Chelsea25

To me, he seems like an excellent ‘coach’ ( trainer). He’s got the ability of all good coaches that helps improve players overall and makes teams adapt successfully to a new system. We actually seem to have a plan on how we want to play football unlike the haphazard regime under AvB, who was a terrible coach. Its interesting that he is basically a late bloomer in the managing world with regard to managing teams in the top division or near the top division. He is basically untested at this level somewhat compared to his peers. From what I have seen, I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. I don’t know what is his ability overall as a manager, but I think he can surely coach the hell out of any team. I like the guy much better than I thought I would. He knows his stuff well.

So universal agreement = truth eh? If you think I am a hypocrite for believing he didn't get a fair chance at Chelsea then feel free to believe it. I stand by my opinion. But that's my point, he simply wasn't even given an opportunity to change. There's a thing in football where managers can mould players in time. While they cannot exactly make someone improve their football technique above a certain point, work ethic and team awareness is something that can be worked upon in time. It's what makes Guardiola a good coach. And Ferguson for pushing a player in the right direction and having a trusted delegation to do the task. (And Wenger, a long time ago in a galaxy far far away).

Hindsight is everything, hence my complain isn't that Jose was incorrect in his assessment of KDB(which he was, in hindsight) but rather that he simply didn't give him an adequate chance to prove himself. C'mon man, 3 starts simply ain't good enough to judge a player. Especially when they are given so sporadically that a player simply doesn't get any momentum. Listen to yourself, I'm not the one sounding stupid. As for no Chelsea manager giving play time to an under performing player for 2.5 years, which is completely a made up scenario since KDB got a grand total of 3 games, does the name Kalou ring a bell.

How anyone can defend Jose on the KDB decision is beyond me. It sounds comical when droy confidently lists a grand total of 9 sporadic appearances , with only 3 starts and justifies that because he was not decent in those meagre appearances, selling him was correct. FFS he was only played in fits and starts. Truth is, there's a pattern. Certain players simply don't fit Jose's eye/system and simply aren't given an appropriate chance. Maybe he should bring about little changes in his system to get the best out of certain players of at least see of they are worth doing it so. Jose fcked up a lot the second time regarding the selling of players, and honestly doesn't seem to be the same man after Madrid. There's an air of passiveness and negativity about him, but that's for another topic.

All the way down hill to 13 consecutive wins. I hope we go downhill for a few more game too !

Amazing turnaround that Conte has engineered. Completely surpassed mine and probably every supporters expectation, especially after the poor start. He deserves a lot of credit. Love it, and long may it continue.

Pleasantly surprised how good this guy is with the ball at his feet. Quite a good passer and a very intelligent player too. Dude's a baller. He really is a steal for us in the current market.

If anything, this match shows how poor the overall quality of our squad is, some recent Jose comments make me think he is unhappy with the squad and is not getting what he wants, which is leading to frustration and conflict (not necessarily a bad thing) behind the scenes. And Ake should have started this game at the very least.

For me this doesn't mean anything as far as his standing with the club goes, but I can't help being disappointed by this move. I feel you are speaking from the heart as a fan, rather than thinking critically about it. This is not a normal employer-employee relationship, this is Frank Lampard we are talking about. If anything he's the one wearing the pants in this relation, not the other way around. Put it even more simply, there is no way Lampard would not have known about this City deal beforehand, these kinds of things simply do not happen. He is not a De Bruyne going to Chelsea, he is Lampard going to play for NYCFC, everything would be known beforehand, especially such a major deal. Like I said before this doesn't change much, he remains arguably our greatest ever midfielder, and for many our greatest ever player. But I personally cannot help feeling bitterly disappointed, its all wrong. Like a bona fide Arse or Man U legend signing for us. We move on though, as we always do and will keep on doing so.

Like most Chelsea fans, I have a dislike for Fabregas but it really is quite clear to see he would fit us like a hand in a very velvety and silky glove. Fabregas, Costa, Luis and another attacker(a good one) would be quite good, even though I feel to truly give the squad a complete feel circa early Jose years we would need another midfielder(someone like Koke or Pogba). Of course, realistically because of their price, they are a bridge too far for us this summer. Lets wait and see where this goes now,if it were to happen I hope we sign Fabregas and Costa before the WC, I also hope we sign Fabregas for the lulz from Arse fans.

This affected me more than I thought it would. I don't know if I can add anything more to the sentiment that has already been expressed here and indeed by countless other Chelsea fans. At the end of the day I can only say wow, wow what a player, what a career he's had here and what a privilege its been to watch a player like him. I think me and every club supporters already know what an asset he's been to the club, but I feel when his departure hits us, the realization will be completely surprising how completely insane was the consistency he achieved with us. Although, he was never the most elegant player to watch, nor the type of player that 'catches the eye' so to speak, but at the end all I can say is that he was the best midfielder ever to play at this club, perhaps even the greatest player ever for some, opinions, as always, will differ. Legend really doesn't even begin to cover what he has been for this club, I wish him the best for the future.

I don't know if I am the only one, but a creative CM is as important as a forward for me. Then another attacking midfielder, one who preferably is more penetrative with his passing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypsEW7oafjE#t=42 Comedy gold. He got me at the 'some club give flowers' line.

I hope he stays, though I feel its not what the hierarchy wants. Nevertheless if he goes it'l be interesting to see where we go with our LB predicament. Give a chance to PVA with Bertrand as the deputy or vice-versa or buy another LB. My bet is with the latter happening.

We lack craft in the middle(proper cm position) and that has been clear as day whenever we try and break down teams. This match, City learned form their past experience and did well not to get hit on the counter which completely negated the effect of our central midfielders plus Ramires, everyone was poor but I included Ramires in the above point because too often when we have to break down teams and he plays centrally(he wasn't yesterday but I'm talking about a broader point of view) he is ineffective like most of the central midfielders we have. We need that craft in central midfield position, imo we need a top striker, a top central midfielder and maybe even a central attacking midfielder who can actually challenge for the first team against Oscar. Then I will be confident to say our squad is comparable to City, Barcelona, Madrid and Munich. Until then, for sure we can beat anyone on our day but we won't be where I expect Jose wants us to be.