Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps

[Djemba-Djemba]

I'd say Conte is under huge pressure where as Klopp isn't because we all know Chelsea are ruthless when it comes to managers. It doesn't matter what you've achieved for the club, it's all about the here and now and if Roman is worried about making top 4 he'll just sack them.

The media know there is no chance of Klopp getting sacked anytime soon where as Conte could be gone by the morning. They're like sharks that sense blood

 

[singabiru]

Do you? Deloitte's most recent report (January 2018) gives Chelsea's income as 428m euros. That's now only 72m euros above Spurs (and barely above Liverpool). Soon that shrinking gap will reduce radically, when our new stadium comes on stream - and Chelsea have yet to finance their new stadium .... assuming it ever gets built.

The financial competition is rising and Chelsea are being reeled in.

So you're left hoping that your sugar-daddy will continue to deliver sugar. But the signs are that the sugar is drying up.

There's been no sugar for years since the low net transfer spend and the one-in one-out policy was implemented.

Hence, no point hoping against hope.

I only wish Roman would reel in his unrealistic ambitions of being top dogs and just be content with top 4 or top 6 and building a footballing identity.

 

[goons]

That won't happen. Clubs like Man United and Chelsea can't go into the decline levels of Arsenal and Liverpool. We have way too much money

Oh I wouldn't count on that if I was you. Being spoiled with titles by Abramovich since you started supporting Chelsea might have made you believe that this was going to last forever but a lot of things are pointing to that might not really be the case. If I was a Chelsea supporter I would be very nervous of what's next for you guys.

 

[SteveJ]

The Guardian has sacked Antonio, by the look of it:

Comments are about to close on Conte. Thanks for your contributions.

 

[ThaReaper01]

Man Bakayoko’s second booking was a disgrace. Piss poor decision.

 

[promisedlanchiao]

The only thing clear to me at this moment is that Mou has done a Ferguson style Keegan on Conte. Our boss is not to be messed with.

 

[J_Red 11]

Forcing Costa to leave after 20 league goals that he scored and was a crucial for the team to won the league. The worst part is he was making a sarcastic laugh during the interview when they were asking about Costa felt betrayed by Conte. Honestly, signing Morata wasn't the wrong choice but if you expect him to replace Costa, well it's wrong!

Signing an average midfielder Bakayoko for 40m as a result the club has to sell Matic. Not sure what he saw from Bakayoko, I wasn't impressed when I watched him at Monaco. He was just a Cleverley with physical gifted.

I know the board is also to blamed for not getting players he really wanted like Lukaku, Bonucci & Sandro, but you have to question some of Conte's decision this season. He won the league last season but instead of continue with the same system and keep the players, he sold some of them and changed his system. And lately, he was moaning to the board.

 

[ValenciasDrilledCrosses]

Man Bakayoko’s second booking was a disgrace. Piss poor decision.

Idiotic to go into a tackle that way on the halfway line but it was definitely very soft. If I was a Chelsea fan though I'd be happy, I'd rather play with 10 men that Bakayoko on this season's form. Plus now he's banned next game as a bonus!

 

[ThaReaper01]

I also think the third was softly concede by Courtois. Looked like he went down super slowly.

 

[Sky1981]

You can argue his behaviour as questionable but you demanded that he deserved to be sacked for asking for the board's support. When has he insulted any of the players? You wouldn't say any of these things if Chelsea was on top of the table. And no need to exaggerate the worthiness of the squad - it's not a European or even domestic powerhouse by any means.

He was supported. Moratta? You're talking as if he was given peter crouch

 

[amolbhatia50k]

No way does Conte deserve to be sacked. But I do wonder if he really wants to be there. He's never seemed truly happy at Chelsea.

Chelsea have won a lot lately but if they want to reach the level of the elite in Europe they need to stick with one quality manager and give him the complete reins. Like we and City are doing.

