AHHH guys, I’m in a great mood. To be honest I wasn’t expecting a win over Manchester City at Wembley. Those games are at best 50-50s but man, we beat them easily.
There will be those who say with an immature twang, “you only won 1-0”. But for those of us who actually watch football, it was a solid, professional win against the best side in England.
Pep Guardiola conceded that they weren’t at their best and it’s true, but much of that was to do with the relentless Blues energy, sharp possession and great counter-play.
I was absolutely gutted for Frank Lampard when he got fired in January and I love the man. But the question that has to be asked is: Had Thomas Tuchel started the season at Stamford Bridge, where would Chelsea be today?
He’s completely turned around what was a mid-table scenario into a potentially great season. Winning the Champions League is a tall order, Real Madrid over two legs then PSG or City, but the FA Cup looks likely against Leicester, as is a top-four finish.
Yep, I’m a happy man. It’s amazing, a couple of months ago I was like an Arsenal fan, saying: “Might as well write this season off”. But boy, I’m still on the silver train with a one way ticket to glory!
As all of us who support “successful” sides know, this is the time in the season where everything that’s looking so good can come crashing down in the space of three or four fixtures. Whatever happens, Chelsea are definitely back and a title challenge looks on for next season.
Beating City like that, controlling the game and making them look very much second best will give the squad huge confidence.
Poor old Frank, a sweet and sour situation to say the least. Tonight Brighton visit the Bridge which will be viewed by Chelsea as a huge opportunity to push for that Champions League space.
The worry is rotation of the squad, with West Ham on Saturday and Real a few days later! Anyway, that’s what separates the good from the great!
This weekend past also threw up an interesting conversation… is it obvious that the Premier League is better now than it was 10 years ago, as someone mentioned? Interested to hear what you guys think?
I mean even SuperSport commercials say things like “it just keeps getting better”.
I’d have to disagree… are the players better? I don’t think so. Is the quality of football better? Naaah, not really. Is the competition better? Well, you can’t say the gap between the “big” and “small” clubs has tightened.
For me it’s actually deteriorated. The further into the mega-money era we go, the less individual players feel for their respective clubs.
The on-field passion and commitment isn’t what it was. Then of course there’s the incessant diving and cheating, which at times becomes nauseating.
The stadiums are three quarters full (in “normal” times) with “fans” who aren’t football people and let’s not even start with the impact of VAR.
So no, I maintain we lost the best years of the game and it won’t be returning. On top of everything, this disgusting idea of a European Super League is back on the table and I have to echo Gary Neville’s comments.
These bastards (the owners of Europe’s top clubs) have no respect for fans or history. I agree with Gary, the likes of City, Liverpool, United, Chelsea etc should be docked points for trying to push this through.
I do have faith that sensibility will prevail. However, with the huge money on the table you just never know.
Besides my criticism, of course I (we) still love watching football and from 9pm tonight the world outside stops for me…Come you Blues!
Oh, and before I forget... bye-bye Jose. Chat next week.