season after that. The league is just that much more competitive now, and you have at least 7 teams in contention. If you don't get it right with transfers or injuries, it will cost you, and that's just how it will be for seasons moving forward. Only the clubs with infinite resources could hold an iron grip on top 4. UEFA also realizes this., and it won't be to long before they expand the Champions league slots to at least 6 teams from each of the major leagues.

It's also possible that what you see is what you get. Maybe both manager and players are trying but failing simultaneously. Thats why I've stopped ranting at either, even if I have my doubts about them. The closest thing we have to talismans in the squad are out. And the rest of them are getting exposed.

People shouldn't be bothered about the lack of CL, in terms of attracting talent. On the contrary, it might even make the club smarter in its approach in terms of scouting and recruitment., instead of getting the next flavor of the season. While 1-2 signings of the Enzo category are a must have for a title winning side, there's much that can be done in building up the squad to at least challenge for a title.

Start the game with Datro Fofana.

We had an option with Gilmour. But we screwed him over by sending him out on loan to a lesser team. Players like Gilmour and McEachran should never have gone out on loan. Because of the way they play, they would thrive around high quality players that will make the most of their passing and vision. Instead we destroy them by assigning them to the loan army.

Probably for all the misery caused to Tottenham. But if there's one silver lining., Chelsea have historically bounced back in style from doom and gloom., and that's even before the Roman era. I haven't watched this game, and don't want to see the highlights, but Potter please start DDF in the next game FFS.

A 3rd CL title for the only London club to win it, before Arsenal even makes a return to the CL next season..not bad.

My verdict on the Felix transfer. It's not good, it's necessary. We have too many injuries to cope. Adding him certainly won't takes us backwards (unless he takes away time from players like DDF)., and he won't hang around if he's a dud.

Price notwithstanding, an excellent midfielder CAN make all the difference. Bruno Guilmares transformed Newcastle from relegation contenders and put them in top 4 contention. Fernandes did similar for United when he arrived. Even a fully fit Kante has done the same for us.

Just like Lukaku. That would be terrible if true.

Probably hope more than anything, but I think we have a real gem of a player here. just hope he gets all the chances he can to develop here without having to go on loan.

And this is what bothers me when people say Chelsea are a team in transition and need a few years. Newcastle were fighting relegation not too long ago, while we were competing at the top of Europe. How tf does this happen.

From London to Spain, back to London, and maybe again to Spain?

Hope Potter saw the same thing all of us saw. DDF deserves at least a sub role if not starting outright. Just wondering if we will see Aubemayang return instead

It really is odd. I don't think we've missed Drogba or Hazard (when they played for us) the same way we miss James. Much better squads back then.

Its interesting to see these long term deals the owners are insisting for incoming players (or when renewing existing contracts). Reminds me of what Chicago Bulls did with Scottie Pippen. Basically lock them down on one salary for as long as possible.

Just wondering- Is this more than what Rudiger was asking for in his extension? I don't think it was too far from it, in any case.

Sorry..I don't buy that adage about it working for one club, so it should work for us. Arsenal were down in the dumps under Arteta for nearly 3 seasons., and they really hit gold in this transfer window. While they may have their best league finish in a decade this season, it's still one season.. And even if Arteta does end up being success like Pep, it's Arteta. Not Potter.

I think Potter has to aim for at least Europa league, if not top 4. But I'll be pissed if he makes us finish in the conference league. That would be a total waste of time.

Know this is Silva's wife., but his opinion could not be too far removed. She's practically talking about reinstating Tuchel., looks like.

I mentioned this at the time. It was around the time we won the club world cup. And all hell broke lose following that. The war..the sanctions, and the club getting sold.

Sigh. I was hopeful.