At the beginning of the season I knew nothing about Sarriball and Sarri and felt that it would be a huge ask of a new manager to get Chelsea back into the top 4 whilst simultaneously installing a new playing style with the existing squad. I also felt that there were currently two teams miles ahead of Chelsea in the league. That last bit hasn’t really changed, although I would now delete the word miles.
The two signings of Jorginho and Kovacic appear inspired and we should not underestimate the importance of these two players. Sadly when Barkley came on for Kovacic yesterday it proved to be significant.
A serious title challenge at the end of the season with only the choice of Giroud and Morata up front seems seriously unrealistic and we are hugely vulnerable to injuries to key players, but now, after our two games agst Liverpool I expect us to finish 3rd or 4th.
Expectations have risen.
Expectations rising
posted on 30/9/18
We look extremely good under the circumstances, yesterday goal in particular was a significant moment as that was our first proper SarriBall conversion - short pass, short pass, short pass, press beaten, deliver it into the half space for the WG/IF - that goal was like watching Napoli
I'm still happy with 4th this season. We're in a very similar boat to Pool from 16/17 atm, they looked very good early on but a few teams figured them out + they took a nose dive when one player (Mane) was unavailable. One team has already figured out SarriBall is more dangerous on the left side, especially with us because Hazard's out there, and we're a few key injuries away from facing problems - we've seen how Pedro's injury has made us extremely left side heavy now (more than usual), if Hazard or Jorginho go down the foundations of the setup fall with them.
This season's a free hit for me. Expectations may have risen to the extent I'd be disappointed if we didn't get 4th because we've started so well, but I don't expect it. And from the prospective of expectations not being so lucid this season (IMO), we couldn't have started better.
posted on 30/9/18
comment by The Devil's Advocate's Advocate - I Represent Him (U6522)
posted 5 minutes ago
We look extremely good under the circumstances, yesterday goal in particular was a significant moment as that was our first proper SarriBall conversion - short pass, short pass, short pass, press beaten, deliver it into the half space for the WG/IF - that goal was like watching Napoli
I'm still happy with 4th this season. We're in a very similar boat to Pool from 16/17 atm, they looked very good early on but a few teams figured them out + they took a nose dive when one player (Mane) was unavailable. One team has already figured out SarriBall is more dangerous on the left side, especially with us because Hazard's out there, and we're a few key injuries away from facing problems - we've seen how Pedro's injury has made us extremely left side heavy now (more than usual), if Hazard or Jorginho go down the foundations of the setup fall with them.
This season's a free hit for me. Expectations may have risen to the extent I'd be disappointed if we didn't get 4th because we've started so well, but I don't expect it. And from the prospective of expectations not being so lucid this season (IMO), we couldn't have started better.
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posted on 30/9/18
I think you can win the league. You have still some world class talent in Hazard, Kante, Kovacic, Jorginho and have other experienced title winners.
Sarri is also a likeable guy and if you can have trust in him he could be your Poch and Klopp type of manager.
posted on 30/9/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 30/9/18
Expectations are still the same. Top 4 finish is the most realistic thing I want/expect. City/Pool are a level above us and Spurs who haven’t really got going are only 2 points behind having had a tougher start.
If we had a top striker I’d be so much more confident on us putting in a title challenge.
posted on 30/9/18
That game pointed out our strengths and weaknesses so well
Strengths
Midfield
Hazard
Big game mentality (Luiz, Azpi)
Weaknesses
Average CF
Poor sub options
posted on 30/9/18
comment by King of the Bridge (U1319)
posted 5 hours, 21 minutes ago
Look at the players. We have a quality squad it just needed a am anger who wants to catch these players to play together rather than fight with them over twitter and txt messages. Our biggest weak link at the moment is Morata and Giroud are both very poor and Rudigar isn't all that. This new GK Kepa has shown he is amazing.
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WHAAAAT Rudiger is all that and more, you having a giraffe mate Kepa hasnt shown at all except one save yesterday, he doesnt come for crosses doent command his area. i think hes the worst keeper weve had in 15 years
posted on 30/9/18
Too early to say, with our reputation, but Sarri seems like a great fit for our squad. With Mourinho and Conte, it felt like they were fighting against the tide trying to win them over to their way of football. Sarriball is the attacking football they desired, with the tactical organisation which they have been drilled with for five seasons.
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Very true, could even included Benitez in that for a few players - Hazard, Luiz, Azpl, Moses
This season I'm much more interested in how we transition in attack and move the ball in possession as that's where the real evolution is, as like the say the defense aspects of the game Mourinho & Conte have covered with this squad. Saw yesterday, we know how to keep things compact when pinned in our own half.
If we continue working on the offensive movements of SarriBall (and so far so good) while remembering the fundamentals of those previous coaches + a few additions in key areas, we'll definitely be ready for a real title challenge next year.
posted on 1/10/18
great comments from you lot. Have been reading them over the weekend. It seems Sarri has even affected the mood on here, keep those articles coming boys
posted on 1/10/18
comment by King of the Bridge (U1319)
posted 23 hours, 29 minutes ago
Look at the players. We have a quality squad it just needed a am anger who wants to catch these players to play together rather than fight with them over twitter and txt messages. Our biggest weak link at the moment is Morata and Giroud are both very poor and Rudigar isn't all that. This new GK Kepa has shown he is amazing.
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Bit harsh on giroud and most notably rudiger, It took me a while as he was very raw but he has grown on me every game this year. Thought he was great on saturday.
What do you not like about him?