Blue Colored Sky

Sacking Mourinho ?! What the hell ? No, Roman never ever gave an interview. I mentioned it earlier but I reiterate this again. In Ancelotti biography, Carlo brings back the memories about first meeting with Abramovich. The meeting was at hotel in Paris in May 2009. Roman said to him "I see the other teams with certain style of play like Barcelona but I don't see style in my team. Can you deliver that to me ?" . Apparently that was something that Roman emphasized the most. Carlo was struck how complex was Roman's knowledge about football and how specific he was about what he expects from his team, what style of play he wants etc. Also Jose mentioned this about dozens and dozens of times how IN COOPERATION with the owner was agreed that Chelsea this time around want to achieve certain style of play, flair, style, finesse, beauty and happiness. He said this so many times that I don't know how you missed that. Sacking Mourinho, absolutely no way. We see how we're going to improve in the summer. 3rd season will be about building platform for the future without too much quick fixing like in those 2 years. Only after then we can give final grades. And I'm sure we're going to improve. Champions League is and always will be Mourinho and Abramovich aim. Jose left the Champions League early at Inter in his first season and even though he won the league in that time, he improved the team with 5 crucial players who helped him win the treble in the next season. So I am convinced that we will be better next season, though the question is for me if this will be quick fix improvement specifically for 3rd season Champions League raid or really long term improvement which set the project for years to eventually see dominant Chelsea.

Aha, ok. How many cases about players buying out their own contract were at this level ? Virtually zero. Mainly thanks to huge penalty fees and compensate for mother club. Though in the FIFA laws they say that if the player wants to do this, he has to opt out of his contract 15 days before final league game therefore Sterling would have to do this soon.

His agent is talking bollocks. There's no way that Chelsea or PSG would offer that much. We are probably interested amongst other clubs but thinking that Chelsea would offer 41m€ when they were dragging Cuadrado price for 15 days about barely 3-4m€ is insane. However, English clubs are in privileged situation now thanks to bigger pound to euro rate, therefore can virtually pay for continental player more spending the same.

We're having a laugh. Seriously, there's no way that Jose is going to lose to Wenger for the first time in THIS game. I hope that Remy will get back, because he will be very vital to again hit those exposed mugs on the counter. Also let play Hazard more centrally.

It's good that you remind of this. Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in December 2013 is one example, but the same can be said about second half performance at White Hart Lane in Autumn 2013 or Liverpool at Anfield in Autumn 2014. After the very shit first half in this Spurs game, Jose gave up hiding and put Schurrle on in a bid of goals and HOW GOOD we played ? When we needed a goal and have the mind adjusted for that after being down in those big matches , we could play fast and proper counter-attacking. That's for me clear indication that in this side there's indeed enough potential to go there toe-to-toe and win convincingly against good sides but somehow Jose forces inferiority complex in our team and we end up in submission. There's a pity because If we'd be down against 10-men PSG at the Bridge I'm sure later we'd progress when attacking mentality would be in place in our players.

I feel that the biggest difference is how he has improved physically. He's such a monster now. I already picked this up when we were playing against Southampton only 48 hours after the West Ham game. Everyone was just strolling around in misery and walking with fatigue while Hazard seemed as fresh as ever eventually scoring beautiful goal. Then he was supposedly tired against Stoke after the international break yet he seemed invigorated and put another worldly display. Yesterday he kept going like if he was mad. He actually seemed the best presser yesterday, when he was on the ball everything he did was on the full speed. I don't know where that change came from. Usually he downs his performance towards the end of the season, now he seems invigorated and ready for every challenge ahead. Remarkable when you consider the set of players currently who barely breath. I'd say whatever he takes now will be huge success in cycling

Hmm are you sure about this ? It is something well known or pure speculation ? Because it literally changes the whole scenario now. ******************** RE Isco : would love him. He's magician and has impressive workrate in him. We certainly need 2 quality midfielders. The Koke + Isco bundle sounds ridiculous. Though even Isco + Schneiderlin combo would do for me. We surely have the money to pull something like this in the summer. Hope that Real want Pogba, then Isco seems natural player that they're going to sacrifice. We were interested in him previously, scouts probably have big dossier about him, so there's every bit of chance that we come back after him like we always do if there's an opportunity.

