Chelsea (A) - Sat 25 Sep 12:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[FromPollockToSilva]

i don't know anthoy taylor did them a big favour at the etihad once and truly went over the top
even ian cheeseman lost his job on the radio because of it

He's a Rag though. I don't think that's indicative of a wider pro-Chelsea agenda, just further proof that Altrincham's biggest fan shouldn't be anywhere near officiating any Greater Manchester teams' games

 

[frothy]

Going tomorrow, had a Email off City saying you have to be double jabbed two weeks before the game, also a Lateral Flow test taken within 72 hours will do, also got to wear a mask on entry and on the concourse unless you are eating or drinking, didn't think it was mandatory anymore?

 

[ancoats]

I go into every single game regardless of opposition believing we will win and tomorrow is no different.

we are good enough to think that ? but also we also have to respect others
big week and 3 games that will sort of a platform for the season

 

[Vialli98]

i don't know anthoy taylor did them a big favour at the etihad once and truly went over the top
even ian cheeseman lost his job on the radio because of it

Anthony Taylor is literally the most hated ref among Chelsea fans. There was a silly petition to stop him reffing Chelsea games doing the rounds a few weeks ago :)

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

The way you described Pep is literally Tuchel's football. So I'd say Pep is a lot more than just controlling a team with possession. You can create chances at will and you're a very high scoring team. Tuchel is also a coach that heavily favours controlling a team with possession but he isn't as attack minded and his teams certainly don't create as much as Pep's teams. This board is the only place I've seen describe Tuchel as some kind of Mourinho disciple. He molded his philosophy after LVG and Pep.

A lot of our fans probably only really pay attention to Chelsea when we play them, and in those three games the characterisation hasn't been a million miles away

 

[Dax777]

I expect us to win this 1-2 or 1-3, chelsea are a good side, but we are just that little bit better. Grealish will be the difference this time. Looking forward to this, if we can win this I fancy our chances of retaining the title

I think long term we are potentially better. Not sure we are in that vein of form yet. Hopefully a scrappy win will fall our way.

Our best players simply haven't played together at all or enough yet.

 

[Damanino]

My feeling is if we dont match their formation we will struggle. And they play their formation much more comfortable than us, obviously.
We need sick workrate in this one if we start our usual 433 and for that we need the need with higher workrate/tracking back skills. To me that would be more Foden than Grealish, more Sterling than Mahrez etc.,Bernardo instead of Gundo etc.

We did have 1 more day to relax after Carabao game and it matters when the game is 12.30 on a Saturday. hopefully we can make this small advantage to count.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Any team news yet guys re Stones, Laporte, and Rodri?

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Eddy
Walker
Stones
Diaz....DEFENCE
Laporte
Cancello

Rodri dm
Foden rm
Grealish lm
Kdb amid

Bernardo false 9

 

[chesterbells]

I don't think there's any evidence that the powers that be like Chelsea any more than they do City

As an aside, this reminds me of what I heard on an athletic podcast recently, namely that to get a seat on the European Clubs Association, Serrano and Levy were the two names put forward. Chelsea backed the City man, but all the other (American) owners backed Levy. Oh the shock. Fair play to Chelsea though.