I genuinely feel like the fact that we're doing this, playing so well - 2 consecutive away CL wins, 4th in the league - without Kante, Rudiger, Loftus-Cheek and Emerson, 4 nailed on starters, is flying under the radar.
I think they'll be much stronger next season and will probably finish in the top 4 next season maybe even third this season despite having started this season well i think they'll have a slump around christmas time and their lack of options will cost them. I could see them challening for real the season after next though.Merson reckons in 3 years these lot will be champions when Klopp and pep have gone
Merson reckons in 3 years these lot will be champions when Klopp and pep have gone
Chelsea look full of confidence and playing some exciting football with a lot of youth players, early days still for that very young team and manager Id liked see the team after a run of bad results and how that young team and manager come through it.
We started the season with 1 win in 5 games, including a 4-0 drubbing at United and a frustrating 2-2 draw with Sheff United, being outplayed by Leicester at home and losing at home to Valencia - if Lampard had cowardice tendencies, he would have tried to abandon his plans, lost faith in the youngsters etc.
I think Lampard, and the young academy players, have showed they have a lot about them by coming through the initial struggles to putting together 6 game winning streak and with a number of winnable games still upcoming.
Thats a fair point you were the better team against the rags and when I do watch chelsea they still play with that freedom commitment and belief, its good to see Lampard isnt budging on his methods whatsoever that in itself says that chelsea will push for top four and trophies. Its just that I would like to see how that young side plays after Christmas when theyve played a lot of pressure games.
23rd November!That's also a fair point, there will certainly more obstacles down the road, and the team will go through trying times once or twice this season and I'm intrigued, same as you, to see how the players but more importantly the manager handles it.
The early signs suggest that I have nothing to worry about - just little things like how they saw the game out last night, keeping Ajax penned in in their own half in the final 15 minutes, and particularly after the goal showed me this team has the necessary nous and game intelligence to weather any troubling periods down the road.
23rd November!
*rubs hands*
That's also a fair point, there will certainly more obstacles down the road, and the team will go through trying times once or twice this season and I'm intrigued, same as you, to see how the players but more importantly the manager handles it.
The early signs suggest that I have nothing to worry about - just little things like how they saw the game out last night, keeping Ajax penned in in their own half in the final 15 minutes, and particularly after the goal showed me this team has the necessary nous and game intelligence to weather any troubling periods down the road.
The more I listen to UK based football podcasts the more I hear that Chelsea are becoming the new Spurs aka darlings of the media/fans filled with "young English talent" and not so bad to have a former England "great" who plays youth.
On the latest Football Weekly pod, Frida Fagerlund waxed lyrical about what stood out most from CL this week and said Chelsea. That was what stood out most of all the CL fixtures? Hmm...Something sounds like she's a supporter.
Not saying they're not doing well, but just keep an eye out for hyperbole.
Of course, if they had no transfer ban this would never be happening, but they are a work in progress IMO.
Were only 9 games in, let's see where they are 25 games in.Very impressed by Chelsea's youngsters this season. Should help them save a lot of cash in the future. Interestingly, Pulisic is the one that cost so much money and he hasn't kicked on as well as the academy lads. I did see Lampard's comments about him and focusing on the long-term rather than the short term. Super Frank seems to be handling the man management very well.
I've followed her short career as a journalist (we support the same national team). She's not where she's at because of her extensive football knowledge..On the latest Football Weekly pod, Frida Fagerlund waxed lyrical about what stood out most from CL this week and said Chelsea. That was what stood out most of all the CL fixtures? Hmm...Something sounds like she's a supporter.
Were only 9 games in, let's see where they are 25 games in.
Them, Spuds and Dippers are all currently the media darlings, don't get sucked in.
I find it quite ironic that we're now being labelled media darlings. Chelsea, of all teams, media darlings? What a time to be alive :)