English (and other British lower league) Football Discussion
Its amazing how professional the players have been who haven't started a lot of matches. The like of Cesc, Terry, Michy and Willian. We've been extremely fortunate with injuries this season as well as not playing in Europe so that has certainly helped.
FA Cup final to come, so pumped for that.
Conte is relentless when it comes to closing out a league campaign, only have to look at his triple-digit points Juve side and read about his confrontation with Buffon et al over bonuses to see that.
Good news for the FA cup final, both Koscielny and Gabriel are out. This gives us a huge advantage. Come on you blues
Absolutely gutted. But that's football.
We were pretty poor today.
That being said, that first goal was comical. Clear handball followed by an offside player making a play at the ball only to pull out last second. That 2 referees could discuss it and still come up with a goal beggars belief.
That changed the complexion of the game and from there we were having to chase the game. Its hard to say how we would have played had we not been 1-0 down.
Absolutely gutted. But that's football.
We were pretty poor today.
That being said, that first goal was comical. Clear handball followed by an offside player making a play at the ball only to pull out last second. That 2 referees could discuss it and still come up with a goal beggars belief.
That changed the complexion of the game and from there we were having to chase the game. Its hard to say how we would have played had we not been 1-0 down.
The first goal was not offside.
The difference was that Arsenal wanted to win and Chelsea expected to.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
It's football! It's the FA Cup!
We were poor for the first 30 minutes with no rhythm and real purpose. We did well to equalise with 10 men and even after their second goal we had chances but Arsenal hung on and fair play to them.
So is it Arsene in or out now :)
It's football! It's the FA Cup!
We were poor for the first 30 minutes with no rhythm and real purpose. We did well to equalise with 10 men and even after their second goal we had chances but Arsenal hung on and fair play to them.
So is it Arsene in or out now :)
Probably a new 10 year contract :)
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Disappointed to see Solanke has already left. I thought he looked good.
I'd be happy enough if we didn't buy anyone but just mixed in some younger players. We already have some decent squad depth with the likes of Willian, Fabregas, Zouma, Loftus-Cheek and Batshuayi spending considerable time on the bench last season. Throw in the likes of Izzy Brown, Tammy Abraham and Andreas Christensen to name a few and there could be some decent fight for spots.
I think we've already got a big enough and good enough squad to compete on all fronts next season. That's just me though.
I really don't see the point in buying guys to sit on the bench and play a bit part role. Even though it sounds detrimental for a young kids development to sit on the bench I'd prefer it be them fighting for a spot than a big money signing.
Apparently there's no place for Costa, he says!
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40197827
Time to let him go to China, I say
If Costa goes then so be it, we'll move on.
Costa remind me of Van Nistelrooy in that a lot of the goals he scores aren't all that special, the kind of goals you'd expect any half decent premier league striker to get. However, like Van Nistelrooy, its the work and positioning to get into those situations and positions.
His strength up front would be missed and he is deceptively quick.
We'll wait and see how this unfolds. No doubt if he goes, we'll sign another striker and Batshuayi will remain a back up. I like Batshuayi and think he deserves a shot. Also, we sent Tammy Abraham out on load, he scored 20+ goals so what more can he do to put his hand up.
Watching some of Diego Costa's antics on Chelsea's training videos, he comes across like a right pillock. His team mates often look confused by his antics, the coaches look confused, and he seems like an outright uncontrollable distraction.
No surprised he's off.
Watching some of Diego Costa's antics on Chelsea's training videos, he comes across like a right pillock. His team mates often look confused by his antics, the coaches look confused, and he seems like an outright uncontrollable distraction.
No surprised he's off.
Yea some of the title celebration videos were really weird. He's an odd character.
Disappointing to see Traore depart. I really rated him and thought he had a good shot at being a regular in the first team. Can't blame him for leaving though if he felt he was never going to get a look in. Can't help but feel well see him end up at a big team sooner rather than later.
We got Rudiger. I know little about him. Don't watch an awful lot of football outside of the premier league.
