Chelseas Era is over

Vampireskiss

I think Chelsea's era as main challengers to United is over I feel Arsenal will even surpass them next season. I reckon their squad is too old
The only way I can see them challengeing is if Mourinho comes back is given total control and signs a few top class players.What does everyone else think?

lordgoat

Chelsea had an era?

tribulus

Huh?

It was hardly an era and to be fair Chelsea still have an excellent team that are capable of winning trophies.

Mikeyt086

More of a "stint" than an era really.

And even then i wouldnt say its over.

dyl10

Well, they were 2 mins away from being champions league finalists again this year and were the best team in the premiership at times last season, so I honestly don't think so.

Essien, who in my opinion is there best player has been missed this year and as a squad they aren't really that old.

If they get a decent manager in or manage to hold on to Hiddink, they will be contenders next year. There are better managers out there than Mourinho.

kippy

dyl10 wrote: »

Well, they were 2 mins away from being champions league finalists again this year and were the best team in the premiership at times last season, so I honestly don't think so.

Essien, who in my opinion is there best player has been missed this year and as a squad they aren't really that old.

If they get a decent manager in or manage to hold on to Hiddink, they will be contenders next year. There are better managers out there than Mourinho.

What he said, especially in relation to Essien.
Kippy

Frisbee

I heart knee jerk reactions

dr.bollocko

There is a difference between an era and a flare up. I guess for Chelsea in recent times it's golden days. I wouldn't think it's over however. The depth of Abramovich's pockets or savvy choices in signings will have to have the final say in maintaining the squad. They will be there or thereabouts for a few seasons yet.
Now I'm a Utd. fan but they were robbed in that semi final IMO.

eddiehead

We had an era? Why wasn't I informed?

Anyway, Essien was a huge loss for a long period this season so he's definitely worth a few extra points if he's fit all next season.

Also, Arsenal will not surpass Chelsea any time soon.

Pepe LeFrits

Is this meant to be a counter-balance to the Wenger thread?

Chelsea will still be challenging next year.

Mr.Nice Guy

Chelsea don't have eras, they have phases.

That's the problem when you sack managers at the drop of a hat. Time for Roman to pick a manager and stick with him.

Barr

Vampireskiss wrote: »

I think Chelsea's era as main challengers to United is over I feel Arsenal will even surpass them next season. I reckon their squad is too old
The only way I can see them challengeing is if Mourinho comes back is given total control and signs a few top class players.What does everyone else think?

Judging by last Sundays game - Chelsea are a class apart

lordgoat

Chelsea are a great team but i think some players need, not to be replaced, but supported by a better squad to ensure they can keep momentum throughout the season. Essien is a class apart and you need him and lampard fit for the season. Or have better alterantives from the bench.

LuckyLloyd

Last Season:

- lose the league on the final day of the season;
- lose the Champions league final on penalties after giving it a right good ding;
- lose the League Cup final in extra time in a game they could have won;

This Season:

- will probably finish 6 or 9 point behind eventual winners in the league (hardly an unbridgable gap )and be left to rue an encased bad run of form;
- suffer daylight robbery in the Champions league semi - final;
- are favourites to win the FA Cup;

I think Chelsea's era as main challengers to United is over

What are you basing this on? Osmosis? Tea leaves?

All the last two seasons have shown are that the squad is close to winning all the loot, just needs some managerial consistency and some more production from out wide.

Still very much a force to be reckoned with, and probably for years to come at least.

eZe^

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!!!

everdead.ie

Abromovich's pockets are deep but he's lost billions on the russian stock market. He's going to be much more prudent in the next few years but they have a good defence it's there legs in midfield I would be more worried about, that said Lampards played very well this season.

eddiehead

eZe^ wrote: »

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!!!

So your saying ye DIDN'T pay off the ref:D

dreamers75

New manager, some actual wingers and a striker or 2 and they be back to challenge for 2nd :eek:

Barr

eddiehead wrote: »

So your saying ye DIDN'T pay off the ref:D

No that was Utd :P

eddiehead

dreamers75 wrote: »

New manager, some actual wingers and a striker or 2 and they be back to challenge for 2nd :eek:

Nah I'd be more than happy for Guus to stay tbh

dreamers75

eddiehead wrote: »

Nah I'd be more than happy for Guus to stay tbh

Unlikley tbh, Abramovich pays his wages for Russia too.

Would be an excellent choice tho assuming he was allowed buy players, Ancellotti and kaka wouldnt be a bad option but still need wingers /strikers.

CHD

WOW.

What era? Theres still a year of top class football left in our oldest players. When you have Cech, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Lampard, Drogba and Anelka as the spine of your team your going to be challenging. Add to that Alex, Bosingwa, Ballack, Malouda, Mikel, J.Cole and Kalou. Then we have players like Deco, Ivanovic and Ferriera and good youths in Di Santo, Stoch and Mancienne.

We need to add a couple more top players to dominate again, but that squad is good enough to win trophies. If we had Essien all seaon this year i think we would still be right in the thick of things in the league.

Arsenal? Surpass us? What? As long as they keep that youth thing going they won't challenge again imo.

Chelsea need the right manager to succeed, if we find him we can win the league next year.

CHD

dreamers75 wrote: »

New manager, some actual wingers and a striker or 2 and they be back to challenge for 2nd :eek:

One top class winger is all we need, don't need strikers.

