I agree. I would say 8 or 9. Getting Sandro makes it a 10. That 8 or 9 number does assume that we at least get a capable backup at the wingback spots. Azpi COULD deputize at RWB but we need a naturally left footed player not named Pedro to be able to push and possibly spell Alonso.
Zouma to stoke on loan official. Good loan for everyone involved. He also signed a 6 year contract extension before leaving so he is either seen as a part of our future or we have at least given ourselves plenty of leverage on transfer talks down the road.
Michy is the GOAT, but who are the other good Chelsea twitter follows? (AKA not guys like Fabregas who just tweets promo and shit)
There is a good British stream from itv on soccerstreams.net if you guys need it. Chelsea tv completely crashed.
obviously pumped for Morata and we needed him, but I'm quietly excited for Michy getting more time next season.
Didn't look good. Probably won't play in the next match but might give boga another chance to impress which I'm ok with.
I dont know I think Rudiger with the umlet on the U is top tier soccer hipster if I was going that direction.
Big conte interview. Worth reading. Opens up a tad on thoughts this summer, costa, transfers and future build of squad. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is feeling rebooted ahead of new season http://dailym.ai/2uTxqIB
Pedro now has fractured bones in his face. Best case sounds like community shield with a mask. Seems like wearing a mask is part of the deal in becoming a long standing part of the Chelsea core. On a serious note I am a bit concerned about our attacking options at this point. Conte is quoted as discussing the possibility of cesc being deployed as a number 10 this year. I wonder if that means we would run a 3-5-2 but with cesc playing off 2 strikers and still maintaining our same 2 man midfield. Conte still beating the drum for new signings so we will see how that goes. We have a difficult start to the season so we cannot afford to click on 8 games in like last year. Can't play badly and get points like we did early on before Liverpool/Arsenal games last season.
At the rate our players suffer facial injuries, in a few years we'll be able to debate who should be included in our best masked XI.
I bought a custom one with my name 3 weeks ago when I toured the stadium. Definitely going to have to get a morata one now I think. Stadium tour was awesome BTW I'll load some pics after I get back from some work travel
Defense in shambles. Should be 4-0. James missed a sitter although the first goal was weak on courtois and the third a great long range shot by mueller. Starting D except Christensen for luiz so it's easy for people not watching to blame christsensen but cahill and especially Alonso (even with his goal) have been incredibly poor. Alonso thought he was a left winger the first 30 min of the game and Cahill has failed closing people down numerous times. Azpi very poor on the second goal before the cross to Cahill/Alonso's guy unmarked. I will say thought that the center defender has leadership needs that maybe christsensen is not fulfilling. Might be better off having luiz in the middle of christsensen and Azpi.
Should be 4-0 again. James in the box and Alonso didn't even bother going after the ball. Free header he just missed it. All Alonso's fault. Conte is furious at Alonso yelling at him as he takes a throw in.
wirh injuries to Pedro and hazard I like that morata and Michy are getting minutes together. Even if hazard is fit earlier than we think I am not sure he will be able to play EPL/champions league both each week when we get into that part of the year. We will need the others to pick up slack.
The good: team got smacked but fought back and made it a game instead of laying down. Extended runs with 1st team players for boga and christsensen Another goal from Michy. He doesn't do everything conte wants from the guy playing up top but he continues to score. Could be used as a super sub and occasional starter very similar to morata at Real Madrid last year The bad: Cahill/Alonso combo down the left hand side torn to pieces. This is Alonso's first preseason with conte and he just looks exhausted. Cahill is his usual self. Great at late blocks and set pieces but poor when isolated in space. Alonso just laid him out to dry. I don't think christsensen was great at organizing the D but Alonso was way too far upfield and the biggest reason we lost. Midfield 2 with cesc won't work against big clubs, even with kante next to him. That said cesc will have a role on this team. With bakayako injured we need either Lewis baker to step up/gain conte's trust or we need another CM. Boga made a few flash plays but people got far too excited over the last game. He isn't ready. He flashed though and has potential. Just needs to play. Important to get him a good loan. Wish musonda was healthy. I think he is still a bit raw as well but I think he has more potential and he is better currently. If one of them doesn't step up we need another forward or a switch or formation to play more 3-5-2 which means more midfielders.
And the Chinese are up in arms. They are a lot less tolerant of a dumb, young player saying something dumb than the rest of the civilized world is. Their state run newspapers went IN ok Kenedy and even the club. I hope it doesn't hurt us commercially in china. Could end up making his tour almost useless.
#Swansea Who are you guys look at if gylfi makes the likely big money move to Everton? Would love for you guys to get another playmaker to help out. Excited to watch Tammy Abraham week in and week out. Seems like he is the most likely player to break the Chelsea academy curse.
The names that have been out there were Jonathan Viera from Las Palmas, Nacer Chadli, and Jack Wilshere. The Viera thing looks like it isn't going to happen and the Wilshere talk was probably never founded in reality. On the team right now, my guess would be Jordan Ayew slips into that role if the move comes late in the window. Maybe Fer. It kinda sucks the not knowing. It would have been nice if we were able to sign Chalobah, but I don't blame him for going someplace he felt comfortable. Are you guys going to buy Llorente or not?
For those that don't know British media does a press conference with coaches and then a second press conference for "print" media that they cannot release anything until a certain time. Looks like conte made some interesting comments that will come out at 10:30 GMT (5:30 eastern)
Yea I saw that what a fucking joke. He deserves all the shit the Chelsea crazies on twitter throw his way