Chelsea 2023/24 season thread.

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Poch messed up yesterday. 3rd goal is on him. There was no need to shift Enzo from deep to front after Caicedo introduction. Entire creativity died, ball retention and transition died. It was unbelievable to see 10 men WHU bullying Chelsea midfield to defense while Enzo lurking helplessly near opp box. Very strange tactics, not that I am surprised by Poch though.

It's because with Chukwuemeka off and Nkunku hurt, we don't have anyone else who can play as a 10 besides Enzo. The bigger problem was what a disaster Mudryk was when he came on; he can't play in the centre and he and Chilwell were all over each other's toes killing our spacing down the left.

Ironically this is where Hall would have been quite handy as an underlapping runner from left back but seems that ship has sailed.

 

[cyberman]

I just read they have 3 wins total in 2023. That’s insane

 

[WeePat]

It's because with Chukwuemeka off and Nkunku hurt, we don't have anyone else who can play as a 10 besides Enzo. The bigger problem was what a disaster Mudryk was when he came on; he can't play in the centre and he and Chilwell were all over each other's toes killing our spacing down the left.

Ironically this is where Hall would have been quite handy as an underlapping runner from left back but seems that ship has sailed.

I was making this exact point to someone on twitter yesterday. Mudryk and Chilwell occupy the exact same spaces, especially the way Poch is using Chilwell as an out and out winger and Colwill covering for him at LB. I don’t like this usage of Colwill, but that’s a side point.

But yeah, Chukwuemeka operates in the 10 and he’s been brilliant there. Mudryk can’t do that. When people ask why Chilwell was taken off, it was to free up Mudryk. Hall would be perfect for this set up. He can overlap if needed but he’s excellent operating on the inside and being an extra midfielder when we have possession.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

I was making this exact point to someone on twitter yesterday. Mudryk and Chilwell occupy the exact same spaces, especially the way Poch is using Chilwell as an out and out winger and Colwill covering for him at LB. I don’t like this usage of Colwill, but that’s a side point.

But yeah, Chukwuemeka operates in the 10 and he’s been brilliant there. Mudryk can’t do that. When people ask why Chilwell was taken off, it was to free up Mudryk. Hall would be perfect for this set up. He can overlap if needed but he’s excellent operating on the inside and being an extra midfielder when we have possession.

Well great minds think alike obviously!

Yeah would have liked to have seen Maatsen given a run out there actually now that I think about it. Enzo's best attribute is finding space so forcing him to stay higher doesn't seem like it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Andersonson]

If you have your worst season in a gazillion years, you might want to come up with a better plan than "one that requires at least a season," because people's patience will be very thin.

Poch has been manager for two games though... Not a gazillion years...

 

[Iker Quesadillas]

Poch has been manager for two games though... Not a gazillion years...

I'm talking about last season.

Signing a new manager doesn't reset time.

 

[mu4c_20le]

I just read they have 3 wins total in 2023. That’s insane

Yeah, more than I thought.

 

[Marauder1]

I just read they have 3 wins total in 2023. That’s insane

Apparently under Todd they have signed more players (24) than won league games (11), its actually quite impressive. Someone do the math, how many signings do they need over the next week to win the league?

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Apparently under Todd they have signed more players (24) than won league games (11), its actually quite impressive. Someone do the math, how many signings do they need over the next week to win the league?

Assuming 30 wins, then it's 24/11*30 which is basically 65.5. So 41 more senior players and another teenaged Brazilian?

 

[1905]

Pretty good performance in the first half then just a complete inability to create anything against their bus in the second. Has been a problem ever since Hazard left.

 

[Marauder1]

Assuming 30 wins, then it's 24/11*30 which is basically 65.5. So 41 more senior players and another teenaged Brazilian?

Todd needs to pull his finger out if Poch is to have a chance. Doable though, Todd is clearly a bit mad and don't see the Brazilian being a problem.

 

[Andersonson]

I'm talking about last season.

Signing a new manager doesn't reset time.

