Chelsea 2018/19 - 3rd and European Champions. Sarri, not sorry

Prometheus

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What's the table lying about?
The honeymoon phase: every team gathers some momentum at the start of a new management.

Plus I'm just mad that we got dicked hard today, so it's not like I'm gonna be logically coherent.
 

Devil81

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I think City will go all out for Kante as a replacement for Fernandinho.
 

WR10

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So at what point will sarri realize that his CBs can not operate against good opposition without Kante protecting them?
 

Kostov

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He's an extremely talented player, one of the most talented, but best in the league? Nah, he plays for himself. He doesn't have enough influence over the game or his team on a consistent enough basis. Hes the sort of player who will be happy with his day when he scores in a 3-1 loss. I'm actually glad he didn't choose us all those years ago.
Now you said it all. Missing out on him is probably Fergie’s biggest mistake along with the Pogba fiasco. He influences games constantly, just not by scoring constantly. His dribbling and driving with the ball, decision making and passing are world class. His skill set is pretty unique, and I’d have him over any other player currently playing in the league outside United.
 

Brightonian

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Now you said it all. Missing out on him is probably Fergie’s biggest mistake along with the Pogba fiasco. He influences games constantly, just not by scoring constantly. His dribbling and driving with the ball, decision making and passing are world class. His skill set is pretty unique, and I’d have him over any other player currently playing in the league outside United.
That's interesting, because I think the player I'd take is the defensive midfielder they keep playing as a #10...

#freeKante
 

11101

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Laughable to suggest that he plays for himself. Glad he didn't choose us? We got the likes of Kagawa, Owen and Valencia instead ffs.

Hazard has 12 goals and 10 assists in 22 starts for Chelsea this season. He is easily one of the best players in the league.
Yeah, he really plays hard for Chelsea. Between practically begging Madrid to sign him every other month and downing tools for whichever manager he's had enough of this time. Like i say, wouldn't want him near our club.
 

FootballHQ

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Abramovich’s money, if he decides to spend it
Chelsea for a while now have curbed their mass spending, partly due to FFP and wanting to become more self sufficent and Roman maybe losing some interest given they can't get a new stadium site and also of course him getting banned from Britain for a spell last year.

Does feel like the club is in a bit of a flux, not really challenging for the league.
 

Ferrers

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Chelsea for a while now have curbed their mass spending, partly due to FFP and wanting to become more self sufficent and Roman maybe losing some interest given they can't get a new stadium site and also of course him getting banned from Britain for a spell last year.

Does feel like the club is in a bit of a flux, not really challenging for the league.

We’re not challenging this season but then again neither are you or Arsenal it’s pretty much been a two horse race from week 10 of the season.

We have still invested heavily in the transfer market but I do agree our business model is slightly more reserved these days.

Last Utd league win was 2012-13 season wasn’t it? If we’re in flux then you guys must be desperate for a good season.

Today was a whitewash as I expect the cup final to be albeit a closer result.

Sometimes you just have to accept the other team was better than you on the day (or the season)
 

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Not that I don’t rate Kante, or overlook our obvious weakness at CB, I just think players like Hazard are rarity.
True, but I think people underestimate how rare players like Kante are too. And whereas we have lots of gifted attackers we literally have one increasingly elderly DM. I don't think there's so much between them that it would be worth choosing the position we're already strong in.
 

FootballHQ

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We’re not challenging this season but then again neither are you or Arsenal it’s pretty much been a two horse race from week 10 of the season.

We have still invested heavily in the transfer market but I do agree our business model is slightly more reserved these days.

Last Utd league win was 2012-13 season wasn’t it? If we’re in flux then you guys must be desperate for a good season.

Today was a whitewash as I expect the cup final to be albeit a closer result.

Sometimes you just have to accept the other team was better than you on the day (or the season)
I don't support Man. United, very much a neutral observer on the top teams.
 

Cheesy

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Chelsea for a while now have curbed their mass spending, partly due to FFP and wanting to become more self sufficent and Roman maybe losing some interest given they can't get a new stadium site and also of course him getting banned from Britain for a spell last year.

