Chelsea 2018/19 - 3rd and European Champions. Sarri, not sorry
- Thread starter duffer
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That top quote about growing the players they have must be music to the ears of Chelsea fans, considering how talented some of their academy lot are they may finally start getting substantial chances.
Yes and to the board. Thats a big reason we hired him I think. Won't demand players like Conte did.
Would be good to get academy players who can play every week and develop with us.
Yes! You can your Allisons, your Golovins, even your Hazards. This is the signing I wanted...
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Bad way for Zouma's Chelsea career to come to an end. Signed a 6-year contract, could have gone to a few top clubs in Europe on loan but went to Stoke, ended up getting relegated, lost his Chelsea shirt number, left out of pre-season squad and he probably still has his smile on his face.
Guessing he's off to Turkey?
Goalkeepers: Marcin Bulka, Jared Thompson, Bradley Collins
Defenders: David Luiz, Ethan Ampadu, Fikayo Tomori, Michael Hector, Tomas Kalas, [Irrelevant point], Emerson, Davide Zappacosta, Ola Aina
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas, Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ross Barkley, Mario Pasalic, Jorginho, Kasey Palmer
Wingers: Pedro, Lucas Piazon, Charly Musonda, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Strikers: Alvaro Morata, Tammy Abraham
I know it's pre season and a world cup one at that. But that is a terrible looking squad.
Quite a few long serving players there who have spent pretty much their whole Chelsea careers out on loan.
Tomas Kalas (25)
Been with Chelsea since: 2010
Loans: 7
Chelsea League appearances: 2
Lucas Piazon (24)
Been with Chelsea since: 2012
Loans: 5
Chelsea League appearances: 1
Mario Pasalic (23)
Been with Chelsea since: 2014
Loans: 4
Chelsea League appearances: 0
Michael Hector (25)
Been with Chelsea since: 2015
Loans: 3
Chelsea League appearances: 0
And their oldest keeper in the squad is 21. I think it was said that Chelsea had the most players at the World Cup though which explains a bit.
It would be quite interesting if a Chelsea managed actually played some of these raved-about players when it came to meaningful games. For years we’ve been hearing (rightly so) of the quality young players Chelsea have on their books. Would be interesting to see what they are actually capable of.
Out of that lot only two will likely be regular starters in the season (Jorginho and one of the left backs) possibly three with Morata but i think he's gone.
Take 9 starters out of any squad in football history and it would look a bit shit.
Sarri got such great performances out of only very good players (Callejon, various central midfielders, Hysaj and even Albiol) at Napoli, that if you add in Hazard or his replacement assuming he's off to Madrid and a CB because there isn't a first team one there, then I wouldn't rule out a 4-3-3 of:
---Morata----
Hazard?-Pedro
-Cesc-Barklayoko (either)
--Jorghino-----
Alonso--Zappacosta
--Luiz-CB------
looking pretty damn strong.
No place for Kante? I think Barca will take him gladly if you put him on the bench
Could they look any more like good cop/bad cop?
No way this happens ^ 4-3-3
Hazard/Hudson Odoi ------ Morata/Higuain ------ Willian/Pedro
Cesc/Golovin/Barkley
Jorghino ------- Kante
Emerson/Alonso ----Luiz/Rudiger ---- Christiansen/Rugani ----- Azpi/Moses
Unknown
Have you forgotten about Rudiger and Christiensen, who are both absolutely awesome? You also seem to have left out Azpilecueta, one of the most consistently brilliant defenders in the Premier League.
Any Seria A or Juventus fans in here that could shed some light on Rugani.
I have heard a lot of positive things but just wondered if anyone can contribute.
I have heard a lot of positive things but just wondered if anyone can contribute.
Just realised how much Sarri looks like Lunge from Monster, @Invictus
I was responding to the person discussing their pre-season squad. Read the quote above mine. Obviously Azpilicueta is better than Zappacosta at football and Rudiger should start. I was pointing out that players like Morata, Cesc and Pedro should fit Sarri's tactics better than Conte.
Jorginho is a pretty good and crucial signing.
Big problem for Chelsea last season is Fabregas-Kante didn't gel as midfield combination. Conte had it right the previous year when his regular combo was Matic-Kante and Cesc would come in for the parked bus teams home and away.