This is gold. And how every player was a monster even though they couldn't play 3 consecutive passes. I won't agree with it. But I clearly understand what you mean. You're very consistent with your opinion. Even Jose with the interview with Chelsea TV last season said that he thinks that every manager has the right ideas and good intentions however it's the execution which decides. If the execution is not possible then you have try something different however I am sure that execution is possible and repeating last game against City is possible. But I leave it now, because we clearly represent different schools here. Ultimately we want the same and that's relieving. I'd only want to point to the fact that the next season is the real first season of building. The 2 seasons now are quick fixing, very probably to even have an opportunity of building in that 3rd season and not to lose the job before that, which I imagine would happen if he wouldn't deliver. However you always want to check the work in progress. And so far I don't see that many has changed. We're still thriving in retrieving to our box and wait for set piece or bit of magic from one player. We aren't showing a progress in pressing abilities either, which is fundamental. About youth you don't even want to say anything. And we still play the football that 99,9% of people identifies us from and so many of them hate us (and I hate this too, because how long can you play like an inferior team in submission way). If I would want only and only quick trophies, make no mistake, I'd give Jose the time without even checking and worrying about this at all. However Jose has clear end result to achieve which is not just winning but playing dominant, with our youth players and having clear identity. And then you see the comment at the top of my post and you think "how this guy wants to play dominant and with youths when he says that he even prepared the team to play in exact unwatchable way and he's so happy about players who couldn't pass ?". That's simply big red alert for me going forward. You just hope that something is going to change big time in his mind not to always come back to this style, which is so natural for him. I trust Jose to get the things right at the end and sort this something-which-you-can't-call-playing-football out however the signs so far are not positive for his long term project. I only touch this thing because as I was saying many times previously the quick fixes he has implemented are good and it works but I hope he doesn't come back to this ever in a couple of years. I sincerely hope that he won't have to when he builds the platform but I'm not too sure that you can change 50 something years old, thriving in the underdog mentality for years.

It's true but no one here is caring only about pure entertainment. There was no even one person suggesting such thing. However a lot of people claim in a blatant way that they only care about result and being good Teletext team is the ultimate goal.

It was similar but Barca had way more quality. You think that Barca would not create havoc with such immobile players like Matic, Fabregas and Zouma ? They would run riot in that midfield, probably creating 5 big chances at least. Messi dropping deep with Iniesta and Xavi, they would smash us. The match from neutral point of view was awful from our part. Couldn't pass straight 3 consecutive times , exposed left side, zero pressing. Playing with 10 men with our striker upfront. That was really pain to watch. But from inferior team mentality, which tries only nullify the master race, that was good tactical display. Good movements in defence, good covering for each other, blocks the shots well and clearing every lofted ball. Setting up for a draw but winning instead ? We have objective master at the helm. The style we presented really should backfired against us more times. 2 shots on target in 2 games, 2 goals, 6 points Yet we're strolling for the title. Good.

Well, I don't think that anyone here is saying that we should be playing different in order to win the game ! Only big concerns how this will look like going forward when we were promised dominant football with the resources to back the style as well as results. It doesn't seems long term project for now and that's my concern but 3rd season seems crucial in starting building the platform for the future. I'm sure everyone here is curious how this 3rd season is going to look like.

What's the most pleasing aspect that he's got the superior team mentality, he doesn't want to retreat but push higher up, press opponent and be on the front foot. He doesn't invite pressure on us. Unlike the rest of our defenders he's good platform to build for the future. Also his stamina is amazing. I am quite sure that he'd even done Ramires in that aspect. Over those 3 years the amount of times when he pushed on and run at full speed even at +85 minutes is stagerring. A warrior, but also modern day warrior with his pressing abilities.

You just reminded me of this situation. Yes, the pressing is the very basic thing of any dominant side. I'm worried that during 2 years Jose doesn't learn this side to have proper pressing system. Our players try to win the ball by themself, not as a team. It doesn't help that so many of our players are not athletic and has retreat mentality from old years rooted in their heads though.

"We want to play football where people will know that this time is not about result but about quality of our game" - Jose Again, only praising nullifying stuff and how awesome we were containing the master race players That's comedy gold. 400 passes less than fucking United with Fellaini, Young, Smalling, Valencia, McNair, Blackett, at our home. I wonder if beyond this season he's going to pretend that we're such an inferior team that we have to take huge a bow in front of them and play like Stoke with money. Wow, the amount of reference in such posts to 'moaners' is an indication for me that thankfully you all see that we play shit. When you have to go to the forum and said that you don't give a fuck that we play like an inferior side with 400 (!!!111!) passes less than an opponent at our home. Small team mentality, only being cared about result. And how many of you were calling cunts the likes of Aston Villa, Sunderland or Crystal Palace supporters last season because they were celebrating like mad against us. It's the same and it has to change, lol, we're no midtable club anymore.

