Our series of members articles that evaluate the form of each team over 2015/16 before assessing their chief protagonists continues with Chelsea.
Having clinched the Premier League crown in 2014/15, the Stamford Bridge outfit suffered a disastrous title defence and, after losing nine of their first 16 matches, replaced Jose Mourinho with Guus Hiddink in December. The Dutchman helped steady the ship and ultimately guided the Blues into tenth spot, some 31 points behind champions Leicester.
Yeah way too much, you could get 2 Ibe's for that price 😀
Not £30m, but think Juve will buy them.
Is there a date or the return of FPL?
Could be Monday, could be earlier or later.
You could be a smart arse also...........
Monday is the latest prediction. No if you want a yes/no answer.
Had assumed you were taking the p.... Apologies and thanks.
He is not a smart arse ? I am a smart arse 😎
True
Sounded like an accurate answer to me. Not smart arseness.
That's brilliant TM.
Mark Rodgers who is working on the project said it would be next week .
After Mark Rogers has got enough Twitter followers
Liverpool scouting in 25 minutes 🙂
More interested in Tranmere realy
Firmino nailed on 🙂 .
I was 1-st in my country, 38-th overall but made 1 mistake - no Griezman so now 5-th in Poland and 223 overall (already won all ML with over 100 pts) so I decided no to fill squad like 99% people (8 French+Guerrero,Sanchez,Ronaldo).
Go big or go home:
Rui
Guerrero, Cedric, Pepe
Sanchez, Mario, Pogba, Payet
Giroud, Ronaldo (c), Nani
Mad?
Get Fonte for Mario.
good idea as I hope for Portugal CS, cheers
May as well captain a defender/Rui also. Ronaldo needs to win a penalty and score to outscore them in a 1-0.
and I hope for him to get a haul (I know that France will win but this is my only chance)
I am doing the same so I hope not!
Could be brilliant. could be horrendous
Really looking forward to next seasons FPL. Almost Nostradamus like I can forsee a more proportionately highly priced set of players than in previous seasons which adds to the challenge. There will be a wide range of strategies to deal with this - ie loading up on Mids or forwards. Bring it on .
Jump on the early bandwagons and an early wildcard could be invaluable in building a big team value then later in the season the impossible becomes affordable.
Very true.I really messed up on the first wildcard last season. Incidently did you back Secret Art last Saturday ?
I backed nothing Slouch.
I had a wedding to go to at 1 and didn't get the time to have a good butchers at the race cards.
Sunderland to NOT sign Davide Santon: http://safc.com/news/club-news/2016/july/club-info-davide-santon
From what i've heard it's because Sunderland is an incredibly unreliable club and Inter is still pissed about the Alvarez situation(Sunderland not paying the 11M euros even though UEFA declared they had to). Also, it seems Inter has received a better offer from Watford.
Predictions on goals/minutes for Mane and Firmino vs Transmere starting in 10 mins?
23*
one each.
lineups?
Confirmed #LFC starting XI to face @tranmererovers: Karius, Flanagan, Lovren, Matip, Smith, Brannagan, Lucas, Kent, Ejaria, Mane, Firmino.
cheers
If they're both starting ( haven't seen the line ups ) Mane 1 Firmino 2 both play 60 mins.
Firmino wasn't in the Copa America and he's not going to be at the Olympics so i'm expecting him to play a good amount of minutes.
Incidently TM going with Rema32chickens to see Huddersfield v Liverpool pre season on the 20th.
Nice, might see a stronger team then.
Liverpool kick of delayed by 15 mins
Will you be on LFC TV tonight?
Not me, personally 😉
off*
19:15pm UK
Klopps gonna make the players do a 15 min Iceland clap
More of this?
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/07/17/scout-report-angelo-ogbonna/?hc_page=6#hc_comment_10530936
Or a brief round up after all the pre season games
More of that 🙂
Maybe a brief one tonight 🙂
Probably keep it brief. Very little FPL interest outside of Mane and Firmino
Those two will have a pre season top tempt us all
Moreno should get a run in the 2nd half so that would need more coverage.
For my 2 final spots:
Would you get J.Mario and Pogba?
Or load up on extra defenders, and which one? (Currently: Lloris Koscielny Sagna Guerreiro)
If City do get Bonucci, I don't see a better signing than that in the league. Their defence would become elite. Dunno if he'd leave Juve though? Sagna their only RB at the mo, 5,5m would be cool
What about Zabaleta? He used to be my favourite FPL defender a couple seasons back!
Reportedly signing for Roma
ahh
Gone. Along with Ginkapo
Unless they get lucky with the games(like what happened with Monaco and Borussia when they reached the final), Bonucci and Chiellini are usually crap in the Champions League when they face much better opponents than the ones they face in the Serie A.
