The mancityfans.net football forum

Looking through the media you'd think that Chelsea had already been written-off for title contenders this season yet when you look a little deeper you'll see that something's going on; things are a-changing as they say. After Roman reportedly spending £70 mil on the likes of Torres and Luiz in the winter and going back into the market this summer with Lakuku, Mata and Romeu (from Barca), they have now put in an official bid for Alvaro Pereira (25 mil) from Porto according to Sky (Have I missed anyone?). There's also talk of them bringing in a couple of CBs as well which could take the total up but at the moment that's a total of £125 mil already, if my figures are correct, and may not look good against the FFPR.

Anyway, without going into my own thoughts I was wondering what you think on the following (one or more):

a. What's going to happen to their current players such as Anelka, Drogba etc?

b. With all those new signings, will they have a problem getting them to gel?

c. Have they got a chance of winning the league?

d. And my main point, will they now change their style of play, a style that hasn't changed since Mourinho's reign?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

A. Core of their team are in twilight of their careers. Anelka, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Malouda etc will all be gone in next two to three years. They are obviously making that final push for Champion's League but they also need to start rebuilding. And they are actually doing fine work with many of those purchases.

B. Spine of that team has years of experience playing together. That makes it easier for new players to come in.

C. Yes. Although I don't think they will. It will be between us and rags with Chelsea as outsiders, I predict.

D. They have to. They have been reliant on Lampard arriving late to box and clinching those winners. I also expect Villas-Boas to experiment bit with formations. People seem to forget how young he is for a manager. Year older than me. Amazing really. He wouldn't have some fixated system that he brings everywhere and as manager he is still learning.

Mata and Sturridge playing off Lukaku is a potentially world-class forward line. Sturridge is starting to show wonderful potential - his goals in preseason too for Chelsea were brilliantly taken. Lukaku could easily be as good as Drogba if he develops at a consistent rate, and Mata is potentially as good as Silva...

So yeah, they might take a year or so to get there, but that's a very encouraging start. Don't know much about the young lad from Barca, but he must be half decent. They need fresh legs definitely, and I think AVB is aware of this. Ivanovic and Luiz are both young enough to start for a few years, and they'll hope that Bruma at LB can develop, and McEachran can become basically Jack Wilshere MK II.

There's definitely potential for them to groom a good young, vibrant team if they develop it well. It'll be interesting to watch, as players like Anelka, Terry, Drogba, Lampard and so on are surely on their way down now.

D: You can harly say that Ancelotti's team at the start of last season played like Mourinho's

Seems they are getting their spending out of the way now, and I suppose they have to or they will face the problem of replacing a generation of world class players within a year or two. However it is probably that the manager has players he fancies just in the same way Mancini did when he came here.

We will soon see - could be some big names on the fringes at Chelsea this season

I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

I can't see them sacking Villas-Boas in good few years unless it goes wrong big time. I mean they have gone through fair few managers since Mourinho left in quick succession and it has become dangerous jobs in eyes of many top managers. Also, where would they go from Villas-Boas? Another desperate effort to attract Hiddink? What if he says no AGAIN? The thing going on for Villas-Boas is his youth and fresh approach. I think Chelsea understand that. There might be ups and downs early on but I reckon that given time and some dosh he will make them competitive.

Ancellotti was simply overrated manager and I said it when they appointed him. He rode those two Champion's League wins but other than that his career is sketchy and he wasn't even regularily succesfull with Milan.

A lack of patience could ultimately be our downfall as well ....

I'd loved to have a double winning manager, overrated or otherwise

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

I can't see them sacking Villas-Boas in good few years unless it goes wrong big time. I mean they have gone through fair few managers since Mourinho left in quick succession and it has become dangerous jobs in eyes of many top managers. Also, where would they go from Villas-Boas? Another desperate effort to attract Hiddink? What if he says no AGAIN? The thing going on for Villas-Boas is his youth and fresh approach. I think Chelsea understand that. There might be ups and downs early on but I reckon that given time and some dosh he will make them competitive.

Ancellotti was simply overrated manager and I said it when they appointed him. He rode those two Champion's League wins but other than that his career is sketchy and he wasn't even regularily succesfull with Milan.

I don't think Abramovic learned something after his mistakes, maybe the staff and the board, but him, never. Nobody wanted Zhirkov, but he still brought him and then they sold him after what, one year? If they will be patient with him, maybe even a season, then i think he can build a great squad.
And hopefully he won't bring Alvaro Pereira to them, that is a cracking player.

Chinners wrote:A lack of patience could ultimately be our downfall as well ....

