What now for Chelsea?

[Sheeks]

Surprised no one has mentioned sturridge yet, I can see him being a big player for them next year.

[kalasoma]

I hope now that Abramovich continues to destabilise Chelsea by changing managers every six months and buying players who give him absolutely no ROI. That's all anyone could hope for from a rival club, surely?

[macc]

Roman will splash the cash on them for one more season then he will turn all his interest to the Russian WC. Chelsea will be fucked as a business when RA does turn his back on them.

[stringvest]

I think Abramovich will have one last shake of his cock before he gives up on it.

 

This.

[Hermes]

I think the media have gone way over the top with the criticism of Torres. He's still a class player. He's lost some pace in the last year or two but he's starting to get the chances lately. He needn't worry about the recent goal drought either, King Kenny once went something like 26 league games without a goal for us.

[silverlining]

I think the media have gone way over the top with the criticism of Torres. He's still a class player. He's lost some pace in the last year or two but he's starting to get the chances lately. He needn't worry about the recent goal drought either, King Kenny once went something like 26 league games without a goal for us.

 

But Kenny's game was never based on pace, and he created more goals than he scored.

 

Torres relies very heavily on his pace and athleticism. If he loses that, I can't see him being anywhere near as effective, because he doesn't strike me as the most adaptable player.

 

We shall see.

[El Rojo]

Torres might get back to somewhere near the level he was at before if Chelsea alter everything to build their attack around him.

 

However, when the egos of his team-mates, the poor attitude he's developed over the last two years and his dodgy injury record are taken into account, I think it's a very unlikely scenario.

[RedinSweden]

I think he will come good for them in the end, maybe not up to the level he was in his first couple of seasons. He'll get a couple before then end of the season and then have a summer to rest and we will see more of the usual Torres next season.

[JustTosh]

Remember Fowler in his young days: I doubt I'll ever see a better striker. A couple of years later: Still an eye for goal, but half the player he used to be. Owen? Pretty average after he lost his top speed. Now it's time for Torres. He'll never again be the player he was. Selling him this winter looks pretty good business.

[Sangria]

He will splash the cash, his vanity demands it.

 

Interesting point about Russia and the world cup, he will be called upon and when Putin calls they have to answer. That man still pulls the strings.

[Strontium]

Surprised no one has mentioned sturridge yet, I can see him being a big player for them next year.

 

 

I'm not surprised he's barely been mentioned, to acclaim Sturridge as a good player would go against the prevailing opinion here.

[shaunstrudwick]

Van Gaal to come in and they will get Hazard and Lukuka and have 1 final push for CL glory

 

can see Van Gaal doing it tbh

 

then Roman can fuck off and sell up to concentrate on the Russian world cup

[silverlining]

I wonder if rumours about Benitez trying to get into Roman's ear are true.

 

It's been rumoured for 3 years that he wouldn't be averse to the idea, although one would have to wonder about the logic of replacing someone who has won "The Holy Grail" twice, with someone who has "only" won it once.

 

It certainly wouldn't be a popular choice with the fans (or players) but that's never really been a concern for Abramovich.

[shaunstrudwick]

can you imagine if Bentiez went there - lol

 

that would be fucking gold

[myrlas]

They would be idiots if they got rid of Ancelotti.

 

But oh wait. They ARE idiots.

[silverlining]

can you imagine if Bentiez went there - lol

 

that would be fucking gold

 

Not if he won the CL in his first season with a squad that was nowhere the best in the league or indeed Europe.

 

Oh wait.

[Carra_is_legend]

Not if he won the CL in his first season with a squad that was nowhere the best in the league or indeed Europe.

 

Oh wait.

 

True.

 

But you are talking about Drogba, Terry, Lampard, Cole et al. They are not exactly a level headed Gerrard or Carragher. They don't give a flying fuck about who is managing them.

 

Chelsea are full of big headed and egoistic players. With Benitez's "man management" it will more likely split their camp into several bits than making them play as 1 unit.

[fin-bat]

Torres wants to go back to Athletico, I feel. He´s stopped scoring just to get himself out of the contract he is on. I can´t blame him.

[silverlining]

Torres wants to go back to Athletico, I feel. He´s stopped scoring just to get himself out of the contract he is on. I can´t blame him.

 

Another one of those "not sure if he's joking" moments that don't reflect well on either of us.

[RobbieOR]

Benitez would do well there.

[SlugTrail]

He will splash the cash, his vanity demands it.

 

Interesting point about Russia and the world cup, he will be called upon and when Putin calls they have to answer. That man still pulls the strings.

 

He's Ukranian isn't he?

[Barnesey]

Torres will never be the same player again because he will never play with Stevie G again

[Carra_is_legend]

Torres will never be the same player again because he will never play with Stevie G again

 

There are plenty of creative attacking midfielders Chelsea could possibly buy. And they probably will in the summer.

 

The big question is whether Torres can adapt. I don't think Chelsea will go into a new season solely reliant on Torres. There will be a Drogba, if not Drogba, a Neymar and Anelka. Can he play with these players around him, especially if he has lost a bit of pace? I personally doubt it but he might surprise me.

 

I don't think he is finished. Not one bit. But the biggest challenge for him is to adapt. He was the focal point everytime he played for us. And we (mainly Gerrard) put them on a plate for him time and time again without being selfish. I don't think he will come across a situation like this again, unless he goes to a mid table team in Spain.

[stmichael]

I see they are linked with a Brazilian wonderkid called "William" today?

 

Judging by their recent record they'll probably sign Will I Am by mistake.

[Scott_M]

Sad this thread on how Chelsea are going to fare next season has had more responses than the other thread on how we're going to fare next season.