OneMoSalah

Well hes going for 352 from the looks of the game against United earlier so that will mean no wingers and using wingbacks (Dalbert/Asamoah and Candreva/Lazaro). Dont think anyone would go around using Perisic as a wingback as he wouldnt be great defensively. Nainggolan is an odd one though but his age maybe and the fact Conte looks like hes going to build around younger players in midfield like Barella, Sensi, Brozovic, Vecino and Gagliardini is probably why. Plus he is probably on bigger wages and Inter need to sell to comply with FFP as they really want Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku. Nainggolan and Borja Valerjo are probably 2 MF players he is looking to move on, due to their age and the fact they have plenty of options. Honestly think he will get an real improvement out of Inter in all fairness, theres no doubt with the defenders they have he has a very very solid base to build on (having the choice to pick from Godin, Miranda, Skriniar and de Virj is a very good selection) and as we seen here with him in that first season the way he had our back 3 playing and team set up, made us extremely hard to beat. Plus Handanovic seems to be defying age in goals, still a very good GK. Surprised he hasnt looked to reintroduce Icardi into the group but Icardi probably fucked that for himself. Icardi upfront with that Martinez could be a very good duo I think. Think he could keep Perisic for a 343 if he needs to change it up but cant see Perisic who has been a regular at Inter settling for a bench role and they have Politano who can play both wings too. Its gonna be interesting in Serie A this year I think. Sarri, Carlo, Conte all up against each other.

Keep him instead of Alonso? No thank you. If taking 5m means sellling him do it. If Alonso isnt up to standard then this guy really isnt either.

Its not just about that. I mean as somebody who watches the SPL even Neil McCan had Dundee setting up like that to play out but the lack of trust and goos combinations from his players made it difficult to sustain. Positioning players for that style of football is easy maybe at the likes of goal kicks or whatever but coaching them to continously play like that under high pressure and difficult high quality teams is a different level. Everyones got to know where to stand or when to be in a position to relieve pressure off their team mates and know where they are etc to make quick one and 2 touch combinations to break a press. I dont think we struggled getting out of our half last season doing this, which meant Sarri laid the groundwork. Hopefully Frank can maintain this and improve our offensive play.

Gnabry didnt get a game at WBA because he played under a dinosaur coach who rarely focuses on developing players or a style of football that doesnt require punting it 60 yards. Left Arsenal and within a year was at Bayern. Nothing to do with physical attributes as the Bundesliga is arguably just as physical as the PL. Lookman again played under Big Sam Allardyce, who was struggling at Everton who were already struggling already and he went for more senior pros, signing the likes of Theo Walcott instead of opting to use Lookman, who would probably have done better. Everton fans were angry they loaned Lookman to RB Leipzig then. Next big step of CHOs career? Never mind a big step, the next step would be playing regular first team football at Chelsea. He has achieved nothing to be looking at making a next "big step" so if that is his thinking or anyone else associated with him then he is deluded. Hes not even played 50 games. Next step should be knuckling down and playing regular minutes. Think here is the best place for him now.

I dont think he will think playing every week in the Bundesliga will make him look better than playing in the PL most weeks, plus the lower German teams are arguably better than those in the PL outside the top 12 or 14 and are much more similar standards to each other unlike the regelatiom candidates here like Fulham, Huddersfield, Brighton, etc who are miles behind the others. Easier platform or not I dont get it. He rejected a 85k a week offer from us a while back then there was talk of Bayern offering 100k or 120k a week when they wanted him. Now theres talk of us offering 100k a week. While the figures are all hear say I would imagine him not signing would be more down to financial looking at everything else, as Frank said he can be central to this team which I think means as long as he shows effort and can maintain performances, he will play a lot. I honestly dont get what else he would be interested in not staying here for in all honesty, Bayern he would have less a chance of starting than here in all fairness, plus theres been talk of Kovac saying to the board and players if they dont sign more players particularly wide areas, hes gonna play 352. Obviously CHO being a winger is a position they need.to strengthen but his playing time is going to be less there than here. It makes no other sense to leave a team who sold their best player who played his position, whos manager has basically talked him up in the public and behind closed doors, said he is very interested in using young players from the academy who feel the club...