 

[cheeky_backheel]

While there is enough blame to go around, with much to blame Conte for, but the bulk of the blame should still go to Roman and the board. When one considers the history of the club with top managers, it is even more apparent where the problem lies.

The board needs to ensure that the resources made available are in line with the club's ambition. When they are not, you get saddled with a disCONTEted manager.

When a club hires a top level manager, it is a show of ambition with a reasonable expectation of competitiveness, success and silverware. These managers are not miracle workers and thus reasonable expect to have at their disposal player of high quality and suitability to their style of play and management. A clear example is what Pep is doing at Citeh, given the number and cost of his transfers and the associated success so far.

The board seem to desire to operate like Spurs/Arsenal while getting results like Citeh. This is simply unrealistic. Chelsea's lack of depth last season was papered over by the absence of CL commitment and early exit from League cup. To be successful this season, considering improvements by the competition, Chelsea needed to strengthen the squad and add depth. This should be done with the agreement of the manager (as it is counterproductive to force unwanted players on the manager).

If they sack conte, Chelsea should consider hiring a lesser coach like Tuchel, who can potentially deliver the occasional silverware without the perennial ambition of Mo0urinho

 

[ti vu]

While there is enough blame to go around, with much to blame Conte for, but the bulk of the blame should still go to Roman and the board. When one considers the history of the club with top managers, it is even more apparent where the problem lies.

The board needs to ensure that the resources made available are in line with the club's ambition. When they are not, you get saddled with a disCONTEted manager.

When a club hires a top level manager, it is a show of ambition with a reasonable expectation of competitiveness, success and silverware. These managers are not miracle workers and thus reasonable expect to have at their disposal player of high quality and suitability to their style of play and management. A clear example is what Pep is doing at Citeh, given the number and cost of his transfers and the associated success so far.

The board seem to desire to operate like Spurs/Arsenal while getting results like Citeh. This is simply unrealistic. Chelsea's lack of depth last season was papered over by the absence of CL commitment and early exit from League cup. To be successful this season, considering improvements by the competition, Chelsea needed to strengthen the squad and add depth. This should be done with the agreement of the manager (as it is counterproductive to force unwanted players on the manager).

If they sack conte, Chelsea should consider hiring a lesser coach like Tuchel, who can potentially deliver the occasional silverware without the perennial ambition of Mo0urinho

Tuchel's problem with Dortmund was all about transfer dealings and Dortmund was doing well with their recruitment that point. Tuchel with Chelsea recent transfer dealings would be fun.

While Chelsea has not been the transfer muppet they were used to be. They still reinvest a lot in buying players. Problem mostly is they don't get the players the coaches request but whoever the board wants.

 

[singabiru]

He was supported. Moratta? You're talking as if he was given peter crouch

Supported to what extent? There isn't the slightest reference to anything approaching to Peter Crouch in my posting so what are you reading from my post?

 

[RedRom]

Can someone please explain the hype surrounding Tuchel, he doesn't seem to have really done all that much in his managerial career so far, so why should Chelsea appoint him as they're next manager?

 

[SambaBoy]

Chelsea have to hope their youth policy finally pays of now, after 10-15 years of investment in young players it needs to produce. With Roman tightening the purse strings and the transfer market becoming silly, the only way Chelsea can compete is to develop these players into stars. They could have done that with De Bruyne, Lukaku and had decent/good back-up players in Romeu, Ake, Chabaloah. I'm probably missing a few that could get into their team.

Christensen has been a big plus point for them this season, Hazard, Courtois and Kante are top class but apart from that their team is weak. It's too early to say how Morata will fare long-term but the jury is out. They need to bring through players who can have a similar impact as Christensen saving them thousands in the transfer market while keeping them competitive. Musounda, Mount, Loftus-Cheek, Boga, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham etc.

 

[Devil may care]

Sky wont want him sacked before the Old Trafford game, it'll ruin their dramatic video packages.

