Realized something tonight. As soon as Gnabry scored his double I didn't feel deflated or underwhelmed what so ever, because as hopeful as I was before the game I knew this was the probable outcome even at first half. Wouldn't have mattered what Lampard did tonight, we simply aren't at that level to compete and that's the first time I've truly felt like that about us in the Champions League (including our 99-00 campaign).
I'm curious to know how many people would share the following view. Would you rather us finish between 2nd-4th knowing the prize is entry into a competition where we're out of our depth, or finish a bit lower where the consolation prize is entering a competition where we'd be one of the favorites?
I realize there's overwhelming arguments to finishing 4th and above from the business & long term squad building prospective, but what would you rather want if that wasn't a factor, a fan biased view? Personally watching us tonight felt fraudulent, weren't good enough to legitimately compete yet weren't enough of an underdog (by name association alone) to relish the occasion as special like Leicester will next season. I imagine Arsenal fans felt similarly in those Wenger years where they couldn't crack the last 16.
For me it's taken what little pressure finishing top 4 this season had completely off. If it's to be Europa instead, I'll enjoy watching us compete in a competition I know we can win
Is Top 4 Really Worth It?
posted on 25/2/20
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posted on 25/2/20
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posted on 25/2/20
The EPL has all of the money though so what is the reason behind this? Just throwing money at players and mangers not actually concentrating on the basics?
posted on 25/2/20
The Europa league is shiiit anyway until the semi finals pretty much. I’m not sure I can even remember who we played in the quarter finals last season.
The thing with the champions league is you can get far if you get lucky. Say we had won our group this year (which I think we would have if Barkley hadn’t missed the penalty against Valencia). Then I believe we would have ended up playing Atalanta instead of Bayern and we could win that tie and get to the quarter finals. There’s always a couple of average teams in the quarter finals (Liverpool played Porto last year I think). So if you don’t screw up your group like we did and then get lucky with the draws, you have a chance of getting far.
posted on 25/2/20
If the EPL has all the money then why do we pee our pants playing Barce, PSG,BM or Real Madrid,?
posted on 26/2/20
Can't agree with this.
As much as you might think Chelsea are currently miles off, the way a team plays can change massively over the course of a few months, more so if you have a few young players bedding in, a relatively new manager, and a transfer window in which to strengthen further.
Atlético and Liverpool are two recent examples of teams who a few months off the end of a season looked miles off challenging for the following season's CL only to go on and reach the final.
In both cases they were under a relatively new manager and neither squad looked anywhere near good enough to put in a serious bid for the trophy.
I rate Lampard a lot. He's a smart bloke, who's learning fast and who isn't afraid of making big selection decisions or in-game changes when he sees it running away from him.
You've got good young players at your disposal, an exciting new signing already announced for next season, a team bedding in with your new manager's approach ... if I were a Chelsea fan, I'd absolutely love to see this team having another go at it. However unlikely it might seem, the experience itself is always going to be an important contributor to giving the younger players more experience in the competition too.
posted on 26/2/20
Can't agree with this.
As much as you might think Chelsea are currently miles off, the way a team plays can change massively over the course of a few months, more so if you have a few young players bedding in, a relatively new manager, and a transfer window in which to strengthen further.
Atlético and Liverpool are two recent examples of teams who a few months off the end of a season looked miles off challenging for the following season's CL only to go on and reach the final.
In both cases they were under a relatively new manager and neither squad looked anywhere near good enough to put in a serious bid for the trophy.
I rate Lampard a lot. He's a smart bloke, who's learning fast and who isn't afraid of making big selection decisions or in-game changes when he sees it running away from him.
You've got good young players at your disposal, an exciting new signing already announced for next season, a team bedding in with your new manager's approach ... if I were a Chelsea fan, I'd absolutely love to see this team having another go at it. However unlikely it might seem, the experience itself is always going to be an important contributor to giving the younger players more experience in the competition too.
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Great post, completely agree with that viewpoint
It was the feeling for fraudulence I got that spurred this article last night, a sense of how powerfully we looked like we didn't belong on the pitch with a genuine CL contender. Never felt that as a Chelsea fan in Europe, ever, even in 99-00 when players like Maldini, Leonardo, Mancini, Nedved, Rivaldo, Figo & more all came to the Bridge.
Also what to stress it wasn't meant to be sour or defeatist in any way, simply to acknowledge where we are & state my preference for us to re-enter the Champions League again when we're ready & not before. If that happened to be next year via all the reasons you listed - fantastic.
posted on 26/2/20
jeezus h devil...what is this sorcery you preach
We need to be at the top table to entice the best players & play the best teams...the fackin Euromick sucks balls
you go away and think about your conduct lad
posted on 26/2/20
I've never looked at the Europa as worthless the way some do, but this was more to do with my respect for the Champions League than anything else.
Watching us last night was like watching England at any World Cup in my lifetime (minus the last one). Being 2nd best vs. better is one thing, but when you ask yourself the question what are we doing here that's something different.
posted on 26/2/20
Not sure last night was like England at world cups. Bar Germany in 2010, we are never outclassed like Chelsea were.