Members

The Numbers Game – 2014/15 Review – Chelsea

In the latest in our series of pre-season articles for members, analysing the 2014/15 season from each club’s perspective, we turn attentions to league champions Chelsea.

We assess the Blues squad, focusing on influence, creativity and goal threat to offer a view on how Jose Mourinho’s prime assets stacked up.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    GER USA which team is playing at home?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Deported

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I want to bet in 10 minutes I want an answer

  2. Mull
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Just googled all the German forwards and apparently they're all wingers. Which one is going to start up front?

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      how is thw team looking? You reckon they will beat usa?

      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I'm talking about the u21s. They probably will beat USA though.

  3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Right. I'm in - thanks to all. Who are the HOT defenders, please?

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I don't even know half of the England team 😀

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Hehehe - yes you do, really! 😉

    2. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Go by the funny names. Can't go much wrong with that strategy.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Ha! 😀

    3. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Rugani Stones Knoche Ginter Kalas

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I see. Stones it is, then - plus a Serb!

        1. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Filipovic looks pretty good prospect to me.

          1. Lucy.
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Petkovic has been captain when fit.

            1. Camp No No
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Yeah, but Filipovic is fecking cheap.

              1. Lucy.
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Petkovic is only 3.5 so not exactly pricey.

                1. Camp No No
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 10 months ago

                  That can be a surprisingly big difference in the end though. But yeah, I'm just giving the name of the cheapest defender in the team.

        2. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Garbutt should also start.

        3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          - and a Dane!!!

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Italy is pretty solid as well 😉

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              I have gone orfff the bloody Italians!

          2. Camp No No
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Remmer sounds like he's up to something.

          3. Lucy.
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Vestergaard. Likes the odd goal/assist.

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Great!

              1. Camp No No
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                A word of caution: that odd goal and assist can be for the opponent. 😉

    4. The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Group Stage + Knockouts Clean Sheets:

      England 12 Games 8 CS
      Germany 10 Games 7 CS
      Denmark 12 Games 6 CS
      Portugal 10 Games 5 CS
      Italy 10 Games 4 CS
      Serbia 10 Games 3 CS
      Sweden 10 Games 2 CS

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        So, it's a triple up on England defence then. Who would have thought?

        1. The Sarjeant
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Germany kept more clean sheets per game.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            You are a star! 😀

            1. Ruth_NZ
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              West Ham notes Doos?

              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Soon! Sorry ...

                1. Ruth_NZ
                  • 9 Years
                  8 years, 10 months ago

                  No problem at all, won't be working on it till tomorrow, just wanted to jog your memory. 🙂

          2. Camp No No
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Okay, but in their pre-tour friendlies they conceded 5 goals in 2 matches, 3 against England.

        2. Konig Luther
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          against San Marino and Moldova U21 it's easy

  4. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Andre Ayew signs for Swansea.

  5. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    I'm going to play this U21 game just to remind myself how it feels to be a casual 😎

  6. Mull
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Portugal have a forward called Mane! That's one spot sorted then. 😉

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Get him now!

    2. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Not nailed on.

  7. U21 Defensive Bargains
    The Sarjeant
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    In my eyes, looking at who kept the most clean sheets in the qualifiers, a back line of this seems best -

    England - Germany - Denmark - Portugal - one from the first match day lot (Serbia/Czech)

    Which are the best defenders to have from those teams? Currently have: Garbutt, Knoche, Vestergaard + Cancelo.
    Who would be the best goal keeper to have?

    1. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'm on Garbutt, Ginter, Vestergaard, Guerreiro and Petkovic

      1. The Sarjeant
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Who are the other three from?

        1. Lucy.
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Ginter is German, Guerreiro is the Portguguese left back and Petkovic has been the Serbia captain when fit.

          1. The Sarjeant
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Thank you.

            1. Lucy.
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              They were the cheapest nailed on cover I could find. 🙂 Lots of googling involved and not actual knowledge.

