Stats

The ref trolled the Palace fans with the penalty announcement 😆
 

no club on the planet will pay £150m for Palmer at the level he currently is playing to
he looks a shell of what he was pre injuries

This is great news, hopefully he starts tomorrow

Man’s got pigeon shit in his hair and we’re meant to accept him as a serious option.

Briefing going out again about a CB. But the descriptions of what we apparently want are pretty contradictory.
”Chelsea want a starting level, top class CB.” In other words a plug and play option. 
But then they link us to a 20 year old who plays for a small French club where he has made less than 1 whole season’s worth of appearances in his whole career thus far. 
I don’t care how highly rated Jérémy Jacquet may be, we don’t need another kid, ffs. We need a seasoned veteran who comes in and instantly elevates us.

Ehh, maybe. Diaz is their general on the pitch and Pep absoutely loves Gvardiol. I guess maybe he could move Gvardiol permanently to LB. But I don’t even think it matters since Pep rotates so much anyways so he’d keep everyone happy.

Well, thanks for everything I guess.. Weird signing with weird ending, but he wasn't so bad after all. I felt he should have played more when Palmer was unavailable. Garnacho, Neto, Gittens are running/shooting tools, Estevao is like a one-man-army, creating everything for himself.. Buo was pretty much the only player of ours who was looking to create chances for the strikers. 

he has regressed a lot this season

That was their best available team, bar Kepa for Raya (which was out of choice). That was more of our B team due to the injuries/unavailable. Not sure if you saw their actual line-up, because I am not sure where you concluded that was their 'B' team.
To the game, in the circumstances, I will take that 3-2 loss, considering the players we had unavailable/injured and considering they went their strongest outfield team available. When the teams was revealed, I don't think much of as had any hope and when they went 2-0 up, I thought we were in for a hiding. Also thought again when they went 3-1 up, we was going to get battered and we did ride our luck but fair play to how the boys battled and give us a fighting chance.
Still a tough ask, however second leg, you could argue that 5 players who were unavailable last night in Gusto, James, Caicedo, Palmer and Delap will all be starters in the second leg. 
 

What are you talking about? Arsenal used their best team and actually we missed 4 or 5 best players. 

Caicedo and Reece both are massive in our build-up play

Arse already had the best CB pairing in the league BY FAR with Saliba & Gabriel. They then bought Hincapie & that kid from Spain who are both top quality depth. And now it’s coming out that they want Guehi. 
Meanwhile, look at us. This is how insanely far we’ve fallen. Fucking Arsenal may soon have FIVE CB’s that are better than every single one of ours on their way to pissing the league and as the favorites to win the UCL. A club for the last 20 years we’ve laughed at and taken the piss out of as we have owned London.
Absolutely depressing.

Could this be the turning point in Liam Delap’s time at Chelsea?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6952802/2026/01/08/liam-delap-Chelsea-fulham-analysis/

More than 200 days after completing his move from Ipswich Town, is Liam Delap finally finding his feet at Chelsea?
One of the most significant moments of Delap’s Stamford Bridge career so far came early in the 2-0 win over Fulham in August, when he pulled up, grimacing, with the hamstring injury that would rule him out for two months. He will hope the reverse fixture on Wednesday, though overshadowed by a 2-1 defeat, will also be a turning point in his story at this club.
Delap’s Chelsea career has not started as anyone hoped. When he swivelled and fired home Chelsea’s then-equaliser in the 72nd minute at Craven Cottage, it ended an 18-game run without a goal for him in the Premier League — stretching back to scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers for Ipswich in April. It is his second goal outside of the Club World Cup for Chelsea, adding to one scored in the 3-0 Champions League win against Barcelona in November.
Delap’s absence throughout September and October as he recovered from that hamstring injury, followed by another layoff with a shoulder problem in December, has meant he has not put together any consistent form. Until Wednesday he had yet to complete a full match this season.
For a striker who shone for relegated Ipswich last season, and who drew interest from multiple Premier League sides this summer, the numbers were not adding up. Undoubtedly, that was mostly due to injury, but Delap has also not helped himself at times. His return from injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup was cut short by a red card Enzo Maresca described as “embarrassing”. He has picked up two yellow cards since, including one within two minutes of being introduced against Aston Villa.
As incoming head coach Liam Rosenior, who is already familiar with Delap after coaching him on loan at Hull City in 2023-24, watched from the stands at Craven Cottage, he will have picked up on numerous problems he needs to address quickly at Cobham. One of the positives he can pluck out of that defeat, though, is that Delap is finally beginning to look like the player Chelsea paid £30m for in June.
Delap the target man started to emerge as a more effective force in November and December, showing his ability to agitate defenders, hold up the ball with his back to goal, and link up with his wingers. But that was inconsistent, shown only in glimpses, and more importantly, Delap the finisher was nowhere to be found. He appeared isolated at times, generating little in the way of clear-cut opportunities, and that frustration showed in ill-discipline.
Delap scores from a corner against FulhamMike Hewitt/Getty Images Wednesday’s game at Fulham was the first time that fans have seen Delap the target man and Delap the finisher and technician really appear.
Far from appearing isolated, he was involved in more attacking sequences than any other player on the pitch — particularly impressive given that Chelsea were down to 10 men for most of the game. That often involved dropping off and holding up the ball before teeing up an onrushing colleague. As Delap has built his minutes back up after injury, he is growing more vocal and more enterprising in his off-the-ball movement to capitalise on space in behind.
When Marc Cucurella was sent off in the 22nd minute, it could have turned into another frustrating and isolated evening for Delap — but he continued to occupy Fulham’s back line and pulled his weight defensively, too, ranking fourth for defensive actions.

