Other Sports: Soccer/Football Thread Part Six

[BigToe]

I hate Chelsea

 

[Starat327]

I hate Chelsea

If its any consolation, I hate us too. And part of that is for the same reason you do, i presume.

 

[Appleyard]

Martinez gets the Portugal job... FFS.

Ruined the best generation of Belgian players ever...
now will do the same with maybe the deepest generation of Portuguese players ever too.

Yeah, there were rumors about Liverpool being interested in him too. I'm glad it didn't materialize. But I can see him moving in the summer.

I spent a semester at Hallam University. So I kind of adopted Sheffield United as one of my teams. That's how Valencia also became one of my teams when I was there for a few months. Sadly under Peter Lim they've become pretty much irrelevant now.

Nice! What year were you there out of interest? I was in the city from 2009-2011, then 2012-2013, then 2014-15 with undergrad and Masters.

Three of my friends from Manchester went to Hallam so was across the city a lot there.

 

[TCTC]

Martinez gets the Portugal job... FFS.

Ruined the best generation of Belgian players ever...
now will do the same with maybe the deepest generation of Portuguese players ever too.



Nice! What year were you there out of interest? I was in the city from 2009-2011, then 2012-2013, then 2014-15 with undergrad and Masters.

Three of my friends from Manchester went to Hallam so was across the city a lot there.

I was there in early 2011. Was part of an exchange program because of a partnership with my local university. Would've loved to stay longer, but unfortunately that wasn't possible.
Who knows, maybe we even met each other.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Yeah, for such a small club Brentford has done a really good job establishing themselves in the Premier League.

But I find Brighton more impressive. They're such a well-run club since Tony Bloom took over. Definitely one of the most exciting clubs in football right now. Their scouting department is on another level.
When they lost Potter to Chelsea people thought this would be the start of their decline. Instead they brought in De Zerbi and got even better. They look like a club that can do no wrong right now.
They have a pretty nice stadium too.

Great call. They are turning into the next Southampton.... well run, great scouting and development of young players.

I've had a soft spot for Sheffield United since I got to watch a few games at Bramall Lane. Great atmosphere. Hope they'll get promoted this year. Looks good so far.

Didn’t John Harkes score goal of the season while playing with them?

 

[PDX Flyer]

I'm already tempted to buy some hats.

Already have a Juventus one and now I'm looking at a couple from Bayern Munich and Dortmund.

I still have a Munich hat from when I was 12 so it should fit you

Sweet kits too.

And the yellow wall is f***ing awesome

 

[TCTC]

Great call. They are turning into the next Southampton.... well run, great scouting and development of young players.


Didn’t John Harkes score goal of the season while playing with them?

I had to google him tbh. But that was a great goal.

Was for their rivals Sheffield Wednesday though.

 

[Jack Straw]

I had to google him tbh. But that was a great goal.

Was for their rivals Sheffield Wednesday though.

 

[Appleyard]

I was there in early 2011. Was part of an exchange program because of a partnership with my local university. Would've loved to stay longer, but unfortunately that wasn't possible.
Who knows, maybe we even met each other.

That is such a coincidence.

I left for my Exchange year in September 2011... so was basically there all 2011. Living in Broomhill in the West of the City.

But was over near Hallam once a week partying and staying at friends aha.

If you ever went to The Leadmill we probably crossed paths aha.

 

[Striiker]

I still have a Munich hat from when I was 12 so it should fit you

That’s a second strike for you, pal.

I forgave the Brazil comment but now…

 

[TCTC]

That is such a coincidence.

I left for my Exchange year in September 2011... so was basically there all 2011. Living in Broomhill in the West of the City.

But was over near Hallam once a week partying and staying at friends aha.

If you ever went to The Leadmill we probably crossed paths aha.

I actually did go there a few times. Saw the Wombats there and Chapel Club. Great venue. I heard that it may have to close because of the pandemic. Is that true?