He dosen't have the legs anymore to play in a midfield two.
It's always difficult to predict Chelsea. Some seasons they've looked in a terrible state and then challenged and even won the league...start of 2016. Other seasons they've looked pretty perfect at the start and then imploded htting winter...2008, 2010 and 2015.
Last season their transfer strategy was very odd, I could understand Conte's frustrations.
Big problem for Chelsea last season is Fabregas-Kante didn't gel as midfield combination. Conte had it right the previous year when his regular combo was Matic-Kante and Cesc would come in for the parked bus teams home and away.
He dosen't have the legs anymore to play in a midfield two.
It's always difficult to predict Chelsea. Some seasons they've looked in a terrible state and then challenged and even won the league...start of 2016. Other seasons they've looked pretty perfect at the start and then imploded htting winter...2008, 2010 and 2015.
Last season their transfer strategy was very odd, I could understand Conte's frustrations.
Rumours about Kante to PSG and Courtois and Hazard to Real... imagine them losing their three best players. Can Jorginho step up and replace Kante then one problem is solved... but two major problems remain if that's the case.
I would be shocked if all three happen, but I think one of them might, Hazard if I had to guess. But who knows, they could keep all three.
If anyone leaves it will most likely be Courtois. His kids live in Spain and he's said he wants to be closer to them so he can watch them grow. He's also been the most vocal out of all of the 3. Guess we will find out what happens soon enough.
Kante is going nowhere.
Wasn’t one of those Kalas appearances in that game at Anfield?
Yeah correct!
He did start in that game and was actually quite effective.
No he won't be able to, he's a completely different kind of midfielder.
Exactly, he doesn't want to go and we don't want to sell.
Hazard wants to go, always his ambition, do Madrid actually want him though? We would need to find a replacement in the next 3 odd weeks if they do or we surely won't sell.
Courtois will probably go, can't blame him with his kids living there. I'm not actually sure why Madrid want him though? Navas has been superb for them and won 3 champions leagues in a row, what more do they want! Equally baffling is why if Courtois is going to Madrid as their number 1 we aren't trying to get Navas as his replacement as our first priority.
What's up with Piazon? Is he finally staying or he is going out on loan again?
Chelsea fans, what are your thoughts on Mourinho? It must be frustrating to think you could've had a front 4 of Hazard, De Bruyne, Salah & Lukaku...
I think they will do well this season anyway. They seem to have a pattern last 10 years or so - new manager, great season, bad season, new manager, great season....
I think they will do well this season anyway. They seem to have a pattern last 10 years or so - new manager, great season, bad season, new manager, great season....
De Bruyne is the killer one because the talent he had was obvious, despite the Cult of Mourinho claiming he wasn't training hard enough, and not taking his first team chances, etc.
Not even Roma saw what was about to happen with Salah in terms of last season, so I can live with that. Costa replaced Lukaku and led us to two titles, so the only error there was how he left the club and how we insufficiently replaced him.
Weirdly, Salah was De Bruyne's replacement so they never were at the club at the same time, but if anything, it highlights Mourinho's inability to appreciate attacking talent.
I'm surprised at the rumours/talk around Courtois, Kante, Hazard and Willian leaving. If they hadn't sorted out the managerial situation so fast then I could understand it at least a little more, but it seems they resolved that rather swiftly. I obviously doubt there's even a slight chance all four leave, but I can see Willian + one going. If that one is Hazard, then they need some significant investment in the attacking areas and I doubt they'll find adequate replacements. I honestly even think they need some kind of upgrade on Giroud/Morata, but they could get by if they have strong wider offensive players. They have a lot of central midfielders, so surely some have to leave now and in January? One of them can't be Kante, however. If they sold Courtois then I don't think there is anyone else near his level available.
Just wreaks of uncertainty at Chelsea right now, but if they keep hold of most of these players, sell the right ones and get a couple more in, you wouldn't find anyone writing them off in the title race IMO. Just have to see where they're at in a couple of weeks.
Just wreaks of uncertainty at Chelsea right now, but if they keep hold of most of these players, sell the right ones and get a couple more in, you wouldn't find anyone writing them off in the title race IMO. Just have to see where they're at in a couple of weeks.
