Great game great win and that second goal, build up play was just wonderful.
Chelsea Supporters Thread (Part 5)
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Isn't it amazing just how well courtois has fitted into our team!
Every player was an 8/10 tonight, including the subs.
What a great team performance, no weak links.
Every player was an 8/10 tonight, including the subs.
What a great team performance, no weak links.
Fantastic result, and Chelsea are playing breathtaking football. As good as anything in the past imo. The balance looks spot on.
Willian had a very good game, although Costa looked annoyed at one point when he didn't release the ball at just the right moment. Good! He (Costa) never wants to be a passenger and go through the motions. That's what the team needs!
Looks like Schurrle's staying and there'll be no Marco Reus in January. That's good as well, especially for CL squads. There's no guarantee that Reus would be any better than Schurrle anyway, although you never know. The Bundesliga is not as physical as the PL, and not as fast.
Anything else? Just an exceptional team performance really. Nice to see Drogba and Ramires come on and score. Chelsea aren't reliant on one or a few players any more, unlike Man city say, who are way too reliant on Aguero, and he has been injury prone in the past.
Basically, Chelsea are looking very good for a possible PL / CL double, although it's early days and one game at a time. That's the mindset that wins trophies, nice and steady.
Willian had a very good game, although Costa looked annoyed at one point when he didn't release the ball at just the right moment. Good! He (Costa) never wants to be a passenger and go through the motions. That's what the team needs!
Looks like Schurrle's staying and there'll be no Marco Reus in January. That's good as well, especially for CL squads. There's no guarantee that Reus would be any better than Schurrle anyway, although you never know. The Bundesliga is not as physical as the PL, and not as fast.
Anything else? Just an exceptional team performance really. Nice to see Drogba and Ramires come on and score. Chelsea aren't reliant on one or a few players any more, unlike Man city say, who are way too reliant on Aguero, and he has been injury prone in the past.
Basically, Chelsea are looking very good for a possible PL / CL double, although it's early days and one game at a time. That's the mindset that wins trophies, nice and steady.
Things are beginning to come together. I've been critical of Fabregas recently, but he was superb last night. Not only his passing (we know he's a master of that) but he's at last showing signs that he can play the other defensive role in the pivot. Must admit, I had my doubts, but I'll be only too happy to eat my words. 
It was a great team performance, but I'd probably single out Willian for his sheer hard work and non-stop running. If I've got to be picky, I didn't think Azpil looked quite as good as he can be, but that's probably being over critical.
The January window ? I don't think we need to add anyone immediately to our first choice team, but it might be necessary to go for superior cover at centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose it depends on who is available and whether they improve on what we've got.
It was a great team performance, but I'd probably single out Willian for his sheer hard work and non-stop running. If I've got to be picky, I didn't think Azpil looked quite as good as he can be, but that's probably being over critical.
The January window ? I don't think we need to add anyone immediately to our first choice team, but it might be necessary to go for superior cover at centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose it depends on who is available and whether they improve on what we've got.
Originally Posted by RichmondBlue:
“Things are beginning to come together. I've been critical of Fabregas recently, but he was superb last night. Not only his passing (we know he's a master of that) but he's at last showing signs that he can play the other defensive role in the pivot. Must admit, I had my doubts, but I'll be only too happy to eat my words.
It was a great team performance, but I'd probably single out Willian for his sheer hard work and non-stop running. If I've got to be picky, I didn't think Azpil looked quite as good as he can be, but that's probably being over critical.
The January window ? I don't think we need to add anyone immediately to our first choice team, but it might be necessary to go for superior cover at centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose it depends on who is available and whether they improve on what we've got.”
“Things are beginning to come together. I've been critical of Fabregas recently, but he was superb last night. Not only his passing (we know he's a master of that) but he's at last showing signs that he can play the other defensive role in the pivot. Must admit, I had my doubts, but I'll be only too happy to eat my words.
It was a great team performance, but I'd probably single out Willian for his sheer hard work and non-stop running. If I've got to be picky, I didn't think Azpil looked quite as good as he can be, but that's probably being over critical.
The January window ? I don't think we need to add anyone immediately to our first choice team, but it might be necessary to go for superior cover at centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose it depends on who is available and whether they improve on what we've got.”
True. Fabregas can play either role, although is probably better in a more advanced role nearer where Mata used to play. Remember Ake is very good, and can play defensively.
Interesting about Azpilicueta. Luis is ahead of him according to FIFA and their nominations for the world best XI. I'm not so sure, and would still pick him ahead of Luis. He can attack, he's quick, he works hard for the team. A complete full back imo. Luis is world class but not quite as good as Azpi defensively imo.
the January window will be interesting, we need to find cover rather than 1st team players.
the only positions we don't have a good swap for, are matic or terry.
the only positions we don't have a good swap for, are matic or terry.
Originally Posted by codeblue:
“the January window will be interesting, we need to find cover rather than 1st team players.
the only positions we don't have a good swap for, are matic or terry.”
“the January window will be interesting, we need to find cover rather than 1st team players.
the only positions we don't have a good swap for, are matic or terry.”
Yes, I agree. We're not so bad at the back, Ivanovic could move to CB, but I don't think Zouma is ready yet and it would leave us stretched a bit thin.
