OneMoSalah

To go 2-0 down at Southampton is really poor I felt but glad to see we turned it around was a great comeback. If only we had put in something sort of effort in the games against Watford and Bournemouth when trailing...

Yes and it was alarmingly scary how many in the run up to the summer wanted to trade Matic for a younger upgrade in Bakayoko and look how that worked out. Same with Costa because he was lacking "technical abilitiy"... We need to stop selling our better players, we need to stop selling players to buy, we need to stop selling to rivals. Seriously I think Willian would be still be useful here even if he was off the bench or a rotational option. Its not like hes a piss poor footballer who is out of his depth, fair enough hes not world class by any stretch of the imagination, like Cesc (although not a fan of him playing a 2 man MF doesn't have the legs for it but in a 3 with two more mobile partners, he'd have a role to play) but the amount of folks who think we should just discard them and replace them with the Bakayoko's of the world (1 season wonders) and whoever is up and coming in Germany and Italy or whatever need a reality check because its never that simple. I'd be 100% for signing Martial absolutely, but a squad with both Willian and Martial in it is stronger than the one we've got imo. We have a lack of attacking midfield options as it is, Pedro, Willian, Hazard, Barkley... its hardly exciting. Throw in Martial at least its another body and a pretty good player with a lot of growth. Move out Pedro maybe get another higher level attacker and there's plenty of competition and plenty of options to change a game up. There is a lot of uncertainty around the club due to managers, players futures all in the air, lack of ideology in which way the clubs going and if we start willingly giving "gifts" to other teams other teams will come and come again. Look at Arsenal. How many of their players were signed season after season by big rivals?

Regardless of those players and the past. The point I am trying to make is: do not sell key players to direct rivals. Do not swap key players to direct rivals is surely got to come under that? We continue down that path and we'll end up like Arsenal. Martial as a signing yes go for it, 100% but in return for any of our key players, no thank you. Hes a good player, obviously Mourinho has a past with attacking talented youngsters but you cannot say its completely one sided. I think as well Martial is predominately a left sided attacker, he'd give us a good option to swap things up and probably even on the right as well as possibly upfront but when I've seen him for United this season there is a lot of issues there in his consistency (although I am aware he has struggled to play regularly since the turn of the year due to Sanchez arrival) although he has got a lot of potential. Would you honestly expect Man United to sell him to us though? Juventus and Real Madrid have been credited with interest recently. I think we'd have more a chance of landing Rashford or Shaw than Martial although even then difficult still because they do not sell to direct rivals and never really have.

and look how far that has gotten him, stuck in a pecking order behind Jesse Lingard. Hard work is just as important and regardless of his talent its clear that Martial has stagnated at United. Hes a good player and maybe a move would help but even then why would you give a direct rival another key player? Did nobody learn from Matic in the summer? Willian is a key player here. Does anybody really think if we were to offer them just cash they'd sell to us? Not a chance.

And give a rival another key player? Why?

Why wouldnt we be? Our season has been pretty much disastrous since about December and the sales of 2 big players Matic (to a direct rival) and Costa is a big part of why I feel as well as other things to do with players performances, speculation over Conte and form. Who lets a club sell a pivotal cog of their team to a team competing for the title/top 4 as we were hoping to do?

Roma deserved to beat Barca in the first leg I thought, they played well as they proved again tonight and in the two games against us. They are some team.

Think hes improved the last few games, like mentioned he seems to be staying on his feet a bit more and his link up play at times is impressive. Finishing maybe could still do with some work but I think the physical demands and no winter break this season will be better for him for next season. Hopefully we give him another chance, hes a different style of striker to Drogba and Costa, which in any way is hard acts to follow for different reasons and I think he'll be a bigger success next season for definite. I can't imagine the club would offload him for a loss like its being reported in the media, its so clear there is a very good footballer in him, its just maybe been a bit of a contrasting season from his first half and second half of the season but its been like that for a lot of the players.

Possibly but even then he was always an excellent footballer and it was so clear him and Messi were ahead of everyone else with talent and consistency.

