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Chelsea 2018-2019: Sarri, not sorry

RichUT

By RichUT
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texifornia
texifornia

Hey guys, Rarely post over here, but travelled out to London for work and made the pilgrimage on my free, insanely sleep-deprived Saturday. It was funny, I hadn't been to the UK since I was a kid

MoJames
MoJames

Alright, down 4-0 25 minutes in, let's watch body language and see if we fall apart.

ztejas
ztejas

Surprised their bench has that many Chelsea fans

MoJames

MoJames 8256

Posted
Posted

Telegraph on Chelsea's summer.

Maurizio Sarri hasn't exactly won the hearts of the fans during his first season at Stamford Bridge, but with Chelsea currently leading the race for fourth place and in a Europa League semi-final, he has a chance to be back at the club next season.

The biggest cloud hanging over Chelsea is their looming two-window transfer ban. They are still waiting to hear whether Fifa will block them from signing players this summer, and the final decision will have a massive effect on their plans for the current squad. With all that in mind, Telegraph Sport looks at who should stay and who should go...

Goalkeepers

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Age: 23; Apps: 50; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2025) Chelsea made Kepa the world's most expensive goalkeeper when they signed him from Athletic Bilbao for £71.6million last summer. While he's yet to reach the heights of Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson, Kepa is already one of the world's top keepers at 23 and has adjusted well to the Premier League. His distribution is key to Sarri's style of football. Verdict: Chelsea signed Kepa to be their keeper for many years to come. Nothing has changed.

Willy Caballero (Age: 37; Apps: 21; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2019) Has been a dependable backup to Kepa when called upon in the cup competitions (when he's actually been allowed to get on the field...). Made a number of high profile blunders for Argentina at the World Cup but has been solid at Chelsea since joining on a free from Manchester City.  Verdict: Worth extending for one more year as long as the club are able to fill their home-grown quota.

Rob Green (Age: 39; Apps: 0; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2019) The former England man was signed mainly to help fulfil the aforementioned home-grown quota. Merely in the squad as insurance and barring disaster will never see the field for Chelsea. Verdict: Let him walk, possibly into retirement, when his contract is up in the summer.

Jamal Blackman (Age: 25; Apps: 0; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2021) The serial loanee was shipped out to Leeds this season, only playing competitively in the EFL cup before breaking his leg in an under-23 fixture and returning to Chelsea in November. Verdict: Sell to the lower leagues.

Full-backs

Cesar Azpilicueta (Age: 29; Apps: 332; Signed 2012; Contract expires in 2022) Chelsea's captain in the continued absence of Gary Cahill, Azpilicueta is cemented as the first choice right-back and a rare leader in this squad, even if he does it more by example. One of the club's most loyal and dependable servants. Isn't as effective on the right of a back four as he was in Antonio Conte's back three, but is still one of the league's best at the position. Verdict: Keep, though should expect competition from Reece James for the starting spot next season.

Davide Zappacosta (Age: 26; Apps: 49; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2021) Not many had heard of Zappacosta when he was signed for £24m from Torino in 2017. Announced himself by accidentally crossing the ball into the back of the net in a Champions League game against Qarabag, but has done little of note since and tends to be used late off the bench, coming on for a winger when Chelsea want to hold onto a lead. Verdict: Sell.

Marcos Alonso (Age: 28; Apps: 118; Signed 2016; Contract expires in 2023) A fan favourite to some, hated by others, Alonso flourished as a wing-back in Conte's 3-4-2-1 system, but has struggled as a regular left-back, despite Sarri saying he could be the best in the world at that position at the start of the season. Is an excellent free-kick taker and also offers valuable goals from open play. Verdict: Keep. Is still Chelsea's best option at the position.

Emerson Palmieri (Age: 24; Apps: 31; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2022) Signed from Roma in January 2018, Emerson has got his first real chance at Chelsea this season filling in for Alonso. Has more pace than the Spaniard but can be susceptible defensively, especially against high class opposition. Needs to work on his crossing to earn a regular starting place in the side. Verdict: Keep, and hope can develop into a dependable starter.

Reece James (Age: 19; Apps: 0; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2022) Has spent this season on loan at Wigan, where fans rave about his strength and intelligence week in, week out. That he was named in Sky Bet's Championship team of the season despite being just 19 shows the type of year he's had. James joined Chelsea aged just six, and is a former captain at youth level. Now is the time for him to be given his shot. All the signs point towards him having the potential to be a key man for many years to come. Verdict: Bring him back, give him minutes, and let him compete for the starting right-back role.

