I’m an American fan, only for the last 25 years, and I’ve only been to the bridge a handful of times so you can ignore me as not a local fan, but I think the owners have done an amazing job and we’re currently well positioned to be a top top club again. Keep pouting if you like but I’m going to keep supporting Chelsea with all my heart.
Put someone with successful elite level sporting director experience in place. Man Utd and Newcastle have both done this. We are in danger of being left behind if we do no act on this soon imo.
You sure hit the nail right on the head. I live in the U.S. and what's happening within Chelsea management is exactly what' happening in our government. Cold, calculated, callus and unapologetic to us voters is exactly the same as Chelsea upper management is towards us loyal fans.. Adding to that is an obvious lack of evaluation of soccer talent knowledge is disturbing. Management is sending all of us fans a message of a cold bloodiness that rivals U.S. government feelings about us voters. Absolutely disgusting and disturbing.
disgusting - when you contrast it with the wall of silence from the club that's gone up around Enzo Fernandez, it's quite clear they're hoping the race storm will blow over and their asset will remain intact.... all the while they treat one of our own like s**t
This may not be popular with other commentators here, but I see the logic in the sale - on both sides.
Firstly, to share my CFC fan credentials: I’m 63 yo, male, MHL season ticketholder for decades, been at Bridge since mid-1960s (so a lifer).
Secondly, I don’t know the sources for this and similar articles, but they’re very one-sided in that Chalo’s opinions are assumed - we are told he 100% wants to stay; I wonder.
He’s mid-twenties, been at CFC ages, been in successful squads and now in an embryonic one. The time seems perfect for him to plan a new project - similar to Ruben and others.
I’m sure as a seasoned pro - one who has seen coaches come and go - that he knows how it works. New coach has new ideas, wants different player profiles - eg a very high line with Maresca - runs his eye over squad and likes some players better than others. With Chalo it may be his relative lack of pace. I don’t know. But these things are professional, not personal.
The economics are probably secondary: selling Chalo won’t significantly alter our balance sheet - he’ll go at a decent but not high price, probably not to a top, top club and quite likely continue as a utility player (not an automatic top pick). This should tell us how he is rated by the market, dispassionately - a decent player, not a stand out CB/defender - for me not at James, Fofana, Colwill level - on passing not Tosin, on potential less than Bailishile.
So, to me - this is not a ‘disgusting’ betrayal. This is a decent, loyal player, moving at a time that probably suits him and doesn’t greatly harm us.
For me, the anger around this is about ‘new owner hatred’ - which I understand, but don’t share.
Plus, I understand the calls for concern as set out in the article. I do concur with a lot of what you say. I can’t say anything negative about Trevor but I do think with a fully fit squad, he’s not gonna play and then I’ll probably at least four Centre halves ahead of him. I can also see the reasons for selling him in that it’s pure profit.
I cannot comment on the way he has been treated because he has not spoken himself. Like Connor he has known for 18 months for club has been looking to sell him, so none of this will be news. None of us know whether or not he and his management team were party to the decision for him not to go to America and whether or not there was an upfront and good personal conversation that took place. I agree the optics don’t look good, but we don’t necessary know all the information .
For me - what’s interesting is the near hysteria that this generates in our social/podcast fan base - hyperbole like ‘disgusting’ from an excellent grownup writer like Si.
I do think we (a part of the fanbase) have lost the plot a bit. For as long as Trev has been here he’s been in and out of favour with coaches, on loans etc - this should tell us about his level. And likewise, under Roman we watched a mere handful of Cobham boys break through - it was standard practice at CFC long before Boehly & Co to make £ on youth and loanees - Roman practically invented the model in some ways.
I agree with you, Fraser, the sentiments of my comments remain the same, but I do concur with your views above.
I feel the same at times and have said so and got called out for saying it. There are times where peoples opinions are not appreciated because they challenge other comments made and give a different perspective.
I like you have some or Chelsea for over 50 years have seen the seriously bad days, when only 10,000 will turn up at the bridge, when supporters were scare away players, and when had to win a game to ensure we did not get relegated to what would’ve been the old division. There needs to be greater calmness in this mad world of social media.
