Chelsea 2013-2014: Insufferable & Unsuccessful but Better than Arsenal

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mgoblue2

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Barkley hasn't played much in a holding role, he's good defensively but I just don't know if he can hold up defensively against the City and Liverpool attacks. I can see him playing that role possibly for Everton if Barry doesn't sign and Martinez picks up a more forward thinking No. 10.

As for value it's pretty even but at the same time the club would have to hear a pretty crazy offer to unload Barkley, Coleman, or anyone else the papers link. They're in their best financial position in years.
 

soxfan121

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All five of Chelsea's league losses this year have come before a mid-week Champion's League game. 
 
SPECULATION
Jose doesn't have a bonus in his contract for winning the BPL this year, but does have a big one for winning the CL.
/SPECULATION
 

Snakebauer007

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I never got to see the PSG match(so I can't comment), been on vacation in the Bahamas, and I still think there is plenty of hope there but today was encouraging. Especially seeing Salah score on his full debut, and Willian scoring(as that is the area needing most improvement for him).

Super Frank gets his 250th, what an achievement, what a player. This is probably his last season in blue, and though his skills have diminished, the Club will not be the same without him.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Is there history between Martin Tyler and John Terry?  Tyler seems to enjoy getting in little digs when he can -- subtle and almost imperceptible until you start to notice them.
 
I actually used to like the Jose Mourniho post-Champions League goal touchline sprint experience...but when he sprints to the corner flag so he can bark tactical instructions in his players' ears and wave fingers in their faces, about 60 yards away from his technical area, methinks he's crossed several lines.
 

soxfan121

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JayMags71 said:
John Terry has a history with everyone.
 
That's almost British in its understatement. Ever-so-slight-doff-of-the-cap to you, good sir.
 

Snakebauer007

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The Mourinho sideline run wasn't one of his classic celebratory sprints, he was pulling guys off the pile shouting instructions in there ears to make the tactical changes from the formation we had been playing: 4-Luiz-everyone forward, in any event, who cares? What a glorious victory, one of the greatest I have watched, up there with The two barca ties(2005 and 2012)
 

tmracht

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Yeah I remember the 2005 tie, I had an Exam at 6pm, we were "studying" in the student union, only I was just streaming the match. Didn't do much studying that afternoon.  But yeah this was high high up there.  
 

Snakebauer007

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Could very well win a huge double this season or just as easily(more so) win nothing. Either way the team has definitely exceeded my season expectations. What a job Mourinho has done in such a short time shaping the squad into his usual team first mindset. Give him another window to subtract and add players and look out. How are we doing this without a striker?
 

soxfan121

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Because you have the best collection of attacking midfielders on the planet. Even after Mourinho decided to freeze out and sell Mata. 
 

mabrowndog

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theapportioner said:
Jozy Altidore actually did something.
 
Such a bullshit penalty call. He clearly stepped into the defender, who was already sliding away from him and did nothing to take him down. I'm far from a hardcore football fan, and the flopping and theatrics are a big reason why I can't get into it more.
 
That and the whole arbitrary extra time thing. Five extra minutes were announced, whistle blows after 6:45.
 

SoxFanInPdx

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mabrowndog said:
 
Such a bullshit penalty call. He clearly stepped into the defender, who was already sliding away from him and did nothing to take him down. I'm far from a hardcore football fan, and the flopping and theatrics are a big reason why I can't get into it more.
 
That and the whole arbitrary extra time thing. Five extra minutes were announced, whistle blows after 6:45.
 
Looked like a penalty in real time to me and it was. When a defender goes to ground like that in the penalty area and doesn't win the ball, you're asking for trouble. 
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Had to be a penalty. Rash (ground in the box) challenge, no ball AND clearly got the man. No other way to call it.
 

Snakebauer007

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https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/6793C377711069366154348367872_26cbb1778f4.0.2.16098048815224077981.mp4?versionId=v1eCeAwOQRzoou2FrKf7WFBpopWU7Alt

No way, no how

anyways,
Here's a list of all our losses this season in all comps:

Everton Away Premier League
Basel Home Champions League
Newcastle Away Premier League
Basel Away Champions League
Stoke Away Premier League
Man. City Away FA Cup
Aston Villa Away Premier League
C. Palace Away Premier League
Sunderland Home Premier League

Lots of uncharacteristic poor performances against teams that we usually handle under Jose, different team and all that, but still.
 

Snakebauer007

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Cesar slides straight ahead for the standard block a cross on the goal line challenge, Jozy steps into his path, and if there is any contact at all, it would be him stepping on the defender, that cannot be a penalty.

In any event we could have played the entire 2nd half down a man if anyone saw Ramires throw an elbow, what the hell happened to him?
 

DLew On Roids

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It's a tough call all around. Altidore looks like he's putting a foot out to cut toward the ball, right where Azpilicueta is sliding. At the same time, the ball is probably gone, but in any event there's very little chance there will be a chance generated. It's probably a foul with a strict reading of the rules, but if I'm the ref, I probably let it go because the defense gained no advantage.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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soxfan121

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Snakebauer007 said:
http://thechels.net/2014/04/how-many-will-play-for-the-first-team-though/

A nice take on the Chelsea youth system and some honest to the point questions.