 

[Appleyard]

I actually did go there a few times. Saw the Wombats there and Chapel Club. Great venue. I heard that it may have to close because of the pandemic. Is that true?

With Leadmill the pandemic is not the problem...

the landlord is trying to wrestle it from the leasholders and keep the name and keep it as a music venue.

So it probably wont "go" but will be a corporate ran venue instead of independant.

Though there are rumours the landlord will actually sell it off for corporate space and are just saying will keep venue to avoid uproar.

And yeh, amazing venue.

 

[PDX Flyer]

I had to google him tbh. But that was a great goal.

Was for their rivals Sheffield Wednesday though.

Nice find! Knew it was one of the Sheffield’s.... Harkes was is the group that made USA relevant on the global stage

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Starat327]

Its a defense mechanism. And its all i have to cling to these days.

 

[Starat327]

@BigToe Who is that #11 out there? (please dont tell me our league position, bb. i know were close) <3

 

[BigToe]

@BigToe Who is that #11 out there? (please dont tell me our league position, bb. i know were close) <3

Seems like we weren’t realistically in on it unless the price tag came down anyway. As long as you guys don’t snipe Mudryk I won’t really care.

 

[Starat327]

Seems like we weren’t realistically in on it unless the price tag came down anyway. As long as you guys don’t snipe Mudryk I won’t really care.

Mudryk appears to be an agent-driven thing to get you to stump up the cash. "reliable" chelsea reporters are saying there hasnt been any mention of real interested - especially at that price. Our forwards arent performing well, but they aren't terrible (especially when you consider Nkunku is already done and will be here next year). If were spending 80M, it needs to be on a midfielder, not another forward.

Not like this, Willian.

 

[BigToe]

Mudryk appears to be an agent-driven thing to get you to stump up the cash. "reliable" chelsea reporters are saying there hasnt been any mention of real interested - especially at that price. Our forwards arent performing well, but they aren't terrible (especially when you consider Nkunku is already done and will be here next year). If were spending 80M, it needs to be on a midfielder, not another forward.

Not like this, Willian.

How you holding up over there, Stat?

 

[TCTC]

 

[Starat327]

How you holding up over there, Stat?

Honestly? I'm kinda in the whatever crowd at this point. At the risk of sounding like a defeatist, with Zakaria going down in this game (As well as news that Pulisic is out for MONTHS and Sterling "several weeks"), this season is shot.

Do i think they could play better than they are? Absolutely. Do i think they have the quality to be a top 4 side when everyones healthy? Yes. But with starting wingbacks down for multiple months, our best midfielder still out on injury, we really dont have much of a chance at top 6, let alone top 4.

The reason I wasnt in favor of the Felix loan is because it doesnt really do anything for us. We wont be bad enough to be relegated, and Felix wont push us to top 4. I was content to ride this season out, let Hutchinson get some game time, play Lewis Hall and Bashir Humphreys at LB/RB to see if we can utilize them next year as cover in those roles or if we need to buy in those positions again or not. USe this season to see what you have and make smart buying decisions instead of spending 65M on someone like Cucarella again (who, honestly, may be a worse signing than Lukaku).

I was looking at some stuff the other day, and i was amazed to find out that our last midfield signing was Matteo Kovacic almost 5 years ago. We let the midfield age without any reinforcements, and it shows. We get eaten alive in mid-park and we get no service to the end. The way I see it, we're basically at the beginning stages of what Arsenal did a few years back -- we just have some really expensive, useless signings to start it off with (Cucarella, Koulibaly, etc).

 

[PDX Flyer]

Honestly? I'm kinda in the whatever crowd at this point. At the risk of sounding like a defeatist, with Zakaria going down in this game (As well as news that Pulisic is out for MONTHS and Sterling "several weeks"), this season is shot.