What a great, well-headed post you just wrote here :clap: Do you think that we'll ever come of our shell against good opponents ? We play with inferior team mentality not only now but during those 2 years. As you wrote, it's probably not about Reus or Pogba. We were in a very good form early in the season, playing well, players in top physical conditions, yet as soon as Man City game arrived Jose gave up football, tried to create a deadlock and even when we played against 10 men 1 goal up we still were retreated in our shells. And now Jose as usually praises every player to death, calling them monsters, animals with ridiculous attitude to fight. Going forward that's for me indication of bad than positive thing. Even though we couldn't string 3 passes together, didn't create a second chance, were outplayed by Manchester United at home, having only 29% of possession and completed 400 (!!!) passes less than them he still seems as happy about this as ever. wtf. A few pages ago I posted his interview when he clearly said that "He wants to play football where people will know that this time is not about result but about quality of our game" yet he praises such a shit performance from quality point of view. That's not good indication for the future. What is the indication however that again, he thrives with quick fix solutions and playing as an inferior team is his comfort zone through and through. And now we're going forward when we obligatory have to play with quality and aggressiveness, no matter who we play against. In 2016/17 we will have the turnover close to 550m€, the same as Real had in 2012/13. That's an obligation of open, dominant play. During those 2 years I simply don't get the conviction that something will change going forward, in let's say 2 years time, even when the team will be supposedly complete. There's every big chance that we always are going to play like this when we entertain a master race and have to take a big bow in front of them. So far quick fixes are working, though I still don't know how we earned 30/39 points since January, the play is worth maybe slightly more than half of that (9 out of 10 seasons we would drop far many point but the title is ours just like the Champions League was in 2012). But the ultimate goal will be Champions League and playing dominant football and up to today there's no indication we will impose ourself eventually. Jose has small team mentality just deep down there in his head I'm afraid unfortunately, it needs a big turn to change that. Van Gaal could play with Januzaj, McNair and Blackett and Jose couldn't even give a damn minute for Solanke. That's the indication he gives a damn worry of the future ? If there was no Jose in the next season then our new manager would have to literally start from ground zero, starting with very basic thing of learning those players how to press because Jose seems doesn't bother about it a one bit, yet it is basic thing, the start of every dominant play. Like you said, those 2 season are no indication of long term project. 10 years ? You having a laugh, there's no way that those quick solutions are going to survive that long. We'll see how 3rd season will look like but eventually he has to start to build some platform here, right ?

Brilliant ? What are you even writing ? He was good and done his job professionally. But please, he was constantly protected by 6 players, he got maximum protection all the time. He didn't make a silly mistake but it doesn't give him monster praise. I'm sure how he'd look if we'd play more open football. I don't think that this season performance has something to do with him being supposedly off-form. The terrific performance was by Otamendi yesterday, Varane in mid-week, was by Thiago Silva in the first leg against Chelsea or how Kompany used to play. If we want to praise terrific performance from our defenders then there's Azpilicueta. He's proactive and aggressive in his approach, modern defender traits, I love it. Cahill is inferior team defender. And he suits here well now when we play like an inferior team, so the league medal will be well earned by him. But long term he's simply not the type of player we're going forward with. Unless all demands from Abramovich and all the talks from Mourinho about style of play are simply bollocks which we'll know soon.

30% share of possession and can't string 3 straight passes. And then we score after our only chance. Like if we'd be playing against prime Barcelona. That's basically our season in a nutshell. The title is ours with that star above our head. And Hazard.

I'd play him as a striker. Our "pressing" is so poor with Drogba and Fabregas upfront. Also Drogba drops deep very often and is only useful in trying to break some attacks so Oscar can fulfil that role perfectly.

He was so, so good. Reminding me of Lucio from Mourinho team, literally the only defender that Messi can't beat with dribbling, stands still and waits for the right moment. Also that was his second monstrous performance against Barcelona this season. He thrives in the big games ... But that ship has sailed I think. He was on the market and cheap. Porto wanted to get rid of him, there's a reason why he only costed like 12m€ instead of something in 30m€ region, mind. Now Valencia can want over 40m€ for him and doubt that Chelsea would be interested in that.

Oh, I already see that glory-hunters band is in full-swing bitching and moaning about 'moaners'. Let's fucking survive this, because you know, football is all about survival.

