Chelsea 2025-26 - Worldwide losingest team of the 2025-26 season

Mike Smalling said:
I actually did, yeah. But those two things are not always linked.
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True, but it's definitely an issue in this case. Between the UEFA settlement, the new Premier League spending controls and the big drop in revenue from last season this season, Chelsea are definitely in a tricky spot.
 
SilentWitness said:
Indeed but it's what they really lack. The senior players they have aren't dressing room leaders. Reece James, Cucurella, Enzo etc. are good players but I don't see them as a leader like Maguire is for example.
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Maguire being consider a Leader in MANU it's like the Poster of why Manu it's in such a dire state since time. And I know we won't agree on this, if you ever consider him a leader to build a team around him.
 
GoonerBear said:
I think he'd be really hesitant to take the Chelsea job. It doesn't seem like a particularly stable or nurturing environment for a young manager. Then there's also the question over how much authority would he have over the different departments, transfers etc.

Theres also been talk that he fancies taking the Arsenal job 1 day, so you'd imagine going to Chelsea again would be a death knell on that.

However, saying all that, Blueco somehow seems really good at getting to get people they want to hire, be it managers, Sporting Directors or players into their project, so I wouldn't rule it out totally.
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Thanks, and I agree, with what he is enjoying now in COMO, he'll like to replicated it on a bigger scale on Chelsea and that will need some huge backup from the Club.
 
Fobal said:
Maguire being consider a Leader in Man Utd it's like the Poster of why Man Utd it's in such a dire state since time. And I know we won't agree on this, if you ever consider him a leader to build a team around him.
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A leader doesn't have to be someone you build a team around.
 
SilentWitness said:
A leader doesn't have to be someone you build a team around.
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Yeah agree that's an extreme, and normally you need more than one, but apart from resilliance and keep his head down for most of parts when abused. He is not precisly the kind of leader that any team need to actually change a locker room to win more. He does not tick any cathegory: not in terms of talent, nor malice or clever enough, nor even pedigree on titles, he seems a good big lad that gives his all and that all at times can be from good to a calamity.
 
TheReligion said:
I think that’s also dependent on what other teams do in and around you too. Getting back in the CL should be the requirement.

The managers job will be a big one. Will be interesting to see who you can attract and what the approach is.
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Yeah it wouldn't guarantee it but it wouldn't unrealistic either. But a lot would have to right for us to even be in that conversation, which from where we are now seems unlikely.
 
Fobal said:
Thanks, and I agree, with what he is enjoying now in COMO, he'll like to replicated it on a bigger scale on Chelsea and that will need some huge backup from the Club.
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Yeah, and i forgot to add that fact actually. Managers are obviously more likely to be willing to compromise when they are out of work already, or already in the Blueco system like Rosenier.

Will be more difficult to convince a manager to take a gamble when they are quite entrenched in a meaningful setup already.
 
TheMagicFoolBus said:
Need to address the fundamental lack of physicality in the team; it's a huge problem. We haven't defended the far post properly since Tuchel left. Gusto / Chalobah as the right side of the defense is a disaster when it comes to crosses from the left flank and of course we're atrocious at dealing with set pieces.

Would have taken Rudiger (even though he's a fecking nutcase) back on a free but sounds like he is signing a one year extension at Madrid. If it's at all feasible to get Murillo and Kayode to fix the right side of defense that'd be ideal in my opinion; also probably need to play Jackson on the left at times once he's back.
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Agreed on all counts.

We have a good midfield into terms of starters and backup rotational options. Joao Pedro, Palmer and Estevao are good attacking options. But the defence needs an overhaul.
 
Fobal said:
Yeah agree that's an extreme, and normally you need more than one, but apart from resilliance and keep his head down for most of parts when abused. He is not precisly the kind of leader that any team need to actually change a locker room to win more. He does not tick any cathegory: not in terms of talent, nor malice or clever enough, nor even pedigree on titles, he seems a good big lad that gives his all and that all at times can be from good to a calamity.
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I disagree. He's a character in the dressing room that can grip it and be a shoulder for the younger players. He's demonstrated that at United and England.
 
SilentWitness said:
I disagree. He's a character in the dressing room that can grip it and be a shoulder for the younger players. He's demonstrated that at United and England.
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Let's agree to disagree, not good enough for me on any term/atribute to use him as a leader and I could easily make more than one pun regarding the succees of England and Manu lately, yet we both now that even not liking Harry as a/or THE Leader to become better and a more winner side, does not equal to JUST blame him for the luch of succees in his current teams, yet I think it's part of it, hence not a great example to follow for Chelsea.
 
WeePat said:
Agreed on all counts.

We have a good midfield into terms of starters and backup rotational options. Joao Pedro, Palmer and Estevao are good attacking options. But the defence needs an overhaul.
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A true goalscorer won't hurt, if it's any out there actually and worse feasible.

