Category: Chelsea F.C.

A Fatigued City Squeeze Past Chelsea in FA Cup Semi-Final

Only 2 full days after being knocked out of the Champions League in added time, Manchester City travelled to London to try and defend their title in the FA Cup against Chelsea who have been rested since last weekend.

Despite the 120 minutes in the midweek, Guardiola only made 4 changes to the side with one of them being the goalkeeper, with Pep’s reasoning being that they did it years ago against Liverpool (made changes after midweek game) and they got destroyed 3-0 so he learnt not to do that and stuck with the team that he knew would win.

You could tell from the get-go that the Manchester City players that played over 90 minutes in the midweek were very fatigued and were not playing to the standard that was expected from their side especially Rodri, who made several sloppy plays which is unusual for the superstar midfielder. Kyle Walker is another player who only just coming back from injury has played 210 minutes of football in one week. It can be shown that the fact Champions League and FA Cup being played in one week is a major flaw of the formatting.

With Bernardo Silva to be one of the players to miss a penalty in the shootout in midweek, he made redemption for himself by scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game against Chelsea to send them into the FA Cup Final where they will look to defend their title once again.

This win also makes City’s first win against Chelsea this season with the London side being able to keep the Champions to a draw both at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva celebrated clutching the City badge on his shirt showing his loyalty and love towards the club that has brought him so much success and the club he has given his heart to since signing in 2017.

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Despite being by far the superior team in creating clear chances and counter-attacking off of City’s mistakes, Chelsea just were not clinical enough in front of the goal with their striker, Nicholas Jackson squandering a hat-trick of clear cut opportunities for Chelsea to take the lead in the tie against a fatigued Manchester City.

After the game concluded, Thiago Silva was seen on camera shedding tears for this loss at Wembley with the 39-year-old set to hold talks with the club over his contract and whether or not he will extend with the likely possibility being that this was his last chance at a trophy in his final year at the club.

Chelsea now put their efforts towards the Premier League where they can still fight for a spot in the Europa League against Tottenham, Manchester United and West Ham.

Manchester City turn their efforts onto the Premier League title race, with the FA Cup final not taking place until the 25th of May 2024.

Palmer Hat-Trick Sinks Manchester United in 4-3 Thriller

Manchester City academy star, Cole Palmer sinks Manchester United in late thriller with a hat-trick to end their 7 year dry streak against United at Stamford Bridge. He registers his first professional hat-trick against United similar to academy team mate, Phil Foden.

Palmer has been on fire this year with now clocking in 24 G/A in 25 games in the Premier League for Chelsea after a surprise move from Manchester City early into the season for Ā£40 million on deadline day. Ever since then he seems to be bailing Chelsea out of the mud with goals from the penalty spot but also crucial goals such as the one last night in the 100th minute of play.

His goal leaves a mark in Premier League history as the latest ever winning goal for the Premier League era where he, once again, saved his team single handedly.

He has also become the highest goal contributer in the world for under 24 in all competitions, surpassing Jude Bellingham and Florian Wirtz who are both having outstanding seasons for Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. This just shows his immense talent and impact he has had on this Chelsea side after nearly missing out on a move earlier this year.

He is now up to 16 goals in the Premier League second to only Erling Haaland on 18 goals. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Cole Palmer could take the crown from his former teammate with Chelsea’s run in of games compared to the pressure that City are feeling in the title race.

Despite the success of Cole Palmer and how well he played, there have to be eyes on the performance of the Manchester United squad with the winner of the game from Palmer, easily avoidable if they don’t switch off because it is the final minutes.

There have been questions for months now on the validity of Ten Hag and whether or not his play-style can bring United into winning positions, and the game seemed like it relied on personal excellence from Garnacho and less tactics from Ten Hag with the team in the final moments giving out different calls and shouts which ultimately led to the downfall of the Red Devils.

This win for Chelsea sends them into 10th with Manchester United still comfortably above them in 6th despite dropping the 3 points that could prove to be brutal in the run in to the end of the season.

