I hate this "PL proven" narrative. That type of thinking is what leads to signings like past his prime Torres over Aguero and peak Falcao, or past his prime Rooney preferred to Diego Costa (thank god Woodward saved us from ourselves on that one).
Chelsea 2020/21 - General discussion
- Thread starter duffer
- Start date
Ziyech is still the one I expect to be their best signing
I agree, he's the one I'm most looking forward to.
I worry about Werner coming up against parked busses every week.
Chilwell will be 7/10 and that's fine.
I have no idea what to expect from Havertz or Silva.
So if I get you right, you’re classifying Pogba (shows up 1/3rd of a season), Son, Bernado, fecking Vardy as world class but not Kante, Werner (3rd highest scorer in Europe), Pulisic (who is already shaping up to be great), Ziyech. Also Bruno is not world class , hes a great penalty taker.
This is exactly what I’m not sure you guys will achieve.
Not entirely convinced with your CB positions. Each of your defenders needs to prove he deserves to be the main starter. Right now both CB spots are open for taking in my opinion. All your CBs have serious question marks hovering over their heads.
Also worried if your wingers get injured; Ziyech/Pulisic. Not sure the players who will fill in for them will be reliable on a constant basis.
The amount of shuffling/trialling that may be required will result in critical points losses at crucial periods and hence why I’m not entirely convinced 80 points will be achievable.
Thoughts?
Over the latter half of last season, Pulisic hit a level of performance that has only been matched by Hazard for us in recent years. I certainly can't claim that I watch Rashford regularly, but I struggle to figure any unbiased scenario where someone would pick him as a clear favourite over Pulisic right now.
And you can name twice as many high profile failures who joined from outside of the PL.
Morata and Shevchenko are pretty big ones for your club.
No reason to think they won't be in at least third now just because of their level of depth. Having the experience of Giroud and Kante etc to fall back on will help a fair bit i think. I'd like to say Utd but I think even with Sancho the attack would still be short, the likes of James and Ighalo are just poor players.
CHO can play either wing,Havertz can play on the right should it be necessary, Werner can play on the left wing.
We've made a point to target versatile players who can fill multiple positions - I think we're definitely better equipped this year to cope with injury.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Spoken like somebody who never actually watches football and gets their opinions from the internet instead.
What’s going to happen with RLC and CHO?
I'm not saying we will certainly get to 80, I'm saying it's a realistic expectation.
Hudson Odoi is in a fight with two other wingers for three positions, plenty of game time for him there.
Loftus-Cheek however I feel is on last chance saloon. He's nearly 25 and apart from those two months under Sarri he's never turned his promise into consistent substance, with Conor Gallagher breathing down his neck that has to change.
And there's also been many flops brought within the PL, I just don't think it's a surefire safeguard people seem to think it is.
@duffer very good additions by Chelsea but conversely it puts immense pressure on Lampard to put in a serious title challenge. At least Roman would expect it right?
Not without a bloody keeper!
I think I’m too old to be riled up about opposing fans’ take on United-players, it’s kind of the name of the game before a season starts. Even Arsenal-fans have hopes this season, they will be crushed of course.
The guy’s right on Bruno though, he isn’t top tier. In terms of output yes, but there’s a long way to go in terms of dictating matches outside free-kicks, corners and shots. He’s de Bruyne without the last 15%, which makes a very good player still and certainly amongst the best in the league.
The guy’s right on Bruno though, he isn’t top tier. In terms of output yes, but there’s a long way to go in terms of dictating matches outside free-kicks, corners and shots. He’s de Bruyne without the last 15%, which makes a very good player still and certainly amongst the best in the league.
If everything else was equal, I’d prefer a player who had played in the PL, it does make a tangible difference and reduces risk. The likes of Torres and Shevchenko we’re past it, irrespective of where they came from and whether they had PL experience.
I don’t think RLC will make it and he is wasting time at this juncture. His physicality always struck me as his most distinct feature, otherwise we are looking at a pretty ordinary player.
I think CHO has very good potential but he is totally inconsistent at this stage, understandably so for a young player, but he will have a job on his hands against Ziyech and Pulisic.
Good question. They will have to fight and to improve. I am not convinced by both of them, especially Loftus-Cheek.
Oh apologies... didn't realise that we had been linked to Thiago and Upamecano for a couple of months with every single major journalist with credibility citing that we are having negotiations with the players' clubs. Sorry for considering that Sancho has many more times the probability of happening than that of Upamecano and Thiago considering the available evidence.
I think any one will agree we have better squad than last season with mason mount who played over 37 games who directly promoted from championship to pl. Tammy too played over 33 games also played for championship side.
Basically Lampard achieved top 4 with this two championship promoted players as starters itself give as enough optimism to look forward to coming season.
He has pulisic, mount ,Tammy, James gained one year of pl experience will play main part next season. Now players of high quality added to the squad.I am expecting 85+ season otherwise I would be disappointed.
You’re surely better equipped but I think some players may take time to adapt to playing multiple positions on a constant high level in the English league.