I'd loved to have a double winning manager, overrated or otherwise

Exactly.

interesting to see Chelsea bidding for Alvaro Pereira ,AVB has obviously worked with him at Porto and he was outstanding in the Europa league,but he really stood out for me on the job he did marking Messi in the Copa America for Uraguay ,probably a game too far for Messi but Pereira had him in his pocket the entire game . considering the way to the Champions league title goes through stopping Lionel and Barca might be a player we should be looking for .

Beefymcfc wrote:Anyway, without going into my own thoughts I was wondering what you think on the following (one or more):

a. What's going to happen to their current players such as Anelka, Drogba etc?
I think Anekla will either leave in January or at the end of next season on a free since his contract ends at the end of this season. Drogba will stay on a mentor/senior player of sorts until he wants to leave. Terry and Lamps will play out their careers at Chelsea. Kalou may leave.

b. With all those new signings, will they have a problem getting them to gel?
Yes, as much as any other team in the same position. No biggie though.

c. Have they got a chance of winning the league?
Yup.

d. And my main point, will they now change their style of play, a style that hasn't changed since Mourinho's reign?
I think they need to. AVB loves his 4-3-3 but that doesnt really fit Torres. Bringing in Mata will be huge for Torres as he will get some much needed creativity in midfield to supply him. He will be their striker for a bit..with Lukaku and Malouda aiding him on the wings.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

They're bringing in some good, young players to help take over for the older guys when they retire/leave...and Roman has brought em in while the older players still have a good 2 years left in hopes that the younger players can learn from them. As Cole, Anelka, Malouda, Terry, Lamps, and Drogba get older Luiz, possibly Periera, Mata, Torres, Lukaku, Kalou (if he stays), McEachran, etc. will all move in a run the show. Good, smart moves on Chelsea's part.

Imo, if Arry Aston Viillas signs Modric to go with Mata, it will be the first time a manager has seriously brought in players which could drastically change the Chelsea team from the one built by Ranieri & kicked into shape/brainwashed by Mourinho.

People make out as if Ancelotti was doing something revolutionary with that team but it's just bollocks. If Bob changes his formation from 4 2 3 1 to 4 3 3 or 4 4 2 it's still Bob's team & that Chelsea team was still Mourinho's. Just tweaked slightly, older, & nowhere near as good.

Stick Modric & Mata in there though & surely it has to change; they are different types of players & don't have the power of Mourinho's usual players. whether he then replaces the aging stars with similar types or also changes them will be interesting to see.

Imo, Bob's success so far is built on the fact that he realised early doors that the Premier league is a muggers alley & he's filled most of the team with players who are not just technical but strong lads.

If AVB misses that angle & lets Chelsea lose their physical edge & goes too technical too soon, I think he'll fail, big style.

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

This x10000

Ted Hughes wrote:Imo, Bob's success so far is built on the fact that he realised early doors that the Premier league is a muggers alley & he's filled most of the team with players who are not just technical but strong lads.

If AVB misses that angle & lets Chelsea lose their physical edge & goes too technical too soon, I think he'll fail, big style.

I've been thinking about that alot. Definitely something Mancini did right. He realised that he wasn't going to change how rest of the league plays and how lenient referees are so he has concentrated on skillfull who are capable taking care of themselves. In fact, he has gone bit overboard occasionally with likes of Boateng who had strength and bit pace but was shaky and technically so and so.

I think that's the key for any new manager in Premier League (and NO, I'm not talking just about foreigners but also managers of promoted teams) to admit the fact that your team isn't going to play on their own and take into account how rest of the 19 teams play and make purchases accordingly.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

I can't see them sacking Villas-Boas in good few years unless it goes wrong big time. I mean they have gone through fair few managers since Mourinho left in quick succession and it has become dangerous jobs in eyes of many top managers. Also, where would they go from Villas-Boas? Another desperate effort to attract Hiddink? What if he says no AGAIN? The thing going on for Villas-Boas is his youth and fresh approach. I think Chelsea understand that. There might be ups and downs early on but I reckon that given time and some dosh he will make them competitive.

Ancellotti was simply overrated manager and I said it when they appointed him. He rode those two Champion's League wins but other than that his career is sketchy and he wasn't even regularily succesfull with Milan.

Sorry mate but I'm sick to death of reading stuff like this from you. You make stuff like this up all the time. "I said this months ago"....."I warned people this would happen"....."I did tell everyone this but no one listened".