On a side note, Chelsea youngsters made their 3rd straight FA youth Cup final

First team plays tomorrow too, I think
 
I understand why the article features such fawning adoration but it is difficult to wade through for someone without Blue-colored glasses. 
 
That said, what Chelsea is doing is really interesting. I have no doubt that whomever conceived the Courtois-to-Atletico move three years ago deserves a raise. Courtois will take over for Cech (at some point) and Courtois will do so having lots of CL/top-flight experience. Frankly, I think there might be a problem if Courtois goes to Brazil and emerges as Belgium's #1 reason for a long run in the tournament - Cech is a club legend and only one goalie can play. But it is definitely one of those "nice to have" problems, right?
 
As for Lukaku, I don't think he'd have had the same season had he stayed at Chelsea. He's been clearly the first choice guy at Everton and their run has given him invaluable experience in a "title chase". I disagree with the article writer that Lukaku won't be around next season though; first, he'll be homegrown for CL roster purposes and second, Jose is going to dump every striker he has and Lukaku as a #2 would be useful (so long as #1 stays healthy and productive). 
 
I kinda wish the article spent more time on what Chelsea has done with Vitesse as well as looking at the potential profits they can realize by buying teens, developing them elsewhere and then turning a profit when they are deemed to not be good enough for Chelsea's squad. Matic is an interesting case study here, although one you can argue Chelsea flubbed by not having a buy-back negotiated with Benfica when he left. Matic spent time at Vitesse and certainly improved his game there and now is featuring prominently in the first team. That there was a sale and "managerial philosophy change" (or five) in between is irrelevant to the point of the article - Chelsea's buy & develop strategy is working for them. That it also helps them with FFP regulations is also great for the team. There will eventually be a lot of micro-profit sales of these guys who come in at 16 or 17, spend the time out on loan, develop and then get sold elsewhere with buy-backs in case they blossom elsewhere.
 
99% of these guys won't see first team duty with Chelsea. But given the changes to the financial landscape, their strategy should be applauded.
 

DLew On Roids

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Cech is a big loss if he's out Saturday, but not having to worry about picking Terry against Liverpool's whirlwind attackers might be a good thing for Jose.  Cahill and Luiz are far better equipped to handle Suarez, Sterling, and (maybe) Sturridge.  You'd miss Terry on set pieces, though.
 

SoxFanInCali

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Chelsea have played 5 Champions League semifinal games under Mourinho.  The scores were 0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-1, and 0-0.  1 goal scored, 2 conceded in over 480 minutes of football.
 
That said, can't complain about a scoreless away draw when you've got the second leg at home.
 

Snakebauer007

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DLew On Roids said:
Cech is a big loss if he's out Saturday, but not having to worry about picking Terry against Liverpool's whirlwind attackers might be a good thing for Jose.  Cahill and Luiz are far better equipped to handle Suarez, Sterling, and (maybe) Sturridge.  You'd miss Terry on set pieces, though.
Can't agree with this at all, Terry and Cahill have been the best CB pairing on earth this season, hasn't really mattered who the opposition is, Luiz has been permanently moved to midfield for a reason.

Cech done for the season, not good...
 

DLew On Roids

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Snakebauer007 said:
Can't agree with this at all, Terry and Cahill have been the best CB pairing on earth this season, hasn't really mattered who the opposition is, Luiz has been permanently moved to midfield for a reason.

Cech done for the season, not good...
If only you had a decent keeper on the books...

I understand moving Luiz to midfield, considering he has the tactical discipline of...OK, Steven Gerrard. But you won't need that on Sunday nearly as much as mobility. If this were a CL tie where Jose could park the bus, OK, play deep and Terry's lack of mobility isn't an issue. But it's win or it's over; you have to press, which means Terry would have to cover a lot of real estate against the fastest attackers in the EPL.
 

Snakebauer007

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A tougher than normal assignment for sure but Chelsea have been using a high line and pressing game almost exclusives this season and JT and Cahill hAve been impeccable. Switching him out(assuming he was fit) for Luiz would be madness
 

Snakebauer007

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DLew On Roids said:
Then Ivanovic. Point being that the weakness in Terry's game is especially challenging for Chelsea given the opponent and situation.
Ivanovich hasn't played centerback once this season. And the last time he played Centerback against Liverpool, Suarez torched him for two goals. JT has always been slow, forever. Liverpool would not be the first team with pacey attackers he has gone up against in his 15 or what ever seasons at Chelsea. You don't sit your best defender, who very well might be the League's best defender this season, for any "matchup reason" ever.
 

DLew On Roids

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Snakebauer007 said:
Ivanovich hasn't played centerback once this season. And the last time he played Centerback against Liverpool, Suarez torched him for two goals. JT has always been slow, forever. Liverpool would not be the first team with pacey attackers he has gone up against in his 15 or what ever seasons at Chelsea. You don't sit your best defender, who very well might be the League's best defender this season, for any "matchup reason" ever.
Don't ever change.  
 
 
Incidentally, how could you pass up the chance to say that Suarez ate him alive?  
 
I know there's no convincing you, but the list of central defenders I'd take over Terry this year includes Cahill, Caulker, Shawcross, Skrtel, Koscielny, and Mertesacker (I just lost all the Arsenal fans, but whatever).  Some of it would be contextual, because Terry is also a coach on the pitch, so I think Chelsea is much better on set pieces when he's out there.  If you had someone to handle that role, I'd take all of those guys.
 
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