OneMoSalah

Charged is a loose term though - going from that article up until now nothings come of it. Whats taking the mighty FA so long? No fines. No point dockings. No threats after the initial day or 2 they announced it with the statement and what may happen articles posted all over the BBC. Nothing. If they had enough damming evidence they’d of done something drastic but they haven’t got a smoking gun so obviously what they have is circumstantial at best. Or they’d be in such a position to do something drastic which City couldn’t battle in the courts, right? But they haven’t. So speaks volumes. It also took them how many years to come forward with this? Its not exactly caught up with them yet. I’d be surprised if anything comes of it in the next 2 or 3 years either at this rate because it will go to CAS probably. Look how far UEFA got with City for FFP the last time. Plus does anybody actually think the FA are going to go and strip titles or remove points off the club who since 2010 has won the most PL titles? It would be embarrassing as much for them as City. The worlds greatest league, clubs basically financially doping in the already richest league in history, imagine? With the biggest TV deals. The biggest players. The biggest coaches…. I’d be very surprised if it doesn’t end up being an apology and a relative substantial fine to the FA. They are no different than UEFA or FIFA despite their insistence - at the end of the day it will all come down to money. If it comes down to a figure, City will pay it and they will accept it. Case will be closed. Juventus situation is different though because historically, Serie A are usually quite proactive and a season or two doesn’t pass without some sort of scandal being declared and/or people being investigated and prosecuted for things related to financial doping or fiddling their books or whatever else. But thats probably just as much because there is a history of corruption over there in football. They had an investigation into over 50 executives and directors in Serie A & B cleared last year IIRC, which is also believed to have led into what happened with Juventus & their board.

Theres corruption in everything not just football. But even then, as Chelsea fans right now we should be much more concerned with how our clubs being run - as opposed to jumping on the back of rumours about other clubs who may or may not have done something illegal…. Even weirder their seems to be some sort of obsession with City, Barca & PSG on here everytime there is something 🤣 The accusations are just accusations though and 99/100 times they wont stick. City & PSG far too big and far too clever. As are all big clubs. But again as mentioned above, more to focus on closer to our club than the others.

This City & bribes nonsense is just pure conspiracy talk but its always something isn’t it. I mean its first they spent too much (pretty sure we did that when Roman came in & again with Boehly) and now its conspiracy theory 274626. I’d much rather see Arsenal win the PL than City though. City must be closing in on what nearly 20 trophies since they were taken over. More they win the more claim they have to becoming the powerhouse of English football of the past 10-15 years - which again wouldn’t exactly be inaccurate either as only Liverpool have sustained in challenging them longer than just 1 season. They have what 6 PL titles as it is? And at least 10 domestic cups ie FA cup & Carabao. I fully expect them to beat Arsenal now and probably go win the PL. They have everything and more importantly Haaland. They are also the best side in the CL barring maybe Real Madrid but even then pound for pound, its close.

Piss poor for weeks now. Attitude needs checked something serious as his body language looked abysmal, as if he doesn’t care. I’m not saying he doesn’t but his performances would indicate otherwise. Has credit from past few seasons but for someone the club see as going towards being a senior figure and captain, he needs to show much more passion and fight. Even when things aren’t going well, these big players, these are the ones who puff their chests out and give their all. Or maybe, as harsh as it may sound, he isn’t going to be the type of captain we need for this group as it stands. I don’t see him digging anybody out. In fact I don’t see any of them digging anybody out when they play. It’s embarrassing.

£250m? I think it will be a lot less. The prices we want for some of these players are so unrealistic. £70m for Mount with 1 year left on his deal. Between £45-50m for Gallagher apparently. I have a feeling some clubs will wait until the end of the window and get players for cheaper off us because they will know we have to sell. If it were happening at an another club, that would certainly be my tactic, go late and get them cheaper. Even then clubs also will know we have 30 odd players, we cannot register them all, so yeah I don’t think our position is going to be as strong as people may think. I also think anyone expecting another £200-300m spending spree will be shocked. Id be surprised if we spend £100m on top of the Nkunku deal this summer. If we sell a good amount, maybe more but I am skeptical.