This is excellent, seriously great work. Encapsulates how most of the fan base is feeling. I know some high up at the club are subscribed here - thanks for being a voice for the fans.
Nail on the head, thank you for writing this. Hopefully some of the directors are taking note because this cannot continue. Forgive the medical term, and it might sound a bit dramatic, but to me it feels like there is a cancer at Chelsea right now, spreading gradually throughout every part of this great club. Clearlake are the one ultimately responsible for this and they need to put things right, before it is too late
Dear the Score great “wake up call” article. I would just add that it’s clear to me anyway that the decision to sell certain players for profit whilst keeping weaker players because there is no profit to be had “Chalobah vs Disasi” for example is weakening the team not strengthening it.
Whilst continually trumpeting champions league qualification as the target is only reasonable if you improve the team not rip the heart out of it scraping for profit.
Continually investing more in youth whilst neglecting the 1st team who are the face of the club is detrimental to just about everything Chelsea stands for!
Just wait till the fans really revolt, you know that will happen not just the odd banner a mass demo, at this point we are expected to suck up and see the vision, really it’s chaotic at best
Martin the SD’s are not fire proof although they might think they are… they are indecisive and the policy of cake Tomorrow starve today whilst asking the fans to live on a starvation diet of good players just isn’t working.imho
I think Enzo M is in a no win position, even if he can get the kids up and running I don’t see we have enough, happy if proved wrong can’t see top 4 again
A brilliant piece of writing thank you. I was positive to start with but I did start to worry quite early on. I think their end game is to get the club to the USA and play the odd game here or they will do a Wimbledon / MK Dons franchise thing. My trust in them is nearly exhausted.
Spot on ,every word true , thing is I have been supporting Chelsea for 56 years and will be here till I'm gone , they do not have the love or the passion I have and NEVER will have get rid asap pair of clowns !
I’m an American fan, only for the last 25 years, and I’ve only been to the bridge a handful of times so you can ignore me as not a local fan, but I think the owners have done an amazing job and we’re currently well positioned to be a top top club again. Keep pouting if you like but I’m going to keep supporting Chelsea with all my heart.
Perfect article!
Put someone with successful elite level sporting director experience in place. Man Utd and Newcastle have both done this. We are in danger of being left behind if we do no act on this soon imo.
You sure hit the nail right on the head. I live in the U.S. and what's happening within Chelsea management is exactly what' happening in our government. Cold, calculated, callus and unapologetic to us voters is exactly the same as Chelsea upper management is towards us loyal fans.. Adding to that is an obvious lack of evaluation of soccer talent knowledge is disturbing. Management is sending all of us fans a message of a cold bloodiness that rivals U.S. government feelings about us voters. Absolutely disgusting and disturbing.
disgusting - when you contrast it with the wall of silence from the club that's gone up around Enzo Fernandez, it's quite clear they're hoping the race storm will blow over and their asset will remain intact.... all the while they treat one of our own like s**t
Chalobah > Sporting Directors
i know who id rather have in my team
This may not be popular with other commentators here, but I see the logic in the sale - on both sides.
Firstly, to share my CFC fan credentials: I’m 63 yo, male, MHL season ticketholder for decades, been at Bridge since mid-1960s (so a lifer).
Secondly, I don’t know the sources for this and similar articles, but they’re very one-sided in that Chalo’s opinions are assumed - we are told he 100% wants to stay; I wonder.
He’s mid-twenties, been at CFC ages, been in successful squads and now in an embryonic one. The time seems perfect for him to plan a new project - similar to Ruben and others.
I’m sure as a seasoned pro - one who has seen coaches come and go - that he knows how it works. New coach has new ideas, wants different player profiles - eg a very high line with Maresca - runs his eye over squad and likes some players better than others. With Chalo it may be his relative lack of pace. I don’t know. But these things are professional, not personal.