I rate him highly, one of the best youngster for sure, however also for sure, not the most talented player out there. And you literally named the 2 things that I'd hate if they'd be decisive if he'd make it here and others don't. He's big and he's English. Nah. After my obvious excitement with promoting our own youth player goes down I'd be still expecting more of our Academy players to break into the first team. If only RLC will be the one I'd be very disappointed because those 2 factors above would be decisive. No Boga or Musonda because they're not English ? No Charlie Colkett and Jay Dasilva because they're not big enough ? Bollocks.

Yes, but they're significant exceptions from the rule now. I thought the question on which country Chelsea should generally focus on and for me not Southamerican countries, because the standard is lower than it was in the past. You see how much hype was around Neymar and James when they were only 15. Because they're rarity these days. Of course, when you have a hundreds of millions population with huge interest in football from almost all the kids, then you have to have some rarity but my point is that general focus should be on developed countries like Germany, France, Belgium, Spain. It's very difficult to find this exception from pool of thousand of players especially when you also have many players that look potentially as stars but are only pseudo high talented like Piazon, Willian, Douglas Costa and the list goes on. I mean, you have bigger possibility to buy very-good-looking-at-first-not-so-much-of-the-quality-though-player from Southamerica that from European countries.

I don't see him succeed here. I may be harsh, but whatever. I absolutely love playing kids and will always root for them but also I always want to see the ones with the chance that I'm absolutely sure about their qualities. I'd hate if the chance would get the talent about who I'm not sure at all and he then would be an indication that the bringing youth business means too much dwelling for so poor rewarding. I'm not sure about Bamford at all. He seems to me that he ticks the boxes on so many decent levels but not too much of high level. Decent technique, good size, very good at finding space, decent hold-up play, average athleticism, average in the air. We want different varieties in our attackers and we have such player like Bamford in Diego the level about technique, hold-up play and finding space in both are similar, however Diego is much more physical. Diego is a runner, now we want someone with fantastic hold-up play either through his technique or strength, better through both. I don't see that at all in Bamford. We need someone like Benteke, a physical beast to who you can play every ball and he can keep it under pressure and invite other of our attackers to play. Or someone with exquisite pressing-resistant technique. Bamford seems to me as a good league striker and that's all. We need variety, player with different dimension than Diego and Remy. If Patrick has the chance to play at Chelsea it should be next season, otherwise Chelsea surely brings another striker in the place of Drogba, some young one (Icardi or Dybala) too and Bamford's chances here are slim to zero.

Which ones and what does it mean ? So the two or three other will be ready just as Ruben is now in the season after next (2016/17) ?

English for CBs ? No. Neither proactive nor acceleration and quick U-turn nor ball-playing skills. Does any English CB has one of these skills ? There are modern day defender requirements for you. And bigger no for Southamerican attackers. Historically, yes, but not now. A couple of things for that : a) they're generally very fragile mentality. They say that the ones that come from poverty and from the streets thanks to that are stronger. Which is untrue. You see Juan Cuadrado who has seen his father killing at the age of 5 but then you see on the pitch how Charlie Adam comes with the tackle and poor Juan are literally scared to death to try to dribble opponent until the end of the game. He's weak mentality. Same with Oscar, Willian or Ramires. They can't put a real stamp on the game, I don't see a bit of character in them. Also they're not educated. Every one of our Brazilian can't even speak a proper English. They just seem stupid. Look Hazard or Zouma couldn't speak English but Hazard was on good level only after the year and Zouma learned in half a year after transfer to Chelsea to speak as good as he does now. While Ramires is 5 years at Chelsea and still falter when speaks. It means way more than particularly lack of learning skills. The little education that players which come from street have means they are generally stupid on the pitch too. Ramires was construction worker as a teenager and say to me that it doesn't have an influence in his play now ? Sure it does with all the stupidity, lack of thinking and lack of character from him. He has the moments when he looks absolutely gem with proper technique and if he was educated enough he would be maybe less stupid and more consistent. b ) the current crop of players from South America are only pseudo high talented players. This generation is the best embodied by Douglas Costa and Willian. They both seem a wonderful players with all that flair and close control while the reality is different. They fool you with that technique. They can't create something if their life would depend on that. Sure, there're still Neymar and James who are wonderfully gifted and effective players but more of them was in the past, now it's more of Willians. So I think it's the education problem. I read that that the football system of coaching in Brazil is dead and they're still high in buisness because of population and very high interest in football from the kids. I much more prefer European players now, the proper educated ones from good system of coaching and education than the street-educated ones. From highly developed countries like Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Great Britain etc. So I think I'd say like this : a) Defenders from France b ) Midfielders from Spain, Germany and Croatia c) Attackers from Belgium, Germany, France, Spain