Chelsea

[D.Boon]

Despite seeing limited footy due to being stuck in Italy where the only footy they seem to show was their own, Chelsea seem to be looking strong again. I picked them for the title as i thought they would come back strong this year. Their signings seem to have settled well and Malouda and Pizarro look dangerous. With Alex and Ben Haim they have good cover at the back and Lampard is off and running with his shoot on sight policy.

 

Did not see the Anfield game in which they were seemingly very lucky to get a point but you need a bit of luck.

 

Can we match them?

[lawrie]

They are not really playing too well thus far, but as per normal are getting the rub of the green. I personally hope that the rumours are true and they do sign Ronny - the upheaval will be glorious

[Gunga Din]

i thought Portsmouth were the better side for long periods, had Birmingham had a decent keeper, they would have won, Reading should have had them dead and buried at half time, and the ref rescued them a point against us, where th eonly shot they had was a penalty. they should be more worried about us.

[Rimbeux]

We've got to keep in the game, because you dont catch Chelsea, you're a long time waiting for them to drop a run of points. If the pressure is on them to keep up or catch up come Jan there is a chance to open up a defining two or three game lead, but before then a lot has to go right. Chelsea are still the men to beat.

[Gray - YPC]

Malouda will be a very good signing for them IMO.

 

I also think that whilst Belletti is not as good as some full backs in the league he's an improvement on what they have got, and the biggest plus with having Belletti and Ben Haim in the squad is that Essien will be able to play in midfield throughout the season. I think Essien is thier best midfielder by a mile, and that acutally they could get a lot more out of him than they do. He's been restricted at times by playing the holding role, whereas I think with Mikel or Makelele doing that and Essien having more freedom to be the box to box work he does with Ghana you'd see him have more of an impact. He's on of the best in the world at that!!

[George Costanza]

i thought Portsmouth were the better side for long periods, had Birmingham had a decent keeper, they would have won, Reading should have had them dead and buried at half time, and the ref rescued them a point against us, where th eonly shot they had was a penalty.

 

Apart from against us I havent' seen them but going by reports this seems pretty accurate. The worry is that despite not playing well their picking up points. Obviously it can still go either way, they could continue to struggle and sooner or later they start dropping more points OR and unfortunately the most likely outcome is that they start to play better and start winning more convincingly. African Nation Cup could be interesting and how it may affect them. They're still the team to beat IMO not necessarily becasue they're any better than the others but they seem to always get the rub of the green/bit of luck.

[Bootle Buck]

Chelsea rely heavily on John Terry. When he doesn't play they don't look the same team and are vunerable. They lost the league last season in the time he was out. If he were to pick up a long term injury they could struggle.

[Paul_LFC]

They will leaks goals this season. I haven't seen Chelsea and United look so ordinary at the start of the season which is good for us as we have made a great start.

[Rimbeux]

They will leaks goals this season. I haven't seen Chelsea and United look so ordinary at the start of the season which is good for us as we have made a great start.

 

They're still top of the league, undefeated. They also dragged their a*** through uninspired point gathering at the start of both their title seasons, never mind how bad they look, feel the points

[R A Softlad]

i thought Portsmouth were the better side for long periods, had Birmingham had a decent keeper, they would have won, Reading should have had them dead and buried at half time, and the ref rescued them a point against us, where th eonly shot they had was a penalty. they should be more worried about us.

 

I agree. They've ridden their luck so far, granted without a full strength defence but them getting results is a concern. Having said that if the ref hadn't made such a collosal balls up we'd be on 9 from 3 and they'd be 9 from 4.

[Gary Wolf]

My father has got an enormous supporting experience and, being no fan of Liverpool and having watched several games so far this season (Liverpool vs Chelsea, the Manc derby included), said he expects the Reds and Chelsea go for the title. Liverpool play much better at the moment, but Chelsea have a lot of depth in their squad and a much stronger bench.

[stressederic]

Chelsea are doing what they do best, just grinding out the results without ever hitting top form. It'll see them in goodstead over the next few weeks.

[Benzo-13]

They're a right pain..

They need to be hammered by someone but that rarely happens.

 

Definitely the team that stands in our way for a title tilt at the moment..

Edited August 27, 2007 by Benzo-13

[Guest RedLegend]

You have to give them credit in that they always seem able to grind out a narrow win by the odd goal even in games where they hardly deserve to win. They very rarely dominate and thrash teams like the Mancs were prone to doing. In that regard they are even more frustrating.

[Maldini]

I don't think they're quite the same team as they have been for the past three years. They've lost a bit of penetration in the final third with Robben going (and Duff before him), their back 4 has been a bit shaky and most of all they don't have that invincible aura about them anymore, the mid-table sides used to go there shut up shop and pray for a draw, I think they're prepared to have a go at them now.

 

Their team spirit has been their biggest asset over the past three years and that seems to be slowing weakening.

[Zoob]

You have to give them credit in that they always seem able to grind out a narrow win by the odd goal even in games where they hardly deserve to win. They very rarely dominate and thrash teams like the Mancs were prone to doing. In that regard they are even more frustrating.

 

 

This is true, but as has been mentioned, a lot depends on Terry. When he was injured they found it a lot harder to grind out results. And although it is a mark of a good team to play only averagely and still win 3 out of 4, I really think they've been lucky in accumulating as many points as they have done in their 4 games.

 

Drogba and Essien are 2 very important players for them, and they'll be missed during the African Nations Cup.