Why we've been beatable since 2008...

[Tomo 21,395]

The years 04-08 we were argubally the hardest team to beat in europe but since then we have been suffering a lot more defeats, some have blamed the manager's since then and some other theory's but for me there is only 1 reason we have lost more since 2008 and they are ....

.... the departure of Makelele and the decline of Carvalho.

Since 08-09 Makelele has not been at the club and Carvalho has not IMO been the same player he was between 2004-2008 and we were a lot easier to get at as a result, these 2 were vital cogs in what made our team so tough to brake down and ultimately beat and since the 08-09 we have lost more games because of the departure of one and the steady decline of the other nothing to do with the managers or players came in.

But however with us unbeaten in matches David Luiz has started and John Obi Mikel's emergence in the DM position hopefully the days of being hugely difficult to beat aint that far away again.

COYB

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'm not sure we can solely put it on Makelele leaving.

I'd say the biggest reason we're easier to beat these days is because we don't play boring football anymore.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'd disagree Tomo.

We can still a boast a much better defensive record since 2008 than United & Arsenal (I hope someone will back this claim up!). Essien was a great DM in his prime, and now we have Mikel. The problem lies with the ageing squad. Which wouldn't be a problem if we were talking 25 > 28, but it was more like 28 -> 32. With no replacements being groomed & ready.

That's the sad reality of buying superstars. No-one thinks long term..

[True_Blue 469]

I agree with BlueLion and to be honest injuries have been destroying our season.I hope we keep the same amount of players like this season but perhaps refresh it in terms of 4 out 4 in for example.But to have a strong bench is the most important thing in turning matches around and keep the motivation high.With Jose we had a massive bench and that is why we just destroyed the Premiership.

Edited April 27, 2011 by True_Blue

[Wilson 358]

Sorry but this thread is a load of shit, no matter who is in a team, they would never be unbeatable for 3 years, consisting if they were an elite team like Chelsea. Every team loses and has bad spells, realistically, that is simply football.

[Tomo 21,395]

Sorry but this thread is a load of shit, no matter who is in a team, they would never be unbeatable for 3 years, consisting if they were an elite team like Chelsea. Every team loses and has bad spells, realistically, that is simply football.

Im talking about why weve been beaten MORE OFTEN since then.

[DYC. 7,542]

Nah those aren't the reasons. It's simple really, Chelsea - defensive football (at times super defensive) = bye bye hardest team to beat.

Just look at Madrid right now vs Barca, it seems almost impossible to score against them.

[Kez 2,727]

We were so hard to beat because people couldn't score against us but we would settle for a 1-0 win. Best defence in the world, we are more attacking now and that leaves you more vunerable at the back.

But as we're on Makelele this guy was the BEST player in his position and the BEST at what he did. Chelsea legend.

[spuz 143]

It was because of Mourinho we were so hard to beat.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Sorry i can't take this thread with a pinch of salt, since it was just last season where we recorded wins as high as 7-1 three times, and even ended the season with a 8-0 win with a team that somehow has escaped relegation for too long. A team that scores 103 goals isn't a team that is known as 'beatable' but quiete the oppostie.

[Wilson 358]

Im talking about why weve been beaten MORE OFTEN since then.

I know. Even still, you can't put it down to players leaving. I think their replacements done as just as good a job - Alex and Essien.

[Henrique 9,099]

It was because of Mourinho we were so hard to beat.

but also so hard to win. 1 x 0 / 1 x 0/ 2 x 1/ 1 x 0/ 0 x 0/ 1 x 0

[eldo 868]

Guardiola isn't our manager.

[eldo 868]

I'd disagree Tomo.

We can still a boast a much better defensive record since 2008 than United & Arsenal (I hope someone will back this claim up!). Essien was a great DM in his prime, and now we have Mikel. The problem lies with the ageing squad. Which wouldn't be a problem if we were talking 25 > 28, but it was more like 28 -> 32. With no replacements being groomed & ready.

That's the sad reality of buying superstars. No-one thinks long term..

Agree completely.

We weren't thinking long term, it's understandable we tried to become top team. It's not late to start now.

But i think that we already started.

[Henrique 9,099]

Guardiola isn't our manager.

yet.

[eldo 868]

yet.

You are dreaming Henrique. Pep does that every year, he will extend that contract again.

[MetsajCFC 1,249]

It's because we started changing managers, our squad has/had mix of 3 managers, back in 2004-2008 players like Terry, Lampard, Joe Cole etc were at their prime, it's professional sports, it's not healthy

[Henrique 9,099]

You are dreaming Henrique. Pep does that every year, he will extend that contract again.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Agree with @LDN

We were much more superior phisically,we had guys like Makelele and good pacey wingers(Joe Cole,Duff,Robben),and we put much more pressure(very important ! ) on opponent's defensive line and holding midfielders.

For instance,the game against Barca on Stamford.

Now,we are a team which plays on his strength and that is keeping the ball in our feet,passing and trying to create a chance.It's much more difficult because of the lack of pace and speed in attack(in this season,last season it was fantastic).

I think the main reason is form,but ageing too.

[Ollie 4,400]

I dont wanna keep saying it but we were hard to beat because Jose made the players feel and believe they were unbeatable. We went to each game believing we'd win not hoping we might win. Also, we had a very steady defence that didn't change every week even tho Gallas spent most of his time at left back. When we conceded under Jose, we didn't look bothered, we just scored back and then won. Carlo's Chelsea seem to panic when they concede the first goal. Really not good.

2004/2005 - Lost 1, Conceded 15 goals.

2005/2006 - Lost 5 (last 2 games we already had the title won), Conceded 22 goals

2006/2007 - Lost 3, Conceded 24 goals.

Also lost to Villa in 07/08 before he was sacked but we still only lost 3 that season. Never lost at home. 120 matches under Jose, 10 defeats, 67 goals conceded.

Since then, our defence has still been strong but we've lost too many.

2008/2009 we lost 5

2009/2010 we lost 6

2010/2011 we've lost 7 already.

We still didn't concede too many but when we conceded, we didn't have the comeback. Under Mr. Mourinho, we were THE best because of the belief he instilled in them.