Plays central defence but can play full back. If he goes straight into the starting 11 whoever loses their place can feel a bit hard done by. Defence was pretty bloody solid last year. Good to have another defender though with Terry leaving it left only the back 5 plus Zouma and Aina as cover.
I rate Zouma a lot so it will be interesting to see how this pans out as to who ends up being our starting back line.
Apparently Villa players are being extra vigilent when John Terry is around and their wives and girlfriends are present.
Loftus-Cheek loaned to Crystal Palace.
Tammy Abraham loaned to Swansea.
I really hope both these guys get some serious game time in the Premier League. I think they've got a real bright future at the team.
Another young guy gone. Chalobah on his way to Watford. Really sad to see him go.
Bakayoko finally announced, rumours of various intermediaries popping up late in the piece. Obstensibly hired to hurry the transfer along but invariably had the opposite effect when they were all demanding their cut of the action!
Morata announced, things starting to move quickly now.
http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/07/...
http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/07/official-announcement-morata
Yea quite excited about Morata. I think he'll work better in our front three than Lukaku would have with quick passing between himself, Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
Time will tell of course.
Couple of good buys there for you guys. Is Costa going to leave or is he still digging his heels in?
Couple of good buys there for you guys. Is Costa going to leave or is he still digging his heels in?
He has just signed another contract.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Yea quite excited about Morata. I think he'll work better in our front three than Lukaku would have with quick passing between himself, Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
Time will tell of course.
Get ready for a season of Lukake vs Morata comparisons! Every useless secondary commentator trying to stir up shark... "I would've taken _____ because he's ______"
Couple of good buys there for you guys. Is Costa going to leave or is he still digging his heels in?
Couple of good buys there for you guys. Is Costa going to leave or is he still digging his heels in?
All signs point to an exit, with Atletico Madrid the only real suitors. They'll likely manufacture some sort of arrangement similar to the Vitolo-Las Palmas deal to circumvent their transfer ban.
Posted something on instagram like "f*ck china" in portuguese. Then posted a pic of a chinese security guard sleeping, with a message "wake up chinese idiot" (both rough translations).
Really good to see Michy score. He has a real eye for goal and id love to see him genuinely challenge Morata for the striking spot. I think given an extended run in the team he could be fairly handy.
Willian has got to be one of the best finishes in the Chelsea team. May not quite have the overall game that Hazard does but certainly equal to him when it comes to finishing,
Yea quite excited about Morata. I think he'll work better in our front three than Lukaku would have with quick passing between himself, Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
Time will tell of course.
Get ready for a season of Lukake vs Morata comparisons! Every useless secondary commentator trying to stir up shark... "I would've taken _____ because he's ______"
Yea its already started.
There's the whole Morata vs Lukaku vs Lacazette story
Really good to see Michy score. He has a real eye for goal and id love to see him genuinely challenge Morata for the striking spot. I think given an extended run in the team he could be fairly handy.
Willian has got to be one of the best finishes in the Chelsea team. May not quite have the overall game that Hazard does but certainly equal to him when it comes to finishing,
I think Michy's mobility will see Morata benched a number of times for you guys depending on your opposition. Always been a fan.
Yea quite excited about Morata. I think he'll work better in our front three than Lukaku would have with quick passing between himself, Hazard, Willian and Pedro.
Time will tell of course.
Get ready for a season of Lukake vs Morata comparisons! Every useless secondary commentator trying to stir up shark... "I would've taken _____ because he's ______"
Yea its already started.
There's the whole Morata vs Lukaku vs Lacazette story
I would have thought it was simply measured by the pesky golden boot trophy?
how do you think we are going to line up this season
Calling all fans in Japan, come down and support the mighty nix in Osaka
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Dave Bob Gaz
Vic Alonso
Kante Cesc
Willian Pedro
Alvaro
I'd suspect something along those lines till Hazard + Bakayoko are fit to start.
I'm wondering if Michy will start or whether Conte thinks Morata is ready. Cant wait for it all to kick off!!
Having another look over our fixture list. Pretty tough start. after Burnley we've got Tottenham, Everton, Leicester, Arsenal.