Ola Aina (Age: 22; Apps: 6; Signed as a trainee; Contract expires in 2021) Has really impressed on loan at Torino, helping the Italian club to sixth place in Serie A. An excellent athlete who has dramatically improved technically, and can play both right and left-back. Could develop into a star. Verdict: Chelsea would love to keep him, especially if their transfer ban in enforced, but Torino have an option to buy for £8.7m in the summer. Chelsea's only hope is to convince Aina to return to the club, which may well take the promise of first team football.

Centre-halves

Antonio Rudiger (Age: 26; Apps: 89; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2022) Chelsea's best centre-back and a vocal leader on the pitch, Rudiger has become one of Sarri's most important players. News he will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury is a big blow to the club's top four and Europa League hopes - both Dvaid Luiz and Andreas Christensen look much more solid when Rudiger is beside them. Verdict: A vital player.

David Luiz (Age: 32; Apps: 243; Re-signed 2016; Contract expires in 2019) Like many of Chelsea's defenders, he fits far better in a back three than a back four, but has been mostly dependable this season and has eradicated the stupid mistakes which plagued his first stint at the club. Now one of Chelsea's most experienced players, Luiz was around when they were still among Europe's very best. That sort of experience is invaluable, especially if Chelsea want to bring more academy players through next season. Verdict: Chelsea tend to only offer one-year contracts to players over 30. Luiz should get one.

Andreas Christensen (Age: 23; Apps: 68; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2022) The Dane joined Chelsea as a 15-year-old in 2012, a signing which played a part in the pending transfer ban. Has been touted as a future club captain, and is already a regular in the national team, but has looked a little shaky this season in the limited chances he's been given.  Verdict: Should still be the future at centre-back, and needs more playing time next season.

Gary Cahill (Age: 33; Apps: 289; Signed 2012; Contract expires in 2019) The club captain has been all but frozen out this season, and was shocked to not even be included in the travelling party when Chelsea played Malmo in the Europa League round-of-16. Not a fancy name, but has won everything there is to win at the club and will be remembered as a great. Not a bad return for a £7m January signing from Bolton.  Verdict: Will walk in the summer but could still do a job for a Premier League side.

Ethan Ampadu (Age: 18; Apps: 12; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2023) Has looked assured well beyond his years whenever he's been given the chance to pull on the royal blue shirt, but Sarri has turned to him just five times all season. Wasn't great in the Jorginho role against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, but is at his best as a centre-back. Already a regular fixture in the Wales squad, Ampadu has the talent to be a top class player. Verdict: Has to play more to avoid similar frustrations to Callum Hudson-Odoi's. A young star worth nurturing.

Kurt Zouma (Age: 24; Apps: 71; Signed 2014; Contract expires in 2023) Zouma has impressed on loan at Everton this season, where he's started 30 times in the Premier League. Marco Silva wants to keep him on Merseyside, but Chelsea's transfer ban could thwart his plans. Verdict: Let him go to Everton, even if the ban is implemented. Should make a decent profit on the £12m he was signed for in 2014, and Chelsea have more promising, home-grown options at their disposal.

Fikayo Tomori (Age: 21; Apps: 1; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2021) Tomori has been at Chelsea since the under-8s, and spent this season with club legend Frank Lampard on loan at Derby. He's been one of the most important players in their push for a play-off spot, playing 50 times as the anchor in the centre of defence. Verdict: A loan to another Premier League club would be ideal. Should be part of long-term plans.

Trevoh Chalobah (Age: 19; Apps: 0; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2021) Another who has shone while on loan in the Championship, playing 43 times for Ipswich. The brother of another former Chelsea academy player, Nathaniel Chalobah, who is now at Watford. Verdict: Loan out again for more valuable playing time.

Midfielders

Jorginho (Age: 27; Apps: 49; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2023) The scapegoat for Chelsea's failings this season, and not always without reason. The Italian, who the departed Cesc Fabregas recently said Sarri treats "like his son", has played almost 3,000 passes without a single Premier League assist, and teams have worked out how to mark him out of the game all too easily, essentially thwarting Sarri's whole philosophy. However, he has improved over the second half of the season, and clearly has some quality. The jury is still out on whether he suits English football, though. Verdict: Keep, but needs to take a big step up next season.

N'Golo Kante (Age: 28; Apps: 139; Signed 2016; Contract expires in 2023) Is there a better defensive midfielder in the world than N'Golo Kante? It's hard to argue for anyone else, and yet Sarri has played him exclusively on the right side of a midfield three this season, roaming from box to box. It's a testament to Kante's ability that he's still played very well in an unfamiliar position, and even popped up with five goals.  Verdict: Chelsea will probably face bids for him, but it would be criminal to let him leave for any price. Should return to defensive midfield, but looks very unlikely if Sarri stays.

