Man City 1 v Chelsea 0 Poor generally, and going backwards against City compared to last year when Tuchel got the better of Guardiola. What's happening? Too much rotation, although maybe it's forced due to tiredness, etc. Werner has been playing well with Lukaku, as has Hudson Odoi and Mount, so why start with Zihech who was very poor today and Pulisic who did very little? Too much running with the ball in midfield. What happened to fast passes and move which worked so well last year? A work in progress re' winning the PL. Cups look the best bet.
It's come to two decisions in my opinion. Do we sacrifice a winning formula and spend years tailoring a system that supports Lukaku (who is already 29 this year). or... Do we **** him off as soon as possible?
Squad changes: - Alonso, sell. Far too slow, and his attacking threat has gone now; - Loftus Cheek, sell. Too slow to move the ball forward, would suit Italy better like Abraham; - Zihech, big question mark. Has shown some good form, but has never shown the form he had at Ajax which lead the club to buy him; - Pulisic, another big question mark. Form in the PL is far too patchy and looks too weak to have a consistent impact. - Kurzawa, looks a good option at left back, and Tuchel knows him; - Gallagher, will be like a £50 million plus signing when he returns from loan; - Azpi is getting old, and Christensen is not committing to staying. Kounde still looks a good option; - Costa? Could bring to the squad what Werner lacks re' aggression and finishing. Lukaku needs to accept he is a squad player and will feature in most but not all games. His form against the other top teams like Liverpool and City is very poor. There should be games where he starts on the bench and he needs to accept that. If he doesn't, there will be big problems ahead.
Apparently the club are looking to not extend either Gallagher or Broja's loan next season and want them integral members of the squad. Some good news.
23/1/22. Chelsea 2 v Tottenham 0. A great result, and the best Ziyech has played for the club. That's why the club bought him.
Latest is that Rudiger wants £225 k / week to stay. Most fans would have agreed to that months ago. He has turned into a rock at the back. The club should not fall into the trap of paying stupid wages as Arsenal did with Ozil for example or Man Utd with Pogba and numerous others. Real's £600 k / week for Bale also caused more problems than it solved. There's a sensible middle ground.
Don't think there is much risk in offering Rudiger a 4 year deal at £225K. I'd say it's reasonable given the way he's been performing. As far as setting a precedent, I disagree. Rudiger has arguably been one of if not the best CB on the planet since Tuchel arrived. Consistent level of top performances. He's earned it.
Ins and outs for next season? In. Gallagher, Broja and Rice? Out. Kante and one of Werner or Pulisic?
Kante is not having his best season due to injuries but I would definitely keep him unless PSG make a ridiculous offer. Out of the Werner and Pulisic I would prefer to keep Werner. Pulisic has been good at times but is to inconsistent and seems to have glass ankles. Out …. Christensen and Azpi out of contract…players I’d like to see go are.. Alonso, Barkley, Lukaku, In Rice and replace Lukaku with Broja. and another centre back to replace Christensen.
Pulisic suffers more from inconsistency than injuries atm. Hasn't been injured for a long time now. It'll be a busy summer.
Players the club will actively try and sell:- Barkley, RLC, Kenedy, Alonso, Sarr, Pulisic, Kepa Players the club would be open to selling for the right fee:- Werner, CHO, Ziyech, Jorginho, *Lukaku, *Havertz All comes down to who we can shift really. There’s a lot of players there we can realistically upgrade on (based on their performances in a Chelsea shirt anyway) and I think the club would be open to selling any one of them. Kai and Romelu are less likely because realistically we won’t get a bid big enough to justify selling now. I also think it’s unlikely Jorgi will go this summer too. Any players coming in will be based on how many places in the squad we can make available and how much money we can generate. Kounde seems very likely and it’s hard not to see one of Rice or Tchouameni based on players we’ve been linked with strongest.
Only player out of your top list I would keep is Sarr….. good squad player and has played well when he has been picked. Can play left side of a back 3 or as a left back….. unfortunately not a wing back. As for the bottom list it all depends who we bring in…. If it’s Rice then let Jorginho go…Werner and Harvertz is a strange thing as they are being held back by continuing to pick Lukaku. I thought with those 2 and either CHO or Pulisic we were playing well and creating lots of chances when Lukaku was injured.
Sarr seems like a player that could be contempt with being a 5th-6th choice CB option. He can only get better too which is something to consider. Alonso, RLC, Barkley, and Kenedy need to be moved on immediately. Along with the other dregs in the loan army. Azpilicueta too if he doesn't accept a 1 year deal. (assuming we get Livramento once his buy back is active in 2023). The dip in quality from James to Azpilicueta is massive. As far as the attack goes, all of them have been poor. A part of me once to ship them all off, but another part realises that Tuchel hasn't done a thing to get the attack functioning. Too many square pegs in round holes but Tuchel has shown nothing as of late in what he wants from our attack. I still feel Lukaku is the biggest burden at the front and really is the only one of the bunch I would want out. Werner as well as I feel he will not get any better in a footballing perspective. So for me: Alonso, RLC, Barkley, Kenedy, Emerson, Miazga, Rahman, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Batshuayi, Azpilicueta, Lukaku, & Werner.
Yeah, Sarr’s not bad at all and I wouldn’t have a problem if he stayed to play a similar role in the squad. I still have a feeling we’d be happy to move him on as we can make a decent return on him and he’ll be one of the more sellable players we have to raise funds.
19/2/22. Crystal Palace 0 v Chelsea 1 Ziyech consistently playing the football he played at Ajax now, and that's why the club bought him. Pulisic out, Hazard in. How many times does Rudiger need to play like one of the best defenders in the world to get a £200k + / week contract? Can't understand the club on that one.
The current situation where the club has to be sold within 80 days calls into question why defenders weren't tied down to new contracts earlier? Especially Rudiger. His attitude is very good, he gives 100% in every match and is one of the best defenders in the world. The other top clubs are paying £3 / 400 k + / week for their best players and the club weren't prepared to offer him £200 +? Doesn't make sense.
Trying to stay positive amongst the turmoil of the club's future. The development of young players at the club has been outstanding. Not just Reece James, it's a long list and the conveyor belt is still going. Gallagher will be a great addition, as well as Broja imo, especially if Lukaku moves on. Tuchel nailed it when he mentioned that Broja is quick and is prepared to run. If Lukaku moves on it's because he just won't do those things enough or lacks that dimension which is a must in the PL, but maybe not so much in Italy. New owners asap who will invest in the squad, get Rudiger and others their improved contracts and build on very good foundations.