PD: I've just read that the kid Anselmino has his 5th injury in 25/26 and now he is in Strasbourg, damn that kid looked good, seems all rotten before even starting, a pity
 
Fobal said:
Let's agree to disagree, not good enough for me on any term/atribute to use him as a leader and I could easily make more than one pun regarding the succees of England and Man Utd lately, yet we both now that even not liking Harry as a/or THE Leader to become better and a more winner side, does not equal to JUST blame him for the luch of succees in his current teams, yet I think it's part of it, hence not a great example to follow for Chelsea.
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It was just one example of a leader. There are many examples that manifest themselves as leaders with traits you suggested in terms of talent and their ability on the field etc. and I don't think Chelsea have any in their dressing room currently.
 
Maguire was a very good example of what would be beneficial for Chelsea. Beyond being a very competent defender (at times very good) and having shown a mental fortitude not many players would have, he's clearly a positive influence in the dressing room.

It's also absurd to think leaders in successful teams have always (or even frequently) been the best players.
 
GoonerBear said:
I think he'd be really hesitant to take the Chelsea job. It doesn't seem like a particularly stable or nurturing environment for a young manager. Then there's also the question over how much authority would he have over the different departments, transfers etc.

Theres also been talk that he fancies taking the Arsenal job 1 day, so you'd imagine going to Chelsea again would be a death knell on that.

However, saying all that, Blueco somehow seems really good at getting to get people they want to hire, be it managers, Sporting Directors or players into their project, so I wouldn't rule it out totally.
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Fabregas has also been on record that he would love to manage Chelsea one day too. The clip I saw a long while ago, he actually mentioned Arsenal and Chelsea together as something of a dream for him.

But he has also said he enjoys a certain level of input and control in Como. He wouldn't get it at Chelsea so waiting for a more sensible club to move to is probably wise for him
 
Rooney in Paris said:
Maguire was a very good example of what would be beneficial for Chelsea. Beyond being a very competent defender (at times very good) and having shown a mental fortitude not many players would have, he's clearly a positive influence in the dressing room.

It's also absurd to think leaders in successful teams have always (or even frequently) been the best players.
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I'd take Maguire without hesitation. He'd start for us every week too.

I laughed at this suggestion 12-18 months ago, but I've realised the error or my ways a few months ago. He would be a brilliant player to have around the squad.
 
Rooney in Paris said:
Maguire was a very good example of what would be beneficial for Chelsea. Beyond being a very competent defender (at times very good) and having shown a mental fortitude not many players would have, he's clearly a positive influence in the dressing room.

It's also absurd to think leaders in successful teams have always (or even frequently) been the best players.
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If that was in correlation to my post? I wasn't implying that, my bad if it wasn't.
 
WeePat said:
Fabregas has also been on record that he would love to manage Chelsea one day too. The clip I saw a long while ago, he actually mentioned Arsenal and Chelsea together as something of a dream for him.

But he has also said he enjoys a certain level of input and control in Como. He wouldn't get it at Chelsea so waiting for a more sensible club to move to is probably wise for him
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I think he is even some sort of investor there
 
Fobal said:
Let's agree to disagree, not good enough for me on any term/atribute to use him as a leader and I could easily make more than one pun regarding the succees of England and Man Utd lately, yet we both now that even not liking Harry as a/or THE Leader to become better and a more winner side, does not equal to JUST blame him for the luch of succees in his current teams, yet I think it's part of it, hence not a great example to follow for Chelsea.
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A team has many leaders. This type of exaggerated statements to put down a player who has gone through the worst and come up on his own attitude, fighting spirit and his quality of play is silly because what he has been through is nothing to be scoffed at.
The team not winning trophies just because he is a leader is also silly. So in that case, Gerrard, Matt Le Tissier weren't great either since their teams mostly were trophy less at the end of the season.

Maguire, not only would be a leader in the dressing room, he would have motivated many people outside of football in all walks of life.

Chelsea isn't some great club that has different values for leaders where Maguire cannot be a great example, the main issue is your club throws money around and expects solutions than building any sort of a team.
The world of football was ruined by the things your club started more than a couple of decades ago and then expanded by other clubs like City & PSG.
 
Shark said:
Can't remember us being consistently worse then this lot currently are, even in our darkest periods under Moyes and Amorim. How they're even 9th is a mini miracle.
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They were 3 points off us in March. Their fall has been rapid.

Blood Mage said:
In attack yes. I would definitely take Caicedo, Fernandez and Lavia at United though.
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Fernandez is an utter clown and shouldnt be any where near the club regardless of how good he is.
 
WeePat said:
I'd take Maguire without hesitation. He'd start for us every week too.

I laughed at this suggestion 12-18 months ago, but I've realised the error or my ways a few months ago. He would be a brilliant player to have around the squad.
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You need actually some fire in the belly that also comes in hand with playing in consequence, a better assessment of nuances and reading of the game, some malice always welcome and an a plus if he actually won sthg and comes with extra quality. The team is too young and needs more than just being supportive, ressilliant and good fella around the young lads. In any case I get that at least a big fella competent in air balls as bad as Chelsea had been defending those situations will come good, yet from here to actually be sthg to seek for, dunno.
 