Even some Juve fans have the courage to mock them. It's true that it's mostly Chiellini's fault every time but Bonucci shows that he's not that good either when he's playing against the big teams.
What a load of nonsense.
Sincerely,
Juventus fan
imagine Bonucci on Pens at City 😀
I'm certain that Bonucci will be at Juve player come September.
Yeah, thought as much. Juve have 2 of the top 5 defenders in the world, in my opinion.
Bonucci is the best in the world imo. It's possible that I'm being biased but I watch every Juve game and for me there hasn't been a better centre back over the past two or three seasons. Not Boateng, not Pique, no one.
Is Barzagli or Chiellini the other? Might come as a surprise to those who don't follow Juve closely but Barzagli has actually been the better player in recent reasons. Chiellini has been somewhat error prone although at his best he's colossal.
I wouldn't disagree with that. Bonucci reads the game so well.
Chiellini. I know Barzagli has been brilliant, but Chiellini at his best > nearly every other defender in the world.
Bonucci is also fantastic with the ball. Excellent passer and knows how to finish with his feet if a chance drops to him.
Mané stay quiet, save it all for the PL lad. You're nailed in my team anyway. 🙂
Enjoy your GW1 rank and all the red arrows after 😛
This is my year 😎
Klopp to bring more consistency to his game. Mane over Firmino ?
Depends on price. Guessing Firmino would be 0.5 more.
Given that price differential Berbs which one ? I must confess that after last season Firmino was one of my automatic picks for this so long as his price isn't outrageous.
I think owning Mane when he's hot would be a good pick. Firmino is more consistent - well he's been consistent since Klopp came in. I expect both to reach double figures for goals, Firmino probably has more assists in his game though.
Thanks.
Yeah for me.
is he guaranteed in the first 11. if so i'd get, but i'd expect lallana/ milner to challenge
Not a fan of their fixtures
I think people are underestimating Pool this year.
It's their year?
I believe Mr Mourinho has first place reserved so not quite. 😉
Good players score against anyone. Firmino, Kane etc proved that last season.
I always look at fixtures differently for attack v defence
For example, Swansea have awful fixtures, which puts me off their defence, but Siggy for example could still get points
Me too
when's fpl back again? thought it'd be up and ready by now.
Scroll up.
so monday-ish. cheers
Off-topic
Noticed O.Dembele just scored for Dortmund in friendly live today...
Really exciting player, I think his chances of success at Dortmund are way higher than that of Sanches or Coman at Bayern with Ancellotti incharge.
O.Dembele will be top 5 one day imo. France's best talent, unreal stuff.
coman's gone back to juve, has he not?
No, signed permanent deal with Bayern
oh, that's news to me. and surprising on the part of juve
It wasn't just a loan. Bayern had the option to buy since last season.
Not too surprising on Juve's part either considering we just made a 28m profit on a player that doesn't fit our formations.
Dortmund have brought in a number of really talented guys this window. It's going to be very exciting.
Hope they end Bayern dominance...
I really hate the way they loot bundesliga's best talent
Even if they do for one season Bayern will just buy their players again, unfortunately.
How many goals and assists does Mane need in premiership season to warrant a place in GW1?
Might be worth a watch vs Arsenal.
I've noticed both Mané and Liverpool have been a bit TOO prolific against Man City off-late...
Would guardiola or bonucci change that though? Current manc def. is euro league class imo
Pellegrini just doesn't know how to set up a team defensively, that's all.
Zabaleta and Kolarov leaving
a new era dawns
Never really rated Zaba as an FPL pick, but we shall mourn the loss of the Lord
Zab served me well tbh. Sometimes got rotated, annoyingly. Kola is just king.
Kolarov>Alba?
Impossible but would be fun
Will probably get Rodriguez now right? That might be a top transfer.
Looks like Rodriguez and Peres are coming in.
peres
peres
Think ill be getting Rodriguez then
I'm going Peres for sure
Brazilian Torino Peres?? That lad is super attacking.
Yup. That signing is more likely than the Rodriguez one.
Has Yaya been shipped
Nope. Doesn't look like he will be either based on Guardiola's comments.
thank goodness
only yaya ,nasri,navas,delph,bony to go...
(citeh fan)
Of those I only think Nasri and Delph will be leaving
YaYas contract keeps him on the payroll I supose
That and he is admittedly a really good squad player to have
I had Lolarov for three weeks last year: 0,0 & 1. I'm not sorry he's leaving. Goodbye NotLolarov
I blame Mankini, more than anything else.
People saying that Portugal got lucky this year, but if Ronaldo hadn't missed that penalty against Austria(on purpose), they would've had to face England, France and Germany to get to the final!
Worth a Ballon d'or 😉
+1
I think italy got punished in this euro... After winning arguably the toughest group, they had to face Spain and Germany....
No top team can win all these matches successively
Maybe with a fairer draw they'd have been winners...
