The Chelsea F.C. Thread IV

Carling cup so I don't really care tbh. Should've seen the game out and they were lucky as we wasted several chances. Extra time after conceding late in the game is such a killer but oh well.

Why can't we just recall Lukaku from loan...?

Ivanovic, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ba, Torres, KDB, Cahill. I think we need to move these guys on in order to better this team. Really and truly. It's sad though, as a lot of those have been through a lot with us, but we're looking to stay up in that bracket of European superpowers, we need to rebuild. This January, I'd bring in Guarin and Martinez. Summertime should be a real good overhaul.

Why can't we just recall Lukaku from loan...?

against Liverpool. Suarez will be your biggest problem obviously but you'll need be worried about other player like Coutinho as well. Most of their plays comes through him. I legit think he is better than Oscar. Lucas has been brilliant and is mostly reliable but prone to careless challenges,and Allen helps them control the flow of the game. Henderson thrives of Lucas, Allen and Coutinho, and plays tirelessly from box to box. If Allen and Lucas do a good job of controlling flow of game, I see no reason that they lose the game.

Meanwhile at Chelsea, defense has been leaky as ever. your strikers are awful. Only good players are your wingers and attacking midfielders. Agree? Mourinho's home record is not looking like it'll last long.

To be fair we've technically lost it if you consider the WBA game... not really a surprise if Mourinho loses it.

Yeah, but I'm sure in our original run under Mourinho we've had lucky decisions that helped us in our unbeaten run.

Yeah, but I'm sure in our original run under Mourinho we've had lucky decisions that helped us in our unbeaten run.

To be fair we've technically lost it if you consider the WBA game... not really a surprise if Mourinho loses it.

I agree with your first paragraph, Oscar vs Coutinho, I think Coutinho is better at threading through the final ball and a better dribbler, but Oscar is better defensively, it depends on what you want from the player anyway.

I'd say however, if we get a Central midfielder and can go through the Christmas period unscathed, our defence will look much better, see Arsenal, once Ramsey improved with Arteta and Flamini coming in, their defence has looked as good as it's ever been under Wenger the past 10 years. I think we'll still keep our record as long as we don't lose to Liverpool. City were the only team I was scared of us losing our record to and we've dropped only 2 points less than City dropped at home this season.

Yeah he doesn't track back like Oscar but I think that will improve over time. Very good creatively.

That's true, although I think you'll really have to sort the issues out in January or else it probably won't last the season. Strange how you've invested so much but still need to fix some vital issues. This brings me to my next point: how do you rate your depth? I mean its all well and good having good midfielders but is it really working? Not trying to be cynical - but honestly think Chelsea's 'depth' is overrated. City have quality players in every position, which would be classified as actual depth. Chelsea have 3 strikers who are all worse than Giroud. I'd rather have quality over quantity.
Don't follow Le arse as you know but I'll mention them since people always comment on their lack of it

On paper they've got a GOAT midfield - but in reality Mourinho is either not using them correctly, or they just aren't performing. The strongest possible Chelsea side was still beaten comfortably by Newcastle.

On top of all that - Arsenal have had the most injuries in the league so far (source: injuryleague.com. not sure how legit). Chelsea have apparently been one of the luckiest teams in terms of injuries, and are still beneath Arsenal atm.

edit: Since Arsenal's lack of depth is mainly aimed at the strikers -
Schurrle+Ba+Eto'o+Torres' league goals combined: 8
Giroud+Walcott+Bendtner league goals combined: 10. That's not even including Podolski's 2 goals and the fact that Pod and Walcott have been injured all season. Chelsea's intimidating depth...

You're right, too many average/useful players but not enough reliable week in week out world class players on our team(bar AMs), our strikers being the biggest example of this. I'm still not worried about Arsenal, the way in which we play we'll narrow the spaces and make it hard for arsenal to play through, their only threats in the match are walcott and ozil. Nullify them and that's game won.