StrictlyFooty

@MeiaArmador__ @Eazy_Enoch @anirudhsujith97 And Farioli?

@Eazy_Enoch @anirudhsujith97 Would be a good appointment.

It’s the sporting directors and the ownership, not Maresca or Rosenior, although the former is much better than the latter.

@MusialaEra Agree with the sentiment but wouldn't put Maresca in the same bracket as Kompany, even though I like him. Unlike Kompany, Maresca didn't capture the fans, which I think was down to a mixture language barrier + Italian bluntness. Again though, agree with the sentiment.

I‘ll never criticize Chelsea for following the hire & sack model, at Bayern we do it too. Very successful model. But there‘s a line. There‘ll be a coach who‘s worth it. We found that man in Kompany & treat him accordingly. You found that man in Enzo & threw him away. Big mistake.

@danieIscouting And Lacroix? The other CB we are linked to?

van Hecke is almost the same level CB to Beukema/Lucumí from Bologna. 1st went to Napoli & disappeared, 2nd is waiting for his contract to be close to done so bigger clubs come. Why Chelsea fans need to overhype ok players? They’re ruining a possible transfer for their own club.

@CFCAnalytic @NewsJeffJ1 @MobyChe The point isn't whether or not the situation was untenable, the question is why? He needed to go because he wanted out BECAUSE of a series of poor key decision's made by people who still run the day to day of our football club, meaning it will continue to be like this.

@NewsJeffJ1 @MobyChe Completely agree, but when a situation is untenable, a situation is untenable. He needed to go.

Anybody who wanted Maresca gone didn’t know what they were talking about. They lacked a fundamental understanding of our team and Maresca as a coach and yall know yourselves. Always whining about this or that without (inversion of players, roles, tactical approach, etc) any relative understanding of why. This is what happens. Liam isn’t relatively bad like he looks rn, but when you ask a coach to have to pull 100% out of his team in all departments every game to get any decent result, this will happen.

@JohyanCruyff Could also be Enzo LW like against Wolves/Burnley moving to the half space if back 4. Assuming it's back 5 though.

If I had to guess, either a back 4 with Gusto right wing or a back 5, either way in possession Cucurella between the lines for Neto to move wider on the left with Gusto high & wide for Enzo to play right 10 Expect more crosses tonight

@IsolatedPlay_ He is definitely an elite generalist. He just has to be unleashed. If you ever watch him for Ecuador you can see the true potential. It's why I have been calling for Chema Andres. He is the Rodri profile. La Fabrica made, he even looks like Rodri lol. We HAVE to get him.

The problem we’re facing building around Caicedo is he’s too much of a generalist but not an elite one. He’s not enough in possession to play as a 6. He’s not enough defensively as a B2B or 6. His best position is obviously as the 2nd Holding Midfielder, more B2B role. It’s an issue with Enzo who is elite in possession but horrific off it, consider him the advanced 8 with the least defensive responsibility. How can we find someone who’s better than Caicedo on and off the ball to play 6? Barco is elite on the ball but not off it enough, it will still be an issue next season. But i’d much rather prioritize sorting our midfield in possession than out of it due to our style of play.

@Cfc_AS8 @sthsthburner Agreed but Cho also never displayed finishing variety like the 2 mentioned nor the two footedness of Dembele Cal faster than Yamal but stylistically, the emphasis on 1v1 dribbling, creativity and the finesse shot being the only finish in their repertoire... I'm seeing smth.

@StrictlyFooty90 @sthsthburner Yamal isn’t anywhere near as quick as them two.

RLC was one of the best dribblers I've ever seen play the sport at 6'5 but he had a poor final ball and his awareness defensively was poor so fairs But Cal could've legitimately been one of the 3 best LWs itw. His blend of pace, 1v1 dribbling and vision was absurd even at 18

@CFCAnalytic Chill on my boy Farioli though, what's your beef with him 🤣

Like people just don't get this. Maresca was a good fit football wise for the squad. He had some pretty bad quirks, but broadly was top tactically. Rosenior has less bad quirks, but is probably worse tactically but his overall fit is better than Maresca.

@Arningbo @LKCOYB Problem is that his profile perfect for us and almost non-existent on the market. He comes from Real Madrid's academy too so he has that elite Spanish education. I would personally bite the bullet but I understand reservations given where we are right now.