Chelsea Beat Leicester 4-2 in The FA Cup To Advance To The Semi-Finals

Two extra-time goals confirm Chelsea’s place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a gruelling game against Championship side Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.

The final games of the FA Cup quarter finals were played yesterday with Chelsea facing Leicester and Manchester United welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford. Chelsea set out this game as a very important, must win game.

The game started with Chelsea taking an early lead through Cucurella and then Cole Palmer doubled the lead before the half time break to give Chelsea fans something to be happy about with their Premier League title shot long out of the picture.

They were in complete control and it looked like a ‘close-out’ game for the blues until pressure from Mavididi forced Alex Disasi to put a hazardous pass back to the Chelsea keeper who made a complete blunder and Disasi put the ball straight into his own net in the 51st minute of the game.

After the blunder of an own goal, Leicester seemed raring to go and were pushing for the equaliser and it came in the form of a beautiful goal from Mavididi from the left-wing where he cut in and placed the ball in the top right of the net putting the game equal.

As the game reached 90 minutes, the referee announced that there would be 9 added minutes where Chukuwuemeka and Madueke sealed the deal with two great goals putting all worries and stress of Chelsea fans to rest ending the game 4-2 with an incredible back and forth game until the final 10 minutes where the Chelsea side seemed to go into flow state.

In the end, it was comfortable for Chelsea to beat the Championship side, as expected and they drew the holders, Manchester City, in their next game for the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They will travel to Wembley to try and de-throne the kings of England.

Navigating Multi-Club Ownership in Football: The Case of Strasbourg

In the dynamic landscape of modern football, the concept of Multi Club ownership has emerged as both a promising avenue for growth and a subject of intense scrutiny. As clubs seek new strategies for success, the idea of owning and operating multiple teams has gained traction, offering potential benefits in player development, resource allocation, and organizational synergy. However, the implementation of such a model is not without its challenges, as evidenced by the experiences of Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace under the stewardship of BlueCo, a company formed by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium after their acquisition of Chelsea FC

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Strasbourg’s journey under Multi Club ownership mirrors the complexities inherent in this ambitious venture. Despite significant investment and the best intentions, the club finds itself grappling with familiar challenges: a young team needing help finding its rhythm, discontent among fans, and the constant pressure of performance evaluation.

At the heart of this narrative lies the partnership between Strasbourg president Marc Keller and BlueCo representatives. While the collaboration promises mutual benefits, including financial stability and operational support, it also necessitates a delicate balance of power and decision-making. Regular board meetings serve as a forum for dialogue, yet the nuances of day-to-day operations often require flexible communication channels and a spirit of collaboration.

One of the defining features of BlueCo’s approach is its emphasis on youth development and talent acquisition. Strasbourg’s transfer policy reflects this philosophy, with a concerted effort to rejuvenate the squad through strategic signings and academy promotions. However, the transition to a younger roster has not been without its challenges, as evidenced by the team’s inconsistent performance on the pitch.

The management of player transfers and squad composition underscores the complexities of Multi Club ownership. While BlueCo’s investment provides financial backing, it also introduces a layer of oversight that influences strategic decisions. The delicate balance between club autonomy and corporate oversight is a recurring theme, with each party navigating the competing demands of success and sustainability.

Mathias PEREIRA LAGE of Brest during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats math between Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace and Stade Brestois 29 at Stade de la Meinau on February 24, 2024 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Amidst the on-field struggles and fan unrest, Strasbourg remains committed to its long-term vision. The club’s leadership, guided by Keller’s experience and expertise, remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. While challenges persist, there is optimism for the future, fueled by the belief in the potential of Multi Club ownership to redefine footballing paradigms.

As Strasbourg navigates the complexities of Multi Club ownership, it serves as a microcosm of the broader debates shaping the footballing landscape. The journey towards sustainable success is fraught with challenges, yet it is also brimming with opportunities for innovation and growth. In the ever-evolving world of football, the story of Strasbourg offers valuable insights into the possibilities and pitfalls of Multi Club ownership, illuminating a path forward for clubs seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

OPINION: Pochettino has to adapt or face the sack!