              1. The Sarjeant
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Let's hope your right then 😉

                1. Lucy.
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 10 months ago

                  Copying eh? Loser. 😛

                  1. The Sarjeant
                    • 10 Years
                    8 years, 10 months ago

                    Haha! Well yours fits my criteria 😉

                    1. Lucy.
                      • 10 Years
                      8 years, 10 months ago

                      I had it well before you outlined your criteria! Don't go taking credit 😉

                      1. The Sarjeant
                        • 10 Years
                        8 years, 10 months ago

                        I won't, but I'll take credit for the criteria 😉

    2. The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If you have one from the first match day lot, then you can have Germany, Denmark + Serbia/Czech and then you can sub in the other 2 best defences if any of the first lot don't keep a clean sheet.

  8. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    This should our best XI:

    Bardi
    Zappacosta Rugani Bianchetti Biraghi
    Sturaro Crisetig
    Battocchio Berardi Trotta
    Belotti

    1. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks. I have Crisetig sitting on my bench. Couldn't find much better for 6m.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        My bench is a disaster...

        1. Lucy.
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Mine's ok but it took a lot of tweaking.

    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Viviani over Trotta surely - Diamond midfield.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Cataldi should find some space

        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Indeed. Both far more likely to play than Marcello Trotta.

  9. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    4.0 defender that scored 7 goals last season, from left midfield.

    If only FPL offered this kind of thing when it re-opens....

  10. Parm
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Cheap midfielders are a complete mess.

  11. The Sarjeant
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who is the Czech Republic keeper?

    1. Lucy.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Not saying after your last manoeuvre 😉

      1. The Sarjeant
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I'll probably have Cancelo though, isn't he cheaper? Like his name too lol.

        1. Konig Luther
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          in portuguese means i cancel

  12. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    *reads article*

    *makes room for Ivan GW1*

    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Hazard and Ivan are going to cost us a very large chunk of our budget eh?

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        this!

  13. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Is it just me or is the u21 fantasy website not working?

  14. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Whoo..hoo...I take it the U21 game is up and running....brill...

    In other news....Another training match under my belt and the old ankle felt a lot better...I'm on my way back !!!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Great feeling! step by step, it'll be stronger than new.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I hope so...I enjoyed tonight.

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I am not sure if I will give the u21 game a go . Good man keep it up

  15. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Will Steve McClaren be adopting the Geordie accent for his interviews?

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Why-aye man! Ha'way the toon army!

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Wy aye, pet, I s'pect he will

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yesh.

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I thought that was the Dutch one 😆

    4. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      people are already betting on it

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Odds on him donning an all-white T-shirt in the dugout?

        1. Moin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          odds on him adopting the Geordie accent

  16. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    The U21 website is abysmal. 🙁

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      The UEFA website usually is.

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      All I have is a blank screen..

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      What's wrong with it . I am on the fence on whether I want to do the u21 game

  17. Mull
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Penalty Takers:

    Italy- Belotti
    England- Kane/Berahino
    Denmark- Hojbjerg
    Portugal- Esgaio
    Germany- Hofmann

    Unsure of the other 3 but I assume Kadlec will take them for the Czech Republic and Guidetti for Sweden. Serbia's only penalty in qualifying was scored by a guy who isn't in the squad.

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I thought the striker takes penalty for Portugal

      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Just looked again. S Oliviera took a penalty ahead of Esgaio in one of the play off matches.

        1. Moin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          hmm...only the matches will tell then..

    2. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Berahino is probably the main penalty taker as well. He took one ahead of Kane in the play off match against Croatia.

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Berahino takes for WBA as well..he must be the first choice taker

  18. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Before the U-21 fantasy game opened...no one had a clue about any teams or players (well most of them)...just 4-5hrs after opening..due to the information shared here..it seems like we know how the team plays and are an expert!

    Love this thing about FFS

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I didn't have a clue about Czech Republic's....

      Still don't.

