Chelsea 2023/24 season thread.

[Rnd898]

I've never believed even for one second the club would even entertain the idea of selling James so whether his injury record will be a deterrant to potential buyers is irrelevant. Of all the academy lads everyone else seems to have a price and some of them the club are even actively trying to sell but James is different.

That said, I really hope the surgery's helped and he can still get over his injury problems.

 

[WeePat]

It would be genuinely great if he can get over it. It’s a pity what’s happening to his career

Yep fingers crossed. Reece James not playing games reduces the joy I get from watching Chelsea significantly.

 

[FootballHQ]

Disasi is 26.

He plays like an 18 year old with his rashness and cries to the crowd after every block that leads to a corner.

Last time you won the league it was Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic all still out there so huge amount of leadership and knowledge.

 

[Rnd898]

He plays like an 18 year old with his rashness and cries to the crowd after every block that leads to a corner.

Last time you won the league it was Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic all still out there so huge amount of leadership and knowledge.

You must be thinking of the Mourinho season. The last time we won the title our back line included the likes of David Luiz, Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses.

 

[FootballHQ]

You must be thinking of the Mourinho season. The last time we won the title our back line included the likes of David Luiz, [Irrelevant point] and Victor Moses.

Ah was Ivanovic gone by the time Conte turned up? 16/17 certainly had Cahill still in (and he had an excellent season) and Terry was more of a squad player but still playing games here and there. Azpilicueta at his peak aswell and a great club man.

Again next season it seems will be same issues for Chelsea unless they pull off some incredible transfers. Decent (on paper) first 11 but very little back up in key areas and as we've seen this year no Europe doesn't guarantee key players will stay fit.

 

[al.gabiru]

I like Chelsea's midfield duo (Caicedo and Enzo), both combine technique and physical strength, Palmer is promising, the rest don't catch my eye

 

[Rnd898]

Again next season it seems will be same issues for Chelsea unless they pull off some incredible transfers. Decent (on paper) first 11 but very little back up in key areas and as we've seen this year no Europe doesn't guarantee key players will stay fit.

I've got a feeling the club will be after a new striker, a LB and a CB in the summer window but nothing crazy like the 2023 transfer windows. Maybe a winger as well if we somewhow manage to feck Sterling off to the Saudi but that seems unlikely for at least another year or two.

Anyway, fixing whatever's wrong with the medical department is way, way more important than any transfer could ever be. I feel the injuries this season are not so much a result of high match load but rather just some good old incompetence by the medical department and/or the coaching staff. Just managing to have even some of James, Chilwell, Nkunku, Lavia, Fofana somewhat consistently available would already be a huge improvement. Those five put together have played <1500 minutes in the league this season between the lot so basically zero help. That's our captain, our vice-captain, our star forward signing, a highly promising midfielder and.our biggest ever CB signing. I have my doubts over Fofana ever becoming good after basically missing three seasons to injuries but the rest of them are by no means lost causes.

 

[GoonerBear]

If he was fit, they would be the only club I think he might seriously consider.

It was City that i constantly seen linked with him a couple of years ago by 1 of their itk type guys, was seen as the ideal Kyle Walker replacement, obviously that was be for the last 2 years of chronic injuries.

 

[LARulz]

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

Yes, they’ll go level but have a better goal difference.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

And @Amadaeus returns

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I’ll give Poch a lil credit though in fairness, he’s been shite but his team appear at least able to give City a game, they have a much greater ability to control possession than we do, and they have improved as the season has gone on.
If he has a strong end to the season I think Chelsea can be optimistic about next year. A little different to our situation where we seem to be getting worse each week.

 

[Insanity]

,

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

Yes, this "laughing stock" Todd Boehly plaything will be above us if they win their game in hand. They have a 10 better GD than us and have scored 14 more goals.

 

[LARulz]

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

And @Amadaeus returns

,

Yes, this "laughing stock" Todd Boehly plaything will be above us if they win their game in hand. They have a 10 better GD than us and have scored 14 more goals.

It's actually pathetic. This alone should give Ten Hag the boot

 

[WeePat]

So if Chelsea win their game in hand they go above us?

That game in hand is Arsenal away. I think you can rest assured that won’t be 3 points for us.

 

[LARulz]

That game in hand is Arsenal away. I think you can rest assured that won’t be 3 points for us.

fair enough but the fact we have dropped/you have caught up is bad. It's like last season when we almost threw away the top 4 by giving Liverpool a brief look in.... but this is just lower down the table this time with no real proze

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

That game in hand is Arsenal away. I think you can rest assured that won’t be 3 points for us.