In the distinguished past of Chelsea Football Club, May 29th is a memorable date that conjures up images of either Kai Havertz or Porto. Since then, the supporters have witnessed one of the largest team changes in Premier League history, along with the departure of three managers.

With the new leadership spending almost a billion pounds, has there been much improvement? What is the current Chelsea success metric? I discuss why I think he needs to adapt or be prepared for the sack…

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Theme of poor management with Mykhaylo Mudryk & Noni Madueke

7 months into the 23/24 season and let’s be honest; Pochettino’s development of a number of young players has been poor. Mudryk and Madueke in particular who were signed with huge expectations to be the future of the club, but have they really improved since arriving?

Mudryk in particular who has completed less than 5 full 90′ which isn’t really ideal at all considering price tag and need to develop such a talent.

When you look at Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka few years ago, they were seen as young, raw and promising wingers. Both who have since been developed with consistent game time and top tactical direction, which is exactly what is needed in contrast with Chelsea’s young wingers.

Frustration amongst majority of Chelsea fans this season is vented at the fact that he continues to remain with Raheem Sterling on the left flank due to his experience in the Premier League, yet the Englishman has failed to deliver this season consistently.

Just a reminder that Sterling is rumored to be on around Ā£325k p/w at Chelsea. Pressure will always be on Pochettino to start him but the irony is laughable, yet concerning when the manager speaks about starting players on merit.

Mudryk played centrally behind the striker last night against Leeds United in the FA Cup and produced a refreshing performance. One which has impressed the fanbase but where’s the hope when Pochettino will most likely not start him in the next league game?

Of course the balance is always needed for young players in keeping them sharp, concentrated away from complacency. But now is the time, Mauricio. Chelsea at this stage of the season, only really have the FA Cup to play for.

So surely, we see Mudryk given way more opportunities in the league? The Ukrainian has produced good moments whenever he’s been on the pitch. It’s now time we see him given consistent chances.

Mis-profiling of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo

This is an issue that has been ever-present since the start of the season and a hot topic amongst Premier League fans, let alone just the Chelsea fanbase. The lack of structure and emphasis on the Ā£200m pivot this season has been alarming.

You watch Chelsea play and you’d expect to see Enzo at the forefront of build-up with hundreds of touches on the ball. Key to the build-up phase in bringing the ball out the back, yet that is a theme that has been missed all throughout the season.

Countless times this season, we’ve seen Enzo push high up into the half-spaces leaving Caicedo isolated in the middle of park with a lack of passing options and movement around him on the ball.

The term ‘rest-defence’ is growing in midfield football and this is essentially where players are positioned in close spaces together so that if the ball is lost, the team can quickly counter-press in order to win the ball back. This is a theme you see with top footballing sides such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Brighton and even Spurs ever since the arrival of AngeBall.

Yet it’s never seen within Pochettino’s side this season. It’s mind-boggling considering the Argentinian made his mark at Spurs through the team’s blueprint of pressing high up the pitch and winning the ball back.

Don’t get me wrong, statistically we have been one of the best pressing sides in the league this season, but much of that is done to one man and that is Conor Gallagher. Even when the Englishman is playing, you never see the team hunt in packs, knowing when and when not to press. It’s all over the place.

The need to get the best out of Enzo and Caicedo is MASSIVE considering the amount of money spent and Pochettino can’t afford to continue getting it wrong. The conclusion so far from the manager this season to majority of the fanbase is that he hasn’t adapted his tactics and methodologies since 2018/19.

Football evolves. The longer Pochettino continues to play the double pivot, the longer it will continue to suffer. We’ve seen how brilliant they can be.

Enzo at Benfica in a team that played to his strengths. High volume passer/creator, much similar to the style of Toni Kroos.

