The Board

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

On 02/09/2017 at 11:43 AM, King11Didier said:

...
I was hoping the board to bring world class players who can bring the club to another level and fight for CL and PL this year, can't see this happening now though, again we have to rely on Conte's magic to turn avarage players to world class ones.

Do you believe that Antonio has already turned average players into world class ones?

[King11Didier 916]

10 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Do you believe that Antonio has already turned average players into world class ones?

Not really, If he manage to reach CL final or 1/2 final with the likes of Alonso and Moses/Zappacosta, I'd say he has done it completely.
But you can see how these players and not only, improved a lot under Conte and won him the PL title. Something Ferguson was doing at united, winning PL for fun with the likes of Carrick, Brown, Evans, Park, Fletcher(the list is really big!).

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

2 hours ago, King11Didier said:

Not really, If he manage to reach CL final or 1/2 final with the likes of Alonso and Moses/Zappacosta, I'd say he has done it completely.
But you can see how these players and not only, improved a lot under Conte and won him the PL title. Something Ferguson was doing at united, winning PL for fun with the likes of Carrick, Brown, Evans, Park, Fletcher(the list is really big!).

In fact I don't believe that Antonio has improved those players at all. He has simply put them in a team framework which gives them cover for their deficiencies and allows them to make maximum use of their strengths. In terms of their personal qualities they are exactly the same players they ever were.

I was taken by surprise in the way Antonio used Victor but I was very pleased the day we signed Marcos and was fully expecting that he would be able to help us. Even so, I completely agree with your assessment that both of our wing backs need to be upgraded. I'd say that assessment of yours is evidence in itself that these players have not all of a sudden made a step up in class.

Like pretty much all of us, I hoped that the window would go better than it did but I don't see it as a complete fail in the way that some do. I'm on record as saying I did not think it would be possible to recruit solutions to all of our needs so perhaps that explains why I'm not as disappointed as some.

One thing is for sure. I absolutely, totally, reject the the idea that members of our board are at one and the same time more evil than Sauron, and more stupid than Mr. Bean. We know the outcome of their efforts in the transfer window, but we don't see the input. We don't know the instructions under which, or the parameters within which, our squad builders operate. Unless you know that it is not possible to make a rational assessment of their performance. People lashing out at the board are just frustrated and in need of someone to blame.

[Jase 43,479]

 

[communicate 2,703]

16 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

In fact I don't believe that Antonio has improved those players at all. He has simply put them in a team framework which gives them cover for their deficiencies and allows them to make maximum use of their strengths. In terms of their personal qualities they are exactly the same players they ever were.

I was taken by surprise in the way Antonio used Victor but I was very pleased the day we signed Marcos and was fully expecting that he would be able to help us. Even so, I completely agree with your assessment that both of our wing backs need to be upgraded. I'd say that assessment of yours is evidence in itself that these players have not all of a sudden made a step up in class.

Like pretty much all of us, I hoped that the window would go better than it did but I don't see it as a complete fail in the way that some do. I'm on record as saying I did not think it would be possible to recruit solutions to all of our needs so perhaps that explains why I'm not as disappointed as some.

One thing is for sure. I absolutely, totally, reject the the idea that members of our board are at one and the same time more evil than Sauron, and more stupid than Mr. Bean. We know the outcome of their efforts in the transfer window, but we don't see the input. We don't know the instructions under which, or the parameters within which, our squad builders operate. Unless you know that it is not possible to make a rational assessment of their performance. People lashing out at the board are just frustrated and in need of someone to blame.

For me wing back was the 1st priority where I thought we desperately need improvement which is why I was unhappy with our transfer.

I don't think as 11st eleven we improve at all probably slightly worsen,but as a squad we definitely get better.

 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

5 hours ago, communicate said:

For me wing back was the 1st priority where I thought we desperately need improvement which is why I was unhappy with our transfer.

I don't think as 11st eleven we improve at all probably slightly worsen,but as a squad we definitely get better.

 

I had five positional upgrades in mind for the summer. I had RWB 2nd on that list, RF 4th and LWB 5th. None were resolved.