Do i think they could play better than they are? Absolutely. Do i think they have the quality to be a top 4 side when everyones healthy? Yes. But with starting wingbacks down for multiple months, our best midfielder still out on injury, we really dont have much of a chance at top 6, let alone top 4.

The reason I wasnt in favor of the Felix loan is because it doesnt really do anything for us. We wont be bad enough to be relegated, and Felix wont push us to top 4. I was content to ride this season out, let Hutchinson get some game time, play Lewis Hall and Bashir Humphreys at LB/RB to see if we can utilize them next year as cover in those roles or if we need to buy in those positions again or not. USe this season to see what you have and make smart buying decisions instead of spending 65M on someone like Cucarella again (who, honestly, may be a worse signing than Lukaku).

I was looking at some stuff the other day, and i was amazed to find out that our last midfield signing was Matteo Kovacic almost 5 years ago. We let the midfield age without any reinforcements, and it shows. We get eaten alive in mid-park and we get no service to the end. The way I see it, we're basically at the beginning stages of what Arsenal did a few years back -- we just have some really expensive, useless signings to start it off with (Cucarella, Koulibaly, etc).

Felix was the only player that did anything offensively if that helps. Shows how desperate Potter is to put him out there so fast.

Potter looks so lost when they show him on tv. Can’t believe his first big signing was 65 mil for Cucarella. I almost fell over when my. Friend told me that. He also said a lot of their best academy players are out on loan. Think they start recalling players?

 

[Starat327]

Felix was the only player that did anything offensively if that helps. Shows how desperate Potter is to put him out there so fast.

Potter looks so lost when they show him on tv. Can’t believe his first big signing was 65 mil for Cucarella. I almost fell over when my. Friend told me that. He also said a lot of their best academy players are out on loan. Think they start recalling players?

Felix is good - i dont mind the player. He just wont change our overall fortunes this year, thats all. He definitely looked like he was ready to roll out of the gate, and i'm hoping that when he comes back in 3 games, he looks the same. Guess we'll see. That said, its very easy to be that desperate right now.

Senior First Team forwards injured:
Broja, Sterling, Pulisic,

First Team forwards available last night:
Felix, Havertz, Mount (though should be a MF), Aubameyang, Ziyech'

Tchnically they had new signing Fofana and u23 Hutchinson available to them as well.

He really didnt have a choice but to use him, especially since Auba is rumored to be dealing with a back injury.

Cucarella wasn't Potter's signing. He was more the board's/Tuchel's signing, if the 'beat' writers are to be believed. Tuchel was convined he could make him a LCB in a back 3, and the board basically reacted to City's interest and went out and got him. He certainly played for Potter at Brighton, and thus, should be one of the more comfortable players in the squad, but... meh. We overpaid for a middling player is what it comes down to, no matter who it was that wanted him.

We dont really hav much on loan that'll help at this stage. Levi Colwill is probably our 'best' loan player, and hes a CB/LCB at Brighton. with the Purchase of Badiashile, i imagine he doesnt get recalled (and i dont even think they have a clause where they can, i think it was a guaranteed full year deal with Brighton).

If available, i could seem them recall Ian Maatsen as cover for Reece James, but its a tricky one. Maatsen looks tremendous at Burnley. If hes going to come back, he needs to play, and unless James gets hurt again, he wont. Better off using Bashir Humphreys as his cover (Or Azpilicueta) if were looking towards the future.

Most of their players at Hull who were expected to be good loans fell short, but Hull is also a mess right now, so it hard to gauge. Tino Anjorin may make some sense if they're going to play him in midfield, but again, theyd need to commit to not playing Jorginho (who should walk at year end) or Gallagher/Chukuwuemeka in that position (especially with Kante presumed back in Feb). I just dont see how bringing back anyone from loan really helps.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Felix is good - i dont mind the player. He just wont change our overall fortunes this year, thats all. He definitely looked like he was ready to roll out of the gate, and i'm hoping that when he comes back in 3 games, he looks the same. Guess we'll see. That said, its very easy to be that desperate right now.

