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I want Zouma
People forget football is a team game. Bigger players than Hazard have gone and teams have coped. A classic example is Zidane at Juventus.I think people will be in for a shock on how Chelsea cope without Hazard. They became predictable at times with him.
22 games last year where Hazard did not start. 19 wins and 3 draws. Yeah 3 or so games he came on and had an impact but they coped fine without him mainly. In fact they scored 31 goals in the 10 games he didn't feature.
I think Willian, Pedro, Pulisic and CHO will be enough in the wide areas and not only chip in to cover the lose of productivity but make them less predictable and produce more varied plays. Someone will step up and convert the penalties Hazard took albeit maybe not scoring 95% of them.
They were not getting near the title with or without him.
Right they lost Hazard granted and will struggle to replace him no doubt and that will send them backwards however I still put their squad over Utd's simply because they have better players in every department.What is there for all to see? That the single properly creative player in their midfield and attack is leaving? He was IMO the best player in the league over the past 7 years since he joined - and Chelsea's play entirely revolved around him. Do you think they'll improve with Hazard gone and essentially being replaced by Pulisic? An attack of Willian (average), pedro (average), giroud, higuain, Hudson odoi and Pulisic really isnt very good. Hudson Odoi is exciting but very young so you cant have big expectations. Pulisic is decent, but nothing special and he'll have to adapt to the prem. Giroud is what he is. Higuain is far past it, not very good these days. Their midfield has little to no creativity as well. You need goals to win games, and they are losing their pretty much only creative force who was also their top scorer. Replacing that with nobody can't go well.
Utd and Chelsea have been in decline for more than a few years. 6 years for Utd. Though Chelsea have won two titles in the last 5 years, they've not been anywhere near the level of the peaktime era of Cech, A Cole, Terry, Lampard and Drogba. That team was remarkably consistent year after year, starting every season as one of the favs for the league and CL. Same with the peak era of Utd.We are in a bad position but Chelsea losing Hazard is massive. They can’t even spend themselves out of the situation.
Sarri wants to leave so they are looking for a new manager. It’s actually crazy how far Chelsea, United and Arsenal have slumped in just a few years.
Hopefully one of those 3 sides can get themselves sorted out. I can’t deal with just Liverpool and City fighting it out for the title over the next 10 years.
We did it voluntarily in 2009.Worst predicament to be in. Lose your best player that you are unable to go out there and replace him unless that transfer ban gets lifted which I doubt it will.
Without Hazard there, De Gea in goal, Shaw gets in ahead of anyone they use at left back, Lindelof partners one of their CBs, Pogba in midfield, Martial and Rashford both get in ahead of their new left wing (whoever it is) and higuain/giroud. Or put Lukaku up top and Rashford wide left. 6 players either way pretty unquestionably. The bigger thing though is that the way the team is balanced. Chelsea just straight up don't have goalscoring options nor do they have creative options anymore. Uniteds squad isnt perfect, but it's not like we've been far away from the top 4. We had a disastrous season, and still almost made top 4, and outplayed Chelsea on all 3 occasions (under both managers).Right they lost Hazard granted and will struggle to replace him no doubt and that will send them backwards however I still put their squad over Utd's simply because they have better players in every department.
The only players that would walk into Chelsea's 11 unarguably as of now are DDG and Pogba, the rest no.
Also if they stay away from Lampard there's some experienced names on their managerial wishlist who by all accounts are better managers than Solskjaer.
They recover but they feel the impact short term unquestionably. See Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Ronaldo at United as well, though it was somewhat different. Fergie was a genius who still grounded out points and challenged for everything, but the overall team unquestionably dropped a level when he left.People forget football is a team game. Bigger players than Hazard have gone and teams have coped. A classic example is Zidane at Juventus.
So hang on this great Baka form for Milan and they don't want to sign him full time... Chelsea are still well stocked in CM so still reckon you'd cash in if someone else bids.If the transfer bans sticks, Batshuayi, Abraham, Reece James, Mason Mount, Bakayoko, Musonda and Clarke-Slater.
Hey?and outplayed Chelsea on all 3 occasions (under both managers).
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Now while I'm expecting a tough season, not even top 8? Come on be serious. Even our current side without Hazard is better than some of the shit United, Liverpool and Spurs teams that have been wielded out at various points this decade, none of which dropped from top 8.Chelsea did very well with that hazard transfer to madrid. !30 million for a player with 1 year left on their contract? Splendid!
