FireSide

#AfterThought

The Smiling Assassin

When Estevao came in, you could suddenly feel the surge in attack pressure. This is no fluke but more about his style of play and technique that reverberates positively to others on the pitch.

Estevao's close control with speed, compounded with his dynamic ability to change direction drags opponents out of defensive shapes. This causes chaos that leaves other attackers like palmer less marked.

His technique of drag, pass ,move and receive also helps the attacking unit be more fluid and more active. This means more attacking movements which means more attacking spaces.

Defenders tend to double or triple mark Palmer to kill. But having them all in together would leave them in one vs ones more frequently.

For now I'd say we'd be better off sacrificing one of Neto or Gittens against low blocks. Gittens because he is still to find the cohesion with the others and Neto because his technique is more of running in behind with pace than low block penetration.

The trick now is to find a working fluid partnership between Gittens, Palmer, Estevao and Pedro against serious well drilled low blocks and Neto whenever the game opens up.

Each clubs fans had a vote on where they think they’ll finish this season. — The average Chelsea fan vote was 3rd.

Where do you think Chelsea will finish?

Mikel Obi John after Chelsea’s draw in their first Premier League match against Crystal Palace:

🗣️ Chelsea will create magic this season. Drawing their opening match against Crystal Palace does not limit their chances in the Premier League. After all, winning the first game does not always guarantee a team the league title.

Chelsea want to sell rather than loan Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell before the window closes.

The expectation is that Veiga and Disasi will be sold, most likely within the Premier League.

~ The Athletic

No player made more interceptions (4) than Reece James on the opening weekend of the Premier League 😮

(h/t WhoScored)

🚨🇦🇷 Alejandro Garnacho has told friends he is joining Chelsea!

It is believed Chelsea officials have instructed Garnacho to be patient and bide his time before they sign him and club-to-club talks are expected to accelerate in the coming days.

-Alex Crook

“You buy Gittens, okay, he’s sort of your project winger, you then go and buy someone who’s clearly better and can allow Gittens to settle in, that’s not Garnacho”

“We’re going to end up spending £90m+ on two wingers who are just “eh”.The LW is average.

[ CFCPys on X ]

Bayern Munich tried to sign both Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho, but they turned them down — even though Bayern offered higher wages.

That shows just how massive Chelsea’s pull is right now.

Galatasaray and Bayer Leverkusen have shown interest in Sterling

~ Simon Jones | Mail Sport

Emma Hayes OBE.

The 2025 PFA Merit Award winner. 🏆

Garnacho in the PL last season (36 appearances):
6 goals
2 assists
4 Big chances created
1.0 Key passes per game

Madueke in the PL last season (32 appearances):
7 goals
3 assists
6 big chances created
1.1 key passes per game

🗞 | Chelsea believes Alejandro Garnacho has great potential and can become an important player. Garnacho turned 21 this July. He is still very young.

🗞 | Chelsea believes this is a great opportunity in the transfer market. They really like this player.

📌 | Fabrizio Romano 🇮🇹
•••

FireSide

Tantrums never work

Whatever the reason, no matter the excuse, Fofana lacked both respect and common sense to have deleted everything to do with Chelsea from his profile.

Of course he is known to throw tantrums. He is in this lot of players who think they are bigger than the rest and even the club.

He may have survived the Maresca Injury public dress down, but by now he should have learnt no one is irreplaceable within this club.

Maresca has proven to have zero chills on tantrums, and Fofana, with his injury record, and zero help with recent trophies, should know better.

He may have pulled the trick at Leicester, but with our toxicity, he should ask Nico and Noni.

Alexis Mac Allister says Moises Caicedo gave him the toughest battle in midfield and says he's a 'very good player.'

A fresh start 💙

Chelsea signed Renato Viega for £12m on a seven year deal with a clause for an extra year in July 2024.

He’s played 18 times for Chelsea.

Starts:
Premier League: 1
Conference League: 8
Carabao Cup: 2
FA Cup: 1

He got his Portugal debut after signings and since played a further 4 more to times for his national side.

Sold for £26m with add-ons included and also heavy sell-on clause.

Well played Chelsea, well played indeed. All the best Renato.

[Via CarefreeYouth]

🚨🔵 Chelsea-Strasbourg closing in on agreement to sign Julio Enciso from Brighton.

Deal details being fixed but Enciso expected to join Strasbourg for season 2025/26 then Chelsea player for the future, as TheAthleticFC reports.

More follows. 🇵🇾

[Fabrizio Romano]

Julio Enciso shoots A LOT, has loads of take-ons, and really good aerial success for a relatively small player.

Very good fee too!

[Via Tom Coley]

Cole Palmer’s attempt to trademark his nickname “Cold Palmer” has hit a snag — French vineyard Château Palmer has formally opposed the application.