Mateo Kovacic (Age: 24; Apps: 46; Signed 2018, on loan from Real Madrid; Loan ends summer 2019) A classy player who hasn't really made an impact at Chelsea during his season-long loan from Real Madrid. Doesn't offer goals or assists from midfield, and playing him alongside Jorginho feels like a waste of a position. More use as a backup to the Italian, and has shown he can be effective in that role. Verdict: Depends on the transfer ban. Sarri has said he'd like to keep him, and Kovacic wants to stay, but hasn't shown he's worth the money in a season-long audition. There are better options out there.

Ross Barkley (Age: 25; Apps: 49; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2023) Has looked more dangerous in an England shirt than for Chelsea, which probably says more about the system than him as a player. A rotational player who has frequently been swapped with Kovacic around the 70-minute mark, completing the full 90 just a handful of times. Has just three goals in 26 league appearances, and needs to offer more going forward. Verdict: Keep. Barkley has shown sparks of his high promise at Chelsea, and is a vital home-grown player with game-changing talent when on song.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Age: 23; Apps: 68; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2021) The one player in this Chelsea midfield who can actually drive the team forward, Loftus-Cheek is deserving of the starting role alongside Jorginho and Kante. Sarri is yet to give him a proper run in the team, though, in part due to a back injury that has troubled him for years. Is pacy, strong, skilful and has a good eye for goal - could develop into a true star for club and country. Verdict: Should be an integral part of Chelsea's plans going forward. Needs a new contract.

Danny Drinkwater (Age: 29; Apps: 23; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2022) Is earning £130,000-per-week to turn up for training a few times a week and not even make the substitutes' bench. His wages combined with his £35m fee may just give him the unwanted 'honour' of being the worst ever signing of the Abramovich era. Most significant thing he's done all season is get arrested for drink driving. Verdict: Chelsea couldn't find a taker in January, but must get him out by hook or by crook.

Tiemoue Bakayoko (Age: 24; Apps: 43; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2022) Bakayoko started his season-long loan at Milan dreadfully, but picked his form up dramatically towards the end of 2018 and became an important player for the club. Cost Chelsea around £40m when he signed from Monaco in 2017, and was widely mocked for his terrible performances despite starring as a young player in France. Verdict: Is considering his future at Milan, who have an option to buy him, after receiving racist abuse against Lazio. Doesn't have a future at Chelsea.

Mason Mount (Age: 20; Apps: 0; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2021) The academy product who some have labelled Chelsea's next Frank Lampard is playing under the former England midfielder at Derby and has been excellent, scoring 10 times in 39 games. He was even more prolific at Vitesse the season before, notching 14 in 39, and could be exactly what's needed for a team drastically lacking goals from the centre of the park. Verdict: Is ready to be thrown in at the deep end and get regular minutes in the first team next season. Needs a contract extension.

Marco van Ginkel (Age: 26; Apps: 4; Signed 2013; Contract expires in 2020) One of Chelsea's many loanees (they have 41 in total) who it's hard to believe is still on their books. Has been at PSV since 2015, where he's played well and even served as captain during the 2017-18 season, but has struggled with injuries. Verdict: It's time to say goodbye for good.

Forwards

Eden Hazard (Age: 28; Apps: 347; Signed 2012; Contract expires in 2020) Everyone knows how good Eden Hazard is, and no one more than Chelsea fans. When he's on form he's the best player in the Premier League, he's the only reliable source of goals left in the squad, and has always carried himself with total professionalism despite strong, long-term interest from Real Madrid. Has more goals and assists combined than any other player in the English top flight this season, and has equalled his personal best of 16 league goals with two games to go. That £32m spent on him in 2012 was a total bargain. Verdict: Hazard is the type of player you never want to see go, and Chelsea aren't used to selling talent at the peak of its power, but getting around £100m for him from Madrid this summer makes so much more sense than keeping him for one more season and losing him for nothing. Chelsea should do everything they can to get him to sign a new contract, but at this point it feels near impossible.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Age: 18; Apps: 28; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2020) Simply put, the 18-year-old should have been given far more playing time this season, especially since he's already voiced his intentions to leave for Bayern Munich, where he feels he would be properly coveted. Even started a senior England international before being given his first Premier League start. When Sarri finally did give him a run in the team, he suffered a devastating Achilles injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the season. Showed his talents best in the Europa League, where he scored four times in nine games. Verdict: Chelsea have to make Hudson-Odoi feel like an important member of the team and convince him to sign a contract that will keep him in west London deep into the 2020s. Letting him go would be an almighty mistake.

