Strike

Mason Mount! Hell yes

Not talking about whether the season is tough or not but the board has hardly shown any long term planning in the last 6 years so I am skeptical about transition. It seems like there is adapting to do every year or so

I am convinced by now there is no such thing as a transition season. The club, board make things up as they go along

Good news. This is the season to start phasing Azpilicueta out at RB

It was a Salzburg team in-season. Good test for a Chelsea team in pre-season

Think Tammy is clearly the best option we have and a run of games as striker will make it evident. Giroud's lack of pace is a big concern and Batshuayi is erratic

The Good No sign of Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Pulisic, Pedro and Abraham pressed well, attacked well on the counter, Pedro goal was excellent and worth seeking out Barkley had another good game, took a good pen as well Devastating counters No injuries, decent run-out for most The Bad Shaky defense, midfield. Struggled to break their press at times Mixed day out for Zouma at CB Not sure if the team can afford to be so open at the back in the league Set piece goal conceded again Zappacosta comes on and concedes penalty

Nice to see Abraham is the choice of striker again. Would have preferred Mount over Barkley but both are doing well in pre-season so that competition can continue

21 in the squad today + James, RLC, CHO, Kante, Willian 26 in the final squad give or take a Zappacosta. Good squad trimming

Does Zouma not count as HG?

All doom and gloom in here. I think we are very much in the mix for top 4 and people are overstating Arsenal and United's business. We are rebuilding quietly under the radar without the pressure of big-money signings. Managed to add quality players like Pulisic, James, Tammy and Mount in a window with a transfer ban.

Puig yes And at least Kante will be back soon. Should give us some more energy in midfield

Watched the entire first half. 4-2-3-1 with Mount in the hole and Pulisic and Pedro out wide. I think Tammy gave a great account of himself. With Tammy, Pulisic and Mount there is actually pressing in the final third. Mount was neat. Brought down few balls sent over the top from defense also. This looks like direct play, move the ball forward quickly and incisively. Just not sure if long balls from defense will work in the PL. Pulisic had a couple of good openings. He scuffed a shot after a neat move involving Azpi on the right Full backs are pressing right up, which is good to see. He was sending in only low crosses. Midfield of Kova-Jorgi was bypassed too often. Particularly could not get to grips with that Barca kid. Thankfully we have Kante, RLC there Defense is suspect too. Interestingly, Tomori and Zouma came on in the second half although I didn't watch either play

Happy to hear he is in the club's plans. Azpi should be phased out and Reece should be given the RB slot as the season goes on.

Where is Tammy?

GOALKEEPERS: Arrizabalaga, Caballero, Cumming DEFENDERS: Alonso, Azpilicueta, Christensen, David Luiz, Emerson, Tomori, Zappacosta, Zouma MIDFIELDERS: Barkley, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Jorginho, Kanté, Kovačić, Mount FORWARDS: Abraham, Batshuayi, Giroud, Kenedy, Palmer, Pedro (+Pulisic) 25-member squad flying to Japan for pre-season tour. Reece, Ampadu, Willian, RLC and CHO are yet to join up so I imagine they will replace Zappa, Baka, Palmer, Drinkwater and Kennedy/Alonso?

I feel it should be Lampard, Jody, Chris Jones and maybe Makelele as part of the set-up. I don't particularly like reading reports of Ballack and few others also joining up. Too many heads

Reading that he cannot be registered fresh so will have to be bought this week?

Yep. This is it. Should be in by Monday

Mount is getting the chance this means

Interesting bits in this story by Matt Law. Claude Makelele's name is mentioned as someone who could take charge of the loan army, which will free up Eddie Newton or Paulo Ferreira to move to a coaching role with Lampard, Jody and Chris Jones. Cech also mentioned in director role. The backroom seems to be coming together quite nicely and these are the type of people who will be bolder in giving chances to guys like Tammy, Mount and Reece.

If true, a sensible assurance and a huge deal for Chelsea to do this. Good time for Frank to take the job when priorities have been reset.

The alternative right now is playing Alonso, Willian, Pedro, Giroud

No surprise that Aston Villa has broken the club transfer record for a Brazilian striker. Tammy is staying https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48629167?ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport

Agree. Both are out till November and should be fully fit only next year.