I agree with you that our gains this summer are in the improved depth of the squad but I believe we may have improved the first XI, albeit very, very, marginally. If I look for positives out of the situation, I'd say one is that our transfer needs are now very sharply focused. Baring minor adjustments, squad depth has been ticked. What we need now are first team upgrades. No possibility of ambiguity or conflicting priorities. The next two windows have to be about recruiting starters.

[communicate 2,703]

3 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

I had five positional upgrades in mind for the summer. I had RWB 2nd on that list, RF 4th and LWB 5th. None were resolved.

I agree with you that our gains this summer are in the improved depth of the squad but I believe we may have improved the first XI, albeit very, very, marginally. If I look for positives out of the situation, I'd say one is that our transfer needs are now very sharply focused. Baring minor adjustments, squad depth has been ticked. What we need now are first team upgrades. No possibility of ambiguity or conflicting priorities. The next two windows have to be about recruiting starters.

For me either wb has to be the 1st priority  last summer. 

I disagree in term of first team improvements. We basically replace Costa with Morata and Matic with bakayoko. For all the crap that people say about Costa, he is a fantastic player that complement our team very well. He bring physicallity we don't have up top. Morata is still new and you can tell physically he is not ready. In midfield bakayoko is maybe more suited to this formation but clearly he need time to adapt. We should be better off longterm. because both are younger but short term I think we kinda have a drop off. 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

14 hours ago, communicate said:

For me either wb has to be the 1st priority  last summer. 

I disagree in term of first team improvements. We basically replace Costa with Morata and Matic with bakayoko. For all the crap that people say about Costa, he is a fantastic player that complement our team very well. He bring physicallity we don't have up top. Morata is still new and you can tell physically he is not ready. In midfield bakayoko is maybe more suited to this formation but clearly he need time to adapt. We should be better off longterm. because both are younger but short term I think we kinda have a drop off. 

Fair enough we simply see it differently. I'm one of those who thought Matic was hopeless and absolute priority number one to be replaced. Bakayoko, albeit with more adjusting to be done, is already a far better player in my opinion. So too is Danny D come to that.

Alvaro has some attributes which Costa cannot match but the reverse is also true. Overall Costa suits the style we have played better than Alvaro does. Or he should do. Costa, after January was a disaster and deliberately so in my opinion. The rest of the squad were trying to win the league; he was trying his best to ensure his transfer fee fell to a level Atletico could and would pay. Alvaro is a major upgrade over that version of Costa.

[Henrique 9,133]

2 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Fair enough we simply see it differently. I'm one of those who thought Matic was hopeless and absolute priority number one to be replaced. Bakayoko, albeit with more adjusting to be done, is already a far better player in my opinion. So too is Danny D in my opinion.

Alvaro has some attributes which Costa cannot match but the reverse is also true. Overall Costa suits the style we have played better than Alvaro does. Or he should do. Costa, after January was a disaster and deliberately so in my opinion. The rest of the squad were trying to win the league; he was trying his best to ensure his transfer fee fell to a level Atletico could and would pay. Alvaro is a major upgrade over that version of Costa.

Costa still scored some crucial goals after January. Actually replacing Costa with Morata was the only low if the transfer market, but thats Conte's fault and the board can't be blamed for that.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

8 hours ago, Henrique said:

Costa still scored some crucial goals after January. Actually replacing Costa with Morata was the only low if the transfer market, but thats Conte's fault and the board can't be blamed for that.

For me it's an unarguable fact that Costa was useless in the second half of last season. The odd goal does not change that.

If you are a professional footballer, playing as a striker for a league leading team, you will score goals. That is not what counts. What matters, what decides if you have contributed well or otherwise, is the difference you personally make. What happens because you were there that would not have happened if someone else was there instead. Costa's contribution post Christmas was way below standard. Way, way below.

[Blusan Alamb 295]

13 hours ago, Henrique said:

Costa still scored some crucial goals after January. Actually replacing Costa with Morata was the only low if the transfer market, but thats Conte's fault and the board can't be blamed for that.

Costa always wanted to go back to Atletico. But I agree that replacing Costa with Morata was the only low in the last transfer window. We should have got Lukaku instead. And Board can be partly blamed for that as they did not act quicker than Man Utd.

