I’m a little more bullish on Spurs because they have more stars and I think probably better at a few key positions but definitely seems like it will be a tough battle for 3-6. (I think I had Spurs likely 3rd in my mind.). But let’s be honest - Chelsea in 3rd also wouldn’t be a shock. Seems more likely than 6-8. Sounds like they are adding Cucurella.
I meant the whole ownership shakeup, which seems to have played some part in a number of their players wanting to leave.
Probably Curcurella, a right back, and a center back or two. And I think they lose Alonso, Azpilicueta, Werner, Kepa, and Ziyech. I like Ten Hag but I'm not very convinced by Man U at current and I feel like they are most likely to finish 6th. I agree that I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea finished 3rd, but I just sort of thing they've been a stagnant while Chelsea and Arsenal have both improved.
I would be kind of surprised if Chelsea remained at 3. They have relied on their D ever since TT arrived and they lost two good CBs. Considering they like to play with 3 CBs I think this will end up being an issue. Besides... the cracks in their D started appearing towards the end of last season. I think they will get even wider. And when you consider the change in ownership and the apparent dissension in the ranks I could see a slide all the way down to 6.
My question is can Pulisic grow and develop under Tuchels. I don’t think so anymore because Tuchels clearly doesn’t rate him as a starter and has had enough time working with him to know his ceiling. Tuchels brought in Sterling as his direct upgrade. Can Pulisic prove Tuchels wrong - I doubt it. Sterling is a better player than Pulisic on almost every measure. Hardly any Chelsea fans who’ve watched Pulisic play are optimistic that he has what it takes to be a consistent starter. Whether it’s his tendency to have muscle injuries, his cautious play, his post hamstring pull changes in his oace and power…or just his ability to fit into Tuchels system and deliver. no shame in saying he gave it a good go but it didn’t work out. Pulisic would have more fun and develop faster being a consistent starter at another EPL or Continental European team.
I think Sterling pick was kinda "got milk?" type deal. Let's face it, the place Pulisic is dangerous is on the bee line from the halfway line to the top of the box. He usually gets fouled enroute. On the wings taking on one fullback? Not so dangerous. For ages the only thing one could talk about on this thread was Mason Mount because he was supposed to be in direct competition with Pulisic. Again, different player.
Maybe. I would suspect a team that feels less than the sum of their parts has some moral and cohesion issues that would drive players away.
OK well they won the biggest trophy in Europe 14 months ago. They also are a few penalties away from having 2 more domestic trophies this season, not to mention the CWC that they won. So all I'm saying is that the ownership situation seem to factor pretty heavily into this morale/cohesion reversal, considering the timeline we're talking about.
I would ask, how can you make any realistic prediction? The only likely starter in the back this year who was a starter last year (most games), is Reece James and he missed 19 games through injury last season. Who knows where Chelsea might have finished if those two guys had not been hurt for so much of the season. The new season will feature new center backs and plus Chillwell who has returned after missing more than half of last season. If there were cracks in last year's defense, surely they are irrelevant now. The only thing that really matters now is whether the combination of recovered-from-injury defenders and the new guys, whoever they are, will be up to the task of Premier League defending.
Their two best defenders have either left or are still there and evidently want to leave... and you're saying that bringing in multiple defensive starters at the last minute & bringing back fullbacks who missed significant time through significant injury is just as likely to improve things defensively? The questions are there because of the nature of a lot of panic buying at the end of the window. That usually doesn't work out well. Notice United is the only other side presumably threatening for top 4 in this same situation... that's no coincidence as to why many have predicted those 2 to be fighting it out for 5th. If you're saying something else, sorry I must be misreading you. But yeah, Chelsea have from the looks of it a very challenging season ahead. Moreso than last year, by all accounts, which they got 4th by 3 pts.
Koulibaly is more than good enough to replace Rudiger. Who replaces Christensen, Chalobah? IMO, Chelsea’s league position will depend on whether they are able to score on a consistent basis.