Before his goal, Delap’s best moment came late in the first half. With his back to goal and Joachim Andersen grappling with him near the halfway line, the striker kept his feet rather than go to ground for a free-kick. He turned Andersen and pulled away from him and Sander Berge to create a counter-attack that eventually saw Cole Palmer’s effort saved.
It encapsulated what a fit, firing Delap can add to Chelsea’s build-up; then, in the second half, he added the end product. He had already run through on goal after linking up with Palmer, but was denied by Bernd Leno. It was eventually from a corner that he found the breakthrough, turning home Pedro Neto’s delivery after it rebounded from the post. It was a close-range finish, but he reacted well to lose his marker and convert first-time with his body at an awkward angle.
That goal should also help Delap bond with a fanbase he has not been able to share much celebration with this season. His goal against Barcelona was welcome but ultimately a cherry on top of what had already been a superb performance; this time, he looked to have actually won Chelsea a point and celebrated fervently with the away end. Harry Wilson’s superb late winner left Delap’s goal ultimately as a consolation — but in the moment, it meant more.
This is only a start. There are still areas to work on: Delap was not booked but committed three fouls, the joint-most on the pitch. His output from open play can improve. But now, with a clean slate and working with a manager under whom he has blossomed before, things are certainly looking up.
“I thought Liam was brilliant when he came on at the Etihad,” said interim manager Calum McFarlane after Wednesday’s match. “You can see that he had the bit between his teeth against his old side. He gave us a real outlet. His link-up play, his hold-up play was exceptional. Tough circumstances tonight, being the single No 9 down to 10 men. But even then, you see him fight, bully, control centre-backs and get us up the pitch.
“He had a big chance that he’ll be disappointed to miss, which was great play from him and Cole linking up.
“I’m delighted he got his goal. He deserves it. He’ll take confidence from that, and I hope his performances stay at this level.”
Delap is still far from the finished product — but 217 days after he joined the club, it feels as though he is really getting started.
By Cerys Jones Football Writer

We need to stop thinking about reputation now. It is backs against the walls. Get Palmer off and bring on Estevao or Garnacho as Palmer will not be able to track Robinson defensively. He isn’t going to help much right now so use players who have pace for the counter and can help us defensively.

Calvin Bassey is with Nigeria at AFCON
Alex Iwobi is with Nigeria at AFCON
Samuel Chukwueze is with Nigeria at AFCON
Rodrigo Muniz is injured
Kenny Tete is injured
Josh King is injured

Delighted with the result/performance yesterday. I had little hope before the game and the bookies thought we had little chance too. First half, we rode our luck. They were all over us and Haaland hit the post. Second half we improved. Neto missed a sitter and thought we wasn't going to get another chance until Enzo scored. I thought Enzo scoffed it. Only realised it went in until he started celebrating.
Palmer, is still frustrating me a bit. He got on the ball more second half but isn't influencing the game enough. He seemed to be outmuscled or lost the ball everytime he took on one of their players. I want to see him back to the player we know. He just wasn't that effective, albeit he was better in the second half than first half.
I was surprised we did not add on another attacker as we went for the goal second half. I still thought we were playing it too safe and if the same situation arises again, we really needed to get another winger on the pitch to stretch the opposition. Also said in first page of this thread that City having less rest is only glimmer of hope I had and you can see towards latter stages, City looked knackered and I think the extra rest may have helped us, but balances out considering we had Sanchez, Cucu and Caicedo unavailable. Let me not forget Fofana, Colwill and Lavia all unavailable too.
Santos was brilliant when he came on. Won the ball back a few times and mad excellent progressive runs with the ball which broke their press. Delap was really good too imo. He really held the ball up well and brought a different dynamic to the game. Liverpool drawing made that even a more important result. I don't see Liverpool getting anything at Arsenal, so if we beat Fulham, we should be above Liverpool by end of the week, my prediction tells me. Fulham also missing 2/3 key players at AFCON.