They signed him because he along with Messi were the two best players in the world by a mile without a shadow of a doubt. Nothing to do with records. Although scoring about 70 goals in 100 games over two seasons for a team in the "best league in the world" probably helped. They will sign Neymar next.

Yeah I would like to see him play a lot more before the summer. I think he’s got pace and likes 1v1s in the attacking third, that could make him a real outlet for the side. Alonso has got a lack of genuine pace.. he offers more height as well as a goal threat but I think Conte has got to take a gamble and try this guy out from the beginning of a match. For me he’s very much an unknown but in limited minutes you can see his speed and that he likes 1v1 situations. Moses has a poor final ball but he has got pace which makes him a more useful player in that wingback position and I feel Emerson could be the same.

Yeah I would like to see him play a lot more before the summer. I think he’s got pace and likes 1v1s in the attacking third, that could make him a real outlet for the side. Alonso has got a lack of genuine pace.. he offers more height as well as a goal threat but I think Conte has got to take a gamble and try this guy out from the beginning of a match. For me he’s very much an unknown but in limited minutes you can see his speed and that he likes 1v1 situations. Moses has a poor final ball but he has got pace which makes him a more useful player in that wingback position and I feel Emerson could be the same.

Long post alert 😂 Whoever comes in, needs to sell 5 players at least from the squad (not even mentioning the loan army) and sign the same back if not more but of better quality than previous seasons. Getting rid of Pedro and signing someone like Leon Bailey is a must as well, Bailey in particular has so much potential, is lightening quick and seems to have a bit of arrogance like he knows he’s a good player. I have no doubts Hazard is off in the summer too based on his body language, performances and effort in the last few months so finding another good wide player will also be crucial (unless he stays and is playing within himself for the World Cup? Oscar did it too in 2014 but that doesn’t sit good with me regardless) because Willian is not getting any younger. Need somebody to take Cescs place in the 11, although I think off the bench he could still be a viable option, we seen the quality he can deliver with 30 minutes to go in more advanced positions like when Conte played him further forward last year after all this talk of he was finished. In a 2 man MF he is a goner yes but honestly expect us to revert back a 4231 or 433 regardless of coach (unless Conte stays but doubt it). Think the likes of Courtois (world class keeper on his day but obviously has a move on his mind), Luiz/Cahill or both have to go. Drinkwater and Bakayoko... not sure what their purposes are other than being squad players and if I was being honest I’d be hoping one of them would definitely be getting sold in the summer because we could do with players in the same position a lot better (if DD was Baka’s age I’d keep him but he’s not, although he has put in better performances than Baka except that game v United). Barkley, Giroud and Emerson will probably get a fair shot next season but again the verdict is out on them although Giroud brings something different to the team. I’d like to see more of Emerson before the summer purely because if we play a flat back 4 next season I think he has the legs to get up and down better than Alonso and if we get somebody like Tuchel or Enrique in charge, quick transitions will be a big feature in our game next year. Tuchel (not overly keen but could be proven wrong) will more entertainment, goals but conceding stupid goals due to being exposed, Enrique will probably be a bit more reserved in comparison like at Barca, they weren’t exactly like Peps side and had a decent balance between attack and defence, as welll as being able to press high up or sit off teams more although we don’t have the front line they had or the midfield. It’s interesting because a lot of people are mentioning these two but I think Allegri fits the mould more, he’s not exactly got one style, his Juve team are able to do a bit of everything. Although why leave a Juventus side who you’ve taken to 2 CL finals, won 4 league titles with and have a lot of say for Chelsea, who will probably throw you out after 2 seasons after giving you a small say on signings. I honestly think the bigger names will be a lot more reserved about coming here, not that they will not listen to an offer but I think after the last few transfer windows and Contes public comments regarding this, as well as the rumors circulating that he can’t wait to leave due to that it will hinder us if say other big clubs were to state their interest in these guys. I mean have we ever heard anything regarding a manager saying he can’t wait to leave a club? In my opinion, Ancelotti returning would be a disaster because we’d continue to go in this trend of signing average players on recommendation from idiots up stairs because he is a yes man. Also he’s a good coach but look at him at Bayern, he took over a team that had been drilled tactically and given precise instructions and structure player to player by a intense coach. It’s no different here, players would maybe react differently for a few months or maybe up to a season but I think in the long run it’s not a great move and we need to look at the long run; we have needed to for a few seasons despite mixed successes because if not we will continue in this cycle of chopping and changing and struggle to have a clear philosophy or identity that people can relate to. Brendan Rodgers, I hope the clubs not even going to consider him, youth players yes he’d maybe be able to make the path slightly easier as shown in the past but his transfer market history is shockingly average except a few at Liverpool (although maybe he wouldn’t get as much of a say) and I couldn’t deal with the pathetic excuses and the whole “we play one way and have no plan B” like at Liverpool. Simeone would be another move I’d be against because he is too similar to Jose and Conte although a time least we’d have a lot more character in the side under him, Atletico always seem to be right up for the majority of bigger games under him and regardless of how you play that is a good aspect for any team.