We have Mikel as a natural replacement for Matic, but we would be considerably weaker without the big man. I certainly wouldn't fancy Fabregas and Mikel as our defensive midfield for too long.
Chelsea have 4 players nominated in all: Courtois, Ivanovic, Luis and Costa.
If Chelsea start winning big trophies with the current squad (e.g. CL, World Club championship..) then imo Matic, Fabregas and Hazard will join the nominations for next year.
Imo even now, Fabregas is better than Modric, and Hazard is better than Robben. Those players however have won the CL, and that appears to make a lot of difference.
Interesting how many German players are nominated from their world cup winning squad - a lot!
If Chelsea start winning big trophies with the current squad (e.g. CL, World Club championship..) then imo Matic, Fabregas and Hazard will join the nominations for next year.
Imo even now, Fabregas is better than Modric, and Hazard is better than Robben. Those players however have won the CL, and that appears to make a lot of difference.
Interesting how many German players are nominated from their world cup winning squad - a lot!
Originally Posted by Tip top 2:
“Chelsea have 4 players nominated in all: Courtois, Ivanovic, Luis and Costa.
If Chelsea start winning big trophies with the current squad (e.g. CL, World Club championship..) then imo Matic, Fabregas and Hazard will join the nominations for next year.
Imo even now, Fabregas is better than Modric, and Hazard is better than Robben. Those players however have won the CL, and that appears to make a lot of difference.
Interesting how many German players are nominated from their world cup winning squad - a lot!”
“Chelsea have 4 players nominated in all: Courtois, Ivanovic, Luis and Costa.
If Chelsea start winning big trophies with the current squad (e.g. CL, World Club championship..) then imo Matic, Fabregas and Hazard will join the nominations for next year.
Imo even now, Fabregas is better than Modric, and Hazard is better than Robben. Those players however have won the CL, and that appears to make a lot of difference.
Interesting how many German players are nominated from their world cup winning squad - a lot!”
Ivanovic is a bit of a surprise. I mean, I know we all rate him, and he's highly regarded in the PL, but I didn't expect him to be rated so highly around the rest of Europe/ the world ?
Originally Posted by RichmondBlue:
“Ivanovic is a bit of a surprise. I mean, I know we all rate him, and he's highly regarded in the PL, but I didn't expect him to be rated so highly around the rest of Europe/ the world ?”
“Ivanovic is a bit of a surprise. I mean, I know we all rate him, and he's highly regarded in the PL, but I didn't expect him to be rated so highly around the rest of Europe/ the world ?”
He's a big player for the big occasion though, and a rock for Chelsea. Captain of his national side, also scores important goals. Lahm is nominated for the world XI. If Chelsea had both players, imo Ivanovic would get the nod, and that says a lot.
Fabregas and Hazard now on a world list. How many lists are there?!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30246500
Well deserved though.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30246500
Well deserved though.
Originally Posted by roddydogs:
“For the "oldies", John Neal died on Sunday, aged 82.”
“For the "oldies", John Neal died on Sunday, aged 82.”
I am so surprised no-one has commented or elaborated on your post.
The team at the moment, looks like it could be the best team we've had in such a long time, may even be the best Chelsea team ever. However, it won't be my 'favourite' team, that would be the team that Jon Neal built. Kerry Dixon, Pat Nevin, David Speedie, Eddie Nedweski, Joey Jones etc, were all heroes to me at the time and they were an exciting team to watch. You really never knew what was going to happen, apart from Kerry always scoring!
I think it's fair to say, it's highly possible that were it not for that team re-build under Neal, we would not be watching the same team we have today
There are many pivotal moments in our recent history, saving the Bridge from demolition, that Clive Walker goal, that Tony Dorigo goal, Glen Hoddle's appointment, our win against Liverpool to secure CL football which convinced Roman to buy the club, but for me it was the appointment of John Neal..RIP.
Originally Posted by Tip top 2:
“Fabregas and Hazard now on a world list. How many lists are there?!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30246500
Well deserved though.”
“Fabregas and Hazard now on a world list. How many lists are there?!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30246500
Well deserved though.”
To be honest, I've never really followed these lists. Is it something they do every year ?
An absolute must win this evening, to pile the pressure on city / Southampton and go 11 clear of our biggest rival.
Sunderland will absolutely park the bus, so unless we get two quick goals I expect this to be a nail biter! We should be confident to go and brush these aside.
Sunderland will absolutely park the bus, so unless we get two quick goals I expect this to be a nail biter! We should be confident to go and brush these aside.
Sunderland sticking to their game plan, frustrating us and threatening on the break.
It's all too congested around their box, reduced to walking pace at times. I think we need to get at them down the wings, stretch them out wide. Easier said than done though.
It's all too congested around their box, reduced to walking pace at times. I think we need to get at them down the wings, stretch them out wide. Easier said than done though.
Cahill was wrestled and held by two players there, clearly a penalty. Sunderland are keeping 11 players behind the ball, settling for a nil all
Edit
Another clear pen denied for holding terry and Cahill in the box.
What's the point?
Edit
Another clear pen denied for holding terry and Cahill in the box.
What's the point?
I hate it when clubs bring on dreadful players against us - I always expect them to score. (Altidore)
Yes, but I still can't understand why Hazard and Willian aren't getting at them down the wings. We've started this half like we did in the first, trying to walk the ball though them down the the middle.
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