Senior First Team forwards injured:
Broja, Sterling, Pulisic,

First Team forwards available last night:
Felix, Havertz, Mount (though should be a MF), Aubameyang, Ziyech'

Tchnically they had new signing Fofana and u23 Hutchinson available to them as well.

He really didnt have a choice but to use him, especially since Auba is rumored to be dealing with a back injury.

Cucarella wasn't Potter's signing. He was more the board's/Tuchel's signing, if the 'beat' writers are to be believed. Tuchel was convined he could make him a LCB in a back 3, and the board basically reacted to City's interest and went out and got him. He certainly played for Potter at Brighton, and thus, should be one of the more comfortable players in the squad, but... meh. We overpaid for a middling player is what it comes down to, no matter who it was that wanted him.

We dont really hav much on loan that'll help at this stage. Levi Colwill is probably our 'best' loan player, and hes a CB/LCB at Brighton. with the Purchase of Badiashile, i imagine he doesnt get recalled (and i dont even think they have a clause where they can, i think it was a guaranteed full year deal with Brighton).

If available, i could seem them recall Ian Maatsen as cover for Reece James, but its a tricky one. Maatsen looks tremendous at Burnley. If hes going to come back, he needs to play, and unless James gets hurt again, he wont. Better off using Bashir Humphreys as his cover (Or Azpilicueta) if were looking towards the future.

Most of their players at Hull who were expected to be good loans fell short, but Hull is also a mess right now, so it hard to gauge. Tino Anjorin may make some sense if they're going to play him in midfield, but again, theyd need to commit to not playing Jorginho (who should walk at year end) or Gallagher/Chukuwuemeka in that position (especially with Kante presumed back in Feb). I just dont see how bringing back anyone from loan really helps.

Three games....that is the standard for a straight red? Ouch. Couldn’t remember the exact discipline. In fairness to Felix, it was a straight red but don’t think it was malicious rather a circumstance of the play.

Obviously my Chelsea info is coming from my buddy and really don’t have a clue but those injuries are brutal. The club was going to pivot with new ownership and those injuries just make the job so much harder.

Watch them go on and win the Champions League

 

[Starat327]

Three games....that is the standard for a straight red? Ouch. Couldn’t remember the exact discipline. In fairness to Felix, it was a straight red but don’t think it was malicious rather a circumstance of the play.

Obviously my Chelsea info is coming from my buddy and really don’t have a clue but those injuries are brutal. The club was going to pivot with new ownership and those injuries just make the job so much harder.

Watch them go on and win the Champions League

Yeah, I can't argue the red, but you can definitely see him attempt to pull out of the tackle. Pulls both of his legs back in as he gets close to making contact, with knees bent, etc. Had he kept straight-legged, that would have been ugly. OverZealous, is what it is. They may try to appeal it but I dont think they'll get anywhere.

I have no problem saying it - this team was barely good enough for top 4 before the injuries, so my expectations were pretty low. The midfield is ancient( by footballing standards), and once we canned Tuchel, it was almost a guaranteed top 6 finish vs Top 4, just because of new manager, new ideas, etc.

Chelsea's problem has been that most of their offense actually comes through their wing backs, and they rely on their defensive mid to turn play in transition. With Reece James, Ben Chillwell and NGolo Kante all out, we really just dont have a shot. We had the exact same thing happen last year when all three were out, and we did nothing to address the situation since, so we're getting similar results.

The squad is due for a massive overhaul, which is shocking to say given how much they spent this summer. Unfortunately, they spent a large amount of it in the wrong areas. Its going to get worse before it gets better, and Chelsea are going to spend a good amount of money to get there. I wouldnt be surpriused to see as many as 6-8 first teamers leave between now and the summer, headlined by people like Jorginho, Pulisic, Ziyech, and even Koulibaly (yes, just one year on from his purchase).