It kinda does with allt he transfers and especially considering their age

 

[SilentWitness]

I read a stat that apparently we have won 6 of our last 31 games and Chelsea have won 5 of their last 31.

 

[Fortitude]

Tuchel might be the most expensive sacking of all time in football. Whatever followed has been nothing less of a shitshow. I bet the Chelsea before the Boehly was stronger than current Chelsea.

This is perfect. Before the Boehly.

 

[golden_blunder]

This is perfect. Before the Boehly.

Chelsea BTB

 

[Fortitude]

Chelsea BTB

it's exactly what I thought when I read it. It's perfect!

 

[Redfrog]

Assuming 30 wins, then it's 24/11*30 which is basically 65.5. So 41 more senior players and another teenaged Brazilian?

Problem is, more Todd buy players, less Chelsea wins games.

 

[WeePat]

Are Chelsea fans around here still creaming about this draw at home against Liverpool ?

Do you mean do we still think it was a good performance? I don’t see why that would change after poor result.

 

[Chief123]

I read a stat that apparently we have won 6 of our last 31 games and Chelsea have won 5 of their last 31.

Common denominator. Frank Lampard.

 

[Rossa]

Surely, they should have gone all out and signed Neymar - such a loss for them. Great club.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Surely, they should have gone all out and signed Neymar - such a loss for them. Great club.

Our physios can barely keep up as it is!

 

[Dumbstar]

Problem is, more Todd buy players, less Chelsea wins games.

Where's the problem?

 

[FootballHQ]

Luton at home on Friday is perfect game for them to rack up a 4 or 5 nil with Jackson and Sterling scoring a couple. Can't recall last time Chelsea won a game (well that aswell!) by more than a goal or two so well overdue a convincing scoreline for the decent approach play.

 

[Rossa]

Our physios can barely keep up as it is!

You could have signed Phil Jones - he knows more about treatment than any doctor out there.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

You could have signed Phil Jones - he knows more about treatment than any doctor out there.

Please don't give our owners any ideas!

 

[Amadaeus]

@Amadaeus

@Amadaeus

@Amadaeus

@Amadaeus

Why's the Poch and Caicedo threads locked? Is @Amadaeus hacking the cafe?!

@Samid, @T00lsh3d

Two games chelsea was by far the most dominant side. They are in top four for xG statistic. Pochettino chelsea has been one of the best teams in the league, but As I stated before, they need at least 2 attackers. I m logical and understand how footvall works. This Chelsea attack is still the same attack that finished 12th last season with only an untested Jackson that is starting for them in the league. Pochettino is doing miracles with what he is giving at the moment. All he needs is another striker like vlahovic (e.g a big strong no.9) and a hybrid winger/no.10 creative attacker like Cherki, felix or even kudus. Once that is done, then chelsea can be contenders for a top four place. I have been saying that since the start of the season. The injuries to nkunku and james isn't helping either, but as I said since the start, this chelsea team is still incomplete despite being one of the best performing team in the league

 

[Plastic Evra]

Pochettino is doing miracles with what he is giving at the moment.

Let's not get too carried away chaps

 

[Zed is not dead]

Let's not get too carried away chaps

Only a 1bn team. What’s the poor man supposed to do with this?

 

[Amadaeus]

Only a 1bn team. What’s the poor man supposed to do with this?

A lot of that 1bn players has been sold. When you look at that chelsea team, no one will say it is a team that is worth that much. Their midfield is absolute quality with the addition of Caceido and lavia, but their attack is probably one of the worse in the league without nkunku. Their defense has potential, but if they have to consistently play a 39 year old defender, then there is a quality issue back there as well. I understand chelsea fan will say that Silva is still world class, but for me, I have not seen any world class defending in the first two games so far from him. Whereas even though diaisi was poor against west ham, he did look decent against Liverpool. Pochettino is having to play 3 in the back just to accommodate Silva. So, once again their defense is questionable at the moment. Their goalkeeping is poor. I believe Sanchez has conceded 4 goals from 7 shots. At that rate, they should have just gotten de gea for free. As I stated before, he was Brighton 3rd choice keeper for a reason. Once again, I m not seeing a 1bn dollar squad at chelsea.