[Jase 43,479]

 

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Interesting words from Mr Townsend. Incidentally has he replaced Christian Purslow or are they working alongside each other? Iirc if CP left as MD or not. 

Regardless the narrative is interesting. He alludes to the fact we have half the sponsorship quantity that City and United do so for sure I imagine we'll be increasing our income via those. And in fairness terminating Adidas' deal in favour of Nike early was proactive asf. Even though our books will show a loss due to the compensation owed by early termination, the £900m total will be undeniable. 

What I found funny is they also imply that's more money for transfers. Well I hate to tell you buddy, but regardless I think Chelsea's in a new era of spending. Whether that's due to that £500m stadium we're building or genuine pricing out, it's hearsay until now. 

[!Hazard! 3,394]

The board made a series of outstanding signings in the beginning of the decade when they signed De Bruyne, Courtois and Azpilicueta among others for peanuts. In the new era signing players promising players like De Bruyne for cheap is financially more important than ever so let's hope the board will recover their form from earlier years and the scouts stay at the top of their game. Also, considering the premium on English players, they should really focus on finding the best local talents. How the hell did Tottenham get Alli for £5 million two and half years ago? The kid is worth nearly £150 million today. That also shows how detached these valuations are from the real world where inflation isn't that great. Spurs could nearly finance their new stadium just by selling Kane and Alli!

[El P. 1,354]

During the summer, I was predicting that things like this disaster against Palace could happen, and being average in league, but wasn't sure, cause in football everything is possible. But, most of the time - team with better players win. And there is no "passion", "team spirit", "winning mentality" that could mask that, mask so many deficiencies that we've been carrying around for all those years. We are 9 points off top, with United and Liverpool still to play against. Hate being right in this kind of situations.

We've won two league titles, but this squad is not good enough to be the best, regardless of the titles. By the best I mean - team you know can win against really great opposition. And I'm not even thinking there about Real Madrid, PSG, in form Bayern or I don't know. Just any top team.

Our board is bunch of guys with very very shallow football understanding. Ok, maybe they wanted some better players to be brought in, as they tried to bring A.Sandro, but no way in hell they were aware that we are in need of SO MUCH quality to be brought. Wins doesn't always represent correctly quality of one team.

Most of our fans think in the same way too, unfortunately, and it's funny actually watching some of guys wondering what the hell happened and what went wrong with THAT last year great champions team.

Delusions all around.

[Jase 43,479]

It is hard not to feel the board lost their way and ambition since the 2013/14 season. Before that, the board seemed to have a clear idea of what they want the squad to be like - bought young, exciting, creative players and wanted to shift from the pragmatic football to a more attractive one. We even wanted to sign Guardiola to build that and impose attacking football at the club but couldn't get him and for some reason, we went with Mourinho because when we brought him back, all those plans went out of the window completely. We hired a manager that is incompatible with those kind of players, sold them one by one and ended up with a squad that is horribly lacking in quality for a big side. While I'm not saying that quality players do not work hard but we have been having more workhorses in the squad than quality players and players who can provide that X factor. To compound matters, whenever we have bought players in the last couple of years, it's mostly to replace outgoing players as opposed to genuinely adding onto those we already have and boosting our squad depth and half of those players are desperately average or terrible. Conte may have his faults - which manager does not make mistakes? - but we can only blame him so much because the board seriously cannot expect him (or any other manager) to perform miracles with such flawed squad, be successful when the competition is so strong domestically and in Europe and then sack him when things go south. We were arguably one of top 5 - or even top 3 - sides in the world 7-8 years ago but we have gone downhill since then. Do the club want to be serial winners or just content with one trophy every now and then?

[11Drogba 2,000]

They need to bring a striker that Conte wants in January. Otherwise I fear we mighy end up out of top four.

[quickpassnmove 924]

On 10/15/2017 at 0:32 PM, 11Drogba said:

They need to bring a striker that Conte wants in January. Otherwise I fear we mighy end up out of top four.

That is a correct statement. We don't have enough goals throughout this squad when you put Morata aside; actually, it's a lack of natural goalscorers, or whatever you call it.

Just one of a number of deficiencies with this CFC squad.

I don't think we'll make top four; that will require another club truly fucking up their own season or having injuries that give Chelsea a chance to slip into the top four.