It wasn’t Potter’s fault. It wasn’t Pochettino’s fault. It wasn’t Maresca’s fault. It isn’t Rosenior’s fault. People can blame coaches all they like, but the whole BlueCo/Chelsea project has been such a spectacular, hubristic failure
https://t.co/8h4ZXMu7VO
Completely unacceptable performance by Chelsea. Embarrassing. No organisation, no heart, no fight, no pride, no leadership, no goal threat. It’s like they’ve given up at Brighton. Just because they’re near the beach doesn’t mean they’re allowed to be on it. Shameless performance. No wonder the fans are furious. These aren’t useless players, they’re internationals, which makes their abject showing at the Amex even worse. Overpaid underperformers.
Liam Rosenior will probably pay the price for this string of shameful displays and results, he’s out of his depth, but he’s the symptom of the malaise at Chelsea, not the cause. Club needs some grown-ups, experienced football people in the boardroom, in the recruitment department and in the dressing-room. Chelsea are such a contrast to Brighton & Hove Albion, who are so well-run on and off the field. BlueCo has to look, listen and learn. Because Boehly and Eghbali are currently overseeing a self-inflicted shambles. #CFC
EU entry-exit system: Greece goes its own way.
The EES – fingerprints/facial biometrics taken from all "third-country nationals" – is supposed to operate at all Schengen area frontiers.
But Greece has decided to drop the biometrics for UK passport holders.
https://t.co/MNWEOG7RMM
"The numbers aren't good for Steve Borthwick, I think it's time for a change."
Austin Healey doesn't hold back on England's current predicament.
📺 @TNTSports & @DiscoveryplusUK
"Can I just start off by saying I want to congratulate Maro on 100 tests... He's a great bloke and a great player."
Pure class from Jamison Gibson-Park 👏
🎙️ @topsy_ojo
Real touch of class here from Italy captain Michele Lamaro after their loss to Ireland
Unprompted, he made a point of congratulating Hollie Davidson on becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations game
Applaud Gary Lineker please
This time on Jim Ratcliffe:
‘Billionaires seek to divide us’
‘He’s an economic migrant’
‘In Monaco avoiding tax’
‘Not contributing here’
‘Man U have welcomed players from all countries’
‘Would he say the same about white people?’
Superb analysis
👏
Given their need for an elite-level goalkeeper and experienced centre-back (fault of recruitment/board), plus missing Palmer, James, Caicedo, Gusto and Delap, that was not the worst result for Chelsea. Estevao gave Timber his most difficult game of the season (nb l-b). Chelsea fought back when Arsenal dominant, still in the tie, even though Arsenal rightly favourites to reach Wembley and have conceded only 7 goals in 16 home games this season.
Chelsea up against the most in-form team in Europe, who’ve recruited well (and over time), got strength in depth in all positions (though drop off from Raya to Kepa). They have strength of character, set-piece menace, Gyokeres threatening and Zubimendi one of the buys of the season. Arsenal have built a strong team and a strong squad. Raya, Timber, Gabriel and Rice would all get in a PL team of the season to date. They now have an aura about them, a belief.
Chelsea have spent a lot, not always where needed, stockpiling wingers when they need defence strengthened. A front six of Caicedo, James (home grown, their most important leader, nb unless r-b), Enzo, Estevao, Garnacho and (an improving) Delap is UCL level.
Rosenior's a good head coach. His self-belief is commendable but he doesn't need to mention it publicly so often. He's still new, still learning, still needs to build a more substantial body of work. Rosenior certainly knows how he wants Chelsea to play. He's committed to playing out from the back so they’ll need a keeper comfortable with the ball at his feet. Sanchez isn’t. The question with Chelsea's recruitment is are they building a team or building a player-trading project? Need an experienced centre-back to organise younger ones - as well as that keeper.