 

[jadajos]

@Samid, @T00lsh3d

Two games chelsea was by far the most dominant side. They are in top four for xG statistic. Pochettino chelsea has been one of the best teams in the league, but As I stated before, they need at least 2 attackers. I m logical and understand how footvall works. This Chelsea attack is still the same attack that finished 12th last season with only an untested Jackson that is starting for them in the league. Pochettino is doing miracles with what he is giving at the moment. All he needs is another striker like vlahovic (e.g a big strong no.9) and a hybrid winger/no.10 creative attacker like Cherki, felix or even kudus. Once that is done, then chelsea can be contenders for a top four place. I have been saying that since the start of the season. The injuries to nkunku and james isn't helping either, but as I said since the start, this chelsea team is still incomplete despite being one of the best performing team in the league

Ah yes, only once Chelsea - who spent 1 billion last year and finished 3rd in 21/22 and won CL in 20/21 - are able to strengthen their underdog team further will they be able to challenge Brighton who sit atop the table and compete with United who signed the mighty Hojlund, who is obviously much more proven than Chelsea’s Michael Jackson.

 

[Zed is not dead]

A lot of that 1bn players has been sold. When you look at that chelsea team, no one will say it is a team that is worth that much. Their midfield is absolute quality with the addition of Caceido and lavia, but their attack is probably one of the worse in the league without nkunku. Their defense has potential, but if they have to consistently play a 39 year old defender, then there is a quality issue back there as well. I understand chelsea fan will say that Silva is still world class, but for me, I have not seen any world class defending in the first two games so far from him. Whereas even though diaisi was poor against west ham, he did look decent against Liverpool. Pochettino is having to play 3 in the back just to accommodate Silva. So, once again their defense is questionable at the moment. Their goalkeeping is poor. I believe Sanchez has conceded 4 goals from 7 shots. At that rate, they should have just gotten de gea for free. As I stated before, he was Brighton 3rd choice keeper for a reason. Once again, I m not seeing a 1bn dollar squad at chelsea.

Whether you’re seeing a 1bn squad or not, it’s factually a 1bn squad.
Arguing that Pochettino is still missing some parts after possibly the largest spending spree in the history of sports is not receivable.

Worst part is I do believe Poch is a good coach, and I was quite disappointed by his stint at PSG and seeing him fail there. However all your arguments actually undermine him while actively trying to sell him as Rhinus Michels reborn

 

[Amadaeus]

Whether you’re seeing a 1bn squad or not, it’s factually a 1bn squad.
Arguing that Pochettino is still missing some parts after possibly the largest spending spree in the history of sports is not receivable.

Worst part is I do believe Poch is a good coach, and I was quite disappointed by his stint at PSG and seeing him fail there. However all your arguments actually undermine him while actively trying to sell him as Rhinus Michels reborn

So you think that a striking option of just Jackson and an academy kid (burtow) is enough? You can argue they have Borja as well, but he hasn't played professional football in close to a year. Coming back from that type of injury is never easy and it will take him a while to even settle back. You can also say they have lukaku, but he has been outcasted by Pochettino. So in reality, they only have Jackson as their primary goalscorer till nkunku comes back next year.

Moreover, when you look at their fit attacking midfielders. They have

Sterling/madueke --- ???? ----- Mudryk

In a 4 2 3 1, they dont even have enough players to fit that system at the moment with who is fit. Gallagher has been deployed in a deeper role by Poch and I don't believe he see him as that creative technical outlet that we see in carni. So as you can see, in just their attack, they dont have sufficient quality or depth.