But when playing your best 11 position wise, you guys will definitely beat any of the top 6 easily on a given day.
So.... what? What's your point? I get to rate Marcus Rashford over Christain Pulisic every day of the week. You get to go the other way.You also considered a scenario where you'd take Rashford over Pulisic 'any day' so....
That’s my take. I do think CHO is potentially a very good player in the making, although he may struggle to iron out the kinks if he doesn’t play enough.
Fair enough. Definitely achievable if everything works in tandem from the get go.
All your points are valid but my post was based on defensive question marks in your team. Offensively, you’re well set!
He's a hugely gifted player but he drifts too often and is a non entity off the ball, to perform a tactical role for a game i'd trust Barkley more than him let alone Mount.
Regarding CHO, there's more than enough time for him, it's easy to forget this time last year he was considered a bigger talent than Pulisic (certainly in England) which is testament to that. Things can and often do change so quickly with young players in football.
Chelsea have made strides in attack but I still feel they're pretty top heavy. Chilwell is better than Alonso or Emerson in a 4 but doesn't come without his faults, and Thiago Silva at 36 is a bit of an unknown quantity.
They've done a good job in backing Lampard but I still don't think they look infallible. I expect Ziyech and Havertz will do well for them but Werner strikes me as the type of player who could struggle a bit in the Premier League.
They've done a good job in backing Lampard but I still don't think they look infallible. I expect Ziyech and Havertz will do well for them but Werner strikes me as the type of player who could struggle a bit in the Premier League.
Certainly there will be an adjustment phase. The early signs are promising though and it will surely help hugely that Werner and Ziyech have already been training for weeks at the club.
This is the season Frank can be judged as he doesn't have the cannot buy any players excuse. He has to get this team to knit together and quickly. Roman will be expecting a title challenge and a trophy of some sort. You cannot spend that sort of money for nothing.
Christ, it’s saying something that you trust Barkley more. As you say, I think Mount has it locked down – he’s a very modern player in respect of combining decent technical ability with great tactical awareness and an engine.
I know you will play plenty of games, but do see CHO having a similar season as last time – a few promising cameos. Pulisic attained a level after lockdown that CHO is a long way from at this moment, but you never know with young players as you rightly point out. I think Ziyech is going to rip it up – classy player and the perfect age. He’s going to be like Bruno in terms of impact.
Don't know what kind of narrative you're on, but for me "PL Proven" means you've adjusted to the league. Not every players walks in and immediately turns on the shine. It takes time to adapt. I'm saying we have more players who don't need to do that. Especially so since their young. Can't remember the last German league player to walk into the PL and dominate. De Bruyne was in England first, then went to Germany to find his game. He knew about the rigours.
Gundogan doesn't count because he was in England rehabbing most of the time until he began to play more. Sane took a year to hit the ground running. Pulisic had a good ol' pandemic to help him settle in while he was injured.
Good thing for you lot is that Havertz is a bonafide genius and will adapt quicker. I've got my eye out for Ziyech and Werner. They will settle in as they seem quality, but how quickly?
75-80 would be my target. The goal would be to not worry about making Top 4.
Pool, City and United have great squads - us signing three-four very good players does not alter that fact. And having a crazy squad depth might be a problem in itself.
Chelsea fans are this years Leicester for the CAF aren't they
And Man United fans are this years Scousers. I swear I saw a poem on here the other day.
You answered why yourself, Pulisic has only done it over a latter half of one season. recency bias much?
Defense need to be fine tuned no doubt about that. Some suggested if Chelsea play bit cautious will give them the defensive stability may be true yet Chelsea are weaker in set piece situations.
Silva and zouma may be good pair as central defenders I think. Zouma has pace and power and Silva have the experience to hold the defense together. Can't wait for season to be started.
Chelsea need some steal in defense especially goal keeper situation need to be addressed. I hope it will be the next thing will be addressed by Cech and marina in this window.
I agree. I find it really hard to foresee the development of English players. So many talented English players did not achieve their potential - for whatever reason, but I find it striking from my point of view.
Been a lot longer than that, some have been claiming next year will be our year ever since LVG
Agreed with your assessment, but it should be pointed out that these two have been training at the club for weeks now and that's likely to help them adapt. They certainly both looked very good against Brighton at least in our friendly last week.
The amount of changing and switching back 4 positions Lampard did last season I expect him to do the same this season.
There’s still huge question marks on the CB’s imo. Rudiger/Silva is nowhere near Top 4 material. And what else do they have? Christensen / Zouma? Oh dear... And to top it off with the worst keeper in the PL. Or have I missed something? They’d actually signed a proper keeper yet?
The attack looks frightening though.
There’s still huge question marks on the CB’s imo. Rudiger/Silva is nowhere near Top 4 material. And what else do they have? Christensen / Zouma? Oh dear... And to top it off with the worst keeper in the PL. Or have I missed something? They’d actually signed a proper keeper yet?
The attack looks frightening though.