superseiyan said:Matty said:They've addressed the vast majority of their weaknesses,
So have you.
Stoned Rose said:I see the bookies have Chelsea as favourites.
I see several pundits saying the same because 'the have the best squad' and have 'strengthened the best'.
Really?
They've bought in Courtois. Better than Cech? is he fuck.
They've brought in Fabregas (who's clearly a very good player), but have lost Lampard (also a very good and also very experienced player) and Luiz (good enough to go for 50m and can play in 2 positions within the 'spine'). I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Costa (in reality he's had one good league season in his career and his league goals per game ratio is a shade under 1 in 3 which in fairness is pretty average). They've lost Eto'o and Ba. They've bought in 36 year old Drogba who looked fucking shit and well past it in last season's CL.They are now reliant on a one season wonder, an old has been and the completely 'gone' Torres. I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Felipe Luis at left back. Better than Cole? Not a chance. Better than Azplicueta? probably slightly. He'll also have to 'adjust' to the prem so won't be at his best for 2-3 months. Strengthened? Not sure.
The pundits are talking shit imo. Putting a 'story' in front of the facts.
Our squad and first team are now clearly stronger than they were in May. Don't think I can say the same for this mob.
Matty said:Stoned Rose said:I see the bookies have Chelsea as favourites.
I see several pundits saying the same because 'the have the best squad' and have 'strengthened the best'.
Really?
They've bought in Courtois. Better than Cech? is he fuck.
They've brought in Fabregas (who's clearly a very good player), but have lost Lampard (also a very good and also very experienced player) and Luiz (good enough to go for 50m and can play in 2 positions within the 'spine'). I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Costa (in reality he's had one good league season in his career and his league goals per game ratio is a shade under 1 in 3 which in fairness is pretty average). They've lost Eto'o and Ba. They've bought in 36 year old Drogba who looked fucking shit and well past it in last season's CL.They are now reliant on a one season wonder, an old has been and the completely 'gone' Torres. I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Felipe Luis at left back. Better than Cole? Not a chance. Better than Azplicueta? probably slightly. He'll also have to 'adjust' to the prem so won't be at his best for 2-3 months. Strengthened? Not sure.
The pundits are talking shit imo. Putting a 'story' in front of the facts.
Our squad and first team are now clearly stronger than they were in May. Don't think I can say the same for this mob.
Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win the league, in my opinion.
They've addressed the vast majority of their weaknesses, I still think they need another striker, just not a front line first choice one, and the depth at fullback isn't quite there. Ivanovic, Felipe Luis and Azpillicueta are great options, but we've 2 for each position, who is their 4th option? Centre half needs some depth too, Terry isn't getting younger, and with Cahill and Zouma as the other options I feel they're a man short there too in terms of depth. However that's about it. Their midfield looks really strong, both attacking and defensive (Matic is a brilliant option to provide defensive cover, and with the likes of Hazard, Schurrle, Oscar, Fabregas, Willian etc in there it's arguably the strongest midfield in England).
I'd be surprised if any reasonable person described Matic as 'brilliant. He isn't.
Their midfield is good but imo the only player who'd replace his corresponding player in our midfield is Hazard. The rest would have no chance of getting in our midfield.
Cech is a top quality keeper, but Courtois is younger and, for me, marginally better. Plus hes got room to improve.
Agreed, plenty of room to improve, but whether he is an improvement on Cech is highly contentious. I'd argue Cech's experience and know how makes him (currently) the better keeper
Lampard was past it, and will only be an occasional option for us. Luiz was a liability and they've robbed PSG blind getting £50m for him. Fabregas is a better option than either of those players.
Pellegrini and co don't seem to think Lampard is 'past it' and judging by their record so far I'd put £ on them being right. Fabregas I agree is a top quality player but there's no way he replaces the options they get from Lampard and Luiz. Luiz going and Kallas going on loan also leaves them reliant on Zouma if Cahill or Terry are unavailable.
Costa needs to prove himself in the Prem, but his physical style, combined with pace and skill is perfectly suited to English football, he'll get 20 goals minimum this season. Drogba is a 1 for 1 swap for Eto'o as both are past their best, Ba might as well have not been there last season he was used so sparingly.
