Yes, but it looks as if we are stuck with Falcao until the end of the season anyway.
I suppose you could say that one of these gambles will eventually pay off for us, but I'd bet good money that it won't be Pato.

From last June...
Corinthians President Roberto De Andrade says he’s ‘praying’ he can sell Lazio and Fiorentina target Alexandre Pato. “I regret buying him,” De Andrade reportedly told ESPN Brazil.“But the failure is his own fault. At the time no-one was against it. Everyone knows that we’re praying day and night, hoping to sell him.”

Oh well, we've answered his prayers. But it doesn't sound hopeful does it ?

No, they just keep making the same mistakes time and again. Let's just hope this doesn't go through.

As I've said before, we're a confusing club with no real direction.

We're better off writing the season off, saving any money for when we appoint a permanent manager, and giving the young players a chance to make an impression between now and the end of the season.

Pato is no better than Remy. Just can't see the point of it.
Our whole transfer policy is just rubbish.

That CB whose name no on can remember has gone to Werder Bremen on loan until the end of the season.

He played 1 minute for us I think.

Another of Emenalo's genius signings.

no better?

pato is a busted flush, sides are desperate to get rid of him. It is money down the drain.

In fact it is worse, as we have a proven PL striker in Remy who is going to get upset and being behind this Pato idiot in the pecking order.

Whoever is involved in this signing, like the Falcao signing, should be removed from the club.

Interesting article

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...ddink-managers

Why do you think it went wrong for Jose J ?

Yes, Interesting.

"And the worry for Chelsea must be that the point Mourinho made after the defeat at Leicester in what turned out to be his last game as manager turns out to be correct. What if we are seeing not a great squad being brought low by a fractious relationship with their manager but their true level? What if it was only Mourinho’s genius that elevated them last season?"

No, I just don't think that holds true. Courtois, Ivanovic, Terry, Azpiliqueta, Fabregas, Matic, Oscar, Hazard, Costa and even Pedro have all proved themselves in the past. It's clear that some have been badly off form, and a couple may be passed their best. But they had all shown themselves to be class players previously without the help of Mourinho.
There were gaps that needed to be filled, and we failed miserably in the summer transfer window. Having won the PL, Mourinho could reasonably have expected the board to build on that success, but it didn't happen. But what really went on behind the scenes is anyone's guess.

Difficult to say Nin. Probably a bit of blame all round but I personally think the players need to look at themselves. Jose should of been allowed one bad season in my book.
As a club, I think 10 years of success, including constantly replacing managers has finally caught up with us.
We are in a cul-de-sac and don't know where to turn next.
Huge job for the next manager.

Ivanovic has signed a new deal, much to the delight of LW players all over the country.

Hopefully he's only being retained as cover and for his experience in the dressing room rather than as an actual starter next season. Signing a decent left-back has to be one of our summer priorities so that Azpi can revert back to his normal side.

I suppose that as much as we'd probably like quite a few of the squad moved on in the summer we have to be realistic about it, considering making wholesale changes is rarely a recipe for success as other clubs have found out recently.

I was surprised when Jose was sacked tbh, even though the poor results were coming thick and fast I thought he had bought himself some time with his past achievements.

It did look like some of the players weren't playing for him anymore.

With José it was clear that the dressing room was getting more and more lost by the day.

Also the players at the club are not playing at their true level. It is nonsensical to suggest being a point above relegation at Xmas is Chelsea's true level and was just clearly said out of spite, plus with the players that have gone(i.e. De Bruyne, Lukaku, Mata etc) if that is their true level, then why are these players who's level have clearly been shown to be above relegation level been sold and 'relegation level' players not been?

José lost the dressing room and the players were not performing due to various reasons.

So we get rid of our best ever manager for the sake of a bunch of prima donnas.
They have hardly set the world alight since Jose has gone. We are still stuck in the relegation area.
The clubs transfer policy is a shambles though Luiz and Mata were right to be sold at the price we got.

Obviously could just be speculation but I see Koeman supposedly wanting the job. What would you feel about that?

I saw that. He has PL experience so that's a bonus. I wouldn't mind him but suspect Roman would be aiming a bit higher.

Lots of speculation, but who do you think will be your next permanent manager?

Absolutely, the voice of common sense. You'll find it difficult having a discussion on this thread though. A few 'fans' who don't appear to be Chelsea fans at all, and will just attack you because they think they own the thread.

A pity, because other threads have decent discussions on the site. We'll be starting another one soon. It's called 'Chelsea at the Dog and Duck'.

Anyone baiting, goading, riling and disrespecting good opinion will be banned.

Come on the Chels'!

Agreed there. Can't remember a successful team who have ever consistently played a defender who has been so poor defensively for so long. Ivanovic has been the direct cause of a lot of goals this season. He doesn't even try to stop opposition defenders crossing now, and we have conceded a lot more goals from the right compared to the left. That must annoy players like Azpi and Zouma no end, who see a player constantly trying to get forward, leaving his fellow professionals exposed at the back

It's what can happen when a player has been at the club a long time, and 'pulls rank.' A recipe for disaster, and Christensen could have filled in well this season.

Rafa played him at CB successfully, and was prepared to drop JT when he needed to. JT has come back, and is now justifying his place, but a manager needs to be strong enough to drop players at the right time, irrespective of how long they have been at the club, and how good they have been in the past.

Ivanovic has been a great player, but when it's time to be dropped, it needs to be done. Otherwise, it can cause a lot of team / squad discord where some players appear to be favoured over others. Again, a recipe for disaster.

I don't think it's "clear" about what went on to be honest. Mourinho signed a new contract during the summer, which suggests he was happy to stay. But the Mourinho we saw from the beginning of the season didn't seem the same person we'd got used to.
The business with Eva Carneiro was extraordinary even by Jose's standards. Mourinho appeared angry and bitter before the real slide down the table had even began.
You never get the truth from quotes in the media, either from the board, the manager or the players. Something clearly went wrong, I agree there. But we'll probably have to wait until a few memoirs are published before we get to the real truth.

Correct RB, it's not clear at all. It's all speculation and those lazy posters just believe whatever is written in the tabloid press. One of course reads it all in Rawk
I doubt we will never know what with confidentiality clauses in settlements.
You're right in that Jose was not happy from day one of the new season. Why is open to speculation but I suspect a lot being the transfer policy in the Summer.

How about Ake ? You never what to talk about him and his goals do you

It's more than a huge job for the next manager to get us back to where we once were!

Liverpool and now UTD, have shown how difficult it can be to turn things around once they start going badly wrong and they are bigger clubs than us. Furthermore, neither of them have slipped as far down as we have this season.

It's a pity the start of building the New Bridge isn't being started at the end of this season. I think it would have been good timing and given us some breathing space with less pressure on the new manager. I would have been happy for us to toddle along in or around the top six for the next few years while the rebuilding of the team and stadium is under way and have a very good, new team ready to challenge again for the opening of the new stadium.

No but Liverpool haven't won the league for 26 years. That's one hell of a massive slip. You can hardly compare this season's slip to that can you.......

One bad season in 12 ain't bad though in reality is it, assuming we stay up.

Big job though, I agree.