One of the most embarrassing performances I have seen in as long as I can remember. Boehly & Eghbali both need to sell up and fuck off. They’ve destroyed this club in 1 year. Absolutely horrendous. And it doesn’t look like its going to stop. Another £600m on players and yet we’ve got Frank Lampard as manager as a publicity stunt to improve their reputation because they know every decision they’ve made this year has made them look as thick as shit. Two of the biggest clowns I think the PL have ever encountered as owners. Genuinely think its time the fans stopped going to games and send them a message. What an absolute shambles from top to bottom. I haven’t been in a while but I certainly wont be going back anytime soon. Got better things to waste money on than going to watch whatever the fuck that was. How many times have they been in the dressing room now as well? Fuck sake might as well start picking the team.

Not really. The complete opposite as Haaland was different. Haaland was certain to become a world class player. Even at Salzburg you could see it. But again, he the player himself, he made the decision to go to Dortmund and not Man United, here or the countless other clubs who proposed offers for him. It certainly paid off because he has only shown time and time again, like Jude Bellingham & Jadon Sancho to lesser extents, that at that age, playing regularly for a few seasons at a developing club is maybe more important than going from an obscure level to the top in the quickest way possible and maybe not having credit in the bank if things don’t go too well. Even now when he goes on a barren run you just know that Pep, his teams mates, their fans etc, they aren’t worried because they know he’s proven time and time again he will deliver and find the net again. Hes proven it already everywhere he’s gone. I’m not saying the kid at Atalanta doesn't look talented but Haaland is a once in a generational talent. So comparing them is pointless. Its like comparing say Timo Werner a few seasons ago to Kylian Mbappe. They are completely different levels. Plus Napoli paid like €70m for Osimhen IIRC, which I think after seeing how Pepe got on at Arsenal for £72m (the season before?) probably and rightfully, scared a lot of PL clubs into taking that risk. And Osimhen had only had one good season in European football at a competitive level prior to that move. He’s now at an excellent age where he’s got the confidence, the credit in the bank and experience behind him to make the next step I think. So even if things didn’t start particularly well he’d back himself because he has scored X amount of goals in the past 4 seasons. Also the chances are if he came here earlier he would of been loaned or sold off by now, like every other CF we’ve had since Diego Costa. I mean its ok to say yeah we should of signed him 2 or 3 years ago but no other top PL or European club took the gamble Napoli did, so I wouldn’t exactly say it was a bad move at the time.

Yep regardless of his potential, we need somebody who is able to come in, lead the line and deliver consistently right now because we have been lacking a regular top goalscoring CF for years now. After January, I hope we don’t seem intent on buying/wanting every second u23 player in the world again. I mean if this is the strategy this summer, questions have to be asked again of the football strategy, especially considering the doubts or concerns around Mendy, Kepa, Aubamayang, Koulibaly, Kovacic’s futures amongst others. Squad building needs to be done carefully. Personally I feel you need to have groups of players in different age brackets so you have a mix of lesser experienced, young guys breaking through/trying to establish themselves say under 23s. Then more established players who are proven and experienced in that bracket from say 24 to 29 and then some more senior pros say guys 30 and above. These last two groups, you need to retain a certain number of these guys just as much as anything else. If we just keep signing kids and don’t retain or maintain a good mix of established/experienced persons then you don’t really get continuity in the culture and standards around the club. Or so I feel. I get Arsenal are maybe showing that theory isn’t necessarily true but for me, I look at City under Pep and they’ve always had great squad building.

I see Richard Keys said the club should hire Lampard over Nagelsmann. The guy is a clueless cunt.