 

[Distracted Steward]

Chelsea have to hope their youth policy finally pays of now, after 10-15 years of investment in young players it needs to produce. With Roman tightening the purse strings and the transfer market becoming silly, the only way Chelsea can compete is to develop these players into stars. They could have done that with De Bruyne, Lukaku and had decent/good back-up players in Romeu, Ake, Chabaloah. I'm probably missing a few that could get into their team.

Christensen has been a big plus point for them this season, Hazard, Courtois and Kante are top class but apart from that their team is weak. It's too early to say how Morata will fare long-term but the jury is out. They need to bring through players who can have a similar impact as Christensen saving them thousands in the transfer market while keeping them competitive. Musounda, Mount, Loftus-Cheek, Boga, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham etc.

I wonder if they could integrate their youth players in very well. They have them all out on loan at a slew of clubs. They hardly spend time with the first team let alone play as part of it. Would they struggle more bringing them back and bringing them through?

 

[Womp]

Chelsea have to hope their youth policy finally pays of now, after 10-15 years of investment in young players it needs to produce. With Roman tightening the purse strings and the transfer market becoming silly, the only way Chelsea can compete is to develop these players into stars. They could have done that with De Bruyne, Lukaku and had decent/good back-up players in Romeu, Ake, Chabaloah. I'm probably missing a few that could get into their team.

Christensen has been a big plus point for them this season, Hazard, Courtois and Kante are top class but apart from that their team is weak. It's too early to say how Morata will fare long-term but the jury is out. They need to bring through players who can have a similar impact as Christensen saving them thousands in the transfer market while keeping them competitive. Musounda, Mount, Loftus-Cheek, Boga, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham etc.

I'd bet they will never be regular starters at Chelsea. Chelsea have had great youth prospects for as long as I can remember, how many have actually made it at Chelsea?

 

[shamans]

Oh I wouldn't count on that if I was you. Being spoiled with titles by Abramovich since you started supporting Chelsea might have made you believe that this was going to last forever but a lot of things are pointing to that might not really be the case. If I was a Chelsea supporter I would be very nervous of what's next for you guys.

I am not a Chelsea supporter but the reason Chelsea and Man United can go two or three seasons with nothing and still come back is money. Same for City for as long as they are owned by the sheikhs. Arsenal and Liverpool have unfortunately really messed up.

 

[Giggs86]

They'll win the CL now

What Messi & Suarez and co. will do to that Chelsea team won't be pretty, let me assure you.

 

[Yagami]

What Messi & Suarez and co. will do to that Chelsea team won't be pretty, let me assure you.

Flashbacks to 2012. Good Barca team who were champions of Europe against a struggling Chelsea side who were having an awful league campaign. They might not knock them out but I doubt they'll be battered.

 

[Prometheus]

What Messi & Suarez and co. will do to that Chelsea team won't be pretty, let me assure you.

I used rub on the fact that Messi never scored against Chelsea on my United/Arsenal supporting mates.

 

[Swift Football]

I dont understand why only Chelsea board is held responsible for the mess they are at. Conte is at least half responsible for digging his own grave, if not more than half. If you forget what City spent and speak in absolute terms, Chelsea still spent a good chunk of money, at least good enough to buy covers and few starters.

They get Morata to replace Costa, well any striker will struggle to contribute what Costa produced last season, but match fitness/injuries and suspensions to Morata hasnt helped. A good manager also should have good man management, he had issues with Costa, and now with Luiz.

And after the summer transfer market closed, he had few complaints but to go on and on about it for so long is just bad. What message it sends to players and board. If you look at the table, thats not very bad position to be, yes their form is poor but they can definitely turn it around if they show the right attitude starting from their coach.

Lets not even go to his selections, and going way too defensive against smaller teams. 5 at the back plus 2 defensive midfielder!

