Our Second String Team

[manpe 10,861]

Agree

[DDA 9,924]

I'm still baffled to why we left KDB out of our squad this season.

[zolayes 14,489]

In joses second season there were often articles suggesting our second team were top 6. Certainly. Top 10 .

This season has demonstrated how the squad strength has weakened

[GodZola 630]

It was said winning the CL 'papered over the cracks' which was true of course, however would any of you change that memorable night now knowing our squad was shite then? I know I certainly wouldn't.....!

However now that we have done the unthinkable with possibly the worst squad in the Roman era its time the club smelled the coffee. Courtois is a prime example of this situation we have currently been experiencing, there are a few different opinions on this forum but mine is to bring him back & let him & Cech slug it out for the No1 position - by doing this, as tough a decision it maybe it ensures we have 2 quality players in that position, yes selfish but it is the way forward & what needs to be considered for every position, we are not going to get back to the top without making tough decisions & being sentimental.

As mentioned there are a few quality loan players returning & with 3/4quality players signed in the summer we can turn it around, however it is pivotal on who we get as manager. Some don't favour Jose, some have their reservations, others are being cautious but most are like me want the guy back without hesitation - we have fucked about with mediocrity for too long & its about time we got back to consistency & challenging for titles instead of fighting for a CL place.

For me its like a jigsaw & Jose is the one to fit in all the pieces, if the hierarchy get it wrong with the new managerial appointment then we won't just be worried about the squad.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Nothing criminal really, we are not fourth by chance.Our transfer policy is ridiculous since the departure of Ancelotti.

[zolayes 14,489]

By now with the money that has been invested in the academy and the the transfer fees paid in the past for 17-18 year olds we should now have at least 4 graduates in our squad perhaps not staters but in the squad

[Steve 10,227]

So you have realised at the end of March that our squad isn't good enough? What the hell have you been watching?

Bertrand, Marin, Torres etc wouldn't make the Southampton team. That says it all.

Obviously not.

[English Freak 456]

Completely agree with the original post.

Our second string team isn't good enough...and that could be the reason why we finish outside the top 4.

• Marin just isn't the right player for Chelsea,
• Benayoun is useless..(the fact that he celebrated Arsenal's 5-3 win at the Bridge last season says alot about how much he cares for Chelsea)
• Bertrand just doesn't look good enough
• We need a younger CB in the team, Terry is starting to show his age, Ivanovic has been horrible & Cahill is decent.

[Mundaka 243]

"Chelsea NextGen coach Dermot Drummy believes there are insufficient opportunities for academy graduates to make their mark in the first team."

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2013/March/31/drummy-not-enough-opportunities-for-youth/

[ZanSnake 1,211]

We need to get rid of the driftwood, and have trust with players from our reserves to add to depth as well as players that will actually other means in terms of playing style and getting goals. Torres out, Lukaku back and then sign another striker and use two up-front with Feruz being third/fourth choice.

[Blue Gino 377]

I think Emenalo and company took a high risk gamble to let contracts expire after this season and sell/loan a few prior to the season because they projected their loanees being given a chance to get valuable minutes, assess them after and decide to give them the vacated spots or pursue a few on the market in the summer. They need to avoid massive wages and get depth through the loanees to fit their projected budget in line with FFP. I'm sure they could have added a Lukaku or De Bruyne this season but with so many experienced players with massive wages in front of them they were only going to get little minutes and not get the great seasons they are having right now which is why so many of us want them back tommorow. Do I agree with this move no but in hindsight it was better for those young players and the trend will continue next season with Ake, Feruz, etc