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I'm not sure what this means... if that is indeed my squad, then I'd put money on them against your random list or youngsters (who haven't done nothing yet) any day of the week and twice on sundays. I'd suggest looking into stats regarding the number of youngsters starting in top clubs' senior squads and their success rate... It suggests one must be very careful in employing too many youngsters. Hint: the teams playing the CL final are usually NOT on the younger side.

Just to clarify, that when I disagree with your assurances about players and/or leagues (and I do), I'm not saying we shouldn't make a move, even when (in my view) they play in smaller leagues/clubs under a lot less pressure. I can tell you for example, that Brazilian players will only really catch scouts eyes when performing well in libertadores, not Brasileiro. Where their perform, and against who,are the most important factors in accession what they will be able to do against the strongest opposition. Precisely why I rate Eden Hazard less than most folks here (Willian consistently outperformed him in CL!). Some of them have the quality and deserve a shot. Personality and other factors may help selecting which would likely succeed abroad. However, with the current managerial situation, betting on such players may be unwise. They would not be given too many opportunities to succeed, and could end up becoming eternal subs, even if underserved.... see AC who is a good player in my book (just a bit green for CB). CHO is not of Sarri's making -- that is my main disagreement even when I couldn't care less about Sarri. Thought Napoli was entertaining to watch even if a bit gung-ho, like a team who would lose to pragmatic Jose 9 out of 10 times in single elimination games.

Sure! I'd be totally on your side if I knew there was a possibility he would stay if given more minutes. However, all the evidence I have (certainly not as much as the club has), points to him wanting to leave pretty much like Eden. Though the conclusion is that we don't really know for sure, which makes the outcry a bit much too. Maybe Sarri sees CHO in practice and he does not look into it?

Going in circles again here. You think my definition of big club is narrow and I think yours is wrong. Agree to disagree. A lot those players play in tiny little leagues, which are not comparable to the pl. and/or play in smaller teams with a lot less pressure against a manager and players. If they lose a few games it’s all good! Big clubs == pressure... so for me you leave out the most important factor when analyzing players! once again, if he’s not going to stay regardless of playing time, he’s simply not good enough to justify the outcry. Esp if we know our managers are always under additional pressure. will be the same again with the next manager. either folks criticize sarri signing, wasn't a fan myself, at the time or it’s silly to criticize it now. His lack of wins hasnt changed since, then had it? @Clockwork my point exactly - that was known at the time we signed him.

Sorry we seem to strongly disagree on what a big club is. Many in the list above are medium smaller ones in my book. regardless, my point remain that the ones who play routinely at top clubs are actually better than the alternative, hence why they play. CHO is simply not at that level atm. Or st least to pushing his way into the team. And again he may be leaving anyway, in which case the criticism is exaggerated.

This is a perception that is difficult for us to have - the coaches who who have access and assess his physical condition do. From the outside, he looks better fit than Giroud actually, who may no longer be suited for a back up either. Not a big Higuain fan, but wouldn't mind him staying either, but only if we also have younger prospect(s) along.

For a moment there I thought you were suggesting Gary should try his luck as an NFL kicker... luiz might be better suited for that tho

Zola is correct when he refers to big clubs like Chelsea. No not many 18yo, who don’t dominate games like Mbappe did at this age, play for top clubs. Then you add the pressure that our managers are constantly under, and they have little incentive to take additional risks. ironically many folks here who want cho to play more, are also asking for sarri’s sacking, which will just keep the vicious circle going. a legit question on Twitter: if cho is leaving anyway, so we still play him? Some here will say yes, but I’d say no or even a does not matter/up to the manager. The club seems to think he will leave regardless of minutes given and if that’s the case he just does not add enough at this time to justify all the moaning here.

Being against Malmo is the most important thing about this match. Against much weaker opposition you can only find out what does not work, not what works.

Good points, but you are leaving out the attackers, whose omission caused the middle to get overwhelmed. Esp the wingers who need to stop the runs of their FBs. The whole team defended poorly which overwhelmed every other section. Little Kante could do. Strange to start with the striker in this game too when you needed more bodies chasing... esp an immobile one as Higuain.

It's not about who we give them, but why would he join us? We keep talking about price and fees, but if the players would rather play elsewhere, in a a more stable environment, and/or not in England, it does not matter how much you offer to the cubs. You can inflate the wages, but that comes at a cost too... Gotta get them *before* they are famous. There is Messi and then Mbappe... you are all dreaming...

No argument there. Gary worked well in certain systems and not so well in others (high def lines). I, and quite a few people (including sarri early season) think Alonso had some important qualities for the position: namely passing, defending high balls, and scoring. His goals have dried up - unlucky too as he hit the post a few times - but his passing is definitely worse than it used to be... more laborious and testy. Maybe confidence as said above. He's in bad shape and form... it happens! Now, my point is that this scapegoating in football doesn't make much sense. 11 play and the system was meant to cover the attacking LB (not the defensive RB). So, there is something terribly wrong with the team, and I suppose that some of the players are no longer running for the manager and the system. Everybody is focusing on Alonso decision, but the most interesting for me was that Hazard was strolling about doing nothing. So, you stick another attacking LB there, Emerson, esp because he's average, and it's going to be the same shit. As it was in the 4 nil and second half against City.

because he got rattled and was having a terrible game. One thing leads to another. The problems with this team go a lot deeper than the LB choice. Case in point, the 4 nil defeat and how easy City scored after Alonso was gone.... we can't defend as a team because the players are not playing for the manager.