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        they are one team I guess no one has clue about...as it is they are their to fill the bench I guess 😉

      2. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I bought Kalas because I know his name.

        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Indeed. I'm familiar with Krejci and Kadlec too, but that's it I think.

  19. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Fuchs ayew

    ...am sure am late to the party

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      yes please upgrade to Google Chrome

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Ask Jeeves

  20. Tomeister
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Which england forward are you guys getting for u-21?

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Hurrikane.

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    3. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Berahino

  21. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    More and more signs the Cech is coming to Arsenal . The PSG owners saying they have pulled out because it's almost a done deal to happen

    Amazing signing for arsenal if it happens , would still be amazed if Chelsea let it though

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Will Wenger pay £10m+? That's what Chelsea will want I think.

      Apart from that, Chelsea view Cech as a longstanding servant to the club who deserves to decide for himself where he wants to go. No-one would prefer it to be Arsenal but I don't think Chelsea would stand in his way if that's the move he wants.

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Surely he would . £10m for what , 4/5 years service should be a no brainier considering the amounts paid for players these days
        £ per point gained ratio would be very high .

        1. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I agree but Cech is 33... Not old for a GK of course. And would improve Arsenal no end, not because there's anything wrong with Ospina as a GK but because Cech would organise the defence in front of him better - that's the benefit of experience. Cech is very vocal when he needs to be and he has the standing to ensure he's listened to.

          I have to say I'd far prefer he went to PSG. 😕

          1. usagooner
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/09/jose-mourinho-petr-cech-arsenal-chelsea?CMP=share_btn_tw

            I posted this in an earlier article. Don't underestimate Jose trying to put in his .02 despite what has been said about allowing Cech to "pick his new club".

  22. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Does anybody have a link to the U21 site please ?...I think I'm on the right one but all I get is a blank screen...

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Lovely...thanks...

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Still happens to me too, when I click the link from google search.

      What Moin has given should work. 😉

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        That's what happened to me...searched...Uefa U21 fantasy > listed the website > blank screen..

        They'd better sort that out or their bee about 200 of us playing, maximum..

        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          169 playing at the moment. 😆

          1. Konig Luther
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            just opened 24 hours ago

          2. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Sheesh. You can usually start a team by simply going for % picked by due to the fact they are usually the most nailed on players of the fancied picks available...and the work on it...

            169 isn't really enough to even do that.

  23. Tomeister
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hoffman German striker of choice? Is he nailed on?

    Also, who will take penalties, kane or berahino?
    Berahino took them before, but that was before kane, you know, became the hurrikane

  24. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    In the fan league there are only 5 players in the Czech Republic Fan League...if things turn out like that...might change my team too them only 😆

  25. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Manchester United want Karim Benzema to be a part of the deal that takes David de Gea to Real Madrid, according to the Independent.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      😆

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      The Independent will always walk alone...

  26. Ziegler1988
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Guzan in initial Gold Cup squad, Cameron not called up
    http://www.espnfc.com/story/2486059/united-states-announces-preliminary-35-man-gold-cup-squad

  27. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone got a set-piece draft for the U21s?

  28. pompeyfan
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Don't know anything about this U21 game, but if Viktor Fischer is in it he must be a good option, great player & returned well from injury at the end of the season

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Is he completely fit?

      (He just scored a brace against me on FM for Chelsea in 2020)

      1. pompeyfan
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        He had maybe 4 games for jong ajax & 3 games for the first team at the end of the season. He had been out for 16 months but looked sharp

    2. ebow14
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yep 100% agree with you, I've got him in, the danes are a good bet to win imo and fischer could win player of the tournament

  29. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Is Garbbutt on plenty of set pieces ?

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      JWP.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Aye, forgot about him. He could be the best in the tournament, never mind just England.

          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Sure is. Regardless of FPL, it'd be nice to see him nail down a Saints place this season.

  30. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Zico to stand for presidency of FIFA...Breaking news...

    1. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Last seen managing in India

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Such a good player though

        In my top 3