Jase

Guardian says this deal will only be a loan deal, IF successful. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/26/antonio-conte-chelsea-kalidou-koulibaly-alessio-romagnoli?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Maybe that's a good thing. We can finally dump Ivanovic to the bench, put Azpi at RB and have Alonso do the Ivanovic role on the left side - winning headers etc!

I think if we are to truly enjoy the occasion of smaller teams taking on the bigger ones and beating them, the competition format probably needs to be changed to a knockout stage or even a 3-game group stage. While it's nice to see Legia take on Real Madrid, for instance, possibly even beating them, it's unlikely that fans will feel that excitement, shock, unforgettable feelings because it won't impact Real's chances of progressing from the group stage. They will likely still win the other 5 group games. Need the format to be 1 game or 3 because then the consequences of losing or even drawing can be pretty damaging. There's a reason after all why we enjoyed Euro 2016 and cup competitions like FA Cup.

Possibly but if he's here to replace Begovic, then I'm sure we would have signed him on a contract longer than one year.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/08/eduardo-transfer-completed.html

Of course we had to get the toughest draw of all the big teams...

After more than a year, Matic faces the same team that arguably broke him.

I really don't get players' obsession or love for Real Madrid, especially when they aren't even playing. If they are playing week in week out, then fine. But when they aren't playing, why do they want to stay? Surely doing what they love and enjoying themselves on the pitch has to be bigger than warming up the bench, even for a prestigious club like Real?

Highlight of the match was Periscope.

Sold. http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/08/marin-moves-on.html?extcmp=SOCIA_TW_ENG_TRANSFERS

Nice little banter between Batshuayi and Hazard.

Chelsea vs Burnley PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT 2016/17 Premier League Match 3 27th August, Saturday, 2016 Stamford Bridge 15:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 2016/17 Premier League Match 3 27th August, Saturday, 2016 Stamford Bridge 15:00 Kick Off (UK time)

PLAY THE YOOF!

Thank god we didn't appoint him!

Watching him, Ivanovic and Cahill trying to play with the ball is a tragic sight. All 3 extremely awkward with the ball and have absolutely ZERO clue what to do with them.

Careful now Tomo. You wouldn't want to jinx us as we play Burnley next.

THAT pass to set up Costa is exactly why Conte should be playing against teams like Watford! If he doesn't start against Burnley at HOME next week...

And he's reverted to his old self after that good showing against West Ham. We'll be lucky to see another performance like that in 2016.

Some quick thoughts... 1. Don't think both sides played well but in our case, thought we were flat. Never mind the lack of good chances created, that energy, intensity we saw against West Ham were missing. 2. Probably got lucky with the win this time around but heck, will take that and run. 2 wins from 2 now. Need to continue building on it. 3. I'm seriously hoping Conte isn't another manager who waits till the last 10-20 minutes before changing things. Although they worked against West Ham and Watford, there's gonna come a game where this approach will be too little too late. 4. Is Conte giving Fabregas the cold shoulder treatment like Mourinho did with some players 2 years ago? Fabregas certainly has his defensive issues but given we rely so much on Hazard and are so braindead whenever we get into the final third, surely Fabregas should be starting against teams like Watford? We need his attacking qualities (as proven with that gorgeous pass to Costa!) to break down the lesser sides. Conte has serious questions to answer if he doesn't start Fabregas against Burnley next week. 5. Not convinced the 4-4-2 will work from the start, especially when there's so many issues with the current squad, but a tad curious to see it happen. Twice now changing to that has gotten us maximum points from 2 matches. Conte to try that out from the get-go against Bristol Rovers?

Chelsea vs Bristol Rovers PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT 2016/17 EFL Cup Round 2 23rd August, Tuesday, 2016 Stamford Bridge 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Chelsea 3-2 Bristol Rovers POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 2016/17 EFL Cup Round 2 23rd August, Tuesday, 2016 Stamford Bridge 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

But the overall plan was still basic and direct - go direct from back to front quickly or get the ball wide and put crosses into the box. We didn't really do that before we changed to 4-4-2. In any case, it's good that we actually have a Plan B, a different approach to when things aren't working well, basic or not, and that we don't actually panic in executing the plan, unlike what we have seen in the past.