Caicedo at Brighton in a side that possesses huge emphasis on positional play. He thrived as a box-to-box midfielder and at Chelsea he’s asked to play a isolated role in midfield as the defensive-midfielder where he’ll always get exposed.

It must change or we all know what will happen soon…

Palmer Penalty Seals 3 Points At Stamford Bridge

Yet another Cole Palmer goal gives Chelsea an important win at home to put them into 8th in the Premier League on equal points with Manchester United.

This goal marks his 9th Premier League goal of the season for the Manchester City Academy graduate after a stellar start to his Chelsea career grabbing himself 13 G/A in 17 appearances in the Premier League this season.

Despite the experience of Sterling and the speed of Mudryk, Cole Palmer is headlining the Chelsea attack this season leading in goals, assists and chances created for the London side.

They manage a 1-0 win over Fulham in this London derby with a 49th minute penalty from the youngster allowing Chelsea to remain in control of the game up until the final whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge.

Since the start of December, Chelsea have picked up 15 points in games leaving them the second most points in this time space other than Liverpool (17). This credit belongs to Cole Palmer and how dangerous he is in possession and on the attack for the Blues.

Their next game is against Middlesborough in the EFL Cup where they are currently 1-0 down on aggregate hoping to bring it back and advance into the Final to face off against either Liverpool or Fulham.

Brilliance of Cole Palmer and why he’s arguably PL POTS

Since arriving after the start of the 23/24 Premier League season, he has been nothing but a revelation at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino. The signing was made after the Blues had failed to strike a deal with Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, who opted to stay as he signed a contract extension.

This led to the pursuit of Cole Palmer from Manchester City and was a transfer which shocked many. For just Ā£40m, the Englishman is already well on his way to proving his worth in a Chelsea side that has struggled for a talisman in attack since the departure of Eden Hazard in 2019.

Technical elegance, positional awareness in dropping deep and making runs into half-spaces where he has had caused havoc as well as not being afraid to have the odd pop at goal as he did against Manchester United (A) and Luton (A). His chance creation and conversion has been in my opinion, better than expected but credit must also be given to Pep Guardiola. His awareness, pass selection and composure on the ball is evidently clear to see. Credit must be given to Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff for coaching such a talent into becoming one of the best young talents in the Premier League.

The hype around the Englishman is even more impressive when you consider he has 8 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League whilst only joining Chelsea on game-week 5. 15 goals and assists in 16 starts in all competitions. Wow. There is a strong case to be made that Cole Palmer would already be in double digits for goals in the league alone, had he joined from the start of the season.

It wouldn’t be too early to suggest he’s in with a shout for Premier League POTS/YPOTS, should he continue his hot run of form throughout the season. He’s come into a ever-changing and dysfunctional Chelsea side and has stood out since.

With the return of Christopher Nkunku and potentially a proven striker in January, it will be fascinating to see how Chelsea perform offensively with the talent Mauricio Pochettino has at his disposal. The profiling conundrum still persists with Enzo Fernandez but can Pochettino get it to work with all 3 of Nkunku, Enzo and Palmer in the side? Only time will tell.

He has been nominated in contention for the EA December POTM award. Vote for Cole Palmer here: https://potm.easports.com/

Manchester United vs Chelsea: Blues to FINALLY win at Old Trafford?

Tonight, Manchester United and Chelsea revive their rivalry in the Premier League, aiming to build momentum for a push into the top four.

Both teams have faced a challenging season so far, struggling with subpar performances. Mauricio Pochettino continues to settle down a near Ā£1 billion squad dealing with injuries, while Erik ten Hag’s tenure is at risk of being cut short amid performances and results which have come under huge scrutiny.

While a victory for either team may not address underlying issues, it would offer a much-needed break during a challenging December fixture list.

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Mason Mount is racing against time to recover for the match against his former club, but there’s no assurance he would start, given his struggles since his summer transfer.

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s team remains unchanged, with Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia, and Amad Diallo sidelined due to injuries, and Jadon Sancho still excluded.