They looked like the best team.
not at all.
Probably shouldn't have subbed Zaza on.
Oh look. Liverpool game is on TV. Not like I will have any Liverpool player for the start, but scouting started.
what channel ?
LFCTV.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tranmere-rovers-v-liverpool-live-11589091
oldskool txt
And Sakho cleared!
Thanks! Just seen it.
ta
The PL is now about enormous sums of money. The gap each season widens financially to The Championship. Similarly the gap to divs 1 & 2 widens again. Is this a good thing ? Can anyone see a situation where financially the whole pyramid comes crashing down ?
Personally I feel that we are moving into a dangerous new era when if just one of tv companies pulls out the after effects could be very significant. Sky are offering cut price deals left right and centre as are BT. Surely this situation is non sustainable.
Would be interested to hear people's views.
Thanks.
can't disagree
Where's the Rema gone ? Norwich tomorrow for me on a stag do for my nephew with a bunch 25 years younger than me. At least my brother in law will be there who is within 15 years. Odd man out or what ?
get on with it....
the (advisory) vote has been taken now T.May will need to steer a bill through parliament.
Gimmer!!
The whole thing has been a farce from start to finish. Gove has got his just deserts for being a pillock . Politicians have been shown up for being the coniving bunch they are. Scare mongering , incompetence and downright stupidity have come to the fore. This country should be run by business leaders not these morons.
who'd have thought that before catch the pigeon came wacky races....
Music to ears. Wacky races was the highlight of my week as a kid ........... although The Clangers were very classy and Ivor The Engine was one of the funniest p**s takes on tv.
it's very sustainable as long as market keeps growing. will reach saturation point at some stage i suppose. a worldwide recession would see it suffer, but it's relatively easy to restructure, i'd have thought.
This, the UK TV market is mature and could take a hit in a post brexit britain but the global market still has huge potential for growth and should offset any shrinks in the british economy easily.
Also consider matchday reciepts, Arsenal took in £100m on tickets, food and VIP boxes last season and the waiting list for a season ticket is 11 years long. Even with a shrink in the UK economy there'd be no shortage of demand for matchday tickets at the top.
Do you think that match day receipts are significant Balders ? Compared to tv money and sponsorship deals gained through tv coverage I think match receipts are a small percentage of revenues. Yes there is a global market for the PL but it is entirely down to the tv companies as to what happens next. Excessive greed is a very dangerous thing and due to this long term I am not optimistic.
£100m on matchday speaks for itself, that's about 30% of our turnover. I know we have high ticket prices but we also get more prize money, CL money and more sponsorship than most others, so that 30% is still holds true for smaller PL clubs. Down the leagues with less TV exposure matchday becomes more and more important. If people started cord cutting Sky the TV money would drop and we'd see a bit more parity again but we won't see the pyramid collapse overnight.
Lower down the food chain Balders it's not good. Gates are not big enough , tv money is pitiful ( apart from Leeds who Sky seem to be in love with ) and loan signings are the norm. The PL has become way too big IMO and is a disproportionate money making machine for all manner of financial parasites. There are no end of secret handshakes going on and it stinks.
Last year funds were not an issue. I think i ended the season with 5.5 itb. This season will be very very different i think. with the amount of scoring talent this year, you'll have to really choose wisely
I'll be following the Triggerlips guidelines of cheap at the back (no defender more then 5 million) and the rest on attack/mid!
Likely City squad next season:
-----------------Hart-------------
Peres--Kompany-Stones-Rodriguez
----Fernandinho-Gundogan-
Sane-----De Bruyne----Sterling
--------------Aguero----------
Bench: Rulli, Clichy/Sagna, Otamendi/Mangala, Silva, Toure, Nolito, Bony/Iheanacho
Otamendi, Silva, and Nolito may have starting roles ahead of Stones, Sane, and Sterling respectively.
Guardiola needs to get selling and clear up the reserves.
He'll have to get busy if he wants to sign all those players who are not currently on ManCity.
It's more like Potential City squad.
Agreed. This is based solely on the rumors that have picked up the most speed and based on quotes from players and manager alike.
Filthy team. Jealous
That bench actually looks half decent for once so that's a major positive with our injury woes.
Don't worry Berbs it's a work of fiction. It will stronger . Lol
lol this!
Peres and Rodriguez close? I'd be really interested in Peres.
Peres would go straight into my team. 3 goals, 7 assists. Can play CDM, LM or RM too. And that amazing goal against Juventus! 😮
Ah yes I remember that goal. Let's keep the lad to ourselves shall we? 🙂
(If you successfully sign him ofc)
Yeah I only had an open discussion with you because we've passed a lot of info between each other 😉
He's going to be pure gold.
😉 🙂
the infamous juve run rabbit goal
that defence looked like they were being paid money.......