I find these post match comments from him concerning -" I will continue to do my work, if thats enough, fine..otherwise board can make their decision if they want to." He showed 'I dont care anymore' kind of attitude which is unacceptable.

Now this all ends in only one way- and that is sacking of Conte its just matter of time. I would like to see him sacked right after match against us and his 'mourinho season' coming to end .

 

[The Man Himself]

Jose is mentally invincible. He's experienced a Chelsea meltdown and risen from the ashes like an grumpy Portuguese phoenix intent on causing misery to his rivals. I genuinely think he enjoys melting his opponents (look at Chelsea's stats since Jose stuck his oar into Conte) and putting them under pressure more than playing football these days.

His hitlist looks something like this:
Pep: wait till under pressure
Conte: Tick
Klopp: Next Target
Poch: Get RM to sign him
Wenger: Tick
Michael Owen: Tick
LVG: send flowers

 

[Prodigal7]

Jose is mentally invincible. He's experienced a Chelsea meltdown and risen from the ashes like an grumpy Portuguese phoenix intent on causing misery to his rivals. I genuinely think he enjoys melting his opponents (look at Chelsea's stats since Jose stuck his oar into Conte) and putting them under pressure more than playing football these days.

His hitlist looks something like this:
Pep: wait till under pressure
Conte: Tick
Klopp: Next Target
Poch: Get RM to sign him
Wenger: Tick
Michael Owen: Tick
LVG: send flowers

 

[Giggs86]

Flashbacks to 2012. Good Barca team who were champions of Europe against a struggling Chelsea side who were having an awful league campaign. They might not knock them out but I doubt they'll be battered.

It really was a big shock back then and I can see the resemblance but I just don't see it in that Chelsea team. The 2012 Chelsea team had some grit and they were trying to prove a point, despite their horrible league campaign. The current Chelsea side looks completely shattered. It would take a miracle for them to turn the state they're in in a week or two to avoid a battering from an in-form Barca side.

The only way for that to happen is if Conte is gone and a new manager will lead them to that tie. Then the players will give 110% only to prove that it was the manager's fault and not their own.

 

[Kapardin]

Flashbacks to 2012. Good Barca team who were champions of Europe against a struggling Chelsea side who were having an awful league campaign. They might not knock them out but I doubt they'll be battered.

Yes, but the 2018 Chelsea side will have Bakayoko on the pitch.

 

[Moby]

he enjoys melting his opponents

 

[Liver_bird]

Do you? Deloitte's most recent report (January 2018) gives Chelsea's income as 428m euros. That's now only 72m euros above Spurs (and barely above Liverpool). Soon that shrinking gap will reduce radically, when our new stadium comes on stream - and Chelsea have yet to finance their new stadium .... assuming it ever gets built.

The financial competition is rising and Chelsea are being reeled in.

So you're left hoping that your sugar-daddy will continue to deliver sugar. But the signs are that the sugar is drying up.

I genuinely don't think I've read a post of yours that doesn't reference your new stadium. It's quite impressive!

 

[KM]

I genuinely don't think I've read a post of yours that doesn't reference your new stadium. It's quite impressive!

Please don't forget the NFL tie-in.

 

[Marcus]

Ever since he crossed swords with Jose, things have gone downhill for Conte.

 

[manunited1919]

Sky wont want him sacked before the Old Trafford game, it'll ruin their dramatic video packages.

Sky must have already arranged a room full of video cameras for Conte and Jose to go at each other. They could do it Pay-per-View and earn more than Floyd Mayweather vs Pacquiao.

 

[Liver_bird]

Can someone please explain the hype surrounding Tuchel, he doesn't seem to have really done all that much in his managerial career so far, so why should Chelsea appoint him as they're next manager?

They shouldn't, not because he's a bad manager or anything, but for the same reason they shouldn't hire Sarri, that squad isn't built for creative attacking football.
It would require an overhaul that the board and fans just don't have the patience for. ( or money ) Much like with Villas-Boas.
I can't see anything other than more of the same with the ethos they've developed at the club.