Here's what you actually said about Ancellotti before the start of last season:

I think he is one of the best managers in the world. I knew it when he came to Chelsea and expected him to do well.

viewtopic.php?f=119&t=32453&p=149904&hilit=Ancellotti#p149904

Sorry for being a sad case and searching this but your 'I told you so' posting style finally made me crack today. Stop being an 'I told you so' merchant because half the time you didn't tell us so, you simply made it up to prove a point. It does you no favours at all.

For the record, I agree with your previous assessment of him and think your latest one is tripe.

AVB said he would look at his players first and he has. it obviously scared him to death and he has plunged into the market.

So disruption is the order of the day now.

And his schoolboy relief at the winning goal in that ponderous performance at the weekend, and his very uncool 'obviously very relieved' interview afterwards, would make me worried if I were a Chelsea fan. Seems a man on the edge already.

CityGer wrote:

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

I can't see them sacking Villas-Boas in good few years unless it goes wrong big time. I mean they have gone through fair few managers since Mourinho left in quick succession and it has become dangerous jobs in eyes of many top managers. Also, where would they go from Villas-Boas? Another desperate effort to attract Hiddink? What if he says no AGAIN? The thing going on for Villas-Boas is his youth and fresh approach. I think Chelsea understand that. There might be ups and downs early on but I reckon that given time and some dosh he will make them competitive.

Ancellotti was simply overrated manager and I said it when they appointed him. He rode those two Champion's League wins but other than that his career is sketchy and he wasn't even regularily succesfull with Milan.

Sorry mate but I'm sick to death of reading stuff like this from you. You make stuff like this up all the time. "I said this months ago"....."I warned people this would happen"....."I did tell everyone this but no one listened".

Here's what you actually said about Ancellotti before the start of last season:

I think he is one of the best managers in the world. I knew it when he came to Chelsea and expected him to do well.

viewtopic.php?f=119&t=32453&p=149904&hilit=Ancellotti#p149904

Sorry for being a sad case and searching this but your 'I told you so' posting style finally made me crack today. Stop being an 'I told you so' merchant because half the time you didn't tell us so, you simply made it up to prove a point. It does you no favours at all.

For the record, I agree with your previous assessment of him and think your latest one is tripe.

That's a good find actually. I feel like I've always thought he was poor, considering his record but obviously not. I'm genuinely surprised but my opinions must've moulded during his Chelsea stay. Interesting.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

CityGer wrote:

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

PeterParker wrote:I think the question is how long will "Villa's Boss" stay. I like him, well i liked the way Porto played, but Premier league is totally other league than that. I don't think they'll win the league this year and in UCL maybe, and thats a big maybe, semifinals.
Imho, his maximum will be what Ancelotti did. The lack of pacience in this club is what will bring them down, not the transfers.

I can't see them sacking Villas-Boas in good few years unless it goes wrong big time. I mean they have gone through fair few managers since Mourinho left in quick succession and it has become dangerous jobs in eyes of many top managers. Also, where would they go from Villas-Boas? Another desperate effort to attract Hiddink? What if he says no AGAIN? The thing going on for Villas-Boas is his youth and fresh approach. I think Chelsea understand that. There might be ups and downs early on but I reckon that given time and some dosh he will make them competitive.

Ancellotti was simply overrated manager and I said it when they appointed him. He rode those two Champion's League wins but other than that his career is sketchy and he wasn't even regularily succesfull with Milan.

Sorry mate but I'm sick to death of reading stuff like this from you. You make stuff like this up all the time. "I said this months ago"....."I warned people this would happen"....."I did tell everyone this but no one listened".

Here's what you actually said about Ancellotti before the start of last season:

I think he is one of the best managers in the world. I knew it when he came to Chelsea and expected him to do well.

viewtopic.php?f=119&t=32453&p=149904&hilit=Ancellotti#p149904

Sorry for being a sad case and searching this but your 'I told you so' posting style finally made me crack today. Stop being an 'I told you so' merchant because half the time you didn't tell us so, you simply made it up to prove a point. It does you no favours at all.

For the record, I agree with your previous assessment of him and think your latest one is tripe.

That's a good find actually. I feel like I've always thought he was poor, considering his record but obviously not. I'm genuinely surprised but my opinions must've moulded during his Chelsea stay. Interesting.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
Quality Antti!

Chelsea lack pace in the team, they do not lack pace, when the owner becomes unhappy, if you add the 50 mill they have paid to managers they have sacked they are loony club and defo a play thing.

Hazy2 wrote:Chelsea lack pace in the team, they do not lack pace, when the owner becomes unhappy, if you add the 50 mill they have paid to managers they have sacked they are loony club and defo a play thing.

?????????????????????????

HAHAHA take a breath Hazy lad.