Vidal kinda jogged behind him and then said "f that good luck back there lads"
Sakho cleared. Klopp loves him, be interesting to see if he now gets the armband as planned.
He missed the Europa league final + Euros for no reason then. Must be frustrating that.
🙁 Poor Mama.
cleared based on what though? test result was wrong or they believed excuse, or..?
Substance in the burner wasn't on the banned list.
was then wasn't. very strange.
That's irritating. Glad he's back though.
isn't Hendo the automatic captain?
Klopp wanted to switch to Sakho, but this was before the initial drug saga.
Fantasy Euro advice:
I'm chasing the leader 14 points behind. What are other chasers doing? I think going 8 from one team with 5 defenders is key. Question is .... Which country to back in order to make up the difference?
A- France
B- Portugal
Depends on leaders team.
He's currently got 4 of each before the final transfers. I suspect he's gonna capt Griezman as he's done last couple rounds to good effect and go safe with mixed team. Does that mean go Portugal with capt Ronaldo?
Portugal could win and Ronaldo could still fail.
If you are playing 5 Port defs/GK, you may as well captain one.
testing
how does my grav look? good? or change?
Nice
Good
good stuff
cheers
Mane and Firmino having a bit of fun. Linked well in last 5 mins
Noice.
would you rather Andre Gray or Wilson?
Wilson
Quick questions; Where would you rate Sakho among Premier League centre-backs? Top 10? Top 5?
Many different opinions on that lad. He's a weird fella but gets the job done, I like him. Probably in the Top 10, not too sure about the Top 5.
this
I think he's at least top 5, if not top 3, but then again, I am prone to recency bias and his second half of last season under Klopp was immaculate.
Top 10.
Top 5 imo is:
Kompany
Smalling
Alderweireld
Huth
And this will be controversial, but I'd throw Otamendi in as my last one.
Never mind forgot Koscielny. He's in ahead of Otamendi.
Huth and Ota over Kos?
No particular order. Forgot Kos.
Aye, you corrected yourself before I could jump in. 😉
Otamendi?
That's why I don't like biased people..
I think he's solid. Plays amazingly for Argentina, played amazingly for Valencia. Only problem is he has inconsistent partners in CB
Lol at this Smalling & Otamendi.
Smalling definitely deserves to be in there
The acid test will be to see if Maureen rates him.
Not seeing him here but I rate Fonte very highly
Yes. Very impressive for Southampton at the Bridge last season and pairs well with VVD. Fonte is the better defender, though, VVD is a bit more erratic.
Ashley Williams has to be on any list of this type long before you start mentioning names like Sakho, Huth and Smalling.
VVD is fantastic
Are you talking from a FPL perspective or have you actually seen him play?
Agreed, I think Fonte does an amazing job and makes others seem more defensively solid. Very strong defender, one of my top names. I do rate Williams highly as well.
Yes, that's exactly right. I watched Fonte and VVD quite closely during their game at Chelsea last season. Fonte is clearly the boss in the Southampton defence, organises everything and keeps VVD in position.
VVD is the FPL choice, though, because he has more goal threat and also gets the clean sheet benefit of playing next to Fonte.
That's it, he did similar with Lovren. I've found it funny that nobody has thought to try and snag him from Southampton, I think he's sublime.
Agreed, FPL wise VVD or any other attack minded defender would take priority which maybe explains why Fonte isn't mentioned as much on here.
I guess with Fonte it's down to his age as well
Yeah, though I think it's been obvious for a while. I mean, he's been in the PL since 2012, when he was 28 and younger than Bonucci for example who might cost City £45 million.
Top 10 id say. Better than him off the top of my head: Smalling, Kosc, Kompany, Terry, Morgan, Williams maybe even Toby
Alderweireld, Smalling, Kompany, Zouma, Otamendi, Koscielny, Vertonghen, Williams, Terry, Van Dijk, Fonte, Stones, Matip .....
Those 13 are all better for me, so top 15 maybe.
Jesus Christ
He's bang average.
Hey, you're entitled to a wrong opinion.
Lol, this kind of reply is exactly what I expected if you were reading though tbh. It's no secret how biased you are towards Sakho and Sturridge.
It's an opinion as you said. Personally I found it absolutely hilarious when you claimed Sakho was in the top 3 CBs in the league 😀
I cannot disagree here.
Jagielka, Reid, Blind?
How low can we get Sakho? 😆
No no and no
I find him a bit of an enigma. He's either excellent or woeful. Admittedly I haven't watched him a great deal.
Lewis Cook confirmed at Bournemouth.
Interesting signing that one
Yeah, paying as much as £10 million for him apparently.
7 years, 11 months agoIn Italy they're saying Juve can actually sign Sanchez for 30M euros, lol. If Wenger sold Sanchez in general the fans would probably ship him out of the country tied to a boat, but for 30M euros? Seriously? Who writes that stuff?