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Conor did well, but he had a lot of space to operate. Wonder what Enzo might've done with the same time on the ball. Conor did pick up Sterling in a through ball nicely tho.

I did not think the game was that bad tbh; should've been winning this. Bournemouth are pretty bad though, so not winning today won't feel good enough. heh Solanke was a "promising" Chelsea youth once. Mudryk looked decent in the first 20min or so, but then had like 5 minutes of horror: lost the ball in a dangerous area, and then miscontrolled the football leading to a much-deserved yellow. I also don't like Enzo in that position; you lose the fantastic deep-lying mid and gain little from him in CAM. Gotta win this tho... don't care who plays. It's one of the easier away games we are going to get. Could prob risk a bit more with a more attacking lineup because Bournemouth aren't really that dangerous.

Enzo, one of the best yes. James, yes when he can play. Caicedo, nope not yet only if you consider hype/potential and price tag. Disagree on the CBs, average at best for me atm. Would def say Chilwell is above average tho, despite the criticism here. You listed 3 players out of 11 tho. The team has very glaring gaping holes (CAM/LW/GK) not to mention the bets, and football is all about the weakest link (plural in our case). Also good luck keeping Enzo and James without CL.

I'm down to the idea that most City players are interchangeable, but dunno; maybe I'm reading that Mudryk is as good as Grealish, the one-job guy. 🙂 even though that's a very low bar in my book, I don't think he is tho. I'm far from a Grealish fan, but don't think Mudryk is anywhere near that level atm. Fodden would be freaking Eden for us right now... Haaland... come on. 😆 Next folks will say Mbappe wouldn't improve the squad. I just don't see this quality folks see. I see good players: some still way early in their career, some physically underdeveloped, for ex, and likely some who will never be good enough. I just don't see that many players who would be sure starters, as in give a competitive advantage, over the players other big clubs have. Best players in every position? who exactly? I count one (Enzo), maybe two (James when fit).

Interesting how we all see the situation differently. I don't see a whole lot of quality in the squad neither do I see many of our starting XI starting for other top clubs in the PL, for ex. I think this squad is far weaker than last season's and that if a good manager like Poch had been at the helm then, things might have been a little better... not by much because I think the issues were mostly down to club disarray as opposed to just football. The only hope I have this season is Pochettino, and the fact he is a good manager. I don't think the squad is anywhere near good enough. We will need a lot of luck for some of the bets to pan out and quite good business in the coming couple/few windows to get back to competing again. Don't think the game tomorrow should affect things one way or another, but yeah a downward spiral would be really bad on a young set of players.

Brighton is definitely a well-oiled team and Joao Pedro already looks like a good find by them. United tho... looks like the manager is completely lost atm. The team clearly does not have enough players defending and it shows.They miss Mount already (Anthony as well) because they need more players involved in the defending tasks. Some will look at their CBs and say this or that, but IMO they are constantly outnumbered. Nowadays, teams who can't high press will be controlled... simple as. They will just keep the ball away from you and from the dangerous areas.

Sorry, but no player will ever get that at a big club without performing. Poch will be sacked before that 9th game... team has to perform or the manager goes--that's the reality at this level. We all have to at least agree here that Chelsea is an elite club, and by that I mean from a professional footballer's perspective playing for Chelsea is literally his career goal. There are maybe 7-8 clubs in the world in that category. It's a guarantee of the highest wages and visibility, not to mention a sure call up for the national team. That's the reason players aren't given time to "develop." If a player needs a whole lot of developing, perhaps he shouldn't be in Chelsea's senior team to begin with?

Win would be amazing, but imo the most important is to not lose; gotta have a solid game and take at least a point. Hmm haven't seen Bournemouth play this season, but they seem to be struggling... might be the time to go for the win yeah. Same, and I think there is a fairly obvious explanation for that: the previous owner had no ulterior motive to run the club other than the fact he wanted to; it was a hobby to him. The feeling is that it is very much a business for the current ownership. We hope that at some point this business is run well enough which would then turn into competitive advantage, but it does not look that way atm.

has anyone here played in front of a decent-sized crowd by chance? I remember my first time, amateur level, and it's simply incredible what happens to your mentality. Like legs suddenly operate at half strength, you question everything, miss 5-yard passes, simply run wrong. I'm sure you get used to it in time, but I also imagine what must be like for professional players, and then professional players at an elite club like Chelsea. It can't be a walk in the park, which is also a factor when we sign young players--physique being another.

