i got a bit of stick when i suggested ramires was a good player about a year ago. still think this chelsea team is better than its recent performances. they're transitioning some of their older players out and younger players in, and some others are underperforming (torres, luiz, bosingwa) but i feel can do better.

What strikes me about Chelsea is that they would probably do well signing our 'hitlist'. Instead they'll blow their load on Hazard and one other name and not much will change.

I get that feeling as well Capi. That's what happens when you don't have people that know the game making all the decisions.

On Ramires, he's a player that would make my eyes bleed if he played for us. He's a good athlete and works his nuts off, but his passing can be so hit and miss, and he makes so many poor decisions on and off the ball. He's like a poor man's Song.

i'd agree, hes not a cultured midfielder, he's a fantastic athlete with pretty good technique. not really my cup of tea, either, but he is effective in the right team and style of play.

Chelsea will play Tottenham (FA Cup), Barcelona (CL), Arsenal (PL) and Barcelona again in the space of 9 days (15th to 24th of April)

Wow, that's like one of our fixture lists.

On that basis I'd say they're fucked.

I have a feeling they'll win against Barca. They're starting to gain momentum now.

Not a chance

Klaus wrote:

I have a feeling they'll win against Barca. They're starting to gain momentum now.

So they'll definitely beat us.

I think their fixture schedule will be too hectic and the league will suffer as a consequence. But yes, the game against Chelsea worries me more than the one against City at the moment.

I really want to beat them and finish above them.

But yeah momentum is in their swing.

Chelsea will finish above us. Their coaching change really worked for them. They have too much quality, even if it's aged, to be languishing in the Europa League. We just need to make sure we stay above Spurs, who have a much lighter schedule than us.

Have any of you seen chelsea play well recently? They've won a few, but are mainly getting credit for beating napoli (at home) and benfica. That aside they've not been up to much at all. Lost to city, lucky against spurs, late winner against villa etc.

I think there's a natural tendency to overrate them because of what they've done in years gone by. They were pretty abject at home to Spurs, and if there was ever a game you'd expect them to show up for, it was that one.

I missed the Napoli game but they were shocking against Benfica, Spurs and City. Not much has really changed except the Senior players' attitudes to the Coach, they're still way past their best. Can't see them getting enough points in the league to finish above us unless we collapse (again).

The other big thing that has changed, gentlemen, is that they have a fully healthy team for the first time in several months. There is competition for places, Torres' growing confidence and a little extra belief when they play. Those three factors make them more dangerous than they have been at any point this season. I'm genuinely scared that we could finish 5th, especially with Robin's failing form.

they really havent been great lately. much like our recent streak, theyve flattered to deceive for alot of the games. 49% possession and a narrow home win over a 10 man benfica is pretty average.

our home form is strong. ive a feeling we'll just assasinate them. city and stoke are my big worries

Chelsea wont catch us or Spurs. They'll drop points around those Barca fixtures and they've some tough games apart from that too.

Gazza M wrote:

they really havent been great lately. much like our recent streak, theyve flattered to deceive for alot of the games.

That's the difference right there. They've started to win games when they are the lesser team after half a season where they've been the better team and come up short. They're not going to catch us, but they might screw us on a few points if we aren't careful.