Other Sports: Soccer/Football Thread Part Six

[Appleyard]

The decline of Leicester City is remarkable. They were one point away from finishing in the top 4 only two years ago.
Now they have one foot in the Championship.

Even last year they were pretty damn solid and came 8th, won the Community Shield and were only 4 points off Europe.

Have a great group of midfielders too with Ndidi, Barnes, Maddison and Tielemans.
The defence is solid too with Castagne, Amartey and Faes all being good players. (I do think the ostracisation of Söyüncü after a few bad games also helped them go down... he has been a very good player for a while but fell out of favour.)

But the combination of aging players who were massively relied on in the past (Vardy, Evans, Albrighton) falling off a cliff or leaving (Schmeichel).
The lack of good attacking options (Vardy is done, Daka an expensive transfer disaster, Iheanacho the best of the bunch but an average Prem striker who is better as the guy sitting deeper setting up a true #9).
And AWFUL goalkeepers in Ward and Iversen. (-7.3 Expected goals against)

got them relegated. Tbh they would not have been relegated if they had simply brought in a half decent keeper instead of thinking Ward could do a job. Seriously doubt he is one of the best 100 goalies in the British Isles and should be in League One or something.

 

[Appleyard]

Hard to believe that the guy has played for Leicester and ManUtd that last 6 years and the only thing he's won was the Carabao Cup this year.

But tbf, Leicester's defense is so bad, he would probably be an upgrade for them.

Tbf I dont think the defence is thaaat bad.

Castagne, Amartey and Faes are all good players.

I think Ward just made the whole team defence look bad most of the year. Guy is a comedy show in net.

They were 13th in Expected Goals For.
They were 12th in Expected Goals Against.
And 12th in Expected Points.

But might well finish the season 20th in Goals Against! (18th right now)

 

[TCTC]

Even last year they were pretty damn solid and came 8th, won the Community Shield and were only 4 points off Europe.

Have a great group of midfielders too with Ndidi, Barnes, Maddison and Tielemans.
The defence is solid too with Castagne, Amartey and Faes all being good players. (I do think the ostracisation of Söyüncü after a few bad games also helped them go down... he has been a very good player for a while but fell out of favour.)

But the combination of aging players who were massively relied on in the past (Vardy, Evans, Albrighton) falling off a cliff or leaving (Schmeichel).
The lack of good attacking options (Vardy is done, Daka an expensive transfer disaster, Iheanacho the best of the bunch but an average Prem striker who is better as the guy sitting deeper setting up a true #9).
And AWFUL goalkeepers in Ward and Iversen. (-7.3 Expected goals against)

got them relegated. Tbh they would not have been relegated if they had simply brought in a half decent keeper instead of thinking Ward could do a job. Seriously doubt he is one of the best 100 goalies in the British Isles and should be in League One or something.

Tbf, they're not relegated yet. The point they got today and their goal differential could be a difference maker.
If they beat West Ham and Everton only gets a point against Bournemouth, that would be enough.

I think Leeds are done. They're going down this year. And I'm fine with it because I hate Leeds lol.

 

[Starat327]

I'm more disappointed in the expected outcome of Mount/Chelsea than any human really should be.

 

[PDX Flyer]

I'm more disappointed in the expected outcome of Mount/Chelsea than any human really should be.

Has he been injured or just pushed out because all the new signings play his position?

 

[Starat327]

Has he been injured or just pushed out because all the new signings play his position?

Injured, played a lot when he could. Caught flak because he wasn't a 10/10 player again this season, but loterally noone on the team was.

He supposedly wants more money than Reece, but doesn't want to sign for the same term. I understand not wanting to tie yourself to Chelsea currently for 7 years, but the flip side of that (if you want to stay) is you have to sacrifice some money for thay flexibility. Really hoping Poch can convince him to stay, but at the same time, we can't afford to take thay financial risk. He signs early this summer or he's gone.

If his preferred destination is United as rumored, I don't understand the draw. United forwards are just as packed (with a striker coming in), and he would realistically play in the same spot as Bruno in midfield, who he isn't starting over.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Injured, played a lot when he could. Caught flak because he wasn't a 10/10 player again this season, but loterally noone on the team was.

He supposedly wants more money than Reece, but doesn't want to sign for the same term. I understand not wanting to tie yourself to Chelsea currently for 7 years, but the flip side of that (if you want to stay) is you have to sacrifice some money for thay flexibility. Really hoping Poch can convince him to stay, but at the same time, we can't afford to take thay financial risk. He signs early this summer or he's gone.

If his preferred destination is United as rumored, I don't understand the draw. United forwards are just as packed (with a striker coming in), and he would realistically play in the same spot as Bruno in midfield, who he isn't starting over.