I tend to remember though the clamouring to upgrade on Alonso because the drop off from Ben to him was huge. That is why I can see why Cucurella was a preferred option because he had looked pretty good for Brighton. Where as Maatsen had maybe played 1 year in league and 1 year in the championship. No brainer really. Also because City wanted MC, again, a lot of people here were saying he would be a great signing. Just shows how fickle football fans can be - be careful what you wish for….

Maatsen much much better than Cucurella and should be our back up next season? Give me a break, why did nobody suggest keeping Maatsen as back up at the beginning of the season then if he was/is that good 🤣? So one season in the championship for Burnley and I see overrating our youngsters (particularly one who probably didn’t have a long term future here regardless of if we had Cucurella or not) is back. The Cucurella of last season was 10 times the player. Granted shite this season but most have been. Proper coach might help him who knows. But Maatsen? Not so sure he will be cut out for a top top team. I mean Burnley are comfortably better than everyone in the Championship but I do feel Maatsen will struggle defensively in the PL. Back to the point though. Glad to see Chilly signed a new deal. Gets rid of any speculation re City looking at him and potentially exiting due to FFP.

Probably go back to a back 4 for this known Frank. But still get beat and perform unbelievably poor. Wish this nightmare was over 🤣

Was there any real great attacking play or patterns from Madrid tonight? Not really. Other than Vini up against Fofana and James, both who he destroyed effortlessly, it wasn’t exactly as if Benzema or Rodrygo were fantastic, was it? They’ve played a lot better. The first goal comes from a ball in between Silva & Fofana and the second comes from a set play. Nothing hugely technical where you go wow only so many players could do that.

BT Sports commentators saying Frank will be proud how we stuck in tonight even with 10. Wow. Joe Cole no doubt going to blow smoke up Frank’s arse as well. Yep there it is - character and heart - embarrassing. Hoddle at it as well. A horrendous performance tactically, absolutely spineless. And 2 of the most basic goals you can concede from, a long ball in over the top prior to a tap in and a set play. Against a team who didn’t even need to play at 50% of their capacity. They half arsed it and still looker so so so much better & so much more comfortable. Modric & Kroos could be 50 and they would still run circles around our midfield tonight. They keep saying if we score early next leg, we’ve not scored in 4 games. Boehly, Eghbali, the DoF cunts, whoever - cheers lads

If Azpilicueta played as bad as James has tonight would love to see the reaction on here. Reece worst player on the pitch for us and that says a lot considering how poor most have been. Vinicius or not, he’s been nowhere near. Fofana also been awful.

And conceding from a set play. Frank Lampard speciality. Mount and Gallagher on now - back 4, going to be another 1 or 2 goals now. .

Was a common theme under Lampard the first time round. Amongst many. Defending poorly at set plays, poor in defensive transitions & poor on long balls. But what a horrendous sub by Lampard - Cucurella on for KK. Could have been avoided had he went for Trev and put Fofana to LCB where he played for Leicester (and more importantly away from Viniciuis who has destroyed him all match). Particularly when Cucurella has generally struggled as a left sided CB barring the Dortmund game. But incompetent manager incompetent subs. Just glad Madrid haven’t got out of second gear because could be a lot lot worse.

Yep. Athleticism means nothing if you neglect those other things. And that was something people were getting overly hung up on around Modric & Kroos’ age/lack of mobility etc, that our mobility or athleticism in MF would be challenging for them. If we were going to press maybe but even then Kovacic and Fernandez have been slow to every ball tonight without us really going for a full press, so would only be worse if we did go for it.

Game plan give it to Chilwell early let him run and see what happens. Devoid of any real plays or ideas. Like Frank never left.

Fofana is living dangerously. Very nervous watching him. Not looking overly comfortable at all. Need to stop the source to Vini, would expect more help from Reece in that regard. Also Enzo very flat on his feet out there. I know he’s not exactly overly mobile but looks sluggish and been a few times hes looked favourably to getting the ball and hasn’t. 1-0 now so expect the floodgates to open. Fofana absolutely shocking following in that run from Vini. Piss poor. Always struggling. Talk about big chances too.