Chelsea welcome back captain Reece James from his one-match suspension, along with Marc Cucurella. However, Conor Gallagher is now suspended after his red card against Brighton. Cole Palmer, who was on the bench for the Brighton win, is expected to return to the team, while Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia remain unavailable.

Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah, and Wesley Fofana are unavailable, and joining them as new absentees are Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu.

What to expect from tonightā€™s clash

The encounter between Ten Hagā€™s and Pochettinoā€™s side presents an interesting battle tactically with Manchester United clearly looking dysfunctional and disjointed this season. Reasoning of which can be put down to lack of concentration in defence with jury still out on Harry Maguire leading the backline, as well as a lack of composure and quality in midfield.

Quality of Bruno Fernandes has still shown this season, with the Portuguese on 6 goals and assists in the Premier League this season so far. If Manchester United are to get something at home against Chelsea, then youā€™d assume Bruno Fernandes will be at the forefront of attention.

The midfield battle will be one to keep an eye out for as Kobbie Mainoo may well start alongside Scott McTominay up against Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Considering the evident lack of cohesion and quality Manchester Unitedā€™s midfield has shown this season, youā€™d surely expect the away side to dominate proceedings in the middle of the park. Surelyā€¦.?

Ten Hagā€™s Manchester United side have been known to be a threat on the counter as opposed to dominating matches from sustained attacks and pressure. Chelsea will need to be on their A-game in transition most especially with the pace of Marcus Rashford who will certainly be looking to get in-behind Reece James.

My Man Utd vs Chelsea prediction

This is the battle between two teams who have been noticeably underwhelming this season with the odd promising sparks.

The only real guarantee is goals, with both defences struggling to keep a clean sheet, but whatever version of either team turns up is anyone’s guess.

Iā€™m going to go for a 1-1 draw which wonā€™t come much of a surprise considering the results between the two sides over the last decade. Chelseaā€™s last win at Old Trafford in the Premier League came in 2013 and I canā€™t see that stat changing tonight.

Newcastle vs Chelsea: Blues favourites against out-of-form Newcastle side?

Chelsea will look to continue their good form after the international break as Pochettino’s men travel to Newcastle in hope of picking up maximum points against a Newcastle side that still remain without key players.

Prior to the international break, Chelsea scored 8 goals combined against Spurs and Manchester City. Chelsea fans will hope to see the goals continuing to flow as a win may take them up to 8th in the league.

Uncertainties remain as to whether Longstaff will start. Livramento set to start as he faces his boyhood club. Botman, Targett, Burn, Wilson and Murphy still unavailable.

Newcastle will look to bounce back after a 2-0 loss away at relegation candidates, Bournemouth. Performance which led to Toon fans demanding more from Kieran Trippier and his side in the encounter that followed after full-time.

As for the away side, Pochettino earlier confirmed in press conference that the return of Christopher Nkunku is too soon for trip to Newcastle. However, he remains ahead of Romeo Lavia in rehabilitation phase and is in team training. It is expected he will return to action in time for Manchester United away on 6th Dec.

Wesley Fofana is also back but won’t feature against Newcastle. The backline that featured against Man City, consisting of Cucurella, Silva, Disasi and James is expected to remain in place.

And just how good has this man (pictured above) been this season? 4 goals and 2 assists in the Premier League whilst adapting to a young and inexperienced Chelsea side only emphasises the maturity and quality that Cole Palmer possesses.

The Englishman ranks in top 6 p90 for ‘most passes breaking back line’ in the Premier League this season, with 10.4 ranking just below James Maddison and 2 behind the ever-creative Trent Alexander-Arnold.

If Chelsea are to pick up the 3 points at St James Park, you will assume most of the attacks will come down the right flank with Cole Palmer inverting or going on the outside up against Kieran Trippier or Livramento who aren’t naturally familiar playing on the left side. Also considering James’ tendency to get on the overlap/underlap, this should create numerous opportunities for Chelsea to score should Pochettino’s side turn up anywhere near as they did against Manchester City.

