Analysis, feature pieces

Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on

Graham Potter, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 01, 2023 in...

Graham Potter was always going to find himself under intense scrutiny after succeeding Thomas Tuchel last September, and has barely lasted seven months in charge. The managerial merry-go-round has returned once more in west London, where club legend Frank Lampard will this week take interim charge while a host of free agent big names are linked for the summer months. Continue reading “Graham Potter was doomed at Chelsea from Day 1, but poisoned chalice moves on”

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Report: Tottenham, Sociedad among clubs monitoring Rennes manager Bruno Genesio

Rennes' French coach Bruno Genesio reacts during the French L1 football match between Lyon and Rennes at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu,...

Bruno Genesio is attracting interest across Europe – three Premier League sides, two in La Liga and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal too. Although his current Rennes deal expires in June 2023, could speculation around his future speed up an exit or extension, having just been appointed their head coach last year? With managerial movement aplenty expected this summer, we’ll see. Continue reading “Report: Tottenham, Sociedad among clubs monitoring Rennes manager Bruno Genesio”

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Gabriel’s gritty all-round display against Wolves shines a light on volatile Arsenal

Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates the win during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 10, 2022 in...

The 24-year-old produced his best individual display of the season and needed to, in helping ten-man Arsenal squeeze past an increasingly frustrated Wolves showing. But while Mikel Arteta’s men revelled at full-time after ending a five-game winless run, this determined away display just reiterated how unpredictable they have proven under the Spaniard’s guidance. Continue reading “Gabriel’s gritty all-round display against Wolves shines a light on volatile Arsenal”

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FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Leicester – Time to step up

James Maddison of Leicester City scores to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium...

A lot has changed for both sides in the four months since their last meeting, a 2-0 Leicester win propelling them top of the Premier League while confining the Blues to their fifth league defeat in a month under Frank Lampard. Under new management and with a Champions League Final to come on May 29, will Thomas Tuchel’s men prove a step too far for the bullish Foxes here?

Continue reading “FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Leicester – Time to step up”

Archives, Specials

RĂºben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Timo Werner of Chelsea runs with the ball under pressure from Sergio Ramos (L) and Vinicius Junior (R) of Real Madrid  during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images )

Considering what has proved an arduous campaign for all involved this term, it feels fitting two big-money summer signings – Manchester City centre-back RĂºben Dias and Chelsea forward Timo Werner – helped their respective sides to earn a Champions League Final berth on May 29.

Continue reading “RĂºben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings”

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Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea chats with Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at...

Every cloud has a silver lining, or so the saying goes. Frank Lampard’s 18-month stint as Chelsea manager was ruthlessly ended by lunchtime on Monday, but with the new man replacing him at the helm in west London, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has an opportunity to replicate Christian Pulisic’s success under the German succeeding their club legend. Continue reading “Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi”

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Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori has interesting qualities, but needs time to settle

Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan warm up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 23, 2021 in Milan,...

After his loan deal from Chelsea was complete, centre-back Fikayo Tomori was named in Milan’s matchday squad but didn’t feature during their 3-0 home defeat by Atalanta over the weekend. His new head coach, Stefano Pioli, praised his intelligence and said the 23-year-old has interesting qualities, though a lack of training with them means he’ll need time to settle in Italy. Continue reading “Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori has interesting qualities, but needs time to settle”

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Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside

Chelsea: Everton made it easy for Billy Gilmour, but he knew what to do

Chelsea ended their Champions League group unbeaten, one point above Sevilla and will go into Monday’s last-16 draw as Group E winners after their 1-1 draw with Krasnodar. Frank Lampard made multiple changes to the side that overcame an early deficit to beat Leeds three days prior, but is expected to make more ahead of their tricky Merseyside trip this weekend. Continue reading “Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside”

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UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar

Pirlo endured a forgettable evening on the sidelines, seeing his Juve side limp to defeat against Barcelona

Read on for two Champions League MD6 match previews ahead of a pivotal Group G clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus with top spot not yet confirmed, while Frank Lampard’s unbeaten Chelsea side expect to finish with a flourish when entertaining Russian side Krasnodar elsewhere tonight in Group E. Are we in for some surprises? Continue reading “UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar”

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Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview: An early litmus test for Lampard’s Blues

Liverpool fan roasts Chelsea on Twitter after 5-3 victory - Anfield Watch

Neither side was particularly convincing during their season-opening Premier League fixtures, but Chelsea and defending champions Liverpool clash at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The Blues have a golden opportunity to lay down an early marker in the 2020-21 campaign against the Reds, who conceded three against newcomers Leeds last weekend. Will either side prevail? Continue reading “Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview: An early litmus test for Lampard’s Blues”

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Brighton vs Chelsea Preview: Lampard’s men target winning start in tough test

Werner, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz - How Chelsea could line up

Chelsea’s Premier League campaign gets underway with a tricky away trip to the south Coast, as Brighton await on Monday evening. Two weeks after a 1-1 draw at the Amex, the Blues return in a competitive capacity and target a statement win away to last season’s strugglers. Can Graham Potter’s men surprise the side who narrowly secured a top-four finish last term? Continue reading “Brighton vs Chelsea Preview: Lampard’s men target winning start in tough test”

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Champions League last-16 preview: Bayern vs Chelsea – Blues playing for pride

Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich: Serge Gnabry strikes twice to all but ...

A repeat showing of Bayern-Chelsea feels like an unnecessary formality. Alongside their three-goal cushion from the first leg victory, the Bundesliga champions host a depleted Blues side this weekend. Will they finish what they started with ruthless aplomb, or can Frank Lampard’s men complete mission impossible in Munich?

Continue reading “Champions League last-16 preview: Bayern vs Chelsea – Blues playing for pride”