Well thats Frank done as much as he can. In all honesty if Callum decides not to renew then its probably due to financals or the fact he has no interest in being here now. Im hopefully he will renew as we are short on wingers if he goes but again if he doesnt want to be here whats the point? We wont fall apart without him. The academy is very good so I wouldnt be surprised if we get another young guy similarly talented popping through. I have been a huge fan of CHO since he made his debut under Conte but again, while he will be an excellent player one day there are many better youngsters out there regardless. He isnt a one in a million generation talent for me. An academy player who could be very very good yes but again, if hes not wanting to be here or is up for rotting on the bench at Bayern? Let him go for it.

Exactly while this isnt the best comparison I see it as a similar situation to when Neymar left Barca and what Real should have done. They strengthened as a team rather than relying on Neymar Messi and Suarez, being more reserved and less flamboyant using Rakitic and Paulinho to solidify the team defensively. Although we arent lucky enough to have those ilk of players like Messi and Suarez in offensive positions we still have got to look at it as a chance to let others come to the fore and not just look to one player for inspiration as well as being able to build up other areas of the team to be stronger in other aspects. I still think with Hazard gone and if Sarri remained we would have seen a more functional front 3 like he had at Napoli as opposed to everyone just passing to Eden for him to dribble past X amount of players etc or just expect him to make things happen. I hope Lampard can get a more functional front 3 as that part let us down after a good start last season. The likes of Willian, Pedrox CHO and Pulisic will need to play faster, with less touches, being more direct than our wide players did at time last season to fully exploit what I believe will be a similar philosophy although not as ridgid as Sarris. While it will take some time I do expect big things from Christian.

Okay fair enough if Nike have confirmed it. Still dont see the huge fuss. The guy gave everyrhing for 7 years if it is taking people to acknowledge his class with a pair of boots then God help them. He was at a Chelsea training camp like 3 weeks ago I would say that is more classly than a bit of blue on a pair of boots. Or his farewell statement. But yeah pair of boots, every Chelsea Twitter page going into meltdown 🤣

Not going to lie the colours could mean anything. Sure nobody doubts how much he cared about the club etc but they are just a pair of football boots with blue on it, could be his favorite colour, could be "honouring" the club, could be his kids or wifes or uncles or auntys or dogs or whoevers favorite colour think people get a bit too literal and read too much into these things. Could be someone who has gone onto Nike ID and designed these himself and then posted them on Twitter saying they are Edens.. also with half the shit that's on twitter, would be more than likely.

People said the same when we had the blip last season but he adapted to the league and showed he is more than able to do the defensive side of the game. Generally dont think it will be as huge an issue.

Hopefully people who have been apprehensive will be proved wrong by this Christian this season. I do hope he doesnt take the 10 shirt though. I dont know who will, few interesting numbers avaliable in the squad this season, 4, 9, 10.

Kovacic over Jorginho? Dont see it personally. I do think we will end up playing 433 of some variation eventually, even with Frank preferring 4231 based on his season at Derby (could argue 4231 is a variation of 433 regardless). In terms of being effective in a double pivot or not, with the ball Jorginho will more than likely drop deeper than his partner anyway to get on the ball from the likes of the CBs and control the tempo of the game, his position may be slightly different but it won't affect how he plays and then obviously Kantes biggest strength is getting the ball back. Jorginho also showed huge defensibe improvements, yes playing in a 2 isnt the same as playing as a sole holder and Kovacic can play every midfield position which gives him a chance of playing a lot but I still really dont see him playing ahead of Jorginho. I mean if your concerned about Jorginho not being effective in a double pivot then I dont know how your not more concerned about someone who is tactically inferior and also takes much much less risks with the ball as well as having a more limited passing range. I really think this will be an issue for Frank this season, fitting in the likes of Barkley, Kovacic, Baka, and Mason when Rubens back because Ruben if he can recapture his performances from the back end of the past season, will be one of the first names on the team sheet as well as Kante 100% and I would stick my neck out and say Jorginho will make the starting midfield for us this season too most weeks. I would say we are a bit heavy in MF, Baka is potentially a good option to be a back up for Kante. Drinkwater and Barkley (depending on Franks plans for Mason) could find themselves not featuring as often as theyd want to. Competition is good but realistically we have got Drinkwater, Barkley, Jorginho, Kante, Bakayoko, Kovacic, Ruben, Mount all competing for 3 spaces in the line up every week. Sure some play more advanced like Ross and Mason as well as the fact Mateo and Ruben are more than capable of playing as out and out 10s (dont forget Pulisic and Willian are able to play there too but theyll play wide I would imagine) as well but realistically when Ruben comes back to full fitness we are probably more stocked than we need to be. As I mentioned above Drinkwater, Barkley, Bakayoko are 3 players who could find themselves on the peripheral at somepoint this upcoming season.