If they can hold onto all their players (big if) or replace with comparable players they still have one of the very best squads around
GK
Courtois, cabellero
CB
Rudiger, Christensen, cahil, luiz
FB
Azpilucueta, alonso, zapacosta, Emerson
Cm
Kante, jorghino, bakayoko, RLC
Am
Fabregas, Barkley
Wm
Hazard, Willian, pedro, Moses
Fw
Morata, giroud, batshayi
Tbh none of the players you quoted have ever been mentioned when Chelsea youth are raved about. Those are all bang average players. Among our pre-season squad so far, the talented youngsters are Hudson-Odoi (probably #1), Abraham, Musonda, Tomori and Aina.
I can almost guarantee you none of those are going to happen. At worst, only 1 of the 3 is a possibility and that's Courtois. And it's only because he has 1 year left on his contract. Even at that, he has suggested (right after Belgium's 3rd place match) that with a better wage offer, he'd sign a contract. Hazard isn't going anywhere. His wife loves London. His brother (who's under Chelsea contract) loves London and has been dispelling rumours on Instagram, even the player himself isn't particularly opposed to staying. If things go well this season, he'll probably sign a new contract by December. Also, if we're getting 65-70m from Barca for Willian, then there's absolutely no chance we sell Hazard to Madrid for less than 200m - which they seem to be unwilling to reach. You know Chelsea's history with selling players for huge fees. Especially unwanted players. Imagine putting us in the position where we have to sell our best player. Ever coin will be milked off Madrd.
Anyway, it's not happening with less than 2 weeks to the start of the season when we have no time to bring in a replacement. If it's going to happen, it'll be next summer. Don't hold your breath about it happening though.
As for Kante, PSG would have a better chance signing Roman's son. Especially since Kante doesn't even care about moving anywhere.
Needs to be sold. I get a feeling he prefers going on loan. At least that way he gets to earn high wages compared to actually signing permanently for what would be a small club.
Absolutely gutted. I'm not bothered about Lukaku's sale. He's not irreplaceable by any stretch of imagination. His replacement brought us 2 titles, so essentially, he was 2 generations ago in terms of our strikers. As has been pointed out, only error was selling his replacement and bringing in a scared cat who shrinks at the slightest sight of adversity and doesn't have striker's amnesia. Maybe there's redemption for Morata under Sarri though. But I doubt it.
De Bruyne stings a lot. I think it'll be the same situation if United sell Martial, especially to a PL club. Jose has a way of convincing enough fans that said young player is lazy and unwilling to commit or whatever the case may be. A lot of us knew better in De Bruyne's case though. His talent was already there for all to see.
Salah's rise, I think is a combination of him being a good finisher and Klopp's system just absolutely enhancing his good qualities to the nth degree. Neither Roma nor Fiorentina nor Liverpool could have seen that coming. Think about how bang average Dries Mertens became one of the top CFs in Europe last season under Sarri. Systems do a lot for certain players. Gerard Pique has been in a few FIFPro teams over the years because his flaws are hidden in Barca's system.
For what it's worth, I think Pep's system has done a lot for De Bruyne as well, even though he's still very talented. Hopefully, Sarri's system can give some of our players that edge as well.
Sarri has to put some trust in Hudson Odoi this year and give him minutes, so sharp for that first goal.
Could save us a lot of money.
Could save us a lot of money.
Only pre season and with all due respect the standard of opposition not being too great.
But good to see the players taking to Sarri's tactics early, complete domination of possession and short passing, and pressing very high when off the ball.
Strong performances - Barkley, Hudson-Odoi.
Jorghino looked an absolutely class act in his minutes.
But good to see the players taking to Sarri's tactics early, complete domination of possession and short passing, and pressing very high when off the ball.
Strong performances - Barkley, Hudson-Odoi.
Jorghino looked an absolutely class act in his minutes.
I've heard that the guy smokes 80 cigarettes a day and they are having to build a special smoking area for him at Stamford Bridge 
It was great to see Christensen be a first teamer and Ampadu a genuine member of the first team squad last year but there's something more romantic about an attacting player coming through the ranks.
Was Carlton Cole the last one? He played a fair bit one season under Ranieri.
Probably Sturridge with AVB I guess?
We signed him from Man City, he's not a Chelsea product.