Rare poor one from Maresca today but points not the worst result in the world given the circumstances. Everton wanted a scruffy game and to get a point and they got both - struggled to find the intensity and guile in those conditions.
I hope we'll look back on this ECL campaign like we do with Lampard's transfer ban season as the enabler that saw a large number of academy products meaningfully integrate within the first team for years to come whilst serving as the catalyst for more to do so in subsequent seasons.
I'm gonna miss the ECL next year - something incredibly fresh and fun about midweek games where youth players get an opportunity to embed themselves and your team smashes in 4 goals a game.
I’m always happy to hold my hands up when i’ve got something wrong but I’m still yet to see a game where KDH hasn’t looked a visible level below the rest of his Chelsea teammates. Still a very odd signing that never looked like it was going to be anything but underwhelming and needless
George has a bit of the post injury CHO about him at the moment where it feels like he’s trying to do a little too much to prove himself at this level - the ability and suitability is obviously there, just needs to stop trying to force it so much imo
Incredible squirming from Dermot and Stephen Warnock (fast becoming my fav pundit), rightly puts him to the sword It's baffling how the referee's position here is being used as justification to not overturn, it just makes it a worse decision, not a better one. Awkward silence at the end is golden.
Was Dejan Kulusevski fortunate to avoid red card for elbow against Chelsea? | Ref Watch
YouTube video by Sky Sports News
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That 45 minutes from Lavia was out of this world btw, would implore everyone to check out the highlight videos. Aggressive out of possession, anticipating passes well, constantly drilling balls between the lines and skilfully avoiding quite an intense Spurs press. Wonderful player
Impressive that such a young team had the resilience to convincingly turn a game around in which they were unexpectedly 2-0 down in a very hostile atmosphere. Could have easily lost their heads but instead went on to dominate and see it off with a panenka. so promising
Really good from Maresca today, quickly addressed the defensive issues whilst being bold enough to take off arguably the best performer of the first half and we never looked back. Huge fan of his proactivity, we're in very safe hands imo.
I'm here to remind you all once again that we are very, very good. And Spurs absolutely are not.
something so glorious about Spurs always 'going to war' in their games with us and consistently leaving with 0 points, multiple injuries and a halt to any momentum they had.
Still quite confident we get a result there - Spurs will drop off big time and don't have it in them to sit back on what they have. Biggest concern is whether we keep our heads or keep 11 men on the pitch.
Kieran Doyle@kierdoyle.bsky.social · 2y agoEasily Chelsea's worst half of the season, but mostly self inflicted. Spurs will definitely not be able to press like this on 2 days rest and not having rotated their squad for a whole match. Let's see what solutions Chelsea find.
Fairly sure Kulusevski only stays on the pitch due to the Caicedo decision which, all things considered, is probably fair.
Might be famous last words but that patched together Spurs team has implosion written all over it, especially when you combine with the fact they regularly lose their heads against us. Get Jackson and Neto in behind and see how the CBs hold up.
Look, Chelsea are pretty good, I don't know what else to say. Note that this data doesn't account for game state (its my weekend project to add that). Using game state would push Chelsea down a little bit and Arsenal up.
I'm loathed to give any positive response because of the very well documented & valid issues w/ this tournament but there's definitely something quite exciting about having the opportunity to play teams & styles we'd never normally encounter Curious as to whether it'll be the ECL team that feature
Chelsea Football Club@chelseafcn.bsky.social · 2y agoOur @FIFACWC opponents. 🏆
I don't keep super close to the off pitch matters within the women's game but is it not a bit odd for the Guardian to be showing concern over Chelsea's willingness to financially invest in the women's game rather than the other clubs lack of willingness to do the same?
But also, it's whatever. I just want to enjoy the pretty football and winning games. There's too much shit going on right now for me to also turn the football into a moral culture war battleground.
always quite impressed by Stephen Warnock as a pundit and thought he was decent on co-comms last night too. Always seems measured and insightful, which is a welcome change of pace
Really really good from Noni that, not just the obvious press but the immediate release of the ball when the temptation would have been to try score himself
Palmer, Felix & Nkunku could be a lot of fun. More changes than I'd expected but only Disasi gives me any real concern, the rest have more than enough quality to see off Saints. All should be very motivated too.
Nizaar Kinsella@nizaarkinsella.bsky.social · 2y agoChelsea XI to face Southampton: Jorgensen; Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Genuine question - has Guehi only done this for the rainbow armbands? In isolation I've zero issue with any outward show of faith like this, but if this is being done as somewhat of a dog whistle / cryptically taking a stand against what the armband is looking to do, it's hugely problematic.
The Athletic | Football@theathleticfc.bsky.social · 2y agoCrystal Palace captain Marc Guehi wrote a religious message on his rainbow armband for a second successive Premier League game despite the Football Association saying it would remind him of its rules on the matter.
Well, at least their plan to shield Mazraoui from public criticism worked out well
Adam Crafton@adamcrafton.bsky.social · 2y agoExclusive Man United players abandoned plan to walk out in Adidas jackets in support of LGBTQ+ v Everton after Noussair Mazraoui cited religious concerns. Team then decided nobody would wear it so that Mazraoui not be seen as only one to refuse www.nytimes.com/athletic/596...
I keep finding myself wanting to say Caicedo after every single game but honourable mentions for Neto, Sancho, Jackson, Cucurella and surprisingly, Sanchez. Felt like a quiet game for Palmer and he still pops up with a goal & assist - just an incredibly positive day all round.
Absolute Chelsea@absolutechelseacfc.bsky.social · 2y agoWhich 3️⃣ #Chelsea players impressed you the most in the 3-0 win against Aston Villa, Blues? 📈🔵
Palmer's made that goal look unbelievably easy - truly generational player.
At this point, anyone still claiming that we're not a better team that we were last season should probably just not be taken seriously
Will be interested to see how long Madueke keeps his starting spot when all wingers are fit and firing. You can forgive the selfishness when there's shooting opportunities available but the consistent slowing down of play in obvious passing positions is becoming detrimental.