It's a good job Ba was here. Demba Ba 1 Liverpool 0 if I remember correctly.
Cole is still a good player, but he wasn't the player he once was, and Felipe Luis is at least his equal, probably better given the stage in his career he's at.
Cole has more experience and know how in his little toe than Felipe Luis. At 33 he has 2 good seasons in him. Nowhere near his equal.
For me Chelsea need a couple more bodies defensively, and cover up front, but their starting 11, and to be honest their top 17 or 18 players, are up there with City's as the bets 2 squads in the Premier League. Chelsea are the team I fear this season when it comes to retaining the title. Liverpool have to survive the loss of Suarez whilst building a squad capable of coping with the added stress and games a European campaign brings. Arsenal haven't addressed the defence too much, or the lack of midfield defensive cover. United are involved in a major rebuild and need a lot more than a new manager, a left back and a midfielder. Everyone else is an irrelevance when it comes to the title.
Castiel said:Beat Real Sociedad 2-0 in a dominating performance to cap off our preseason. Costa scored a brace within 7 minutes and killed the game early, then we were in complete control throughout. We looked the best I've seen in an attacking sense since Ancelotti and should really have had a cricket score if not for some cracking saves from their keeper. Complete transformation from last season on this early showing. Fabregas and Matic owned the park and look like a great partnership. Very pleased with the performance and I think we're in good shape for the start of the season. Thankfully Drogba is only out for a few weeks, not 6 months as the early reports said. That said, we're still in need of depth up front.
-------- Courtois --------
Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Ake
----- Matic -- Ramires -----
Schurrle - Fabregas - Hazard
---------- Costa ----------
Stoned Rose said:Matty said:Stoned Rose said:I see the bookies have Chelsea as favourites.
I see several pundits saying the same because 'the have the best squad' and have 'strengthened the best'.
Really?
They've bought in Courtois. Better than Cech? is he fuck.
They've brought in Fabregas (who's clearly a very good player), but have lost Lampard (also a very good and also very experienced player) and Luiz (good enough to go for 50m and can play in 2 positions within the 'spine'). I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Costa (in reality he's had one good league season in his career and his league goals per game ratio is a shade under 1 in 3 which in fairness is pretty average). They've lost Eto'o and Ba. They've bought in 36 year old Drogba who looked fucking shit and well past it in last season's CL.They are now reliant on a one season wonder, an old has been and the completely 'gone' Torres. I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Felipe Luis at left back. Better than Cole? Not a chance. Better than Azplicueta? probably slightly. He'll also have to 'adjust' to the prem so won't be at his best for 2-3 months. Strengthened? Not sure.
The pundits are talking shit imo. Putting a 'story' in front of the facts.
Our squad and first team are now clearly stronger than they were in May. Don't think I can say the same for this mob.
Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win the league, in my opinion.
They've addressed the vast majority of their weaknesses, I still think they need another striker, just not a front line first choice one, and the depth at fullback isn't quite there. Ivanovic, Felipe Luis and Azpillicueta are great options, but we've 2 for each position, who is their 4th option? Centre half needs some depth too, Terry isn't getting younger, and with Cahill and Zouma as the other options I feel they're a man short there too in terms of depth. However that's about it. Their midfield looks really strong, both attacking and defensive (Matic is a brilliant option to provide defensive cover, and with the likes of Hazard, Schurrle, Oscar, Fabregas, Willian etc in there it's arguably the strongest midfield in England).
I'd be surprised if any reasonable person described Matic as 'brilliant. He isn't.
Their midfield is good but imo the only player who'd replace his corresponding player in our midfield is Hazard. The rest would have no chance of getting in our midfield.
Cech is a top quality keeper, but Courtois is younger and, for me, marginally better. Plus hes got room to improve.
Agreed, plenty of room to improve, but whether he is an improvement on Cech is highly contentious. I'd argue Cech's experience and know how makes him (currently) the better keeper
Lampard was past it, and will only be an occasional option for us. Luiz was a liability and they've robbed PSG blind getting £50m for him. Fabregas is a better option than either of those players.