They aren't in crisis perse, it feels like that but the media are bloodhounds and Conte is getting pelted by them from all angles. It's what they do, they have preconceived narratives for every club .
However what I will say is they are genuinely one poor transfer window away from it unravelling. If Hazard goes with them finishing outside the top four. Then signings like Giroud Drinkwater Bakayoko and Barkley won't suffice. Those aren't bad players but without the sheer quality of Hazard they will struggle massively.
Testing times ahead but more often than not they get it right. Interesting to see what happens though.

 

[GeorgeFord]

I like Antonio Conte but claiming the Chelsea board aren’t matching his ambitions are laughable.

His team have spent over 120 mil net on bringing in defenders over the last 18 months and are still conceding at will. His team finished 15 points ahead of Manchester City last season and he’s added an extra 8 first team players to his squad, whilst City have added 6. His team finished 24 points ahead of us last season, and again he’s added an extra 8 first team players to his squad compared to our 4 new players.

He chose to ostracize Costa, and replace him with “my first choice” Morata. He chose to get rid of Loftus-Cheek and replace him with Drinkwater and later Barkley (Thinking about it, Cheek would have accumulated a load of minutes in this Man United midfield, and Guardiola would have used him too.)

Chelsea have spent more than any non-Manchester based club and yet from a title-winning base (including 4 PFA team of the year players,) are arguably heading towards a 5th/6th place finish. This is on Conte.

In my opinion Chelsea should give Conte the rest of the season, sell Hazard for stupid money, sell Luiz and some other mercs for whatever they can get and build using the Tottenham blueprint.

 

[RedCurry]

I also think the third was softly concede by Courtois. Looked like he went down super slowly.

Courtois is one of the worst goalkeepers in the league. I have no idea what anyone has ever seen in him for him to be so hyped. Just a big oaf between the sticks. Along with that he has an attitude of some big time footballer. I don’t get it.

 

[el3mel]

They shouldn't, not because he's a bad manager or anything, but for the same reason they shouldn't hire Sarri, that squad isn't built for creative attacking football.
It would require an overhaul that the board and fans just don't have the patience for. ( or money ) Much like with Villas-Boas.
I can't see anything other than more of the same with the ethos they've developed at the club.

They aren't in crisis perse, it feels like that but the media are bloodhounds and Conte is getting pelted by them from all angles. It's what they do, they have preconceived narratives for every club .
However what I will say is they are genuinely one poor transfer window away from it unravelling. If Hazard goes with them finishing outside the top four. Then signings like Giroud Drinkwater Bakayoko and Barkley won't suffice. Those aren't bad players but without the sheer quality of Hazard they will struggle massively.
Testing times ahead but more often than not they get it right. Interesting to see what happens though.

Losing to Bournemouth 3-0 and Watford 4-1, dropping to 4th place with only one point away from dropping from top 4 completely is a crisis in my definition.

 

[Liver_bird]

Losing to Bournemouth 3-0 and Watford 4-1, dropping to 4th place with only one point away from dropping from top 4 completely is a crisis in my definition.

Fair enough, but unless he's lost the dressing room it's not an untenable position in my book.

 

[goons]

I am not a Chelsea supporter but the reason Chelsea and Man United can go two or three seasons with nothing and still come back is money. Same for City for as long as they are owned by the sheikhs. Arsenal and Liverpool have unfortunately really messed up.

Oh then at least you are safe I guess. The whole point is though exactly that, money. A lot of things are pointing to that Abramovich can't and won't compete with the sheiks when it comes to money and Chelsea does not make as much money as United or even Arsenal do on their own. They did well to win the league last year but I can very much see them start falling behind in the years to come now.

 

[Yagami]

Yes, but the 2018 Chelsea side will have Bakayoko on the pitch.

2012 Chelsea had Bosingwa, Mikel and Meireles!