#HALFTIME

Estevao selfish at times, Hato got baited out of defensive shapes one or two times, but everyone has been brilliant.

The pressing has been systematic away from the erratic we've been seeing recently.

I think that Santos/Caicedo midfield combination has helped with the stability

So no Fofana, Tosin, Chalobah or Colwill vs Liverpool.

Acheampong and Hato pairing?

#INGAME

He should have pulled out Estevao

We’re going through a really difficult time as a club right now, but that’s just part of football.

Red cards, bad team choices, soft goals, and injuries — these things happen.

It could happen to any team. Saying the whole project is a failure and that Maresca should be fired is just an overreaction.

FireSide

#BottomLine.

These players make stupid mistakes but Maresca hasn't helped them in the last two games. He has been making poor decisions that are just shocking.

✓ Pedro doesn't have the strength and pace to play as a lone striker. In case of a red you'd rather get him off than Neto because you need legs to both defend and attack through breaks.

✓ when you are 1-0 up and defending a lead, you don't substitute a defensive midfielder (Santos). You get an attacker off.

✓ when you are leading and a goal up, you protect the lead. You don't wait to concede before strengthening the team.The moment you lose the lead you lose the momentum and morale. Collapse is always a step away.

#AfterThought

And why did Gusto brake when it was a clean 1v1 🤔

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler: “Chelsea dominated us until the goal and then everything changed. We were better in possession, then played with much more courage. The red card always helps but it doesn’t always mean there is an advantage on the pitch. Sometimes it can get even harder to create something but my players remained patient.”

6 errors leading to goals in 8 games so far. 14 in the PL last season alone.

I think Maresca doesn't manage 10 men well enough. It's a weakness but it doesn't make him a bad coach unless you want to make him a scapegoat for our recent failings.

You don't play with 10 men every game and the players need to stop making silly mistakes that put us in trouble.

I feel that Maresca has shown us how good he can be. We can't keep blaming him every time the players make silly mistakes. But I get the criticisms. He should do better with 10 men.

Of course, he's a young coach who is still learning and will keep growing and getting better. He will learn from the mistakes just like the players.

[Via Blue Footy]

On this day: 2000 - Roberto Di Matteo played his last game for Chelsea after suffering a career ending injury. #cfcHeritage

I don't make an analysis based on one moment. Andrey Santos had a stunning game. One moment doesn't define his performance.

For sure, he will learn from that. That's what you get with young players. But I still want him to start against Liverpool.

🔗 Vince (Blue_Footy)

Chelsea last 4 losses out of 5
Newcastle with 10 men
Flamingos with 10 men
Man Utd with 10 men
Brighton with 10 men.

So they went into such insane detail and scrutiny to find the Newcastle goalkeeper touch the ball ever so slightly, then why did Chalobah get sent off when he touched the ball ever so slightly before taking the Brighton player out??

Sanchez got a small touch on the ball too on the Mbuemo chance.

‼️ Chelsea’s title-winning squad in 2004-05 was the youngest to win the Premier League in the competition’s history, while their 2024-25 side was the youngest to finish in the top five (they finished fourth).

If the talent is there, and it is managed well, then there is little concrete evidence to suggest younger teams are at an inherent disadvantage over their more seasoned rivals.

[Via The Athletic]

#UCL nights 🆚 S.L.Benfica! ⏪

🔗 Chelsea FC

UCL nights at Stamford Bridge… ✨