Well... I'm embarrassed to say I forgot they signed Koulibaly. My bad. But the other one is Azpi, who I thought still wanted to leave... I don't at all mind Koulibaly signing -- not as valuable as Rudiger, for me, but still probably a good signing -- and I like them having Gallagher in the rotation too. But still work to do in the market IMO. We will have to see how this defense gels because this much potential disruption is a big deal in the spine of your team.
The will need to return to Fall 2021 scoring form, not continue Spring 2022 scoring form. We shall see, but I'm not sure they have it in them yet.
Making preseason predictions is a pretty normal thing. I am not putting money on it.... it is just my opinion. But you bring up some good retorts. Reece James looked like one of the best RBs in the world early in the last season. His injury certainly hurt. Having him back healthy should certainly help. But YA Fans are constantly having to deal with players that heal up only to go back down with injury. And some of them don't come back quite at the same speed we saw before hand. Chilwell was out even longer... so who is to say either of these guys don't have a set-back or don't come back playing at the level fans expect.?.? Lastly... there is uncertainty about who will be playing backup roles at back/wingback. Regarding the new CBs:.... Kouli is a quality talent and I think Chalobah showed some real flashes in his first season. So I think there is a real chance that they gel together... stays healthy and excel. But if even one of them gets injured... especially Silva... then what CBs will be in the rotation? Regarding the "cracks in the D".... I think this holds no matter who is healthy and playing. I think there is a real plan for attacking Chelsea now and it will be up to TT to sure it up and to the players to make sure it succeeds. I don't envision them being a terrible D at all... as a matter of fact, I think they will be quite good. But good enough to keep winning games 1-0? And that brings us to the O. Like many around here I catch almost every minute Chelsea plays. TT's system has been toothless for a very long time. Super slow and predictable. Will that change this season? Lastly, IMO Arsenal, Tott, Man United and even Newcastle have improved over this offseason and will therefore be pushing for the 3/4 slot. In short, I see Chelsea dropping from 3 this season... but dropping from 3 to 6 isn't a free fall. And again... it is a guess. I could be totally wrong. I hope I am and that CP is the main reason they stick strong in 3rd.
If I have money to bet, I would bet Arsenal being the better team this season and will finish ahead of Chelsea on the table. They seem like a confident and cohesive unit.
I, too, will be cheering for Arsenal to win the league, just to ensure that they are condemned to the root of the table in the fall before surging back up in the spring by beating a string of mediocre teams ... in order to narrowly miss out on UEFA Conference League for next season. In other words, I expect a typical Gunners season!
Ordinarily I'd agree... but I kind of like what Arteta is doing, he has player who are buying in, I really like a number of recent signings. I'm into it. I think the push for top 4 is fully on. But i've said this before and been burned by the Arse. So we'll see. Either way, in terms of 3 through about 7-8 at minimum, this looks potentially like the most competitive prem we've had in a while.
Back in February. $100 million release clause though the rumor involves player swaps in Dave, Alonso and DeJong. Chelsea hasn’t approached Barca yet either. Aubameyang looks to potentially see playing time reduced with the players signed/re-signed. I can see a two striker setup so Xavi may not want to let that talent go after signing him. Barca also prefers money
Rudiger, in my opinion, is relatively overrated. Physically he’s a monster, but a decent number of chelsea supporters wanted to see him gone prior to Tuchel coming in. He flourished under Tuchel undoubtedly, in a 3 at the back system, with protection from 2 defensively oriented central midfielders, and two players at WB to protect him. He never looked as good in a conventional 4 at the back system, which is what they play in Madrid. I have a feeling he will be on the bench in Madrid, as I don’t see him being consistent enough to unseat Alaba or Militao, although Militao has been inconsistent at times too. They’ve tried Rudiger at LB in a couple friendlies over the summer, but he doesn’t bring as much to the attacking third as Mendy. My jury remains out on him until he proves he is more than a system based player at the highest level