Chelsea Thread (2015-16)

[BlueRockape]

Wish i had Jose's money ;-)

Never mind mate you would only waste it.

Same as Jose :-)

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Good post i think your spot on mate.

Thing is, it's nothing new, so it's not like Champions can't try and prepare for it and every August you'll hear players/management from the previous season's Champions talk about not being complacent and having to guard against being the team everyone wants to beat. Yet we seem to see the same thing season after season. Chelsea were discernibly the best team last season and were hardly an aging group of players, yet it seems to be happening again. Maybe bonuses for winning the league should be deferred for twelves months!

 

[Henkeman]

You have to say, it shows what an incredible motivator Ferguson was to retain so many titles. The gaps between success and failure, especially at the top, are so small, a little mental relaxation from the reigning Champions is enough for them to lose their crown the following season. So much about professional sport is won and lost in the head. Not saying Chelsea are at that point yet, but it's not looking good for them.

I think it's harder now though. At the time Ferguson did that, it was really only them and Arsenal. Now there are four sides and occasionally even five who are capable of challenging in a given season. So retaining a title is going to be tougher.

 

[Blue Hefner]

Who was it who said 'if Mourinho was managing any of last seasons top4 this season, they would be favourites'?

 

[supercrystal7]

Thing is, it's nothing new, so it's not like Champions can't try and prepare for it and every August you'll hear players/management from the previous season's Champions talk about not being complacent and having to guard against being the team everyone wants to beat. Yet we seem to see the same thing season after season. Chelsea were discernibly the best team last season and were hardly an aging group of players, yet it seems to be happening again. Maybe bonuses for winning the league should be deferred for twelves months!

I think this is more down to the boards than the managers. In all 3 occasions Mourinho, Pellegrini and Mancini the managers have understood how important it is not to stand still. Partly due to FFP and partly to the boards taking things for granted they did not improve the first 11 and ended up squad players.

Mourinho, Mancini and even Pellegrini have made comments about the lack of 'crack' or players to improve the first 11.

EDIT

To emphasise the point just look at some of the players the teams to retain the title bought.

Manchetser United in 2007 then went and bought Tevez and Hargreaves amongst other talented kids they hoped would step up like Nani and Hargreaves.
Manchester in 2008 went and bought Berbatov.
Chelsea in 2005 went and bought Essien.

 

[Dave S]

Who was it who said 'if Mourinho was managing any of last seasons top4 this season, they would be favourites'?

Mourhino?

 

[cookster]

Waiting for his bleating about FFP. 3 years is the expiry date for Jose, he'll be off to pastures new.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I think it's harder now though. At the time Ferguson did that, it was really only them and Arsenal. Now there are four sides and occasionally even five who are capable of challenging in a given season. So retaining a title is going to be tougher.

That's fair comment, mate.

 

[supercrystal7]

That's fair comment, mate.

I wouldn't go that far. I would say that in the past United stood alone in financial muscle. Arsenal were good challengers, but they were punching above their weight. Now Chelsea, City and United can all compete on an equal footing. Arsenal have suffered because of this whilst Liverpool are the same like they were befre.

 

[Chelsea Lad]

Never mind mate you would only waste it.

Same as Jose :-)

Haha yeah good point ;-)