a short story in the Sun about Boehly blocking the Azpi transfer amid concerns about Barca approaches to sign and transfer this summer. Sounds like Todd is starting to get his back up. Good. Glad that Dave is staying. I think this could help Chelsea and CP. Now if Tommy would get the offense clicking again. Doesn't look like Auba is going to join them. So where are the goals going to come from to keep them at 3 or 4 and not at 8 or 9 in the Prem this year? Tomorrow will be interesting to see how a bunch of teams start the season.
Its being reported that Chelsea are talking to Barca about Aubameyang. Barca need cash to register players.
I can’t see him playing more or scoring more goals - unless it’s through being on Chelsea’s B team for early round Cup game beat downs of lower level teams. Also: 1. Chelsea’s midfield and tactics haven’t improved so why should their results? 2. Pulisic didn’t show any off-season growth or change beyond his blond highlights. didn’t look sharper or fitter or more motivated in any of the pre season matches. 3. As B team player expected to impact games quickly his risk of injury goes up which would minimize his availability like in every other season. worst case scenario - he pulls his hammy again right before the WC because he’s not properly game fit. best case scenario - Chelsea sign Aubameyang - he and Pulisic rekindle a connection from Dortmund days and Tuchels can’t keep either out of the lineup. They form a magic bond and score goals- Pulisic rides into WC and US advances to semis where Argentina knocks them out
I don't have high expectations. Not because I questions Puli's talent or potential. But because for 12-18 months he has been passive and non-aggressive the majority of the time. Every once in awhile he flips the switch and plays like his mission is to prove all the doubters wrong. Then within 1-2 weeks the switch is turned off. As a coach, a teammate or fan, you never know which Puli will show up. Too bad he doesn't have the Dempsey gene. If you're gonna go down, go down swinging. Not instead removing yourself from contention. Some people may think that's harsh. Me care, not. Go read his game thread. Game after game it was "Puli didn't appear interested" or "Puli is invisible, just back passing". If I were him I'd have the attitude of, I'm gonna play my game and get into positions and create so many chances, you can't remove me. Because that's what made him a Chelsea signing in the first place.
Sadly agree here..I'm also not expecting much from him based on what I saw in the few pre season matches. I know some people claims these matches means nothing but coming off 2 below average year at Chelsea, he was a player that badly needed to show he was ready for a break-out year. As someone above stated, he looks pretty much the same with no visible change in his game, fitness and mentality. I hope I'm wrong and he turns on the switch tomorrow but I just dont see it. I expect another below average year....6-7goals and 3-4 assist in all competition...That's not good enough for a top 10 European Club.
5 goals, 4 assists in league play, about. Enough to put him among the Top 3 most productive per minute with Chelsea, because Tuchel likes stats spread out.
If people have to point out his per min productivity or expected goals, then he's not having a good season. He turns 24 next month. He needs goals and assists. That's all I'll go by at this point.
If you look at Chelsea, you'll see no one there is among the Top 10 scorers or assisters in the EPL. There's a reason for that: they're not a low-scoring team, they were #3 in goals scored last season. But they have the goals/assists spread among many players. And that also because the starting lineup changed constantly. So it was many guys, some of them defenders, some CMs, some fullbacks, some wingers, some b2B, scoring and assisting. If the team is scoring, say, 75 goals in a season, and you have the goals spread over 18 different players, then 5 goals and 4 assists in about 1,500 minutes is not a bad record. And is not a bad number of minutes played.
Hopefully James and Chillwell stay healthy this season. Hard for CP to put up goals and assists if he's playing in his own half.
What? Argentina? No… should read “ where the US win the World Cup defeating the defending champions France in the final”
Pulisic begins today's match on the bench: Here’s your Chelsea team news this evening! 🤝@ParimatchGlobal | #EveChe pic.twitter.com/qwq01jSTyw— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 6, 2022
As expected, CP on the bench for the opener. CHO and Werner not even on the 18. Chelsea do have 3 REALLY OLD CBs in that back line. And of course, TT start the season with the same/familiar 343 look.
Pulisic probably figures based history that he’s less likely to have Tuchel as a manager next season if he stays at Chelsea than if he leaves Chelsea.
Remember along with the 5 subs, you can name 9 to the bench this season, for a total of 20 involved players. Even more evidence that CHO and Werner are on the way out. Hope to see Pulisic off the bench.
No attacking midfielder. Interesting. They are a superior team and will probably easily win this match, but will that formation work against good teams? There seems to be a big hole in the middle. Unless Mount is going to drop back.
Marsch (so far) is a coach that appears to raise the sum of the parts he is working with. Tuchel is a coach that makes the sum of the parts less. Will be interesting to see how long Boehly and company stick with Tommy. maybe that is in CPs thinking. One thing is for sure - Tuchel is so arrogant he is incapable of changing.
Is Tammy Abraham still owned by Chelsea? for those wondering, they look as boring and slow as you might have expected. We may see Pulisic sooner rather than later. Tuchel has already had one spastic fit on the sideline.