Some interesting comments So here’s some from a Chelsea point of view.
We are far from ready for the start of the season the early starting date of the season, the late finish to the 21/22 season meant that most of our squad only had two-three weeks off . Yes I know other teams were likewise impacted but there have been two approaches to it.
The first where you try to gain fitness in the early PL games and the second is where some clubs choose to restrict players to far shorter breaks and were into games within a matter of days.The timing of the WC will impact come December and if clubs go full tilt too early.
Yesterday TT clearly hoped we would just do enough irrespective that’s what he got!
We were poor of that there was no doubt but away from home, first game of the season at a ground we have a terrible record we will take a 1-0 every day of the week.The fact he played 5 players over the age of 30 meant he was relying on experience that won’t be the case going forward
You are clearly a far worse team without Richarlinson and should you not get a decent forward or somehow DCL stays fit ( that seems a tall order) then you just dont seem to have the tools going forward .
Ali is a spent force and there was a reason he didn’t start. The lad you got from Rangers did well McNeil struggled but that wasn’t surprising
Neither keeper had a lot to do to be honest but Pickford made two huge mistakes yesterday, the first lead to the injury and the second he got away with because Sterling was offside .
Tawkoski will be solid for you but you are going to have to forget Mina. If a mouse farts he gets injured.!
Mendy made one save that was for the cameras. James , Mount, Havertz we’re way off the pace
With or without Richarlison, that was a better performance from us as a template. We looked better drilled without the ball, and much better off set plays.
I didnt think Chelsea looked like scoring, barring a dubious penalty, way over what the alotted time should have been, off the back of a free kick that should never have been given.
For us, it was an almost day. Tarkowskis header, the double save off Holgate and Doucoure 2nd half, Silvas block off Gray. Also the lack of a header from Gordon and through ball from Gray, where we were inches away from 2 more clear chances. It was close for us, but not quite.
We need to improve the personnel on the template. Another forward, DCL back, and Gueye/Onana will make a big difference. Once they get integrated, we will be a lot better than last season, which at times was a complete shambles.
Like yourselves, we looked a bit off the pace, but honestly not sure we looked worse than last season.
