Chelsea Thread 2014/15

[terraloon]

you have 18 non HG player - 1 needs to go.

Although i think it will be cech

Yep it's very unlikely we're going into the season with both Cech and Courtois. According to rumours it's either Real Madrid or PSG. Madrid have sold Lopez and they have ongoing drama with Casillas who is reportedly leaving next season at the latest, Ancelotti has also obviously worked with Cech before so that seems likely to me.

Oscar?

He was given a longer break but I think Fabregas is a better set piece taker. Schurrle is pretty accurate too, and he can hit them hard. I don't foresee a shortage in that department in any case.

And a real plus point for me is that we wont have David Luiz (yes I know he scored a free kick in the WC) smacking free kicks into row z. All pace and little accuracy

It seems that part of our free kick plan is to always put players in amongst the opposition wall and either Fabregas to get the ball up and down over the wall or Schurrle trying to play around the wall.

I think we will get quite a few goals from set plays and the fact that the vanishing spray will keep the wall back the full 10 yards which will impact to the advantage of those that can take a good free kick

 

[ElanJo]

I make Chelsea favourites. Too many unknowns with us atm to say otherwise

1. The only teams that retain titles are those which have a strong mentality. We've yet to see whether our squad possesses the mentality needed to go again. Vieira's Arsenal was arguably the best PL side in history and yet they never retained the title. They were mentally softer than Utd. I'm happy with giving our lads the benefit of the doubt for the 12/13 season and put it down to Mancini being difficult but there are at least a small handful of players that I still don't really trust yet (eg. Dzeko, Kolarov, Nasri). Obviously hope they prove themselves.

2. We have a pretty big injury concern with Aguero. He is the best striker in the world, imo, and if you could tell me that he would be fit all season or for most of it I would confidently say we'll win the league, but you can't. Similar story concerning the spine of the team (Komps, Yaya, Silva, Aguero)

3. I think we may have bought well in addressing our weakness last season but I know Chelsea have bought well and have addressed their weakness

4. Our start. It's a nightmare start to the season, esp. when you consider some of our most influential players (Kompany, Zaba, Aguero, Fernandinho) have had fuck all preseason.

I'm not flapping before some nob thinks I am. If the mentality and fitness is good we will destroy the PL. We are better than Chelsea but there are question marks imo. I don't think there are as many for Chelsea.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Cahill/Terry v Hart/Milner.

Really they're the only English players who will get game time apart from perhaps bit players like Micah etc.

I'd guess Terry won't last the season and that our 2 will have more game time.

It'll balls up the City ruining the English team line.

I can see Burnley getting a result on Monday especially if the weather is bad either that or a Chelsea 5-0 win.

 

[worsleyweb]

I think the keeper will not be as good as people think.

Fabregas has never impressed me too much.

Costa has had 2 good seasons in 5.

Terry getting older.

Lost fat frank.

Mourinio under pressure to deliver.

Think we are better than them, simple as.

 

[FantasyIreland]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

 

[St Helens Blue (Exiled)]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

Do you actually think he is that good mate?
I'd swap him for Nasri possibly but nobody else

 

[FantasyIreland]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

Do you actually think he is that good mate?
I'd swap him for Nasri possibly but nobody else

That's who i'd be thinking,although still inconsistent,he definitely offers more than Nasri,being capable of the ridiculous.

 

[bluechampion7891]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

Do you actually think he is that good mate?
I'd swap him for Nasri possibly but nobody else

you've answered your own question....Nasri is a starter for us

 

[supercrystal7]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

Do you actually think he is that good mate?
I'd swap him for Nasri possibly but nobody else

You really would not take Felipe Luiz or Courtois/Cech? I make Chelsea favourites, because all of their players will be playing in their best position. In an ideal world Silva would be 10, Nasri would be playing in a 3 man midfield etc.

I am guessing Hazard will be Chelsea's penalty taker.

 

[Marvin]

The only player they have,that,without debate,i'd exchange for one of our's......is Hazard.

Do you actually think he is that good mate?
I'd swap him for Nasri possibly but nobody else

You really would not take Felipe Luiz or Courtois/Cech? I make Chelsea favourites, because all of their players will be playing in their best position. In an ideal world Silva would be 10, Nasri would be playing in a 3 man midfield etc.

I am guessing Hazard will be Chelsea's penalty taker.

You were unlucky yesterday.

Regarding formations, City just get Silva on the ball. He's not restricted at all by the way City play. Formations matter more when you don't have the ball.

Chelsea and City seem to be most peoples favourites. I've seen quite a few say that Chelsea have the best 11 and City the best squad. I think City have the best of both, but I'm biased. I think it might take a couple of weeks at least before the League settles down and teams start playing near their best. Utd and Arsenal were very poor yesterday.