Delighted with the result/performance yesterday. I had little hope before the game and the bookies thought we had little chance too. First half, we rode our luck. They were all over us and Haaland hit the post. Second half we improved. Neto missed a sitter and thought we wasn't going to get another chance until Enzo scored. I thought Enzo scoffed it. Only realised it went in until he started celebrating.
Palmer, is still frustrating me a bit. He got on the ball more second half but isn't influencing the game enough. He seemed to be outmuscled or lost the ball everytime he took on one of their players. I want to see him back to the player we know. He just wasn't that effective, albeit he was better in the second half than first half.
I was surprised we did not add on another attacker as we went for the goal second half. I still thought we were playing it too safe and if the same situation arises again, we really needed to get another winger on the pitch to stretch the opposition. Also said in first page of this thread that City having less rest is only glimmer of hope I had and you can see towards latter stages, City looked knackered and I think the extra rest may have helped us, but balances out considering we had Sanchez, Cucu and Caicedo unavailable. Let me not forget Fofana, Colwill and Lavia all unavailable too.
Santos was brilliant when he came on. Won the ball back a few times and mad excellent progressive runs with the ball which broke their press. Delap was really good too imo. He really held the ball up well and brought a different dynamic to the game. Liverpool drawing made that even a more important result. I don't see Liverpool getting anything at Arsenal, so if we beat Fulham, we should be above Liverpool by end of the week, my prediction tells me. Fulham also missing 2/3 key players at AFCON.

Delighted with the result/performance yesterday. I had little hope before the game and the bookies thought we had little chance too. First half, we rode our luck. They were all over us and Haaland hit the post. Second half we improved. Neto missed a sitter and thought we wasn't going to get another chance until Enzo scored. I thought Enzo scoffed it. Only realised it went in until he started celebrating.
Palmer, is still frustrating me a bit. He got on the ball more second half but isn't influencing the game enough. He seemed to be outmuscled or lost the ball everytime he took on one of their players. I want to see him back to the player we know. He just wasn't that effective, albeit he was better in the second half than first half.
I was surprised we did not add on another attacker as we went for the goal second half. I still thought we were playing it too safe and if the same situation arises again, we really needed to get another winger on the pitch to stretch the opposition. Also said in first page of this thread that City having less rest is only glimmer of hope I had and you can see towards latter stages, City looked knackered and I think the extra rest may have helped us, but balances out considering we had Sanchez, Cucu and Caicedo unavailable. Let me not forget Fofana, Colwill and Lavia all unavailable too.
Santos was brilliant when he came on. Won the ball back a few times and mad excellent progressive runs with the ball which broke their press. Delap was really good too imo. He really held the ball up well and brought a different dynamic to the game. Liverpool drawing made that even a more important result. I don't see Liverpool getting anything at Arsenal, so if we beat Fulham, we should be above Liverpool by end of the week, my prediction tells me. Fulham also missing 2/3 key players at AFCON.

Delighted with the result/performance yesterday. I had little hope before the game and the bookies thought we had little chance too. First half, we rode our luck. They were all over us and Haaland hit the post. Second half we improved. Neto missed a sitter and thought we wasn't going to get another chance until Enzo scored. I thought Enzo scoffed it. Only realised it went in until he started celebrating.
Palmer, is still frustrating me a bit. He got on the ball more second half but isn't influencing the game enough. He seemed to be outmuscled or lost the ball everytime he took on one of their players. I want to see him back to the player we know. He just wasn't that effective, albeit he was better in the second half than first half.
I was surprised we did not add on another attacker as we went for the goal second half. I still thought we were playing it too safe and if the same situation arises again, we really needed to get another winger on the pitch to stretch the opposition. Also said in first page of this thread that City having less rest is only glimmer of hope I had and you can see towards latter stages, City looked knackered and I think the extra rest may have helped us, but balances out considering we had Sanchez, Cucu and Caicedo unavailable. Let me not forget Fofana, Colwill and Lavia all unavailable too.
Santos was brilliant when he came on. Won the ball back a few times and mad excellent progressive runs with the ball which broke their press. Delap was really good too imo. He really held the ball up well and brought a different dynamic to the game. Liverpool drawing made that even a more important result. I don't see Liverpool getting anything at Arsenal, so if we beat Fulham, we should be above Liverpool by end of the week, my prediction tells me. Fulham also missing 2/3 key players at AFCON.

Enzo was really good today, Palmer however was really poor

I hate that we helped Arsenal

🔴John Terry will NOT be on the shortlist for the position of head coach at Chelsea. (@kierangill DM)

People going to slate Maresca for taking Palmer off but I understand it. He is not really at it again tonight and they are beating the press easily. Pedro may do well paying off an actual target man in Delap.

People going to slate Maresca for taking Palmer off but I understand it. He is not really at it again tonight and they are beating the press easily. Pedro may do well paying off an actual target man in Delap.