Lots of ability within this squad but also very unbalanced which makes it difficult to see how we can challenge City and Liverpool over 38 games. What improvements do we need to make with the squad? Do we cut our losses with Pulisic and Ziyech? When do we start demanding more from Havertz and Werner? Is there a future for CHO, Gilmour and Gallagher at Chelsea?
We got away with one big time today ! Our squad overall is very strong but we have a lot of players either injury prone (Pulisic, Ziyech) or not playing to the standard required (CHO, Werner, Havertz). Even though we've only conceded 3 i think our defence needs at least one more top class Centre- Half. We almost had Jules Kounde signed, so much so that Zouma was let go. He needs to be got in January big time. Probably being a bit harsh but i don't think CHO is good enough. If Bayern are still willing to take him for 40 mill i'd take it. The biggest disappointment for me so far is Havertz. His form in Germany was phenomenal and is still being talked about as the future of German football but we ain't seeing it yet. Hopefully this will come as we will need him if we're going to seriously challenge for the title. Would rather have seen Billy G going to a stronger team than Norwich. Needs to be back next season. Conor Gallagher not good enough for us imo.
I’ve lost patience with Lukaku. For what we paid, all the hype and promise, he’s just doing exactly what he did for us last time. Absolutely **** all. I really hope someone knows what theirs doing by signing him as it’s looking like a really stupid love at the moment.
Well the good news is we have 2 top goalkeepers now Kepa has regained confidence, but I think we might sell him anyway to recoup some funds, so we need to look at a 2nd Goalie. Dave won't go more than another season or 2, so we need to look for a right back, and with Rudi apparently asking for $400Gs a week, a left back as well !! If we got Kounde then Chalobah and Sarr and Reece James would go a long way to sorting that out with Christensen at the centre. Midfield is a mess I think, mainly because there are no goals from any of them, especially Jorginho and Kova. Firstly, bring back Gilmour. RLC is looking really good, but will struggle for games with Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante as favourites and playing well. Kante is just tops, but starting to have fitness problems. Pulisic is our "sick note", beating Spurs Darren Anderton for the title. He can go and Ziyech just doesn't seem to suit Audis' set up. Mount is off form but long term our top gun, CHO not good enough Werner not a striker and Havertz , like Ziyech, so far unable to lift as required. Lukaku has disappointed, but lack of service from mids is most of his problem, but we definitely need another proper striker. Long term we need to stay in front of things as there are always changes needed. Short term, we need a Kounde type, an absolutely baller Midfielder who can score, and we need a striker. That's 3, and that's the 3 we chased but didn't completely succeed in getting. We also need to lose CHO, Pulisic, Ziyech, Drinkwater and Barkley, and cash up for the short term incomers. Pretty much all our 1st 11 are very good players, but a couple just don't fire under our set up.
Havertz & Werner are a must keep, CHO is a must get rid, flatters to deceive same about Ziyech he has talent but rarely shows it. The two youngsters we need to be patient before shipping them out. P.S nice to see you back posting mate.
Disagree on Lukaku. The service into him has been poor for most games. Playing sidewards isn't suited to his game, we need to be more direct. He'd have 10 goals by now if he were in Liverpool's setup. I see what you mean but nobody will take CHO on those wages. I'd rather him given a run in his actual position then if no improvement is made we can cut our losses and say it hasn't worked. The others though I absolutely agree are a must get rid. Thanks mate it's great to be back and see the same faces still around. I really like Havertz, hugely talented and will definitely come good.
I just creamed my pants at the mention of his name. Ian Hutchinson he was my childhood hero, the windmill arms throw ins and that headed goal at Wembley in the FA Cup Final at wembley, 70/71 against Leeds, enormous talent, Osgood too Houseman, Webb, 1967 against Spurs as well seems only yesterday, memories I'll take to the grave.
Indeed, my favorite era. Beating Leeds in the final and winning the CWC surpassed anything we’ve done since. Pure exciting football.