Chelsea Thread - 2023/24

[Vialli98]

So for years everyone has told city that its all about money, we couldnt do it without money etc etc and to some extent that is right but how is it that chelsea can spend nearly a billion pounds and it be acceptable that they only get a champions league spot, why arent all the same pundits saying they should be nailed on for winning the league this year, why are chelsea getting a pass

I just think context matters. People might say the expectations should be the title but I don't think anyone looks at this team and thinks they'll be in a title race. It hasn't gone uncriticised. Don't think that Chelsea are getting a free ride here. We've been criticised for this spending a lot. Every single day there's a new pundit or columnist taking potshots at Boehly and Chelsea about the spending. Let alone what all non-Chelsea fans are saying.

I'm just saying, for me (I'm pretty sure @waspish asking what my opinion was) it was around 4th or 5th and that's because of the added context of us coming from a 12th place finish, completely revamping the squad over the summer and now we have a whole new squad who barely know each other's names yet and a brand new manager. That's the context. If had finished 3rd or 4th last season, I'd say a title challenge is a must.

 

[mancboy]

I just think context matters. People might say the expectations should be the title but I don't think anyone looks at this team and thinks they'll be in a title race. It hasn't gone uncriticised. Don't think that Chelsea are getting a free ride here. We've been criticised for this spending a lot. Every single day there's a new pundit or columnist taking potshots at Boehly and Chelsea about the spending. Let alone what all non-Chelsea fans are saying.

I'm just saying, for me (I'm pretty sure @waspish asking what my opinion was) it was around 4th or 5th and that's because of the added context of us coming from a 12th place finish, completely revamping the squad over the summer and now we have a whole new squad who barely know each other's names yet and a brand new manager. That's the context. If had finished 3rd or 4th last season, I'd say a title challenge is a must.

wasnt a dig at you at all in any way shape or form its just that the landscape seems to have changed a little compared to how things have previously been reported in the past

 

[Vialli98]

wasnt a dig at you at all in any way shape or form its just that the landscape seems to have changed a little compared to how things have previously been reported in the past

I didn't take it as a dig, don't worry :) I was trying to clarify the difference between what people think should be the expectations and the expectations people actually have and I think the fact that we aren't considered title challengers has been criticised roundly almost on a daily basis, so you can rest easy knowing that we aren't getting preferential treatment.

I think it's mental to spend this much and not end up with a team capable of winning the title. But here we are. They've decided to spend big on a load of young talent knowing that they will need to time and guidance to fulfil their potential.

 

[mancboy]

I didn't take it as a dig, don't worry :) I was trying to clarify the difference between what people think should be the expectations and the expectations people actually have and I think the fact that we aren't considered title challengers has been criticised roundly almost on a daily basis, so you can rest easy knowing that we aren't getting preferential treatment.

I think it's mental to spend this much and not end up with a team capable of winning the title. But here we are. They've decided to spend big on a load of young talent knowing that they will need to time and guidance to fulfil their potential.

unfortunately time is one thing that premier league does not afford you, i would love to see city give some of their younger players a chance but because of the media and the need for it to be fed, every negative result is a disaster and every p0or performance is analysed in minute detail, to the extent where young players are routinely crushed, its a bold statement and will be interesting to see if it works

 

[Vialli98]

unfortunately time is one thing that premier league does not afford you, i would love to see city give some of their younger players a chance but because of the media and the need for it to be fed, every negative result is a disaster and every p0or performance is analysed in minute detail, to the extent where young players are routinely crushed, its a bold statement and will be interesting to see if it works

I think if City didn't have KDB, Haaland, Rodri, Walker, Dias, Edersen etc maybe you'd get a bit of leeway when there's a bad result or some iffy form but those are among the best players in the world in their positions being coached by the undisputed best coach in the world, so I guess the expectations match that. If City suddenly overhauled their squad after Pep left, sold all their big names and filled it with young players who are very talented but have achieved nothing yet I'd bet the expectations would be similar to what we're seeing with Chelsea now.

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

Absolutely no way are these finishing top 4. They'll be lucky to finish in the top half. This young team are going to be on the wrong end of some right cricket scores if yesterday's anything to go by.

 

[mancboy]

I think if City didn't have KDB, Haaland, Rodri, Walker, Dias, Edersen etc maybe you'd get a bit of leeway when there's a bad result or some iffy form but those are among the best players in the world in their positions being coached by the undisputed best coach in the world, so I guess the expectations match that. If City suddenly overhauled their squad after Pep left, sold all their big names and filled it with young players who are very talented but have achieved nothing yet I'd bet the expectations would be similar to what we're seeing with Chelsea now.

and i would put money that they absolutely wouldnt be

 

[Vialli98]

and i would put money that they absolutely wouldnt be

I honestly think it would be.

 

[Oddchild]

I am struggling to understand how spending a billion pounds has actually made them worse. I mean how is that even possible. Who is running the club

It's staggering. I'm too busy to do it right now but I'd love to see the Chelsea first choice team when he arrived compared to yesterday. I can't imagine how any sane person with even a smidgeon of football knowledge could have done worse for $1B??!

 

[Vialli98]

Absolutely no way are these finishing top 4. They'll be lucky to finish in the top half. This young team are going to be on the wrong end of some right cricket scores if yesterday's anything to go by.

West Ham sucked punched us. It was honestly a very good performance until Enzo missed the pen. We battered them until that point and should have been winning comfortably. Antonio always has a random R9 moment against us, which is so frustrating but when that went in, heads dropped. We barely created anything after that and we gave a few silly chance through our own errors. I think if we put the same performance in 10 times vs West Ham we win 8 or 9 of them.