Be sad all you want... just please don't try to rewrite history. All players perform well in a team because of the circumstances the system provides them with. The whole reiterated point made by Eden's fans is that he will do better in a better system. No player does "great" (your word) without qualities. Terrible comparison there too. You are comparing a player (Alonso) who had MoTM performances against tough opposition, played most if not all games in our winning season, had a record of goals and plenty of assists to show for it, to subs and fringe players who played little (kalou a bit more). Like I said, let’s not rewrite history. He's actually started well under sarri, see manager's comments on him. And is playing very poorly, but it is NOT his fault Chelsea has no alternative to an underperforming player. Alonso showed terrible decision making in the first goal, but I was also unhappy with Eden's nonchalant approach there - he was markiing noone. Alonso shouldn't have to tell hazard to mark the wide player. Watch now how a few players not running for the manager will make even the good players look bad. In my TV City scored just as easily with Emerson on the pitch.

Spot on on the ratings. alsonso was awful. Kepa and Barkley were poor too. not many players were focused enough for a game like this. Every city player was far more focused and disciplined.

Shit attitude by a group of players who are no longer running for the manager. another one goes and ppl blame Roman. The problem is 5at we have too many players without a backbone. No excuse for me. KDB is a great player and needed stopping.

It's not even that... If emerson were a Roberto Carlos (most overrated LB in history), then Sarri would indeed deserve criticism. Because Emerson is an average player, similar to what Alonso has been lately, it's really a toss up. In which case, it is entirely within the Manager's right to pick the player who he thinks will help *his* system more. Unless folks are also advocating that they know which one would help Sarri's system better than he does.

heh football is business! These particular business people are tuned in a particular way that may be detrimental to the club, agreed. This is going to remain the same until a major change in the ownership happens. It could be imminent or not really... it is the status quo. I disagree that Willian is deadwood. He's def not my favorite player, but hardly deadwood. I consider Drinkwater a pretty desperate signing for group and pretty expensive for a filler - pretty unsellable right now. Bakayoko is one of the players who would've been in a wish list by many people and he turned out to be the worst signing I've seen at the club. He showcases how hard it is to improve at this level (matic is really twice the player). have to agree with @Clockwork on emenalo. The worst was his bias towards nigeria, which while good for a the NT and a few players did not help the club in any way. Mikel, Moses, and Omeruo had no business at chelsea. There are better ways to do charity if that was the intention.

stumbled upon this video of Ronaldo #9 from when he still had knees: Highlights from one game... hard to believe. He was still pretty good at real, after losing his knees, but nothing like the above.

Oh I'm sure they could be doing a better job, but we don't have all the info. I'm on the boat that they are doing exactly what they are told to do... I mean people don't really retain jobs otherwise. On the other hand, I feel folks just don't accept that we aren't that competitive in the transfer market. Some of the players we complain about are adequate for the level we are at. Improving on them would either take an herculean effort and money, which we may not have to invest, and/or make huge bets, which we may be unwilling to do (and lots of money too). Signing players at this level is hard... and improving on players we already have even harder.

Yeah, but that's not really how this works. I know it is fun to bash the board at every opportunity, and they make their mistakes for sure, but as soon as our initial offer goes in, the player's agent will start calling other clubs, other agents, and esp scouts. It's hard to sign any player these days. On top of the, "do the player really want to join us" bit, there are now a myriad of agents and cuts along the way. It's rumored FIFA is looking at that, but boy are they slow to act!

Neymar has been playing in the center for Brazil for some time, just behind the striker. Think they could play together quite easily. Only it's a matter of cost, but Hazard will not be that expensive for a club like Real anyway :(. They can also mode some of their good attacking mids to make room.

Football is so interesting... Watched a little of the Everton vs City match and Davies ended most of the attacks with poor first touches (showing too much or losing control). Walcott was right below in the ability to end attacks. If you read fan's opinion on twitter, Davies had a monster game showing "lots of grit." Dedication and aggression are secondary attributes. Important? sure! However ONLY if the player in question has good technique, esp at this level. Davies is young, so he may improve and become a good player, but that first touch isn't reassuring.

Prediction: Chelsea hires Pochettino on a long-term deal. Pochettino to make Alonso his "go to" guy.. pretty much like Conte and Sarri. A few TC members commit hara-kiri immediately after pochetino's first PL game.

Another bizarro world on TC I must say. Team plays well, Alonso plays well with great linkup play with Hazard, yes, even in the first half. People complain... Alonso is shit and what not.