Considering that Liverpool under Klopp have won it all in the last season, and are officially the best club in the world, Chelsea under Lampard have nearly beat them in almost every match this season, including the Super Cup. Lamps shouldn't be getting riled. A few more signings, and it could be Chelsea pipping Liverpool soon.
Lost FA cup final to Arsenal, and Frank was very honest after the match to say that Chelsea did not do enough to win the game. The team needs a JT, a big, vocal leader. Azpi has looked suspect in a few games now, although more with his behaviour than his play. When a top player like him starts to lose just a bit of pace, it can lead to a lot of problems. Ivanovic, probably Chelsea's best ever right back, started to lose a bit of pace, and turned into a massive liability for the team, when he was constantly targeted as a weak point. Unfortunately, Mourhino back then refused to drop him, and the team dropped many points because of that. Arsenal were hungrier and deserved to win, but there was a lot of ham acting by their players. Players clutching their faces, when somebody brushed their ankle. The over reacting, and ridiculous acting was terrible to see. Mane for Liverpool has been guilty of that a few times, and ref's need to start booking players for feigning injury. Can't understand why VAR doesn't get involved there. If anyone has any doubts, watch the replays back carefully, and decide for yourself whether all those cards and free kicks should have been given against Chelsea. To be fair to Frank, he didn't focus on those decisions. Next season, with Werner's pace, the team will have a lot more threat in behind.
Latest transfer talk. Thiago Silva would be a good free transfer in. Plus John Stones? Worth a punt. Some players just don't fit with certain clubs, but can thrive at other clubs, and JS is not a good fit for Man City. He's not a rock at the back either having said that, and Jose Gimenez looks a good buy there. If the club did buy those three, plus Chilwell, then Andreas Christensen, and either Rudiger or Zouma should be moved on, along with Emerson of course. AC, plus Rudiger or Zouma and Emerson should bring in around £90 million. The outlay for the three in should be around £130 million. Deep midfield, I would bring Ampadu back to the club. I can't see him as big and strong enough at CB, but he would be a good fit in deep midfield. He's a strong tackler and a very good distributor with the ball at his feet. Plus he's free! Kai Havertz? Not worth £90 million, but could be a good buy at £70 million. Hopefully he wouldn't be another Kepa. Thriving in Germany doesn't mean he would make it in the PL. Worst case scenario, he could be a bigger version of Oscar, and simply not strong enough or quick enough. When physical teams start the pushing and rough house tactics, would he start falling over and getting forced out of the game? Frank and the board seem to be on the same page re' transfers, and that hasn't happened for a long time with a manager. All in all, if Frank gets the players he wants, the Chels' should be challenging for the big trophies next season, and the future's looking good.
WHOA THERE LADDIE! Maybe you like the look of Jose Gimenez, but where's the money coming from for that one? Also has there been any mention of it? Hey - I'm with you - great signing, but with spunking £90m on Havertz and so on do we have the money? We need to see some players leave sharpish and get some money in before another splurge I would suggest. Would prefer to get a keeper in right now to be fair. Not that the two are mutually exclusive. Completely agree 100%, but who is buying these players in this climate? Great shout - Ampadu has looked kwality - and you know what I think he could play centre back as well as defensive mid. Check out Baresi and Cannavaro - short arse defenders who made it to the top. True... but de Bruyne managed it. Frankly Havertz is a top talent... we're the only people in the position to sign him right now. We go for it - a no brainer. Bada bing!
Interesting comment from Craig Burley re' defensive concerns, Yahoo is now a part of Verizon Media I think Frank should employ a back three with wingbacks more often. He likes to play with a high line, and the squad does have pace at the back now. Tomori who is very quick would have been effective against Arsenal in the FA cup final, when Arsenal were trying to stretch the back line with pace. Azpi' is maybe showing signs of a bit of age now, as happened with Ivanovic. Zouma is quick as well. Another key piece in the jigsaw is a keeper who can play out from the back, and I'm not sure Edouard Mendy can do that.
Tomori fell out of favour with Lampard .... Rumour is his dad is causing issues. Shame really as he had started ok with a few lapses
Decland Rice as the last piece in the jigsaw? Most fans based on polls think Barkley should be moved on, although it's a close call and David Moyes is a big fan of Ross Barkley. Barkley plus £20 / £25 million? That would be cover in deep midfield and another good, young CB. One question though, why was he let go in the first place?! He had a lot of promise back then and was a similar prospect to Mason Mount. The club have got to ask questions there. Players who have been sold too soon or let go too soon: Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Romelu Lukaku and now Declan Rice. Where are the buy back clauses?! Yahoo is now a part of Verizon Media
No chance. They’re going to want Chelsea to approach Maguire money to take Rice now. Barkley isn’t enough.
At the moment, a transfer looks unlikely. If in the future however Rice starts to push for a move, no club wants to keep an unhappy player. Leicester were asking £80 million for Chilwell until he asked for a move away.
West Ham have a long history of selling their best young homegrown talent. Where would Rice play for Chelsea though - centre back?
Chelsea 0 v Liverpool 2 Brutal analysis here. Liverpool are probably the best team in the world right now, so it's no shame. Looking at the starting line up, straight away there were 3 question marks: Kepa, as ever, Andreas Christensen and Alonso who is more of a wing back. To be fair, all of those positions have been covered in the market this year, and we have: Mendy (probably), Silva and Chilwell. Re' Mendy, can he play out from the back?! Looks like a very good shot stopper though. The only CB that is really performing at the moment is Zouma. To be fair, he's the only one who has really stepped up and looks commanding. Lamps obviously likes AC, and I'm sure that AC is a nice guy, low maintenance, humble, etc, etc. The problem is, as many of us have already said, he's not mentally commanding enough, he's not physically strong enough, and now it looks like he's not quick enough. Tomori has pace, and is a very good tackler. Rumours circulate of a poor attitude, and I don't know about that. As for Rudiger, Lamps is building a reputation of, 'Don't mess with me! I'm the boss, and if you're not playing, show some humility, work hard and wait.' Spot on Lamps, it's the only way. Looking ahead, it's looking very good with the players mentioned coming in. A pity about Pulisic who looks a world beater, but also very fragile. Hopefully the backroom staff can keep him fit. Last point, penalties. Jorginho is very good, but give the main responsibility to a German, they never miss!