Ideally this is how chelsea should look like at the moment with all their injuries if their board and recruitment team is doing their job correctly

Sterling - cherki - Mudryk
-------- jackson/vlahovic

When everyone is fit, their squad isn't still bloated with these addition

Caceido/lavia - enzo/Gallagher
Cherki/madueke - nkunku/carni - Mudryk/sterling
Jackson/vlahovic

Or a 3 in the back that they have been so dominant in so far this season and what I stated they would look at in the levi Colwell thread

Disasi/Fofana - colwill/Silva - Badishelle/Cucarella
-------------lavia/santos - Caceido/Gallagher
James/gusto-------enzo/carni------------------- Chillwell
-------- cherki/sterling----------- nkunku/mudryuk
---------------------- jackson/vlahovic

*chooses cherki because he is a cheaper but quality option.
**vlahovic because he offers a different dimension to the attack and Chelsea also get to offload lukaku as well

So as you can see their team has a lot of holes in their at the moment and that is down to poor recruiting. Pochettino is doing an exceptional job covering those cracks especially with how many players they have let go. Also, I don't know how you can say you are disappointed with how Pochettino failed at psg when no other manager beside tuchel has reached further in the Champions League than him. Also, Pochettino walked the league in his second season and went unbeaten at home. I still haven't seen a Manger beat that yet. Galtier tried and didn't even last. Luis Enrique seems like he already want out and is off to a poor start to the season already.

 

[Redfrog]

Pochettino is doing miracles with what he is giving at the moment.

Well, one point in 2 games is not exactly a miracle in my eyes, but to be a believer you have to see what is not there I suppose.

 

[Amadaeus]

Well, one point in 2 games is not exactly a miracle in my eyes, but to be a believer you have to see what is not there I suppose.

Let me introduce you to this wonderful thread on redcafe a few years ago

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/why-i-prefer-attractive-football-over-winning-at-all-costs.433669/

Pochettino chelsea is playing attractive football. They are dominant in possession, creating loads of chances and are exciting to watch. But, they can't win at the moment due to their shortcomings in the transfer window. As long as chelsea keeps playing the type of football they are playing, the result will come.

You have to remember if enzo has scored that penalty, chelsea would have won that game. They were easily the dominant team and they wouldn't have played into west ham approach of parking the bus and counter. Similiar to Liverpool game, chelsea was the dominant side. However, they couldn't get a win despite all the chances they created.

You have to see football in more than black and white. If chelsea was playing like us, I would know there is a big problem at the club or at the managerial level. But chelsea are playing the opposite of how we are playing, but can't get a win, which is surprising. Once Caceido and lavia get settle and they fix one of their main problem for this season, I m positive that things will turn out right at Chelsea.

 

[Powderfinger]

Chelsea played well in the first half and I'm sure the game would have gone differently if they had gone into halftime up a goal or two. Its also still early days with a new manager and a young squad that has played together for about five minutes.

All that said, there are two things I would be a bit concerned about:

Poch's teams have always struggled if/when Plan A doesn't work. Young teams in general also tend to put together strong periods of play but then struggle to deal with tactical changes within a match or events like a goal against the run of play or tough decision. So with Poch as manager of a very young team, this is something to watch. And it’s exactly what happened.

Chelsea have been fortunate to catch two sides in bad shape. Liverpool had one real central midfielder on the pitch. West Ham lost Scamacca, Rice, and have been dealing with the Paqueta saga, while not having anybody new on the pitch except JWP. Chelsea will get better but the competition will get tougher too.

 

[Care_de_Bobo]

I'm just waiting for Chelsea's inevitable win against Luton to be held up as proof that they've turned a corner.

It is funny how the miracle worker has managed less points in his first two fixtures this season compared to Potter in the exact same fixtures last season. I honestly didn't expect the old xG excuses to start being wheeled out for them so soon.

 

[Champ]

The straws being clutched in here by one poster in particular is slightly painful to read, it's like a written version of a breakdown.

 

[MayosNoun]

We need to play 433 until Nkunku returns and move to 4231.

Back 3 needs binned asap.

 

[Rooney in Paris]

The straws being clutched in here by one poster in particular is slightly painful to read, it's like a written version of a breakdown.

It's been an ongoing breakdown for the past few years.

 

[Ish]

The straws being clutched in here by one poster in particular is slightly painful to read, it's like a written version of a breakdown.

Aye, it's something to behold.