Was definitely either him or Tomori to go on loan. Maybe both. Hopefully gets a good loan deal, in the championship perhaps.

Definitely but I think the mantra with the SFA is purely to appoint Scottish managers. Especially after the Berti Vogts experience all those years ago. Its difficult because obviously McLeish for me, is well past his sell by date and Strachan who had started well fucked himself in the end and resigned. He had a real real chance of securing qualification for the Euros a few years back but by being stubborn starting shite like Chris Martin ahead of Leigh Griffiths had been on fire having scored like god knows mayne 15-20 a sesson in the previous seasons at a standard which is hardly that inferior to the championship in all honesty. As well as a few others like James Morrison and refusing to integrate younger players who are now involved with the squad. But yeah, it could take a manager from outside of Scotland to reslly push these guys on although what Steve Clarke did at Kilmarnock was really quite extrodinary taking where they were when he came in at first and the budget he was on to get a shot for European football. Antonio Conte's assistant is in there now so he could reap the rewards. Anyway the standard of youngsters and players in general is gradually improving. Ryan Fraser, Karamoko Dembele, Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Greg Taylor etc. Just have to hope these kids dont get tempted to move to the PL before its too soon like Feruz. Better for the Scottish game too and then when their ready to move on they can go, bring money into the club.

Think he will be in around the squad this year. Really have high hopes for him, followed him when he was at Rangers along with Karamoko Dembele (seen him make his Celtic debut vs Hearts in May, he looked exciting and most importantly wasnt phased by it, obviously 1 first team game but hes done well for youth teams and in pre season with Celtic too). As a Scot these 2 could be huge players for the NT and at club level. Would say that while he maybe looks sinilar to Modric or de Jong as he is mobile, can dribble but he also has a bit of Cesc in him too, he is excellent at providing the final pass and that as a midfielder is a huge strength obviously along with a good range of passing. He and Mount (who I had reservations about slightly) have looked like they want to be in the first team when they've played, along with confidence in their own ability. Time will tell obviously and weve seen before its easy to get carried away with young players but you never know. I do think if we offload Bakayoko and Drinkwater it gives them 2 and also Ampadu a chance to get more minutes.

Was more Barca and his agent I think than anything else although hes not completely inadmissable from the situation. They agreed personal terms before Atleti played Juve in the CL in like March or April. Now Barca havent payed the full release clause and Atletico are taking legal actions.

Good assist for Mount yesterday, need to see this sort of thing more often, more penetrating passes in and around the box. Could be a big season for him as a player, hopefully he becomes more productive throughout the season.

Yeah I think people are reading far too much into this can Jorginho play or not play in a double pivot, the guy in the last few years at Napoli was one of the better midfield players in his position in Europe, hes not just someone who can only play as a 6 in a 3 man MF. Hes played in a 4231 with Italy and also under Benitez with Napoli when he was there. Although a good system or tactical set up is a huge benefit, it is massively important you have very good players in key positions, that is more important and can compensate for the tactical set up not being the best (likes of Hazard, Willian - that year he was POTY - and Diego Costa in previous seasons getting us points when we were hopeless tactically or performance wise comes to mind). Binning or benching Jorginho would be one of the worst decisions Lampard will ever make as a manager. If we want to play quick, direct football going through the lines then Jorginho or someone of that mould is a must. Yes he didnt always look great at times last season when the team struggled but I think everyone could see by May he had shown his worth with a very good back end of the season for him on a personal level. I think as well hes had a transitional year where he had to adjust to a much quicker standard of football in terms of when you lose the ball and am expecting big things from him this year.

Eden said he wanted to leave last sunmer. While it wasnt a transfer request its not as if he didnt say it... Regarding CHO and more or less the majority of players with agents, I doubt his agent is really going to hugely influence him to sign or not sign a new deal etc, if a player wants to leave its ultimately their decision. Sure agents are there and maybe some yes they can influence or get their clients better deals (that fat Italian dickhead who Pogba, Ibra are represented by is the worst of them the millions he has rinsed from clubs is incredible) but ultimately the buck stops with the player for me regardless. If he wanted to really stay and sign a new deal he would of by now. This his brother is doing this or getting player X or Y a move to Bayern isnt really the reason why he hasnt signed. His head was obviously turned in Jan (the likes of Bayern being interested will do that to many young players) hence the transfer request, coupled together with a lck of playing time. The lack of talk regarding his future when asked after that said 1000 words too. Regardless, the club shouldn't be bowing down to someone who has only played 25 games in the first team if he doesnt want to stay. Anyone thinking their bigger, better or dont want to be here should be shown the door, especially a kid who however you look at it hasnt really achieved anything in terms of his footballing career to date. Not just Callum this is a huge issue with many young players in England. Big youth contracts, too much too soon, I mean look at Rashford, very good prospect and will be a top player but 200k a week? Jesse Lingard very average limited footballer, 140k a week... and theres probably hundreds of them in the UK alone.

