20/21 Expectations

This topic contains 13 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by Stuilse Stuilse 3 years, 6 months ago.

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  • #1870622
    NIBlue
    NIBlue
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    • :

    Personally I will be more thank happy for more of the same this season.

    Preferably close the gap on the eventual Champions, finish top 3 with good cup runs. A domestic trophy would be a bonus.

    I very much see this as a work in progress season, allowing the signings to gel with the squad and the guys from the other European leagues to get used to the prem.

    Also we do not know what disruption Covid 19 will have which is a very real potential.

    If all goes according to plan, I will not be so lenient come 21/22🌝🌝

    #1870676

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    We are singing from the same song sheet NI.

    I would be disappointed if we don’t push on next season and finish 3rd as well as close the points gap on City and Liverpool, a domestic Cup would be nice but much depends on the luck of the draw there and I would like to see us progress a bit further in the CL too perhaps to the Qtr Finals stage.

    I don’t think we should expect too much too soon given all the changes to the squad and the team but again I will be disappointed if we don’t begin to make a title challenge the season after this one coming up. Cheers 9’s

    #1870694
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    With all the reinforcement that Frank Lampard has and will have, I think we should aim for challenging for the title. Achieving the same result as last season, lagging some 30 points behind the champion despite top 4 finish: I don’t think Abramovich will be patient with him.

    I would also like Chelsea to advance until at least quarter final of UCL and a domestic cup (FA or Carabao).

    #1870712
    NIBlue
    NIBlue
    Participant
    • :

    Aindro it would be great if do compete, I just would be concerned about how quickly the new signings adapt to the league, and if we can keep Covid out of the camp.

    I certainly dont think the league will be the one horse race it was last season.

    United, Arsenal, Spurs are all strengthening so who knows, the mini league of the top six or eight (if the likes of Leicester and Wolves turn up again this season) will certainly have a massive factor and hopefully we can pick up more points in those games this season.

    Anyway as I say for me top 3, smaller points difference and good cup runs will be great, anything better …. it’s even more beer time😁😁🍺🍺

    #1870717

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    I think a touch of realism is required the players we are bringing in with the exception of Thiago and maybe Ziyech are young players and it’s going to take all of them a period of time to settle as we saw with Pulasic alongside that we finished 33 points behind Liverpool and 15 points behind City.

    We have yet to buy either an aerially dominant CB or a physically strong Goalkeeper more suited to the PL than Kepa and we may not buy either.

    Currently United have yet to strengthen but they will, Liverpool are allegedly going to keep their powder dry but I still think they will strengthen before the window closes on October 5th and City have lost Sane and Silva but have covered the loss of Sane with the signing of Torres, Foden is a ready made replacement for Silva and Ake will strengthen their squad and I doubt City are finished yet and if they sign a Koulibally and pull off the signing of Messi the game is up imo and everyone will be competing for 2nd place.

    I’m not sure where you’ve got the “achieving the same result as last season lagging 30 points behind the Champions” from Aindro because both NI and myself have said we should be looking to close the points gap on both City and Liverpool.

    We seemingly agree on the hope of winning a domestic Cup and going further in the CL though.😊

    Rome wasn’t built in a day these are significant changes that we are making to the squad and team who will take time to settle in a new country and a new League others before them although big signings like Morata have fallen short in trying to do that.

    #1870731
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    999 what I meant with that is that we should not only aim to finish in the top 3 or top 4 like last season. The gap is important. We need to challenge for the title. I agree with you both. If Lampard finishes next season with a similar result like last season, I don’t think Abramovich will be patient.

    Understood perfectly about the adaptation of new players. Werner looked really good and sharp though. I am ok if we sign a GK to compete with Kepa (hence the link to E Mendy), but we have to anticipate if Kepa plays bad again.

    #1870742
    NIBlue
    NIBlue
    Participant
    • :

    The more I think about it the more you have to consider the impact of Covid-19, not just as a potential threat of players missing but supporters missing too.