Either way I still think you’re having a much more optimistic end to the season than us.

Hopefully we can end the season with the “who’s the least shit” Cup final.

 

[SilentWitness]

I thought Caicedo was pretty good yesterday, as was Palmer obviously. Madueke too has the tools to be a great player but is very selfish.

There's the makings of a good team within that group but better teams can and will expose their naiveties. Both the players and managers.

 

[GoonerBear]

That game in hand is Arsenal away. I think you can rest assured that won’t be 3 points for us.

I wouldn’t say that for sure. It’s Arsenal in April remember!

 

[WeePat]

Either way I still think you’re having a much more optimistic end to the season than us.

Hopefully we can end the season with the “who’s the least shit” Cup final.

Are we really though?

Our last 8 games is as follows:

4 wins, 3 draws 1 loss.

Your last 8 games:

3 wins, 3 draws, 2 draws.

The context here is 2 of our 4 wins were cup games vs championship teams.

 

[Robertd0803]

Can only imagine where they would be this season without Cole Palmer.

 

[WeePat]

I wouldn’t say that for sure. It’s Arsenal in April remember!

It’s set up beautifully for you guys to bottle it in typical spectacular Arsenal fashion. But based on the season so far for both teams, I wouldn’t bank on Chelsea taking 3 points here.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Are we really though?

Our last 8 is as follows:

4 wins, 3 draws 1 loss.

Your last 8 games:

3 wins, 3 draws, 2 draws.

The context here is 2 of our 4 wins were cup games vs championship teams.

Is it even debatable?

Last 8 league matches Chelsea:

4 wins (notable wins v Manchester United & Newcastle United).

4 draws (notable draw v Man City).

0 losses

GS: 23 | GA: 13 | GD: +10

As for United:

2 wins (no notable wins)

3 losses (worst v. Fulham at home)

3 draws (notable draw v Liverpool where we got battered but somehow nicked a point).

GS: 14 | GA: 15 | GD: -1

And you’ve had harder fixtures and maintained much better possession and xG stats compared to United.

 

[GoonerBear]

It’s set up beautifully for you guys to bottle it in typical spectacular Arsenal fashion. But based on the season so far for both teams, I wouldn’t bank on Chelsea taking 3 points here.

It is. I’m still at a loss to explain our 2nd half performance. We perform like that, anyone can beat us, we were that poor. I always thought Chelsea could cause problems on the counter vs us, if you play to the levels you did vs City away.

 

[WeePat]

Is it even debatable?

Last 8 league matches Chelsea:

4 wins (notable wins v Manchester United & Newcastle United).

4 draws (notable draw v Man City).

0 losses

GS: 23 | GA: 13 | GD: +10

As for United:

2 wins (no notable wins)

3 losses (worst v. Fulham at home)

3 draws (notable draw v Liverpool where we got battered but somehow nicked a point).

GS: 14 | GA: 15 | GD: -1

And you’ve had harder fixtures and maintained much better possession and xG stats compared to United.

Fair enough when you put it like that.

 

[1905]

I’d be far more confident of getting something at the Emirates if we didn’t play City in the semi a few days before. I’d love to see a backs against the wall Liverpool esque performance though (Slippy G game).

 

[SilentWitness]

It's going to be interesting if the PL approve this hotel nonsense.

 

[Dumbstar]

It's going to be interesting if the PL approve this hotel nonsense.

It's all happening in plain sight now, people. We have crossed that threshold as human kind. Whether it's events happening in the CE thread or in the PL.

 

[terraloo]

Should a hotel sale let alone to a sister company, even be part of the equation? Should it not be strictly from football related operations?

So remind me of the property sales that Arsenal included and still do in their accounts should they have been discounted?

 

[Blood Mage]

Say what you will about them, we certainly don't look capable of beating anybody 6-0. I wouldn't take Poch at United but he's a better manager than ETH.

 

[terraloo]

There isn't one area it seems where Chelsea actually operates as a normal football club. It is just one loophole or scam after another.

Bit like when Arsenals holding company paid off interest bearing debts and loaded the debt at reduced cost on the club

 

[WeePat]

Is it even debatable?

Last 8 league matches Chelsea:

4 wins (notable wins v Manchester United & Newcastle United).

4 draws (notable draw v Man City).

0 losses

GS: 23 | GA: 13 | GD: +10

As for United:

2 wins (no notable wins)

3 losses (worst v. Fulham at home)

3 draws (notable draw v Liverpool where we got battered but somehow nicked a point).