The economics are probably secondary: selling Chalo won’t significantly alter our balance sheet - he’ll go at a decent but not high price, probably not to a top, top club and quite likely continue as a utility player (not an automatic top pick). This should tell us how he is rated by the market, dispassionately - a decent player, not a stand out CB/defender - for me not at James, Fofana, Colwill level - on passing not Tosin, on potential less than Bailishile.
So, to me - this is not a ‘disgusting’ betrayal. This is a decent, loyal player, moving at a time that probably suits him and doesn’t greatly harm us.
For me, the anger around this is about ‘new owner hatred’ - which I understand, but don’t share.
Plus, I understand the calls for concern as set out in the article. I do concur with a lot of what you say. I can’t say anything negative about Trevor but I do think with a fully fit squad, he’s not gonna play and then I’ll probably at least four Centre halves ahead of him. I can also see the reasons for selling him in that it’s pure profit.
I cannot comment on the way he has been treated because he has not spoken himself. Like Connor he has known for 18 months for club has been looking to sell him, so none of this will be news. None of us know whether or not he and his management team were party to the decision for him not to go to America and whether or not there was an upfront and good personal conversation that took place. I agree the optics don’t look good, but we don’t necessary know all the information .
For me - what’s interesting is the near hysteria that this generates in our social/podcast fan base - hyperbole like ‘disgusting’ from an excellent grownup writer like Si.
I do think we (a part of the fanbase) have lost the plot a bit. For as long as Trev has been here he’s been in and out of favour with coaches, on loans etc - this should tell us about his level. And likewise, under Roman we watched a mere handful of Cobham boys break through - it was standard practice at CFC long before Boehly & Co to make £ on youth and loanees - Roman practically invented the model in some ways.
I agree with you, Fraser, the sentiments of my comments remain the same, but I do concur with your views above.
I feel the same at times and have said so and got called out for saying it. There are times where peoples opinions are not appreciated because they challenge other comments made and give a different perspective.
I like you have some or Chelsea for over 50 years have seen the seriously bad days, when only 10,000 will turn up at the bridge, when supporters were scare away players, and when had to win a game to ensure we did not get relegated to what would’ve been the old division. There needs to be greater calmness in this mad world of social media.
This is excellent, seriously great work. Encapsulates how most of the fan base is feeling. I know some high up at the club are subscribed here - thanks for being a voice for the fans.
100% on the ball Score with your words.
Nail on the head, thank you for writing this. Hopefully some of the directors are taking note because this cannot continue. Forgive the medical term, and it might sound a bit dramatic, but to me it feels like there is a cancer at Chelsea right now, spreading gradually throughout every part of this great club. Clearlake are the one ultimately responsible for this and they need to put things right, before it is too late
Dear the Score great “wake up call” article. I would just add that it’s clear to me anyway that the decision to sell certain players for profit whilst keeping weaker players because there is no profit to be had “Chalobah vs Disasi” for example is weakening the team not strengthening it.
Whilst continually trumpeting champions league qualification as the target is only reasonable if you improve the team not rip the heart out of it scraping for profit.
Continually investing more in youth whilst neglecting the 1st team who are the face of the club is detrimental to just about everything Chelsea stands for!
Just wait till the fans really revolt, you know that will happen not just the odd banner a mass demo, at this point we are expected to suck up and see the vision, really it’s chaotic at best
Martin the SD’s are not fire proof although they might think they are… they are indecisive and the policy of cake Tomorrow starve today whilst asking the fans to live on a starvation diet of good players just isn’t working.imho
Absolutely correct
I think Enzo M is in a no win position, even if he can get the kids up and running I don’t see we have enough, happy if proved wrong can’t see top 4 again
Amen mate!
A brilliant piece of writing thank you. I was positive to start with but I did start to worry quite early on. I think their end game is to get the club to the USA and play the odd game here or they will do a Wimbledon / MK Dons franchise thing. My trust in them is nearly exhausted.
Excellent... Couldn't have said it better.
Spot on ,every word true , thing is I have been supporting Chelsea for 56 years and will be here till I'm gone , they do not have the love or the passion I have and NEVER will have get rid asap pair of clowns !