It’s another big test for Chelsea and Pochettino himself amongst many Chelsea fans will be expecting 3 points considering Newcastle haven’t been in the best of form this season.

Newcastle may well have one-eye on their encounter away at PSG midweek – the perfect time to play Newcastle away? Lets hope so.

Tottenham vs Chelsea: Moises Caicedo vs Pape Sarr and two more key battles to look out for in must-win game

Mauricio Pochettino is set to make his return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Chelsea look to compete in what is a must-win game after the Argentinian saw his side drop points toĀ ArsenalĀ and Brentford.

Tottenham remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League with Ange Postecoglouā€™s side currently sat just a point behind Manchester City in the league table.

It is set to be aĀ pivotal game forĀ Chelseaā€™s prospects this season, who currently sit 13th in the league table. Here are three compelling and decisive battles on the pitch that we think you should keep a close eye out for...

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Moises Caicedo vs Pape Sarr

Itā€™ll certainly be a very interesting battle for the Ā£115m Ecuadorian midfielder who will be coming up against Pape Sarr who has had an excellent season so far. Sarr has undoubtedly been one of Tottenhamā€™s best players this season with his physical ability in winning ground/aerial duels, as well as offensively where he hasnā€™t been afraid to take long-range pops at goal. The Senegalese will fancy his chances up against Moises Caicedo who is clearly still adapting to a young and ever-changing Chelsea side.

Midfield battle in matches like these are huge. Away from home, knowing the Tottenham players and fans will be up for it. Itā€™ll be vital for Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez to control and take the sting out of the game.

Itā€™ll be an even bigger test for Caicedo knowing heā€™ll have James Maddison drifting into pockets of space just behind him so heā€™s certainly going to have be on his A-game. Not only on-the-ball but off-the-ball where heā€™s going to face quite the test up against Sarr who has shown every attribute to his game this season.

Raheem Sterling vs Pedro Porro

Question marks from Chelsea fans as to whether Raheem Sterling should start, will certainly arise as we get closer to kick-off. However, one-thing the Englishman has is experience in big matches. Pochettino will surely look to start him despite his recent form drop-off where he struggled to make an impact against Brentford and was criticised for his performance against Blackburn too despite scoring.

I see this as a very interesting 1v1 battle considering Postecoglouā€™s principle of having his full-backs invert and almost act as no.10ā€™s in possession. Whether theyā€™ll take the risk and advance that high up the pitch, up against Chelsea obviously remains to be seen but considering the space Pedro Porro will be leaving in behind, pace is needed to exploit it. Sterling has that in abundance but what he has shown to lack over the years at times is composure and decision-making, especially in the final third. Can he really afford to have another sub-par performance in such a hugely important fixture?

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1v1 up against Porro, no doubt youā€™d expect Sterling to win the battle considering theĀ burst of pace, dribbling and agilityĀ he can show. Heā€™s already completed more take-ons than he did all of last season, which is certainly a positive but Chelsea fans wonā€™t care about that, should he fail to perform up against Porro who isnā€™t necessarily known for his defensive abilities.

Cole Palmer vs Destiny Udogie

Arguably the most exciting battle of the lot, considering how good both players have been this season. Cole Palmer has come into a Chelsea side and fitted in instantly. His technical quality, vision and composure has been something Chelsea fans have missed for some years. Two goals and one assist so far in the Premier League this season and he has arguably been our player of the match in every appearance heā€™s made for us so farā€¦

However, up against Destiny Udogie, who defensively has shown resilience, heā€™ll also be looking to invert into midfield and further up the pitch depending on game-state but this is where the wide attackers need to take advantage of the space in behind. Tottenham will look to dominate the ball and should Chelsea have to rely on counters, then you can certainly picture Palmer dropping wide into the space Udogie will leave in trying to pick out Sterling or Nicolas Jackson.

Palmer is without a doubt Chelseaā€™s beacon of hopeĀ and should Pochettinoā€™s side create chances, let alone score youā€™d certainly expect Palmer to be at the heart of it.