Max

Xabi Alonso is who Chelsea would like to lead the project, according to sources. Alonso is cautious but hasn’t said no yet. Chelsea have other options if they can’t convince him.

Joao Pedro and Thiago Silva linking up, love this. #CFC

Alonso had a full week to prepare tactically and Chelsea could only muster up 0.53 xG against a side who were bottom of the league before kick off, lost three days ago and hadn’t scored a goal at home in three league games. Dwell on referee decisions all you want but Alonso and the players weren’t good enough. Player and manager ratings 👇🏻 striver.football/the-game/pl…

Hard not to think Alonso got the lineup wrong (again). Main one is the striker situation for me, you have two strikers available and instead you keep running Neto up front, especially against a side that are going to sit deep so there won’t be the space in behind for him..

Xabi in training today saying to the players each training team will get 1 point per 15 passes they make. Good to see that the idea is control through possession.

Few small updates on Chelsea : - Scouting work for young talent continues, scouts watching names such as Tresoldi, Brunner, Banjaqui, Albert, Flávio Goncalves - w/@HaithamMMS - Centre backs still being watched, Natan from Betis one recently. Ramon still liked. - Scott moving behind scenes, a part of this seasons squad depends on price, potential pre agreement for summer for less also an option. - Barcelona like Estevao, but considered not for sale. Estevao’s camp are monitoring his minutes. - Xabi rates Estevao extremely highly but data showed frequent muscle injuries when playing too often with intensity. - Chelsea delighted with development of Acheampong and contract talks should follow. Family didn’t previously see the pathway.

Morgan Rogers has already scored against three big six sides and contributed 10G/A this season. He has the potential to do more throughout the 90 but the £117m fee isn’t being mentioned. + Estevao on fire, Info and Xabi quotes striver.football/the-game/mo…

Palmer needs to do more, Rogers needs to do more, Palestra doesn’t look comfortable on the left, Fofana needs to be subbed immediately, and definitely need a striker on the pitch. All eyes on Alonso’s in game management again here.

Need a big result today 🤞 🔵

Xabi Alonso claimed the physical and intense nature of English Football was a reason why Estevao is not getting more chances. Yet, the same manager brought him on against Arsenal, the most physical team in the league, and Estevao nearly scored a screamer despite only having nine minutes to make an impact. striver.football/the-game/ch…

No domestic trophy since 2018. So infuriating to see Chelsea keep cocking up one way or another in these tournaments. Absolute full throttle into trying to win the FA Cup now.

Fofana's list of brainfart defensive moments in a Chelsea shirt are quite remarkable. You go 1-0 up at Anfield, not long before half time, and you do a superman handball from a corner? Okay.

…

Really hate this stuff from players, Caicedo did similar to a fan in the MHL after the second goal, sort of tutting at him and shaking his lead like 'you what?', you just lost to Spurs for the second time at home since 1993, that's what. I expected more in terms of standards from Alonso after the game too in his interviews, concerning. Colwill and co should look at themselves in the mirror. Don't have a go at fans who paid their hard earned money to be served up that yesterday.

Why, just why did Alonso think conceding possession and countering was a good plan? A team that has had so many fast starts lacked so much energy and impetus today, and allowed De Zerbi’s Spurs to control the game through possession. So disappointing, the team was played off the park for large portions of the match. I don’t understand constantly kicking it long either, without a striker - that was food and drink for Van Hecke. Zero idea to build up and play out the back, no Lavia or even Barco subbed on to come deep and get on the ball and start playing. Worst performance against Tottenham in years.

30% possession at HOME to Spurs. Blimey. Second half needs to be big.

On Monday I travelled back from University to say my goodbye and this morning I hear that he had passed peacefully in his sleep after a battle with Cancer. To those who still have their grandparents, please hold them close for me 💙