Pellegrini and co don't seem to think Lampard is 'past it' and judging by their record so far I'd put £ on them being right. Fabregas I agree is a top quality player but there's no way he replaces the options they get from Lampard and Luiz. Luiz going and Kallas going on loan also leaves them reliant on Zouma if Cahill or Terry are unavailable.
Costa needs to prove himself in the Prem, but his physical style, combined with pace and skill is perfectly suited to English football, he'll get 20 goals minimum this season. Drogba is a 1 for 1 swap for Eto'o as both are past their best, Ba might as well have not been there last season he was used so sparingly.
It's a good job Ba was here. Demba Ba 1 Liverpool 0 if I remember correctly.
Cole is still a good player, but he wasn't the player he once was, and Felipe Luis is at least his equal, probably better given the stage in his career he's at.
Cole has more experience and know how in his little toe than Felipe Luis. At 33 he has 2 good seasons in him. Nowhere near his equal.
For me Chelsea need a couple more bodies defensively, and cover up front, but their starting 11, and to be honest their top 17 or 18 players, are up there with City's as the bets 2 squads in the Premier League. Chelsea are the team I fear this season when it comes to retaining the title. Liverpool have to survive the loss of Suarez whilst building a squad capable of coping with the added stress and games a European campaign brings. Arsenal haven't addressed the defence too much, or the lack of midfield defensive cover. United are involved in a major rebuild and need a lot more than a new manager, a left back and a midfielder. Everyone else is an irrelevance when it comes to the title.
I don't know anything about Felipe Luis, but Ashley Cole played less than half of Chelsea's League games. He like Lampard was a declining force, and neither will be missed.BluessinceHydeRoad said:Stoned Rose said:I see the bookies have Chelsea as favourites.
I see several pundits saying the same because 'the have the best squad' and have 'strengthened the best'.
Really?
They've bought in Courtois. Better than Cech? is he fuck.
They've brought in Fabregas (who's clearly a very good player), but have lost Lampard (also a very good and also very experienced player) and Luiz (good enough to go for 50m and can play in 2 positions within the 'spine'). I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Costa (in reality he's had one good league season in his career and his league goals per game ratio is a shade under 1 in 3 which in fairness is pretty average). They've lost Eto'o and Ba. They've bought in 36 year old Drogba who looked fucking shit and well past it in last season's CL.They are now reliant on a one season wonder, an old has been and the completely 'gone' Torres. I wouldn't class this as 'strengthening'.
They brought in Felipe Luis at left back. Better than Cole? Not a chance. Better than Azplicueta? probably slightly. He'll also have to 'adjust' to the prem so won't be at his best for 2-3 months. Strengthened? Not sure.
The pundits are talking shit imo. Putting a 'story' in front of the facts.
Our squad and first team are now clearly stronger than they were in May. Don't think I can say the same for this mob.
I think some of this is phrased in rather extreme terms to make a point, and I agree with that point - Chelsea are favourites because everyone takes a very optimistic view of Mourinho and his actions. Most pundits made Chelsea favourites last season for no other reason than "they've got Mourinho". It didn't work out,but now he's "always the master in his second season". Why? Because he wasn't as good as they thought last season? It's nonsense! And he/Chelsea have strengthened. Well, Stoned Rose's points are well made. To me there's little difference between Courtois and Cech - but goalkeeper wasn't a weakness for Chelsea last season! Fabregas? Trouble sometimes is not who you bring in, but who you have to leave out, and, seeing as it's unlikely to be Hazard, I suppose it will be Oscar who'll be on his way. That may not be wise to bring in a player who was booed off the field at Barcelona, and who Barca said had got worse with every season! The point about Costa is spot on - he's had one good season so far.
Now, I may be completely wrong, and Chelsea might walk away with the title. I think they are obviously a contender, as they were last season, but the press adore Mourinho and always believe that his every act is the touch of genius. We get a very different press, aren't supposed to have "strengthened" and have not "kicked on". In fact we have concentrated on problem areas, have remedied points of relative weakness, completed a programme of squad building begun 4 years ago and I would ask, do Chelsea (or any other team) have a Kompany, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva or Aguero? I answer no categorically and argue that until a team can match that spine, and the other players in our squad, we deserve to be taken a great deal more seriously than the press and pundits take us. Maybe if they took the same attitude to us as they do to Mourinho....