Yeah I’m not sure I’d want to sign a contract with crazy term either. Contracts are different for soccer and a player of his caliber has a lot of leverage. Signing a long term contract then falling out of favor or losing form makes it hard to move also. See Maguire aha.

Not sure I see the logic behind United either. They would be better off investing in a replacement for Casamero. Like you said, he isn’t taking Bruno out.

 

[Starat327]

Yeah I’m not sure I’d want to sign a contract with crazy term either. Contracts are different for soccer and a player of his caliber has a lot of leverage. Signing a long term contract then falling out of favor or losing form makes it hard to move also. See Maguire aha.

Not sure I see the logic behind United either. They would be better off investing in a replacement for Casamero. Like you said, he isn’t taking Bruno out.

There's the obvious "willing to pay" and CL football this year, but from a line up perspective... just not sure it makes sense.

Guess we'll know Sunday if/when he comes on as a 90th minute sub.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Fun stat for you, @Starat327: Chelsea has 36 goals in 36 games this year. Only three times in their history have they scored at a goal per game clip or worse...

1921/22 - 40 goals in 42 games
1923/24 - 31 goals in 42 games (relegated to Division 2)
1974/75 - 42 goals in 42 games (relegated to Division 2)

 

[Starat327]

Fun stat for you, @Starat327: Chelsea has 36 goals in 36 games this year. Only three times in their history have they scored at a goal per game clip or worse...

1921/22 - 40 goals in 42 games
1923/24 - 31 goals in 42 games (relegated to Division 2)
1974/75 - 42 goals in 42 games (relegated to Division 2)

Yup. This us pur worst season in history. The only thing that's keeping us up is the fact that we have a fantastic defensive record (despite our w/l)

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Yup. This us pur worst season in history. The only thing that's keeping us up is the fact that we have a fantastic defensive record (despite our w/l)

I'd say a season where you're relegated would be worse than this, but to each his own.

 

[PDX Flyer]

I'd say a season where you're relegated would be worse than this, but to each his own.

I wasn’t around for it but can you imagine being a United fan when Law scored the goal for City to send them down?

 

[Starat327]

I'd say a season where you're relegated would be worse than this, but to each his own.

Meh. It was different game then and quite honestly, we didn't have expectations. It hurts more when you spend the money we spend and finish as the worst team in West London. That doesn't happen often.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Meh. It was different game then and quite honestly, we didn't have expectations. It hurts more when you spend the money we spend and finish as the worst team in West London. That doesn't happen often.

Ooff.... they let Martial score. That defense must already be in golf mode

 

[Starat327]

Ooff.... they let Martial score. That defense must already be in golf mode

Look, I'm not watching so I'm not making excuses but... we didn't exactly play Hall-Xhalobah-fofana-azpi this year.

Thats quite loterally 4th choice, 3rd choice, first choice, 3rd choice at each position in D.

 

[TCTC]

Chelsea hijacking the Mudryk deal was a blessing in disguise. He looks so bad. Completely out of his depth.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Look, I'm not watching so I'm not making excuses but... we didn't exactly play Hall-Xhalobah-fofana-azpi this year.

Thats quite loterally 4th choice, 3rd choice, first choice, 3rd choice at each position in D.

I was trying to knock Martial. I know how good that Chelsea First team D was.

 

[Starat327]

I was trying to knock Martial. I know how good that Chelsea First team D was.

Funny how the 1st choice player seemingly had the worst game.

Lewis Hall is gonna be a baller, man.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Funny how the 1st choice player seemingly had the worst game.

Lewis Hall is gonna be a baller, man.

Yeah I like Hall. He has looked really good the couple times I caught him. Just got out of work and watching the game now.

Hall just needs to learn to get his shot off quicker on that back stick but looks to a really good wingback.

 

[Starat327]

Yeah I like Hall. He has looked really good the couple times I caught him. Just got out of work and watching the game now.

Hall just needs to learn to get his shot off quicker on that back stick but looks to a really good wingback.

Best part is he's not even a LB by trade. CAM playing as a LWB and doesn't look out of place(mostly).

 

[PDX Flyer]

Best part is he's not even a LB by trade. CAM playing as a LWB and doesn't look out of place(mostly).

Today he was the left side of a back three . Did his job well but you tell he wants to go forward.

 

[Starat327]

Today he was the left side of a back three . Did his job well but you tell he wants to go forward.

 

[Striiker]

Very nervous

I’ve been conditioned to expect sports to hurt me. Good things never happen.

 

[PDX Flyer]

Best part is he's not even a LB by trade. CAM playing as a LWB and doesn't look out of place(mostly).

He had a couple great crosses early on that the Chelsea forwards completely biffed on

 

[Jack Straw]

Very nervous

I’ve been conditioned to expect sports to hurt me. Good things never happen.