Does feel like the club is in a bit of a flux, not really challenging for the league.
Definitely feels like Abramovic has largely lost interest. For as much as he was perhaps too ruthless with managers back in the day, it was generally a sign that he was incredibly invested in the club and would always do whatever he could to rectify any problems immediately. By contrast Conte got a lot of time last season even when things had clearly fallen apart and a decade or so back a result like today's would've probably had Sarri fired on the spot.
 

Kostov

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True, but I think people underestimate how rare players like Kante are too. And whereas we have lots of gifted attackers we literally have one increasingly elderly DM. I don't think there's so much between them that it would be worth choosing the position we're already strong in.
Maybe. There’s a very good and young DMF in Ruben Neves, Ndidi another. Yes we have much more options in attack. But imagine a front 3 of Martial, Rashford and Hazard...... :keano::D
 

Bojan11

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Definitely feels like Abramovic has largely lost interest. For as much as he was perhaps too ruthless with managers back in the day, it was generally a sign that he was incredibly invested in the club and would always do whatever he could to rectify any problems immediately. By contrast Conte got a lot of time last season even when things had clearly fallen apart and a decade or so back a result like today's would've probably had Sarri fired on the spot.
I’m not sure.

The stadium thing was him crying over not getting a visa.

But Roman was never going to fund Chelsea for the rest of his life. The prices he was paying when he first joined were crazy back then. But now look like bargains compared to transfers these days. He could go out back in 2004-2006 and spend £30m each on whatever world class player he wanted. Now for a world class player you starting at £60m. He can’t compete with the Sheikh.

He’s been wanting to change the style of football for a long time. First with Big Phil, then AVB and now Sarri. So either he sticks with his man or reverts back to counter attack football.

Also Chelsea have wasted a lot of money on tosh and have made a lot of big mistakes in the transfer window. We got a lot of shit for Pogba going.

But this is a club that let Lukaku go when they needed a goal scorer. They let Salah go, when they need another winger who can score goals. They let De Bruyne go when they need a creative midfielder who can score.

These are all costly mistakes and they paying for them. Their rivals have benefited from these sales.

I just don’t buy Roman has lost interest. They spent a record fee on a GK. Over the last two seasons they have a net spend of £190m. They spent £423m in transfers in the last two seasons. The questions need to be asked on where the money has gone.

Conte stayed because they had a realistic chance of top four. He had signed a new contract last season too. It was the same with Mourinho in his second spell where he was given as much time as possible to turn it around. Ancelotti in his second season the writing was on the wall. Sometimes Roman decides he’d wait till the end of the season to sack them.
 

BridgeBanter

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Any players we can steal from them this summer? Surely some of them will want out if they finish 5th/6th.

I’ll take Kante, Willian and Alonso
In what world do you think United can just pluck players from the Chelsea team?
 

staniswin

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They aren't the same team anymore without Matic ,Costa and a defensive manager. They no longer finish top 4 since then. Always be grateful for what you have and be careful of what you wish for
 

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Something I wonder is, how the actual feck has Alonso never been upgraded and what were Chelsea thinking giving him a new 5 year deal!
 

Infordin

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Does anyone really think Chelsea will ever get back to the force they were from 2005-2010 in Europe?

I honestly believe they are finished as a top club in Europe. Arsenal is their level from now on.
 

crossy1686

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It's peak! Yesterday I kept switching the match off/on. Each time I switch back on, the score had increased, ffs!
I turned the game on and it was 1-0, went into the kitchen to brew up, came back 2-0, put the bin out, 3-0. At that point I got ready for the gym instead of watching, on the way out 4-0. Looked like it could have been any number between 5 - 10 in the end.

I feel your pain, we were on the receiving end of one of those at Old Trafford and I was at that game, bleak times. However, as shit as it was for your lot, City have done us a favour.

I'm not entirely sure Sarri will see out the season, he's a manager that needs two seasons to implement his philosophy on a team but Abramovich isn't exactly the patient type. Plus, continuing to tell people you need new players and playing your current players out of position and then digging them out for not being good enough has shades of Mourinho about it.
 