What do you mean? There are more than enough points there to discuss, how many big games since the turn of the year has he shown up in? What did he do vs Arsenal other than scoring a penalty? Maybe he showed up for 25 mins vs United? He was a no show v City (where he sat walking about with his arms in the air more often than not complaining), same in the games against Barca and yesterday. Throw in those games vs Bournemouth and Watford and you have got what 7 or 8 games in total where he has been pretty poor since the turn of the year. If people are seriously thinking if he goes in the summer that this club will be fucked then they are wrong. If people seriously think Real Madrid are going to prioritise signing him over Neymar they are also very wrong, lets be very honest. Irritated? I get quite irritated when members like yourself and that other bloke from yesterday sit there and give all this 'I'm done wasting enough time' over what many people on here seem to think is a valid thing to discuss, a lack of big game performances in the most crucial part of our season. Since the start of this year I've seen other forum members bring this up and until he does something to change opinions in this regard it will continue to be brought up. Lets be frank if this was Willian or Pedro they would get absolutely slated and guys like yourself would be right at the front of the cue. Now if we want to talk about him playing against the smaller teams or even bring up his big performances from last season yes fair enough, but we are going to be playing Europa League football next season without a doubt by the looks of it, the big games have cost us this year, the whole team is to blame but to sit there and protect Eden as if he was a one man army in these big games is utterly ridiculous. Willian for example playing arguably the best football of his career in a tough period for the team, fair enough maybe it was just a purple patch but still it was more productive than what he showed in that time. Other people have also been criticising other players, Cesc, Morata, Christensen, Cahill, Courtois, Bakayoko... but when it comes to Eden there is some sort of we are lucky to have him feeling, maybe we are maybe we aren't but regardless in the most crucial matches of this season he has flattered to deceive.

Okay so hes scored 7 goals, how many against top teams? Arsenal via a penalty? The most crucial run in of our season has been from January to now with big games in the CL and PL and he simply hasn't delivered. Willian in the form of his life played better against bigger teams. Your getting quite jumpy telling other members to stfu think you should chill out a bit. Hes voicing an opinion, like I am. Stats you brought up were almost definitely against the smaller teams, fair enough, but the crucial matches where was he? Nowhere... same yesterday and I can't believe that many other people dont see this as well. 7 goals in 19 games certainly isn't good enough for someone that's supposed to be amongst the best. 1 penalty v Arsenal and god knows how many invisible performances vs the other big teams we've played, Barca x2, City, United, Spurs, Arsenal... all since the start of January, also throw in his pitiful performances against Bournemouth and Watford too where he was completely anonymous (yes im aware he scored v Watford but).

4 weeks? Try since January. The most crucial part of the season and he’s been shite (especially in the big games). We shouldn’t let what he’s done before that cloud our judgement either, which seems to be happening far too much. Every player can do better but for someone with his ability and somebody who is constantly backed by the fans when others aren’t he needs to do a lot better.

True. Funny pattern we seem to go missing in second halfs of big games. Not good enough for a club like Chelsea.