However with the transfer ban and hazard gone they might not finish top 8. They also have some serious injuries. RLC is out for a while when he was just doing so well toward the end of the season. We might not have to worry about come august.
Arsenal 2011. Lost Cesc, Nasri and started the season with an all time humiliation.Losing their best and talismanic player, losing a highly regarded coach and not being able to buy any players this summer. I have never seen such a triple whammy in all my years of watching football.
Don’t think you really understand how impactful hazard was this season. Also your argument is pretty bad given the league is a lot better now than it was back then. You guys have a ban currently and Sarri’s current style doesn’t see you produce many chances. I just don’t see how you finish above 8th place. Your squad is just not as good as you think without hazard.Now while I'm expecting a tough season, not even top 8? Come on be serious. Even our current side without Hazard is better than some of the shit United, Liverpool and Spurs teams that have been wielded out at various points this decade, none of which dropped from top 8.
The top six are better but are the rest?Don’t think you really understand how impactful hazard was this season. Also your argument is pretty bad given the league is a lot better now than it was back then. You guys have a ban currently and Sarri’s current style doesn’t see you produce many chances. I just don’t see how you finish above 8th place. Your squad is just not as good as you think without hazard.
Whenever I do watch you guys I’m reminded of our squad under van gaal. Plenty possession with close no penetration. Now that hazard is gone where do the created chances come from. Pulisic?
I think you forgot about the transfer ban. If it stays, new owner won't be able to do anything and new manager, whoever he is, surely won't do better than 3rd with your current squad without Hazard.Lolz thread.
We don't even have manager confirmed yet or any idea how we're going play and with which 11. We could also change owner, not probable,but it's certainly possible.
We could finish 1 - 10 or even fluke the CL again who knows.
If whoever comes is rubbish, they'll be sacked by Christmas and new manager again...
Yes to Pogba, but no way would I take DDG over Kepa!The only players that would walk into Chelsea's 11 unarguably as of now are DDG and Pogba, the rest no.
But those teams were not facing a transfer ban. If chelsea avoid the ban and get a proper striker they will be fine for top 4People forget football is a team game. Bigger players than Hazard have gone and teams have coped. A classic example is Zidane at Juventus.
DDG has has 1 bad season but he's been the best keeper in this league over a long period, Kepa is levels below DDG.Yes to Pogba, but no way would I take DDG over Kepa!
Kepa is never going to be in the class of Cech, but I'd take him any day over calamity Dave!
Definitely out of the top 6? You’re funny.Losing their best and talismanic player, losing a highly regarded coach and not being able to buy any players this summer. I have never seen such a triple whammy in all my years of watching football. And yet there are one or two Chelsea fans here who still think the club will finish in the top 4 - you're having a laugh here. Chelsea will definitely be OUT of the top 6 and it really is their board's fault.
The DDG of his best yes, but it remains to be seen whether last season is 1 bad season or his new level.DDG has has 1 bad season but he's been the best keeper in this league over a long period, Kepa is levels below DDG.
Near certain ban will hold. Don't see at as an issue. Our squad + bring back from loan, and home developed options are massive. Personally I want them to play. Spanking money on Coutinho / Bale or others would be worst thing we can do.I think you forgot about the transfer ban. If it stays, new owner won't be able to do anything and new manager, whoever he is, surely won't do better than 3rd with your current squad without Hazard.
Nothing funny about it. Chelsea finished in 10th position not too long ago and with the crisis at the club now, I won’t rule out a repeat.Definitely out of the top 6? You’re funny.
The 10th was a massive one off due to a variety of factors, mainly a squad that been mentally ran to the ground and back.Nothing funny about it. Chelsea finished in 10th position not too long ago and with the crisis at the club now, I won’t rule out a repeat.
Why would 1 bad season mean he's fallen off especially since he's been one of the best keepers in the world over a consistent period, that doesn't make any sense?The DDG of his best yes, but it remains to be seen whether last season is 1 bad season or his new level.
Because often it's end up being more than just one bad season, especially with players that rely on athletic attributes like DDG does.Why would 1 bad season mean he's fallen off especially since he's been one of the best keepers in the world over a consistent period, that doesn't make any sense?
When Hazard was poor in 2015/16 did you think that that was his 'new level'
Besides if you consider Kepa to have had a good season he's gonna need another few to be considered the same level as DDG