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And people say he's better than Shaw :rolleyes:
Hilarious. There's a reason he's spent a good chunk of his career at second rate clubs. He is, and always has been, utter shite. I guess some goals here-and-there mask over just how poor he is. He's ok as a LWB but that's about it. I mean Moses even looked alright at WB a-few seasons ago, so that's not saying much.
 
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Hilarious. There's a reason he's spent a good chunk of his career at second rate clubs. He is, and always has been, utter shite. I guess some goals here-and-there mask over just how poor he is. He's ok as a LWB but that's about it. I mean Moses even looked alright at WB a-few seasons ago, so that's not saying much.
I agree, a few goals and assists have people fooled. Fullbacks should always be able to defend first and foremost.
 

Infordin

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I agree, a few goals and assists have people fooled. Fullbacks should always be able to defend first and foremost.
Remember when Chelsea beat Tottenham 1-2 away and Alonso scored a brace? He was genuinely magnificent that match. He won Chelsea the game on his own. Other than Marcelo occasionally Alba I can’t think of any other fullbacks who have decided the outcome of a big game like that.

He is an excellent wingback, but not good enough to play as a fullback in a 4 man defence.
 

#07

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Strangely enough I don't think you can read much into Chelsea's future after yesterday's game.

This group of Chelsea players has demonstrated that when motivated they can deliver. Personally I think the bulk of the squad has sacked off the league. We've seen this before from Chelsea. When they fall out of the title race they save themselves for competitions they can win. I wouldn't be surprised if a totally different Chelsea team shows up against us given that, if they get beyond us, they'd be expected to reach the final unless they draw City.
 

Bojan11

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Strangely enough I don't think you can read much into Chelsea's future after yesterday's game.

This group of Chelsea players has demonstrated that when motivated they can deliver. Personally I think the bulk of the squad has sacked off the league. We've seen this before from Chelsea. When they fall out of the title race they save themselves for competitions they can win. I wouldn't be surprised if a totally different Chelsea team shows up against us given that, if they get beyond us, they'd be expected to reach the final unless they draw City.
Deliver what?

They lost a key player from their last title winning squad in Costa and they never really recovered after he left. Their last winning squad is nearly broken up anyway. Hazard is the only world class player they have and he could be on his way. Alonso is crap as left back. Moses has gone on loan. Luiz and Cahill are in their 30s now. Courtois, Matic and Fabregas left. Pedro is another one in his 30s and has been average for two seasons.

It’s not like the past where they were changing managers but had Essien, Drogba, Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Cech, Lampard etc. All proven winners. More importantly a lot of leaders there.

Most of their last title winning squad has been broken up. A lot of those players won’t be showing the form they had back then.
 

#07

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Deliver what?

They lost a key player from their last title winning squad in Costa and they never really recovered after he left. Their last winning squad is nearly broken up anyway. Hazard is the only world class player they have and he could be on his way. Alonso is crap as left back. Moses has gone on loan. Luiz and Cahill are in their 30s now. Courtois, Matic and Fabregas left. Pedro is another one in his 30s and has been average for two seasons.

It’s not like the past where they were changing managers but had Essien, Drogba, Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Cech, Lampard etc. All proven winners. More importantly a lot of leaders there.

Most of their last title winning squad has been broken up. A lot of those players won’t be showing the form they had back then.
The FA Cup last season for a start.

Look at Chelsea's performances over the past decade. They routinely win cups even in off seasons. Even Rafa Benitez left Chelsea with a cup.

I can see Chelsea players basically saving themselves for the cup competitions from here on.

Chelsea's squad is weaker than it has been in the past, its not so weak that with maximum application they couldn't still win a cup or two this season. Nobody can tell me that Chelsea's players were risking injury and throwing themselves into every 50/50 yesterday. We've seen this from them before many times. In their heads the league is done and they will only turn up to spoil it for someone else e.g. when they did Spurs for Leicester in 2015-16. The cups will be where the players actually give their all.

It might sound stupid after yesterday but I wouldn't bet against Chelsea beating City in the League Cup final in a couple of weeks time.