Boehly… bellend. If we win fair does (I mean winning will be a tough task, never mind 3-0) but he is really just a smug cunt, isn’t he? Is he aware of our run of results 🤣 No pressure lads….

Bulk of the group is the same though. And you look around and have to ask who are the big players who can be dependable for Bayern in the biggest ties/big moments? Questions are going to be asked of their board/recruitment if another manager is extremely dependant on Manuel Neuer (or now Yann Sommer) & Thomas Muller as senior players to step up and provide the big moments throughout the season. Particularly without Lewandowski. Gravenberch is talented but he hasn’t particularly featured a lot for Bayern since going there (400-500 minutes all season) and when he has, he hasn’t necessarily impressed so its easy to see why he didn’t select him in a huge game. On motivation/stepping up - I think thats partly why they’ve got rid of Nagelsmann and went for Tuchel because he has shown he can be a motivator as well as a tactician. Obviously will take time, he’s only 3 games in. I think it also took him a few weeks here to get some properly convincing all round performances despite his first 5 games being 1 draw & 4 wins. Difference is we kept a lot of clean sheets those games - Bayern have looked a bit all at sea since the start of the year. Lot of talent there that just needs a bit of tough love I feel, Gnabry, Sane & Coman all shown they are top players in the past. Sane has been shocking since going back to Germany despite being an absolute revelation at City those years they won the Prem. He was a real handful to contain.

I am actually surprised we have bee linked with Gallardo and not Jorge Sampaoli - although he just got linked to the Nottingham Forrest job today. He is someone who again I think would be incredibly risky though. His career has went averagely a bit though

I do agree to say something like River Plate aren’t a big club, when historically, they and Boca Jnrs are massive in world football, is quite arrogant. But I do think Scaloni & even other international coaches are different though. I do think thats also why managers such as Southgate, Martinez etc can get away with it at international level. Or seem to be moderately successful/more successful than they were at club level. Granted Scaloni hasn’t been moderately successful, he has been incredibly successful at International level. Winning Copa America and World Cup 1 year after each other & the Final thing with Italy. Again though, for such a big task as the job here will be next season alone never mind the following one, the next appointment has to be a sure thing to get some traction and get things moving in the right direction. So somebody such as Gallardo - he is a very very risky choice which is something you’d hope we would be avoiding.

This is the same Bayern squad who crashed out to Villarreal last season. The same Bayern squad who also lost to PSG the previous season. There has long been issues with Bayern in Europe for seasons now in knockout games (even before they won it with Hansi Flick). Even with Pep & Ancelotti. This last 6, 7 or 8 years or so they just didn’t seem to be the same force in Europe as they were with Jupp or even van Gaal that year getting them to a final in the knockouts. Just missing something to turn those in game moments in their favour. Be it quality or mental. Even tonights game, you can see a midfield pair of Goretzka and Kimmich against the elite teams is going to be a weakness more than a strength (I mean you can actually hear Tuchel shouting at Goretzka prior to Rodri’s goal), they are more forward thinking players. They are good with the ball but not as good as a pair without it really. Joshua Kimmich is an allrounder but his mobility is poor and he’s often caught out of position. Goretzka is good at arriving in forward areas also but again defensively, is he up to it at the highest level? People forget Thiago‘s part in this Bayern team - he could do everything. Tackle, intercept, press, control games, break the lines, score, assist. And its not like Tuchel is the only manager to pick that duo in MF - Nagelsmann did, Flick did, Kovac did. The frontline is questionable but who’s the alternative? Who’s their number 9? Bayern, in phases of the game earlier, they do play well particularly after the goal, HT then the CB makes a huge error. Throw in no top level number 9 at this level too (as we all know), its tough when a team as ruthless as City can just nick a goal in these phases of the game.