Sideshow Luiz

You can try StubHub or some other re-seller. It won't be cheap. https://intl.stubhub.com/chelsea-fc-vs-liverpool-fc-tickets/ev659822?afl=1Q606O8YRW&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=103654107&utm_source=sh-com

I rate Verratti. But he had his little contract thing at PSG as well and tried to get a move to Barca. Donnarumma had it big time with AC Milan a couple of seasons ago (?).

Nope, no one. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mino-raiola/beraterfirma/berater/282

I'm glad we don't really deal with him. It's always trouble. He's all about moving his clients around for new contracts and fees for himself. From a club perspective, it's a pain in the ass because he's always unsettling things. Can you imagine if Hazard had him as an agent? He would have been at Madrid years ago, and probably moved on to Juve or Man Utd. by now. He tries that shit all the time. Hamsik parted way with him when he tried to do it with him: https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/marek-hamsik-the-man-who-turned-down-super-agent-mino-raiola If I'm not mistaken, we don't have any of his players at the club, do we?

WTF is that?

I'm delighted to have 6 points from the first 2 matches. I think we were fortunate to get all 3 vs Arsenal. We were the better team overall, but that 20 minute stretch was so bad that we could have very easily given it away. In fact, we did, but Arsenal refused to take it. Right now, as much as I love picking up these crucial points, it's not my main area of concern. I really look forward to the match to see where our progress is at. I'm really excited, we've seen some glimpses of great stuff, but personally, I think we're only 60% of the way there. If we can keep picking up points while playing under our potential, we're going to be in good shape. I really think people are underestimating our ceiling.

I know we have the results right now, but I think we're only really 50-60% of the way there. I'm still in the mind-set that we're looking at Oct/Nov before things are clicking. We're seeing improvements every week. At the start is was a move or 2 would look in synch. Against Arsenal it was 20 minutes. The second half was hard to judge because Arsenal kind of stopped playing and sat deep looking for a draw. We have a long way to go still. I know Luiz has his moments. But, I'm not convinced that Albiol is better and Napoli had a solid defensive record. We'll get there. Right now, I'm going to hold off on worrying about personnel (Bakayoko aside, that was painfully obvious). We need training ground reps more than anything right now.

That's what I thought. I think the cutbacks will be sorted out, i'm not worried. They've had such little time on the training pitch. The French and Belgian players have only been back for 2-3 weeks.

From what I've seen of Sarri's Napoli, the FB will go out to challenge the winger and the other 3 defenders will be in the box almost like a3 CB (because they shift to the ball side so much). That's not the best video of it, I forget which one I saw that showed it in-game. I think that gap being exploited more on the left vs the right isn't just down to Luiz and Alonso vs Azpi and Rudiger. That's also Pedro and Kante vs Barkley and Willian

that was the passage that I remember being impressed with the most. Was reminded of this (1m 05s if it doesn't link the right part):

Yeah, it really all depends on who's available at the time. Poch's next job is at a Real, PSG, Man Utd level. Those clubs will want him, I think he'd want to go. Depends on who's looking for a manager next summer.

I actually can see Poch going there. I think he's hit his peak at Spurs, and he may want to see if he can go further with a club with some ambition. Madrid or Utd. level club for him next.

I think that Utd will go for Poch when they part ways with Jose.

Don't get me wrong, I was happy with the way we played for a lot of the time, but the result was fortunate. For our domination in certain areas (and the way we came out of the gate), Arsenal missed some absolute sitters. We dominated them for the 2nd half when they were sitting deep, but that 20-25 minute spell from just before we got our 2nd, until half time, we were woeful. Based on how Sarri started with Napoli, to have 6 points right now is huge. I think we will be absolutely smoking when things are clicking. All the points we can get now (in the meantime) are an absolute bonus.

This is a translation that I stole from Reddit (maybe one of our Croatian speaking members can verify?) Between this, and his social media post, he doesn't sound like a loan player Q: As far as we've seen from the stands you can be pleased about the performance, can you tell us a bit more how it looks on the field in a new club, new environment, new league etc...? A: First of all im happy about the win and that's the most important thing, it's good that the team is playing well so it's easy to adapt but i'm still out of rhytm since i've just joined the squad, but im working well and i'm improving and that's what matters. Q:From what we've seen for this 30 minutes, not enough for a clear picture but there will be more opportunities, looks like you have took your chance and you are very useful player otherwise they wouldn't bring you here. A: Well yeah, first of all it was important that after 3 years of inconsistency in playing time in Madrid i've got into a team that wants me and a coach that wants and trust me, that's how Chelsea happened. That's what i really need now, as i said earlier im feeling really good and i want to keep it that way. Q: Seems that your link with Sarri is really good? A: Well yeah, he knows me for a long time, i've watched a lot of his games, he likes to play and that's what matters imo. The squad is phenomenal with many great players that's why it wasn't so hard to adapt quick. Q:Season won't be so easy, but Chelsea always aim for the top. How do you see it from your point of view and what's the difference between Spain and England? A:Well, the tempo is higher, there is more space, but as i said it's not hard to adapt when you are surrounded by great players. I would thank to all fans that support me and i will make sure i payback on the pitch. Q: Mateo good luck and i wish you many successful moments in a new club. A: God bless Edit: Oops, sorry @Jason, I didn't see your post

There seems to be a narrative in the match analysis that Arsenal need to give Emery time and it's a work in progress, which I totally agree with. But, with no mention that we're in the same boat? We played really well for most of the match but we're still really far away from being the finished article.

Don't get me wrong, I know he's not the finished article. I just didn't think his distribution skills have been all that. Better than Courtois? yes. If it doesn't get better, yes, there's a problem. but, it's because that would mean he's hit his peak as a GK at 23.

Still a long way to go before we're the finished article. But, I was expecting it to be much worse at this point in time. Either we're adapting quicker than expected, or the ceiling is very high.

I'm not convinced that his distribution is all that good, TBH.

Phew

If he was quicker, he wouldn't have scored that C'mon. Hold on, huge 3 points. I know it's late, but it feels like we need a 4th.

More like Big BUNS. Ammitrite?

Pedro. Though Willian did start well (IMO).