Fobal said:
You need actually some fire in the belly that also comes in hand with playing in consequence, a better assessment of nuances and reading of the game, some malice always welcome and an a plus if he actually won sthg and comes with extra quality. The team is too young and needs more than just being supportive, ressilliant and good fella around the young lads. In any case I get that at least a big fella competent in air balls as bad as Chelsea had been defending those situations will come good, yet from here to actually be sthg to seek for, dunno.
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That's an idealistic version of what we need. But Maguire would provide a calm head when things go awry, leadership in ways that is calm and steady and experience in dealing with adversity. Thiago Silva was a bit like that. Calm steady and led by example. He wasn't a fiery, volatile personality. Azpilicueta before him the same. But they were good leaders.

I'm not saying Maguire is some magical el capitano general who would solve our problems by whipping everyone into shape. Nor is he some unbelievable world class player whose quality would immediately elevate the team. He just has a lot of qualities we need and he would a genuinely smart signing.
 
WeePat said:
Fabregas has also been on record that he would love to manage Chelsea one day too. The clip I saw a long while ago, he actually mentioned Arsenal and Chelsea together as something of a dream for him.

But he has also said he enjoys a certain level of input and control in Como. He wouldn't get it at Chelsea so waiting for a more sensible club to move to is probably wise for him
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I can't remember him talking specifically about the Arsenal or Chelsea jobs. I remember interviews where people were trying to get him to pick where he liked better, Arsenal or Chelsea and he quite rightly said he enjoyed both places greatly, so I've no doubt he has great affection for both teams.

I just think now, as a young manager trying to plot a career, that looking at the current Chelsea model, and the current Arsenal model, its a bit chalk and cheese, and I say that without trying to be biased.
 
WeePat said:
That's an idealistic version of what we need. But Maguire would provide a calm head when things go awry, leadership in ways that is calm and steady and experience in dealing with adversity. Thiago Silva was a bit like that. Calm steady and led by example. He wasn't a fiery, volatile personality. Azpilicueta before him the same. But they were good leaders.

I'm not saying Maguire is some magical el capitano general who would solve our problems by whipping everyone into shape. Nor is he some unbelievable world class player whose quality would immediately elevate the team. He just has a lot of qualities we need and he would a genuinely smart signing.
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Maybe there is the issue, and has more to do with how I see him as a player that many here don't agree and is ok.

The first part it's exactly one of the things I don't see in him. When things get awry, he ain't that collected, he is a player that many times feels insecure controlling a ball falling on him even in a calm scenario, that can be quite easily rattled, that will retain or risk the ball without being his task to do it in clutch times, nor having enough talent to do it, stuff already Chelsea is suffering. He is not a player that can play with the front foot, a player with the poise and talent of Thiago to be cold as an assasin while gifted. I do give him that for instance when the rival is sending ball after ball to the area, he is more than competent to reject many of those (current Chelsea can't) , that he can even go for it to try to score with a header too, yet Thiago did so many other things, was ACTUALLY really collected and cold as ice when needed and had the atributes to back it up. Of course there isn't a Thiago around every corner, yet I don't see on a lesser level those atributes with Harry

On the other hand I do agree that inside the lockeroom, he will be a great asset regarding helping young players with the pressure of social media and abuse, of being there avaiable and fight for his place.

Anyway, I thiink the bottom line it's that I don't see the player others here see in him, just diff perceptions of the lad.
 
From Mourinho's tenure until Tuchel got sacked there was something about Chelsea: they had sides that were solid at the back, had leaders, a knack for winning trophies (especially cups). Even in poor seasons they'd win something, like CL in 2012 and EL in 2013. Then won CL in 2021 after they looked poor until Tuchel came in. There was recognisable identity imo. Now it's hard to realise what's the direction..

*obviously won ECL last season + that new Club World Cup so continued their tradition of winning european and international trophies.
 
BorisManUtd said:
From Mourinho's tenure until Tuchel got sacked there was something about Chelsea: they had sides that were solid at the back, had leaders, a knack for winning trophies (especially cups). Even in poor seasons they'd win something, like CL in 2012 and EL in 2013. Then won CL in 2021 after they looked poor until Tuchel came in. There was recognisable identity imo. Now it's hard to realise what's the direction..

*obviously won ECL last season + that new Club World Cup so continued their tradition of winning european and international trophies.
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In the FA Cup final too and I'd rather they win it
 
They've brought a huge amount of players in at fairly substantial sums on huge length contracts.

People say its a strategy and that the players values will increase.

But not many teams have the ability to spend 80-100m on single players, so where would all these Chelsea players be sold to anyway?
 
Chelsea fans will your players like Caicedo and Reece James be available for transfer if you have no European football?
 
FriedClams said:
Chelsea fans will your players like Caicedo and Reece James be available for transfer if you have no European football?
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Those two likely won't, but they'll surely have to sell someone of substance.

Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro? Would take any of them.
 
FriedClams said:
Like actually? Would fair bids for your better players be entertained?
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Both of the players you mentioned signed extensions this season. Caicedo signed one just a few weeks ago.
 
Is Tonali deemed too old for them? That's the calibre of player they should be signing. Or even Bruno Guimaraes as surely he wants to play in CL every season even if he loves Newcastle.

Experienced prem players who can provide leadership.

I also think if Palmer pushes to leave then Gibbs White wouldn't be a terrible option while they develop younger players.
 
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