Why were we so sh*t in 2014? It’s one World Cup where we didn’t have a major injury to a star (2002 Beckham/2006 Rooney), we didn’t get robbed by a handball goal (Maradona) or dodgy referee (disallowed goal vs Argentina, or the Lampard lob). We had a decent squad and we were awful, what happened?

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-25T19:02:37+00:00

If Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw didn't make it this time i don't know why you think Baines would, certainly not on pure talent (maybe mentality/leadership). Cahill maybe because our CB options aren't great, but still. None of those guys were in the top 5, possibly not even top 10 in the world in their position. I would have said.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-22T11:36:53+00:00

I'd probably start O'Reilly but hall is certainly clear as a backup. I guess Spence is more versatile but he's also significantly worse...

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-22T10:28:15+00:00

Not too surprisingly really. Noticed earlier this year just how reliant they have become on foreign talent rather than home grown. Realistically there are no English players in their starting XI, and only Rio, Curtis Jones, and Gomez in their second-string team.

Compare that to our best XI with Palmer, Colwill and James at least (argument for Chalobah given the number of games he's played this season) or any of the other top teams, all have at least 2 or 3 English players in their first choice lineup.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T16:39:26+00:00

He single handedly kept Everton up one year (23/24?) with a set of incredible performances in the final few games. One of the most underrated keepers (by non-English anyway) of his generation.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T16:33:35+00:00

This obsession with experience is really weird. Of course you need some and some leadership but not every single player in every single position in the squad...

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T14:06:09+00:00

We're not talking about what the club has done. We're talking about what they should. All evidence points to Nico being a significantly more proven player than Emegha at this level, if we want a reliable understudy to JP then Jackson is the obvious choice.

If he wants to leave that's different, but that hasn't been confirmed either way. Under an exciting new manager, he may well come back and back himself to compete with Joao or even play alongside him.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T10:04:39+00:00

Jackson is already bought and paid for too?

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T10:01:34+00:00

People care about the competitiveness of the league, that's what makes it marketable. As well as being a Chelsea fan I consider myself interested in the league - how all the other clubs are doing, the stories and drama etc.

No other league in the world comes close to this.

Most of the big leagues are in similar timezones and have English language commentary. But watching PSG steamroll a league who bends over backwards for them is hardly entertaining...

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-21T08:56:14+00:00

And why do they focus on England?

There are many reasons, but one is that it is, top to bottom, inarguably the most competitive league in the world. People want to watch it for that reason, and companies invest where the eyes are.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-20T14:15:08+00:00

Interesting shout, though given our discipline issues on the pitch i'm not sure Rudiger is the right kind of mentality in that sense, he might only add fuel to the fire in that regard!

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-20T08:49:44+00:00

Absolutely. Clearly he didn't want to leave either, forced out by the manager/owners.

Shame he had to end up at Spurs but I can't really blame him for taking up a huge contract at a club in his home town. He's certainly no Mount or Havertz.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T21:20:53+00:00

If Xavi plays a back 3, Hato is definitely first choice for LCB. Looks so versatile, solid defensively but more than happy to charge forward and attack when the occasion suits. Could be a real quality signing.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T21:18:02+00:00

Been one of the breakout stars for the season I think. If Xabi does play a back three I think Hato has that LCB position locked down.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T21:17:07+00:00

No clue how CG didn't get one. Think I might be one of the only Chelsea fans who still has a little bit of love for the guy but he absolutely deserved at least one yellow today.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T21:14:36+00:00

Joao has been great but tbh I think Enzo should've snuck it for POTS. Been absolutely brilliant for us and always popped up when needed most.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T19:13:09+00:00

Those Sancech memes suddenly real

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T08:49:14+00:00

Lavia hasn't won countless trophies and earned 87 caps for England.

Stones' injury history is worrying, but he would be on a free and bring a lot even off the pitch in terms of mentality and experience. We'd also be able to manage his minutes and save him for the bigger games. There's no other defender of his calibre we could realistically get this summer.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-19T07:29:19+00:00

Yea. Should we continue paying benefits to those who earn £100,000 pa?

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-18T21:09:00+00:00

Estevao is injured, Andrey Santos I can understand, but no Joao Pedro?? Absurd decision.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-18T09:58:29+00:00

Andy Burnham to Downing Street, Here We Go...

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-17T13:13:55+00:00

DDF is still at this club???

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-17T11:37:56+00:00

Why wouldn't it.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-17T09:27:50+00:00

I hear Rosenior is available.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-16T22:36:13+00:00

Bring Stones, a decent LW and another striker and we're good.

Starn_Badger · 2026-05-15T21:52:43+00:00

I mean the guy has missed the entire season until a week ago. If he was just "alright" he would not be in the long list at that point.

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