Chelsea Thread - 2023/24

[MarsLlama]

Feels like Raheem has been checked out for a while now. Can't believe how poor he's become.

 

[ws01]

This lot have spent 600 million in a year and I reckon they've now got a worse squad than when they started.

 

[Vialli98]

Feels like Raheem has been checked out for a while now. Can't believe how poor he's become.

He's awful. I was willing to let bygones be bygones after last season. You know, just put it down to the entire club being in a state of dysfunction. But he's been garbage this preseason. He's been shown up by young teenagers plucked out of the Brazilian league. I really hope it isn't a sign of what's to come next season. The whole team is looking fresh, more dynamic and playing like a cohesive unit and yet Sterling and Cucurella stick out like a sore thumb.

I think fans will turn on him quickly next season if he doesn't start producing better performances. Some already have.

 

[Vialli98]

This lot have spent 600 million in a year and I reckon they've now got a worse squad than when they started.

We'll have sold like 350 million worth of players by the end of the window.

I think the squad is worse in terms of names on paper but honestly things had gone so stale with some players I'm happy we've moved them on - Kovacic, Jorginho, Azpi, Havertz, Ziyech, Pulisic etc. This new team looks fresh, hungry and if we add a bit more quality like Caicedo, Kudus etc then we have the foundations to build something really great on.

Either way, I feel really rejuvenated watching this new look Chelsea under Poch.

 

[ASHCFC]

We'll have sold like 350 million worth of players by the end of the window.

I think the squad is worse in terms of names on paper but honestly things had gone so stale with some players I'm happy we've moved them on - Kovacic, Jorginho, Azpi, Havertz, Ziyech, Pulisic etc. This new team looks fresh, hungry and if we add a bit more quality like Caicedo, Kudus etc then we have the foundations to build something really great on.

Either way, I feel really rejuvenated watching this new look Chelsea under Poch.

I agree 100%

We are looking good pre-season. The energy is completely different.

I'm not comparing this squad to the one that won the CL in 2021.

I'm comparing it to the team we saw last season that apparently had quite a few players who didn't want to be with us any more.

 

[KentBlue]

He's awful. I was willing to let bygones be bygones after last season. You know, just put it down to the entire club being in a state of dysfunction. But he's been garbage this preseason. He's been shown up by young teenagers plucked out of the Brazilian league. I really hope it isn't a sign of what's to come next season. The whole team is looking fresh, more dynamic and playing like a cohesive unit and yet Sterling and Cucurella stick out like a sore thumb.

I think fans will turn on him quickly next season if he doesn't start producing better performances. Some already have.

The few times I've seen him since he left I haven't been too impressed. It's like he's becoming Dele Alli part two: disinterested, lackadaisical approach, a general impression that he'd rather be doing something else than playing football.
As with Alli there might be something the general public doesn't know about, something in his private life, maybe?
Whatever it is it needs sorting, otherwise he'll be another whose candle burned for a short period of time only.

 

[Vialli98]

I agree 100%

We are looking good pre-season. The energy is completely different.

I'm not comparing this squad to the one that won the CL in 2021.

I'm comparing it to the team we saw last season that apparently had quite a few players who didn't want to be with us any more.

Yep, it's been a breath of fresh air watching this team. Jackson looks utterly unreal.

Cleared out all the deadwood and those that didn't want to be here. What we're left with is team of young, fresh and hungry players ready to completely buy into Poch's ideas. It feels like we've hit the reset button and we're starting again with a blank slate. It's exciting.

 

[Vialli98]

The few times I've seen him since he left I haven't been too impressed. It's like he's becoming Dele Alli part two: disinterested, lackadaisical approach, a general impression that he'd rather be doing something else than playing football.
As with Alli there might be something the general public doesn't know about, something in his private life, maybe?
Whatever it is it needs sorting, otherwise he'll be another whose candle burned for a short period of time only.

I bloody well hope not, but you're right, there's always that possibility and what the Dele Alli situation has reminded me is to be kinder and less harsh with our judgement of footballers.

 

[ASHCFC]

I bloody well hope not, but you're right, there's always that possibility and what the Dele Alli situation has reminded me is to be kinder and less harsh with our judgement of footballers.

I didn't want Raheem from the outset. He's arguably not been consistent enough for the last 2-3 seasons.

 

[ASHCFC]

Yep, it's been a breath of fresh air watching this team. Jackson looks utterly unreal.

Cleared out all the deadwood and those that didn't want to be here. What we're left with is team of young, fresh and hungry players ready to completely buy into Poch's ideas. It feels like we've hit the reset button and we're starting again with a blank slate. It's exciting.

I believe we've hit the reset button in an unprecedented fashion. Certainly as far as top four teams are concerned.

I wouldn't even look for another striker tbh. CDM and keeper positions would be my priority.

And yes, I await the City WUMs reminding me we're not currently a top 4 team!