Pretty embarrasing that in modern day football we are having to praise players for fighting and never giving up. These guys do this for a living they should be like that every week. Both Dave and Kante should be shining examples to any young player starting out in football, 100% application every week.

But really though? The most crucial part of our season in terms of the CL race, double leg ties with Barca, big games vs City, United, Spurs... he’s not shown up and looks disinterested. That’s what my point is. Along with various other players although they receive the criticism. Our season has nose dived since the turn of the year and Hazard’s form is a huge reason why. It happened that year Jose got sacked he went completely anonymous. If he goes in the summer he goes, having done well here but for me I just feel he still could of done more. Let’s just say in the most crucial part of the season then he has done a vanishing act. How many of his goals and assists came before 2018? I bet a lot of them did.

Poor game but he’s been solid for us every other time he’s played. Can have an off day, solid enough option for a number 2. How he made that save from Son but didn’t keep Eriksens shot out still confuses me to this minute.

Last two seasons? Fuck me. This season and then the one with Jose/Guus. I think your at the trolling now pal. Quest for attention? Get off your high horse I’ve seen some of your other posts in various threads. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. I’ll leave it at that because I’ve made my point and if you don’t agree I couldn’t really give a fuck.

That’s true. I think if Antonio could have had Luiz fit he’d have given AC a few games out with Luiz in just to take the heat off but I remember seeing Marc Bartra at Barca, he struggled for a while but played through it and has become a pretty decent player so their is cases for both ways. ACs good enough to play for Chelsea a few wobbly moments doesn’t help and I’ve been quite vocal about him making big mistakes in big games but stil think he will be a top player for us.

Oh yeah sure tactics and coaches are at fault for Eden not showing up in some of these big games. Please. Maybe some games we set up negatively but it’s not like it’s impossible for him to do anything or like Conte has gone ok Eden just don’t do anything too positive I want us to draw. What gets me is that in Cescs thread it’s “he’s done, he’s too slow” or Willian’s thread it’s “he’s overrated, sell him” but saying Eden hasn’t showed up for big games since the turn of the year and also hasn’t done anything of substance for us in Europe it’s like world war 3 with certain members is actually embarrasing. There’s always an excuse. Coaches. Tactics. Team mates (where they haven’t really changed that much since we won the league under Jose a few seasons ago bar the odd squad player, he seemed to do pretty well with last season and the year we won under Jose)... You can claim whatever you want about delusion but to sit there and give me bullshit like it’s all the coaches fault, his set up and whatnot as to why hes not shown up in every big game we’ve played since the turn of the year? Take a look in the mirror who’s fucking deluded now. It seems I’ve offended a Hazard FC fan 😂 be called a troll next.

-Loftus-Cheek? Seriously? He can’t even play 90 minutes, he is talented to a degree but he’s not even at the level that Barkley was at Everton. One game v Germany for England won’t change that. -Musonda.. who can’t get a game for Celtic? Ahead of James Forrest and Scott Sinclair? -Tammy Abraham is still not ready for us, he’s not doing too well at Swansea recently just now which is a shame after a productive spell last season and a decent start. -Zouma, didn’t get many minutes last season and after that injury a loan was probably best move. Im not 100% sure he is better than what we have except Cahill and possibly Luiz at CB. Been really impressed with Rudiger, if Zouma can become a bit more like him with the ball he’d be a great long term option. -Michy? Limited minutes or not he was useless here. For me he is the definition of an average player. A few goals in Germany against deadrubber won’t change my mind. The likes of Chalobah wanted to go so they could play and said that. Traore was the same. Nathan Ake likewise. Although none of them would have improved our first 11. Liked the look of Traore though, think he could have been a good player with a bit of fine tuning. Chalobah staying would of meant no Drinkwater but Nate is 24, he wanted to play, Southgate and England rate him and I’m sure that paid a big part in him leaving.

Nobody. Costa was the only sale he was responsible for, which for me was a mistake but shit happens. He wanted to keep Matic but for a club owned by a Russian billionaire, £40m was obviously too good to turn down.... unless that bloke is going to turn around and say “he loaned out Musonda who should have started ahead of Willian and Pedro” 😂