Moyes to manage!

Barr

Chelsea has a good winer in Quaresma , but he never gets a game

Charlie

Thread's like these are summed up best by Ronnie

leninbenjamin

everdead.ie wrote: »

Abromovich's pockets are deep but he's lost billions on the russian stock market. He's going to be much more prudent in the next few years

questions are there though as to how deep his pockets really and if it's more than a case of 'prudence'.

He's still a very rich man on paper, but last i heard reported his companies margins were way down and coupled with the stock market losses he was having serious cashflow problems personally as a result. I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to offload Chelsea at some point in the not so distant future, as they are still bleeding cash.

mike65

Chelsea can go one of two ways but that holds true for almost every club - money or (relative) bust. If Roman doesn't get bored/shot/worried about future income then they'll be thereabouts for the foreseeable future. If the plug is pulled with the squad profile they have, they'll be battling it out with Villa/Everton/City for a minor European spot in 3 years.

jank

While this thread may seem reactionary there may be allot more to it than meets the eye.
What is more important to Chelsea at the moment is what happens off the pitch than on it.

Hiddink wont be there next season. So who is going to manage the club? Thats a fairly big question mark to answer as it determines what players leaves or stays.

The big check book isn't there anymore given recent reports although a marque signing (like kaka e.g.) might still take place. Suggestions that Chelsea can go off and buy 3-4 players without losing anyone is well wide off the mark.

Lots of players are due to leave in the summer. Anelka and Drogba are firm favorites to go.

They still have a great squad but what will determine their success will be their ability to get the best of these players in tighter times and having to rely on a smaller squad. And we haven't even talked about the possibility of Roman A selling the club.

It can very easily go horribly wrong.... just look at Leeds. However, they are still a force to be reckoned with....for now!

Boggles

Strange enough season for Chelsea, Home form was not up to scratch, away form was the best in the league though.

Even with the problems of the manager and the home form, Chelsea are there or there abouts again in May.

Add a fit Carvalho, Essien and Cole to this season and it might have been enough to push them over the line.

Bit of housekeeping needs to be done in the summer, get rid of a couple of the high wage earners, Drogba, Ballack, Deco, etc. Get some fresh blood in.

citytillidie

This sums up Chelsea for me

gucci

citytillidie wrote: »

This sums up Chelsea for me

Its some sort or robot, man-bin type footballer........with 11 of these playing next season they have got to be in contention

citytillidie

gucci wrote: »

Its some sort or robot, man-bin type footballer........with 11 of these playing next season they have got to be in contention

Packing away their plastic flags for Glory Hunting fans who jumped ship whenever the russian came with his mega bucks.

Bet they will jump ship again whenever he goes.

Soby

Vampireskiss wrote: »

I think Chelsea's era as main challengers to United is over I feel Arsenal will even surpass them next season.

:pac: id be worried of thr likes of Man City

Barr wrote: »

Chelsea has a good winer in Quaresma , but he never gets a game

He he does seem a alright player but if Mourinho and Guss dont rate him then there must be something wrong with him..and i just remembered we dont need wingers...If Malouda keeps the form he is in now and then we get Cole back for next year..we're sorted

The_Hustler

Boggles wrote: »

Bit of housekeeping needs to be done in the summer, get rid of a couple of the high wage earners, Drogba, Ballack, Deco, etc. Get some fresh blood in.

Unfortunately Ballack's been offered another year anyway

selpher

With Mikel and Essien off to the ACN next season and money being tight, it might not be a bad idea keeping Ballack around for another season. Slightly lesser wages would be nice though.

growler

if there is a chelsea era , then we're at the start not the end of it.

jackdaw

Vampireskiss wrote: »

I think Chelsea's era as main challengers to United is over I feel Arsenal will even surpass them next season. I reckon their squad is too old
The only way I can see them challengeing is if Mourinho comes back is given total control and signs a few top class players.What does everyone else think?

Jaysus!!!

and I thought I was negative!!

PHB

I think Chelsea are United's biggest challenger for the league next season.

Semis of the CL out on a whisker.
Favorites for the FA Cup.
Behind in the league, but changed manager. Solid manager next season from the start with some width bought, they'll be a real tough beat.

The_Hustler

selpher wrote: »

With Mikel and Essien off to the ACN next season and money being tight, it might not be a bad idea keeping Ballack around for another season. Slightly lesser wages would be nice though.

Well the story said he'll be on £120,000

Didn't realise they'll be off

CHD

growler wrote: »

if there is a chelsea era , then we're at the start not the end of it.

This sounds good.

ShooterSF

I said at the start of the season that they'll need funds pumped into the club again. Essien is a fantastic player and should be kept at all costs. There's talk of Mikel going to Inter and if I was a Chelsea supporter I'd happily let United's best bit of transfer business go. If City come in with big bucks for Terry I'd let him go too. Carvalho is more important to the team. That's if the big bossman isn't willing to put in £40-50m

growler

Mikel still has a way to go, but I do think he's got potential, wouldn't let Essian or Terry go anywhere, Terry is virtually indestructible and Ricky isn't

Now undecided about Malouda, he's suddenly starting doing a fair impersonation of a footballer

Happily see the back of Ballack and Deco and bring in some help for Joe Cole on the wings.



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