    Let’s face it Anfield is most probably THE most intimidating stadium in the league …. but an empty Anfield or 2 thirds empty just wont have the same fear factor …. and I am sure all the teams are thinking along those lines!!

    However when it comes the bridge I reckon it is fair to say at best … We have our moments!! So the impact of empty or reduced crowds will not be the same!!

    How cheesed off am I however as in October of last year my area of responsibility in work expanded from NI to the whole of the UK meaning more trips to London or at least until Covid kicked in!!

    Now all the meetings are being run virtually so puts an end to my plans of working my visits around fixtures!!

    #1870743

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    Aindro, I think we can all hope for a title challenge this season although I think it is probably too early in the first season following all this rebuilding.

    Frank is effectively building a completely new team realistically it might take time for them all to find their feet and gel as a team and I suspect the second half of our season could be stronger than our first half because of that.

    Pulasic and Morata are examples of time being needed in respect of Pulasic and players not settling in the case of Morata.

    As a minimum though I think we need to significantly close the points gap between ourselves and Liverpool/City.

    Going forwards City are a real concern if they sign the likes of Messi and Koulibally.

    Overall though I think it’s going to be an exciting time to be a Chelsea fan.

    #1870746
    aindro
    aindro
    Participant
    • :

    999 I wholeheartedly agree. Closing the gap is really important. Take last season as a benchmark, we lost 12 matches. And we took 54 goals during the season. I really would expect a better record next season to close the gap. More victory, less defeat. And better defense too. But on top of that, top 4 is still a must.

    NIBlue: I won’t expect a one-horse race but I think Liverpool and City are still too strong for the others. We are trying to close the gap, Man Utd too with Bruno Fernandes right away settled. But I do not see Spurs recruit heavily. I do not see Arsenal recruit heavily. I am hoping that Werner and Ziyech who joined earlier would have their adaptation period shorter. Also Chilwell who’s already played on the top level for 3-4 years.

    #1870831

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    Great point about Fernandes Aindro he settled really well and was the main reason imo why United enjoyed the run they did to the end of the season.

    I think though it will be more difficult with potentially 5 or 6 new players coming into the Chelsea team to hit the ground running and drive Chelsea to a title challenge from day one hope I’m wrong though either way I think we are in for a very exciting Chelsea season. Cheers 9’s

    #1870972
    bort
    bort
    Participant
    • :

    3rd highest 5th lowest

    Until Chelsea replace Kepa and get a top CB in their prime we will very unlikely challenge for the title. Thiago Silva is a great stop gap but not the long term answer.

    I see Chelsea closing the gap on the top 2 a little but Liverpool the last 2 seasons have shown how far ahead they are from everyone and I don’t see Man City having a repeat year from last and will only be stronger.

    #1871986
    chelsea1967
    chelsea1967
    Participant
    • :

    Aiming high for second displacing City. An FA Cup or League Cup would be nice. No worse than the Quarters in the Champions League. It may well all be a step too far and more achievable the season following however I am hopeful they will gel quickly. We need a quality keeper though and fast. Kepa does not own the penalty area like he should do, slight in stature, a little short in height and lacking in confidence in putting the body on the line under pressure and intercepting crosses so appears to have been a poor buy especially for the amount parted with.

    Leading up to Christmas our toughest three fixtures are United and Wolves away and Liverpool and Spurs at Home so that may help while the squad beds in. Arsenal away straight after christmas will be a great Chrissie event well worth looking forward to.

    #1872032

    nine nine nine
    Moderator
    • :

    Good post 67 I’m hoping for similar and like you I think we’ll be stronger in the second half of the season once the new players have had a but if a chance to settle.

    #1872259
    Stuilse
    Stuilse
    Participant
    • :

    https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/08/31/what-can-thiago-silva-bring-to-the-blues–a-tactical-view

    Great article by Pat Nevin re Thiago. My expectations are high re this calibre of player and leader…seems the qualities he has are exactly what our defence is looking for. I read a great article where Thiago states, “when I talk, ppl listen…including Zlatan.” Says it all really….

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