robsblubot

As someone who considers this guy an extremely tactically savvy manager, I still have to be consistent and say that he may not be big enough for Chelsea at the moment. He might need to move to a mid-size team and do well there first, which was my main critique with the Potter assignment.

Not going to lie, he's been shit so far. This is the time, we fans, can't help all that much and it's up to the well-paid professionals at the club to ASSESS talent. Is it worthwhile to invest on him? does he have the potential? If we are indeed a club in disarray, then the guys who scouted him have no connection with the guys doing ☝️ which would be a very big fucking problem. Let's see what happens here.

I agree. That's something folks here often ignore: we have a very expensive squad with quality players in a lot of positions... some sitting one bench would walk into most starting XI outside the very top clubs in the world. We do have glaring gaps, and an unbalanced squad. On the other hand, Kante looked pretty good in the few minutes he played... like the little world beater is still there. Who knows... it's single elim and we are hardly that much an underdog. Would be nice to have a manager who was pulling the right strings, but that wasn't the case with Potter anyway.

Really worrying for the 3 players who were playing for Potter.

Potter only happened because of Boehly.

Seeing Kay coming back to the midfield to carry the football in this situation is just wrong... lol Stick him up front to put pressure on their defense. Put Pulisic in earlier (not at 80"!)! use whoever you got upfront... It's time to incur into some risk. Move Reece up front like suggested above. One of the most insipid performances I've seen from Chelsea club. They are a mess tactically, so no wonder.

haha true that Plus Mount is usually a bit more say dynamic even when not at his best. Felix on the other hand...

Yeah, but you send in whoever you got. Attackers are usually more likely to score than Kova, Kante, and Enzo to name a few. It's great to see Kante back tho. It's just math really... Villa will defend with greater numbers and we need enough attacking players to match that. Also, I'm going to call it: I'm not a fan of Felix.

There aren't enough attackers on the pitch at the moment, esp for a team losing 2 nil at home. This is so freaking weird.

So, his contract has only one year left? that's a mistake by the club... he should not have been avail and getting minutes in this situation. Clubs used to play hardball before, now players and agents do what they want. In 6mo he can sign a contract with anyone going on a free later.

Chilwell's the best England LB for me, but I think it's more about Southgate's formation. Chilwell is a very attacking-minded RB, which demands cover and a particular balance up front -- reminder that we were most successful with him and Mount working together. England would be much strong with James and Chilwell IMO tho. Coach's job to make that work, if he is capable.

Rumor has it that Bayern Munich were torn between Tuchel and Potter, but Potter was unavailable, so the they had to settle for Tuchel. Reckon Bayern can always hire Potter once players get tired of "running like dogs" under Tuchel relentless high press and need a break; Potter should be available by then. 😉

Spend a truckload of money ✅ Hire Pep as a manager or Gamble on someone w/ same philosophy to Build a squad w/ high work rate, mobility, and on-the-ball skill (esp CBs and even gk) It seems we are only good at #1 above. TBH, I don't necessarily want/need that to happen, but this is what would take IMO.

I think we are talking about slightly different things here. I agree that we were not competitive in the league in the sense that we did not have a shot at winning it; and once again, aside from City, or another team who can replicate that system (perhaps Arsenal now), that's what is going to be winning the league most seasons. The point I, and perhaps others here, have been making is that that Tuchel team could beat anyone; they were competitive in that sense... so much so that we beat Madrid (w/ dominant performances I might add) and City in the final. I remember fans and press saying Pep lost because he changed the team for the final, but he changed the team *because* he thought he would've lost soundly without changing the team. "Some of the football under him was borderline pathetic" this we just agree to disagree. I very much liked that style of play, and think that any lack of creativity was more down to the lack of such player(s) than anything else. He worked with the squad he had and to their strengths. The tricky part these days is getting that creative skill without losing the competitiveness; getting players who can be inventive, but *also* press high with high work rate. It's extremely difficult and reckon some of the new signing ain't that.

Reckon you are Cherry-picking a bit here. Chelsea was a competitive side under Tuchel and could beat anyone... so much so that they did beat everyone who mattered. Regardless of how one feels about him, or his playing style, fact is that Tuchel won, and won big. PL today I think is more about squad and that particular possession style than anything else. Pep's high press and possession is the best system for long championships, and the numbers prove that. It's not as effective in single elim evidently.

We were never in full control of this match. No player had an outstanding game... some decent performers others way below their norm. Kai's heading of the ball, or the lack thereof, needs to be looked at by training coaches -- that's basic stuff! Everton are bad! their struggles aren't an accident -- they play bad football! The subs... well, folks already said all the is to be said. What a painful game to watch.

Fofana passing is much better than Badiashile at this time, but the latter has been solid and has a very high ceiling if he keeps on improving. Let's see.

Liverpool has a huge CM problem. Lots of old/past-their-prime and overrated mediocre footballers (like Fabinho) in it. It's no wonder they struggle against better players. Mane was so important (firmino when younger as well) because he'd drop back and help in midfield. It's amazing how clubs let managers get attached to players to the point it starts to affects their bottom line.

Yup he does seem to have the vision and the ability to act on it. On the other hand, his game is WAY too unpolished for this level, so that's what he needs to work on, and do it quick. I'm also unsure if he's capable of helping with high press -- does not seem like he's good at that, at least not right now. That can be improved on, but it requires a certain competitive demeanor.

Oh we are not yet competitive against the top clubs. Would not bet a dime on us against City or Arsenal atm... even if tbh City has not been firing in all cylinders this season; I think they have a lot good players, a couple mediocre ones, and lacking any real talent in midfield without KDB. This season is a bust, but beating Dortmund helped a bit -- tbh I think Dortmund is one of the easiest clubs to beat at this level. They play good football, but are on the softer side. Regarding next season, it's difficult to speculate. Reckon the squad will change quite a bit, as the manager will have his favorites, and personal preferences as style and characteristics. CL would be the bare minimum after spending so much.

Potter has an EXTREMELY expensive squad at his disposal. It's pretty evident at this point that he will be given time, but next season will be interesting: reckon Chelsea will need more than play OK football as we've been doing in the past few matches. Leicester performance was OK/decent... IMO it said more about Leicester than us, but still, the team showed resilience. The defense looked a bit better. I think Thiago Silva is showing his age at times... I know... unpopular, but he lacks pace at times, and his fantastic positioning can't always make up for that; I think his injury helped Potter, but Cucurella as the Azpi of the left was a smart move.

He's 23, and consistency is the one thing players usually improve on as they age. Kai is our best player when he's on form, so I think we should really look elsewhere before looking at Kai. That does not preclude getting some options up front tho.

much better in the back 3 (against Dortmund)-- is he Aspi of the left?

That's precisely what makes him a pretty wild bet at this level.

MotM for me against Dortmund by a long mile. Haven't played like that for a while and I hope it wasn't only the "CL factor." Also hope it helped rebuild his confidence a bit.