Tbf if they look to play counter attacking football and throw crosses into the box from wider areas he will easily score 20 goals a season. Dont think Conte ever wanted him for how he linked up or that when he was here but more because of his record as a goalscorer and his physicality. Think Lukaku will do very well in Serie A if he does go. Id imagine that is only if Icardi is going to go though. Why else would they sign Lukaku when they already have Martinez and Icardi, unless he wants to play 352 with those 2 up top...

Think he will play as a winger here, his 1 v 1 ability would be wasted in central areas where most often than not in games that area become far too congested. Generally more space out wide as teams will sit deep and narrow against us.

Definitely. He wanted Alex Sandro and Candreva (not an amazing player but would of done well at RWB and his final ball was 10 times better) to improve on Moses and Alonso. He wanted Lukaku to replace Costa (still dont get why he wanted to bin him completely, he struck me as the typical mould of player Conte would want, top player, hard working, win at all costs, did it in big games - similar traits to what Vidal, Marchisio, Bonucci, Chielleni had). Think he also wanted Nainggolan (got Kante instead) and Pogba too, glad we didnt get Pogba tbf though. Think Inter will be a lot better under him, plus they already have half decent/good/very good players there like Samir Handanovic, De Vrij, Milan Skriniar, Diego Godin, Miranda, Roberto Gagliardini, Mauro Icardi, Lautaro Martinez, Ivan Perisic... a lot of experience and potential as well as a lot of definite fits for Contes 343 or 352 whatever he goes for.

Again though, talk is talk. Lets see if the players can take FL's words and put those things into performances. For instance, Villas-Boas said the right things too, good proactive football, winning, youth developement, bla bla bla.... Also regarding a unit pulling in the same direction etc, every manager who has gone through any sort of footballing licensed course or even ex player should be aware of that, its hardly pointing out anything that hasnt been mentioned before. Hes hardly said anything that no other manager would say in this predicament we are in, lets be honest. We need to judge him on what happens on the pitch. Hard work is arguably the most important thing in football. I hope he can be successful but again feel that people will cling onto every word he says even if its something that has been said before in a different light than anyone else because hes Frank Lampard. To put a dampner on things, Id still be amazed if he sees out all 3 years of his contract but thats not on him, thats the same with any other manager here. Despite having reservations I am exicted for this season, transfer ban isnt great as we need improvements but it forces the coaches hand to play some of these young lads which obviously as a fan and going on our academies reputation isnt all that bad. Top 4 still has to be minimum target. Would be the same if it were Pep, Allegri, Blanc, Steve Holland or whoever if it werent Frank.

Think we have to give it a few competitive games before saying anything along those lines. Still remember after we played a few times and Inter with Sarri in pre season similar things were said but along the lines regarding his philosophy and how this is what we will be now etc. People need to not get too carried away after a week. While the quotes are encouraging, to say "the old Chelsea" is premature to say the least. Even to say compared to our team under Conte and even Jose in the 2nd spell, we could compete and fight teams even with players like Oscar, Hazard, Willian... we will never be that Chelsea team of 2004/05, 05/06 again because football has changed and managers really dont build teams like that anymore. We were a nightmare to play against physically, tactically, mentally the group was rock solid, could defend for prolonged peroids etc. Before this possession obsession ruined football in a way, as theres truely no correct or one way of playing football.

First game didnt expect much more. Ampadu really caught my eye but still at times in first half he played too safe with his passing. Kenedy isnt a LB and has no place here in the long term in my eyes. Batshuayi did good but still have doubts about him, although times the final pass to him was shit ornthey went another way. Billy Gilmour looked promising when he got on but think this seasons too soon. Dujon Sterling was disappointing. Hopefully with the addition of more senior players who played regularly together and more fitness training we will be a lot better. Im sure we will. 4231 is still for me not a better fit than 433.