Strike

Yeah it doesn't but saying that despite our struggles at the start, there's no breakaway in the league like last year and we are stronger (having spent 200m)

For all the doom and gloom we are two points off Liverpool who are 2nd. Doesn't look like we will have a 90+ season this year (if Van dijk is out for long) Would wait a few weeks before writing us off honestly. The basis is there for a team that can win most of the games in this league

Yep. It definitely wasn't a case of Zouma just booting it clear or down to setpiece defending. That game should not have been in the balance with minutes to go. There is an issue with the coaching/pressing work off the ball. The team has sat back and invited pressure in phases of games after taking leads - Brighton, Spurs, now Soton

I agree. Zouma was decent at the start of the season. But the continued trust in Christensen is worrying now. Zouma and Tomori was the Chelsea centre-back combination in our best run under Lampard in autumn 2019. I cannot understand how Christensen has amassed the amount of gametime he has over Tomori since the start of the year. Tomori - Zouma even looked solid vs Liverpool and Spurs this season too and Christensen was sent off after switching off and bringing down Mane. I can't believe he continues to start games and might even continue because Zouma's error was more glaring yesterday

Yeah, that was inexcusable. Zouma gave up on that after the ball by-passed him and looking back, he would have probably cleared it if he simply tried to get back and help the team

Yes but I think he has passed the eye-test apart from that moment

Even when Zouma and Christensen had the odd good game at the start of this season, I thought Frank should try Silva-Tomori. Genuinely think that could be our best bet because Tomori is rapid, could improve over the year into a decent defender. With Zouma/Chris we know what we are getting.

Its not so much an individual mistakes thing. The mistakes are a product of a coaching, pressing issue. Silva and Mendy for Zouma and Kepa will help but the midfield still needs to work out how it will play without the ball.

Weekend ruined though. What a shame.

Thought we pressed better up front when he was on.

Disagree. Ball retention was much better after Ziyech came on

Actually thought Chelsea bossed the game once Ziyech came on for Mount. Typical to concede that late free kick and defend it badly

I'll take this! No serious injuries, no COVID or quarantine. Pulisic fit and ready to start, Werner down the middle.

5th choice CB. Good call from Frank - form over reputation

inb4 WHY ARE WE HAVING FRIENDLIES IN A PANDEMIC?

Anyone reported how serious?

Better actually that we have 28 yo Jorginho than 30 yo Pjanic

Yeah, a midfielder who understands where to be to stop counters would have been handy but I am comfortable addressing this position with a younger player in 2021.

Just based on how good Ruben was before the injury, I wouldn't rule out him coming good at Chelsea yet. His size and athleticism makes him stand out from the others you mentioned

The Athletic carry good info in their stories. Seems like Liverpool wanted to be in the loop, read that one other Spanish club also made an enquiry. I wonder if Chelsea are keeping tabs for a possible future bid

Has to go backwards and rebuild I think. Can't do that being on the bench at Chelsea

Reece James was in midfield for a few minutes at the end vs Brighton. He could be the extra option

Isn't Lampard huge on the All Blacks 'no dickhead' rule where players dont put themselves ahead of the team? Also, Drogba and Lampard had a row over the first penalty in that Wigan game before Lampard decided to hand the next one to Drogba