Chelsea (H) 28.08.21

[RedReet]

The current is ever changing. The current on June 1st was more positive than August 31st because there's almost no transfer window left and no signs of investment. The current at Christmas may be different again depending on results. So realistically, look at the past all you want but the future is always something to plan for and concern yourself with.

You can't show we're in a good position because we won titles in 2019 and 2020. It's 2021 now, an aging squad with little investment over the last 5 windows.

If you want to look positively at the lack of player investment and aging squad, good for you. I'll view it as a lack of ambition or poor planning.

Honestly don't know why some people are so desperate to defend the total lack of ambition from FSG. If Bobby is out for 2-3 months as rumoured, gonna be fun watching Origi and Ox fill in when Jota isn't on the pitch.

So it looks like you are playing the transfer widow game and want to win that, rather than actual trophies.

Currently we are unbeaten in the league. Currently we are the form team in the league over the last ten games, Currently our squad are CL and PL winners and more than capable of repeating the feat.

Aging squad. Every squad is aging, time doesn’t stand still, but our squad is not old by any means.

Our forward line are all 29. Last year’s golden shoe, Lewandowski (32), Messi (33), Ronaldo (35). Last 3 winners, Lewan (32), Immobile (30), Messi (31).

Last Ballon D’or, Messi, Virg, Ronaldo. Previous two winners, Modric (32), Ronaldo (32).

Chelsea have just signed Lukaku for a record fee and he’s not much younger than our forwards and Kane will be a similar age when he’s signed for another record fee. This isn’t uncommon, player like Zidane, Figo signed for world record fees when 28/29, so 29 is by no means past it, it’s ridiculous to continually suggest so.

Salah is a machine and will still be scoring goals when he’s 40. He no longer relies of pace, his strength and technique are his greatest asset now and age shouldn’t affect that too much. He’ll still be world class in 4-5 years.

Mane I’m confident will come good again. Hio-s recent form is indeed worrying, but before writing him off cast your memory back 9 months ago when many, many LFC fans were adamant that he was a better player than Salah.

Bobby I’m a big fan, so never gonna be rational when it comes to him. Again, not ever relying on pace, I can see him having an extended career, but if he doesn’t we have Jota to step in.

It would be nearly impossible for us to bring in a Salah type player at the peak of his powers, but picking up another Jota type is an easy fix. We have 3-5 years, 6-10 windows to do so, so no need to panic just yet. (Adding an extra number at this stage is a different argument and has some merit, but not because our current forward line are past it).

Henderson will probably need replaced soon, but he still has a few good years left in him. If Thiago could stay fit, he could easily replicate what his old Barca teammates Iniesta and Xavi did and excel well into his 30’s.

Backline just isn’t an issue.

TBF, this has already all be covered much more eloquently and in much better detail by the likes of Jaco and Buzzo, but I've yet to see a convincing argument the contrary, other than 'if I can't see what's happening, it's my problem'.

[labourRed]

So basically you agree with your own POV and every one else can do one?

I like it

You don't agree with your own POV?

[Exiled_red]

I think that there are some legitimate concerns about the lack of transfer activity over the last couple of years, I'm sure that we would all like to have seen a couple of extra players come in and some others moved on. In an ideal world I would like to have seen us bring in another midfielder and forward, people are being critical of FSG but they have been up front about their plans for the club (i.e. It being self sufficient), the pandemic has cost the club something of the order of ~£150m if we believe reports, that's probably 3 or 4 players, it's frustrating to see the oil backed clubs splashing the cash, but we have to make the most of what we have, we have the right manager in charge for that.

In terms of an aging squad yes there are some players who are 30 or older, but they still have a few years in them yet. I don't have a problem with that as long as there is some sort of succession plan for Henderson in particular, we have a few youngsters such as Jones and Elliott I assume we will be looking at those players to grow into first team roles and when we have a good idea of whether they are capable of that we can bring in what we need to complement them (alongside Fab). The issue for me is if we don't make those decisions soon enough, but I think we are a couple of years from this being a massive long term problem, I still have question marks over we have enough options in midfield in the short term, given certain players injury records. I think we could just about be fine, but a group of injuries at the same time could pose us a problem.

My concerns about the forwards are more about the likes of Mane recovering his form, than them ageing they still have a good few years in them. Mane's form has dropped over the last 12 months or so, perhaps Covid perhaps something else. With Firmino seemingly out for a while there is no real other option, and if he doesn't recover his form that significantly reduces our goal threat. If he recovers his form we'll be grand.

[Buzzo]

You don't agree with your own POV?

Which of me are you talking to?

[labourRed]

Which of me are you talking to?

I know it's quiet in here, so i like you're thinking.

[Tribute]

...are we still talking about the Chelsea game?

[Rafa Justice]

I think that there are some legitimate concerns about the lack of transfer activity over the last couple of years, I'm sure that we would all like to have seen a couple of extra players come in and some others moved on. In an ideal world I would like to have seen us bring in another midfielder and forward, people are being critical of FSG but they have been up front about their plans for the club (i.e. It being self sufficient), the pandemic has cost the club something of the order of ~£150m if we believe reports, that's probably 3 or 4 players, it's frustrating to see the oil backed clubs splashing the cash, but we have to make the most of what we have, we have the right manager in charge for that.

In terms of an aging squad yes there are some players who are 30 or older, but they still have a few years in them yet. I don't have a problem with that as long as there is some sort of succession plan for Henderson in particular, we have a few youngsters such as Jones and Elliott I assume we will be looking at those players to grow into first team roles and when we have a good idea of whether they are capable of that we can bring in what we need to complement them (alongside Fab). The issue for me is if we don't make those decisions soon enough, but I think we are a couple of years from this being a massive long term problem, I still have question marks over we have enough options in midfield in the short term, given certain players injury records. I think we could just about be fine, but a group of injuries at the same time could pose us a problem.

My concerns about the forwards are more about the likes of Mane recovering his form, than them ageing they still have a good few years in them. Mane's form has dropped over the last 12 months or so, perhaps Covid perhaps something else. With Firmino seemingly out for a while there is no real other option, and if he doesn't recover his form that significantly reduces our goal threat. If he recovers his form we'll be grand.

Are you sure mate? Apparently we're all good because 3 of the biggest stars of this generation/all time are older than our front three

Amazing

[RedReet]

Are you sure mate? Apparently we're all good because 3 of the biggest stars of this generation/all time are older than our front three

Amazing

F*ck me, we are also talking about one of the greatest teams of our generation, not some pub team who hit the beer after every match.

Facts/evidence= load of ****, "strawman argument"
Crystal ball predictions = winning argument

[Buzzo]

F*ck me, we are also talking about one of the greatest teams of our generation, not some pub team who hit the beer after every match.

Facts/evidence= load of ****, "strawman argument"
Crystal ball predictions = winning argument

You have to further clarify, only negative Crystal ball predictions are allowed to to be used as a winning hand in any debate.

[RedReet]

You have to further clarify, only negative Crystal ball predictions are allowed to to be used as a winning hand in any debate.

Well I deleted the original phrase I used and went for the more diplomatic approach.

[Buzzo]

Well I deleted the original phrase I used and went for the more diplomatic approach.

[Exiled_red]

Chelsea have been fined £25k for failing to ensure their players behave in an appropriate manner following the James sending off.

£25k that'll teach them Seriously what's the point in this?

[rudedog]

Chelsea have been fined £25k for failing to ensure their players behave in an appropriate manner following the James sending off.

£25k that'll teach them Seriously what's the point in this?

It will help pay the bar tab at the FA Christmas party.

[Fivex]

That’s like 5 bottles of wine. Nowhere near a party.