Wasn't Bertrand playing left-winger in that game? I don't disagree, but then again I need to point out we are down to the 3rd option as left-winger who happens to be an attacking player who's been at the club for 8-9 months and has zero (0) goals. Not to mention that the defensive side of his game does not look really that much better. I have no doubt had Alonso still be in the roster and he'd be playing left-wing in every game. Perhaps switching positions with Chilwell occasionally, but just by the characteristics (not to mention experience and power).

yeah definitely Uruguayan football is always strong. Of course, 3rd in SA means not elite too. 😉

Has he not been playing in his natural position in the many minutes he has played for the club? I'm fairly sure he will start as soon as he shows any signs of improvement. I trust the club will spot these signs as soon as, and if, they ever appear. I don't see them, but they do watch him at training. We paid for Bakayoko. We paid for Luakaku. We even paid for Drinkwater.... so many others. They are all gone. Sometimes players aren't good enough at this level and there is only so much you can do about that. That's not even my main point tho, but rather calling using Chilwell in the wing "crazy;" that's not crazy and quite commonly done esp when lacking options for the position. LWB and Winger aren't that different positions esp when you consider an attacking LWB with good attacking numbers to prove. My point remains, the manager has the leverage, in my book, to opt for his only (heavily underperforming) winger, try someone else there (say Palmer), or stick with Chilwell esp in an away game. It's the manager's prerogative as to what he needs on that left wing to bring balance to the team. He may think that this away game is not the time to experiment, for example. And yes, considering Mudryk's abysmal attacking numbers, I'd consider him an experiment as well... tho I suspect it's the defensive side of his game that prevents him from getting more starts.

Unless that "young attacking winger" is freaking Mudryk. 😅 Suspect Chilwell has quite a few more goals (Mudryk has never scored for Chelsea) and assists than Mudryk any way you look at it. Mudryk's shot accuracy is at around 33% given he cannot even shoot on goal most of the time. I know folks here are very selective with stats.

Did not watch the game, but heard Caicedo had a strong game against Uruguay, which is reassuring. Uruguay isn't a top tier SA team, but evidently aren't pushovers either.

yup. Everyone we signed is a "project" including Jackson. Each has more or less potential, but that's the type of signing the club is after these days. Got to have blind faith in a leadership who hasn't earned it yet. I still think jackson can deliver, but he does have to hone his a game a bit as I've been saying elsewhere; what helped villareal may not help Chelsea in the PL. It's really a case of different requirements for the same job. There is also a point that these top scorer simply aren't available, so you've got to make some bets.

I don't know. Rice did very well in the WC late stages and against very strong opposition. The sample I have from Rice is much bigger than from Caicedo. Not to mention Caicedo looks really green to my eyes... miscontrolling the football is never nice for any player at this level, and he did that in 2 out of the 3 matches he played for us (one time leading to a goal and a loss). Yes, I know early days, but like I said, I was referring to "now." Let me put it his way: if I have a big game next weekend and I had to choose between the two players, I'd pick Rice every time. In time that may change, but right now, easy one.

Potential? maybe... yet to be seen at this level. Level of play right now? There should be no debate really.

Joao Palhinha is such a good player... super skillful. It's always nice when our rivals sign big names who turn out not being that great human beings. "Antony: Brazil drop Manchester United winger after abuse allegations" https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66713281 meanwhile Paqueta is being called to explain himself regarding the betting allegations.

That what you want, and I mostly agree. The question is what the club/owners want, and the feeling I have is that there is a disconnect around the goals between fans and club owners. Also, "wanting to come here" and "wanting to stay here" are factors the club can have a lot of influence in.

Sure, but it's really not really something I like to spend my free time on. I think you are focusing too much on a number-Kova came from years playing for RM at the highest level. We knew exactly what we were getting from him, and we did get exactly that. Yeah Kova may have been more about not letting him go given the already overdone revamp ongoing. Giroud was a competent striker to have. Over 30 are fine too, as long as they are performing. I get that it's difficult, but we have paid professionals doing exactly that. I've been dealing with something at work for the past days--did little else--but that's where my focus and my expertise lie, and why I get paid doing that. We are down to name discussion, but I think it's a philosophy as stated in the video; the owners want what they want, and given the lack of regulation, are doing exactly what they want.

What would me researching and providing names accomplish? does it eventually get to Chelsea directors, so they will act on it? Even if that's clearly not their focus? which was the main point in the linked video. I have to believe that a billionaire club has the ability to sign a good player at a good point in his career. It's not really asking a whole lot is it? We did the same with Jorginho not long ago: hardly a WC player in my book. Kova, same. Our rivals do that, but we don't seem to be able to. I understand the Saudi situation, but that's just an additional challenge. There are hundreds of potential names; the trick is to find the right one.

Fair enough, but the point is that you don't need to sign experienced WC players, but good experienced players so that your younger players have the time, and support, to develop.

I don't think anyone is against signing promising young players, but the issue is *only* doing that. That makes us look like a smaller club (Lyon used to do this very well) and has never really worked. Young players need (a lot of) support and nurturing on and off the pitch. Having players who can be a reassuring presence in in-game situations is fundamental. At the very least, it can be the difference between building up confidence vs losing it. As a player you always turn to more experienced players esp in adversarial conditions, which for most of these young players, PL definitely qualifies.

good points indeed, many of which have been made here. Like his constant visits to the locker room and his inexperience with all things football.

Lewa's dive against osasuna was world class--almost Kane level. That's why I don't watch La Liga... no-touch football. (kinda right thread I guess)