GS: 14 | GA: 15 | GD: -1

And you’ve had harder fixtures and maintained much better possession and xG stats compared to United.

I’ve actually just read somewhere that since Christmas only Arsenal, Liverpool and City have won more points than Chelsea. That has surprised me because we haven’t moved much in the table.

 

[terraloo]

I’ve actually just read somewhere that since Christmas only Arsenal, Liverpool and City have won more points than Chelsea. That has surprised me because we haven’t moved much in the table.

That stat was mentioned last night on sky.

Still far too much inconsistency but now within striking distance of a place next season in UEFA tournament next season.

 

[georgegroves]

How have these lot got 13 penalties??? Insane, if we was reffed to a normal degree we would surely have similar. 2 dives against us aswell, madness,

 

[GoonerBear]

So remind me of the property sales that Arsenal included and still do in their accounts should they have been discounted?

Is the main issue not that your selling your hotel from 1 Chelsea owned group to another? Are Arsenal’s property sales not sold to the general public rather than a different KSE group?

Bit like when Arsenals holding company paid off interest bearing debts and loaded the debt at reduced cost on the club

Again, how is that comparable? Arsenal owners paid of bonds relating to external bank debt, and took out other loans at a more favourable interest. Is that just not like ‘remortgaging’ at a more favourable rate?

 

[terraloo]

Is the main issue not that your selling your hotel from 1 Chelsea owned group to another? Are Arsenal’s property sales not sold to the general public rather than a different KSE group?

Again, how is that comparable? Arsenal owners paid of bonds relating to external bank debt, and took out other loans at a more favourable interest. Is that just not like ‘remortgaging’ at a more favourable rate?

Inter company activities have been taking place since aAdam was a boy. There is absolutely nothing unique nor illegal as long as it’s accounted for correctly and any tax liability dealt with.
Yes Arsenal sold most the properties to the general public but it comes back to the basic point that assets are being disposed of to fund a football clubs activities.
As for the point about interest Arsenal Holdings couldn’t borrow the money at the same rates as KSE so no it’s not akin to a remortgage its using the ultimate owner as a way of decreasing interest which impacts in the bottom line and is a capital in as recognised in the notes attached to Arsenals accounts

 

[Rnd898]

I’ve actually just read somewhere that since Christmas only Arsenal, Liverpool and City have won more points than Chelsea. That has surprised me because we haven’t moved much in the table.

Had to check but that's actually true. In fact since Christmas day we've won the 4th most points despite playing the least amount of games. Every other club in the league have played ranging 14-16 matches during that time but we've only played 13.

That said, we're still 14 points behind City and 6-7 points behind Liverpool and Arsenal during that time so in reality it's not even close to the top of the table. There are also 6 or 7 teams with just a few points behind us, that's why we've not gained any significant places on the league table.

 

[WeePat]

Had to check but that's actually true. In fact since Christmas day we've won the 4th most points despite playing the least amount of games. Every other club in the league have played ranging 14-16 matches during that time but we've only played 13.

That said, we're still 14 points behind City and 6-7 points behind Liverpool and Arsenal during that time so in reality it's not even close to the top of the table. There are also 6 or 7 teams with just a few points behind us, that's why we've not gained any significant places on the league table.

That makes sense. Too many stupid draws from winning positions. It’s a very unimpressive unbeaten run.

Our next 3 league games are Arsenal away, Villa away and Tottenham at home. I don’t think United should be worried about is catching them

 

[roonster09]

That makes sense. Too many stupid draws from winning positions. It’s a very unimpressive unbeaten run.

Our next 3 league games are Arsenal away, Villa away and Tottenham at home. I don’t think United should be worried about is catching them

Don't think Chelsea and ManUtd should be worried about each other. Both are having poor season and finishing above Chelsea or Chelsea finishing above ManUtd doesn't make any difference for both clubs.

Long run can see Chelsea doing well, they have some very good young players.

 

[WeePat]

Don't think Chelsea and ManUtd should be worried about each other. Both are having poor season and finishing above Chelsea or Chelsea finishing above ManUtd doesn't make any difference for both clubs.

Long run can see Chelsea doing well, they have some very good young players.

You're right, in the grand scheme of things it matters not one iota. I can see why some United fans would be very annoyed at ending up below Chelsea when you've basically hovered around 6th place for most of the season with one eye on the CL spots while Chelsea have been chilling in 10-12th place all season.

In the long run, if we get a coach who can coach a basic solid structure, yes I think Chelsea's potential is very good.