@StrictlyFooty90 @LKCOYB Good shout, but another guy who's young, inexperienced and will need time. Would definitely look at him but we still need someone who can come in a do the job now

Nah. You never hear me mention Onana, because you would only be creating another issue while trying to solve one. He is “okay” on the ball, but would have a negative effect on the whole collective in build-up & our ability to control games which is part of defending too (see PSG/City). I have talked about players who can add legs outside of deeper central areas for good reason. In the centre of the pitch, elite IQ is priority. Should be looking to add physicality around it wherever we can in positions it’s not as detrimental (hence my mention of FB areas or ahead of our deeper midfielders). There is a reason players like Gallagher or even Rice in previous seasons (no offence to him, as he can player deeper with the right partner) were used further ahead.

@sthsthburner If the comps have you worried, actual performances will not be better. Petrovic's comps were actually good but you could still see a lack of scalability if you watched with a keen eye. These guys should already know he's not ready. He's an insane prospect but 1-2 yrs away.

Random Q for Strasbourg watchers, is Penders anywhere *near* being ready for Chelsea? Every clip/comp I see of the kid involves him spilling a save or parrying it right into an attacker's path but idk anything about the rest of his game

@DonDonaldo11 @ct_efootball If you don't spend them, you will not have 9 spins for the new box, you will have 0. You will miss these players for no reason. Spin the packs before Thursday bro.

@ct_efootball Hey bro, I'm not interested in any of the players. I was planning to use them for Shev. Are you 100% sure I'll spend them? Does the box reset? Thanks

Official Thursday Reminder: Make sure to use all Chance Deals from the Daily Game Box before Thursday. ✅ #eFootball

@HalfSpaceMC One of the things that makes Acheampong a ridiculous prospect, he also has this. I'd argue to an even higher lvl than Wes.

Wesley Fofana and Ousmane Dembélé share a rare biomechanical foundation— fluid, elastic movers built on explosive reorientation (hips + ankles), loose reactive chains, and high-frequency direction changes/adjustments. That type of body is elite… but naturally injury-prone early on because of the constant stress on soft tissue (hamstrings, groin) if not properly managed. What changed with Dembélé was was load management, conditioning, and body awareness. He became more efficient, picked his moments to explode, and built muscular durability over time. Fofana is on that same curve. He just needs to stabilise physically, build a stronger muscular base, and refine when to engage at max intensity. He’s still only 25 and if that clicks, you’re looking at a system-defining CB with rare movement capacity.

@danieIscouting United squad has too many holes to be spending £150m on one player. Not to mention Chelsea is a massive institution with leverage on his contract.

If Chelsea don’t go to the UCL, United should sign Palmer if Bruno leaves. Build the Cherki-Semenyo dynamic with Mbeumo and him. Would be better since Palmer is taller and more athletic so doesn’t need to be in deep zones constantly.

@sthsthburner Not to mention age doesn't = quality or balance, which is our main squad building flaw.

I completely believe they'll do this btw, the "problem" is there's a v clear disconnect in what they consider "experienced and older" players vs what the fanbase would expect lmao

@JohyanCruyff Alternatively you have Haaland running in behind Tosin + Semenyo running in behind a Tosin-Cucu left hand side. Trade offs. Squad building issue as usual.

The lack of height in that XI😬 Hato potentially against Haaland on crosses & long balls too, more pace at the back which can help against Haaland’s runs in behind but nobody who can defend the box well or sweep danger in behind If City get control it’s probably wraps

@HalfSpaceMC Vuskovic (if relegated) or Diomande or Muharemovic (left footed Vusko)

CB options next season should be: Levi Colwill Wesley Fofana Josh Acheampong (New starter level CB) Senesi Sell Chalobah, Badiashile & Tosin

@NewsJeffJ1 He can even be a starter at a top team depending on squad dynamics. Should be relatively cheap so will be good value as a squad piece regardless. If you have time, a player to look at is Chema Andres. Spanish DM in the Rodri mould. Think he'd perfect for us with Moi at 8 + CP10.

Good squad player for a top side: will especially be useful against low blocks. Not a bad signing in isolation, but how we shape up the team collectively will determine his success at this club. If we dont do that, he will barely see enough game time or only his issues will be highlighted when he plays.

@B03GHB4L1 That will not change the collective deficiency in the specific part of defending I mentioned, but it would limit it's influence, hence my point about pressing. Essentially PSG. Regardless, Barco is a connector, w/ him in MF you still want an organiser. CP in MF makes that tricky

@StrictlyFooty90 No we simply have to press well and in an organized fashion. We don’t do that currently because we don’t have a good manager to organize it 👍🏾

[IF/WHEN he starts] A strict tight pivot of him and Caicedo. He takes on the Vitinha role of directing traffic and breaking lines, Caicedo takes on the Joao Neves role as the mobile all-rounder. If we play him as an advanced #8, I don't see it being optimal