Willian (Age: 30; Apps: 288; Signed 2013; Contract expires in 2020) Has been a great servant to Chelsea, but his production has dropped off this season with just eight goals in 52 appearances. While experienced, he isn't able to change games like he once was and it feels like he is drawing to the end of his career at the top level. Verdict: Depends on the transfer ban. If overturned Chelsea should look to get younger, but they can't afford to lose him if it's upheld.

Pedro (Age: 31; Apps: 178; Signed 2015; Contract expires in 2020) In almost the exact same boat as Willian, in that he's an experienced, high-quality winger who is now past his peak, and isn't contributing as much as you'd like from a forward. His 11 goals in 47 appearances this season is still a decent return, though, and he has more ability than Willian to affect games from the bench. Verdict: Same as above, though even if the ban is overturned it's unlikely Chelsea will let both go.

Christian Pulisic (Age: 20; Apps: 0; Signed 2019; Contract expires in 2024) Chelsea signed the American for £58m from Borussia Dortmund in January, before promptly loaning him back to the German club for the rest of the season. Broke into the Dortmund team as a teenager but his role has been reduced this season (27 appearances, five goals) due to the emergence of Jadon Sancho. Wasn't signed to be Eden Hazard's replacement, but may not have any choice. Verdict: Expectations will be very high if Hazard leaves. No pressure...

Kenedy (Age: 23; Apps: 27; Signed 2015; Contract expires in 2020) Kenedy has become an important player at Newcastle during his second season on loan at the north-east club, but his goal return has been disappointing, with just one in 27 this season. Verdict: Good chance he makes the move to Newcastle permanent. Won't be back at Chelsea.

Victor Moses (Age: 28; Apps: 128; Signed 2012; Contract expires in 2021) It was one of the masterstrokes of Conte's time at Chelsea that he was able to convert Moses into a genuinely good right-wing-back, but Conte's departure also spelled the end of Moses' time in the Chelsea team. He played a handful of times under Sarri before going on loan to Fenerbahce. Verdict: Should be sold in the summer.

Gonzalo Higuain (Age: 31; Apps: 15; Signed 2019, on loan from Juventus; Loan ends summer 2019) Has looked unfit and off the pace for the vast majority of his time in west London, yet has shown glimpses of the ability that has made him one of the world's best strikers over the past decade. Reminds you of Andriy Shevchenko, who also joined Chelsea well past his prime, but was still capable of the odd amazing goal. Verdict: Even if Chelsea are allowed to sign him, they should look elsewhere for their next centre-forward.

Olivier Giroud (Age: 32; Apps: 58; Signed 2018; Contract expires in 2019) Giroud has made himself immensely popular with the Chelsea fans in just over a year at the club, despite signing from Arsenal. While his goal return isn't anything to write home about (except in the Europa League, where he's in line for the golden boot with 10 in 11), he is excellent at holding the ball up, and Hazard always seems to perform better when Giroud is on the pitch. Verdict: Contract is up in the summer, but is worth keeping around as depth for another year.

Alvaro Morata (Age: 26; Apps: 72; Signed 2017; Contract expires in 2022) The latest in a long line of strikers who couldn't make the grade at Stamford Bridge. His Chelsea career actually started really well, with 10 goals before the end of December in his debut season, but a dry patch knocked his confidence and he never really recovered. Morata has never looked comfortable in England, and is already performing better at Atletico Madrid, where he has six goals in 13 league games. Verdict: Chelsea will think about bringing him back if the transfer ban hits, but he needs to move on.

Michy Batshuayi (Age: 25; Apps: 53; Signed 2016; Contract expires in 2021) Will always be remembered for scoring the goal which gave Chelsea the title at West Brom in 2017. His goal return for the club isn't bad at all - he's scored 19 in 53, with most of those appearances from the bench - but he lacks the quality to be a starting No 9 for a top club, and fits better somewhere like Crystal Palace, where he's scored three times in 11 games on loan since January. Verdict: Should be sold, likely to a lower Premier League club.

Tammy Abraham (Age: 21; Apps: 3; Signed as trainee; Contract expires in 2022) Abraham has been on fire on loan at Aston Villa this season, scoring 25 times in 37 league games and earning a place in the Championship team of the season. While his return was less impressive during a Premier League loan at Swansea in 2017-18 (five goals in 31 league games), at 21 he may now be ready to come back to Chelsea and fight for a role in the team. Verdict: His well-deserved shot may be enforced by the transfer ban. Must be given a go either way. It's time.

 

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MoJames

MoJames 8256

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Posted

Lot's of good stuff from the game, outside of the game.

Hazard already with 15 assists, his best ever potentially in the last season with Chelsea.

Cahill on for his swan song, Dave giving him the captain's band.

Geezer putting in a goal being the last one left from this group.

imgur

 

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