Tottenham Hotspur finishing 17th back-to-back in the Premier League is not talked about enough.
It's actually crazy they managed it twice in two consecutive seasons. I think winning the Europa League in the first and qualifying for the UCL gave them some protection.
• John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho
• 88 EPL Games - 46 Clean Sheets
• William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
• 117 EPL Games - 47 Clean sheet.
Note: John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho never lost a single Premier League match they started together at Stamford Bridge. From 2004 - 2010.
The legendary defensive partnership
We live in an interesting time. Ordinarily, we are supposed to be celebrating grace because there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repent, than over 99 righteous people who have no need for repentance.
But the fact we see the church as a place where hoes come to retire and find husbands, and where men go to find easy sex, shows how far the church has fallen.
Knowing fully well that salvation offers redemption from sin and eternal life, but does not erase the past and its ripple effect, people are now intentional about avoiding Okafor and the trail of long held trauma. This tend to affect women more because for men, people would argue that rakes make the best husband. Chastity is preferred in women.
As Christians, where does on stand and how do you navigate this? People are saying they won't judge.....UNTIL you try becoming a member of their family. Legitimate position, but is that Christianly. Oh well🤷♂️
Perhaps, actions and consequences do override grace. One school of thought argues that if you do not punish bad behaviours, you amplify it and others will jump on it for lack of consequences. Another school supports this by saying that "at the time you were committing to this 'past' you knew exactly what you were doing, and knew it was wrong. Thus, you cannot then try to repaint it as inconsequential past, knowing fully well the effect stays with you."
It's a lot, but I'm just here to read responses and reactions.
✍️ I'm not someone who minces words or is afraid to say his mind. If I want Enzo gone, I will say it boldly and repeatedly. Now, to clarify, I would 1000% keep Enzo under Alonso. He's going to be extremely important in many ways. But no, Enzo and Palmer as 10s will not give us the best out-of-possession balance and effective counter-press, which are massively important for Alonso. I don't think we should drop Enzo either; I believe the close proximity of Alonso's shape will hide his shortcomings in the pivot. Alonso allows the defensive line to be very close to the midfield, and the defenders are allowed to jump in and help the midfielders mark, press, and win second balls. For me, Enzo Caicedo as a pivot should be fine if the space between the lines is tight.
Another reason we need a different profile as a 10 is to have someone who attacks and stretches the defense rather than a ball-to-feet player.
Then, on his contract: personally, this shouldn't be a topic. Whether he signs or not, he still has six years left on his deal. That's a lot. What's the rush? I want him to extend if his demands are within the scope of the structure. If his demands will force the club to break the structure, it's not advisable. We shouldn't do that. Barcelona ran into financial issues because of overspending on wages and had to force players to take pay cuts or leave. They even turned down renewing Messi or taking him back from PSG. It helped them rebuild the squad, and they are still winning, while Real Madrid, who have the money to pay big salaries, are struggling.
The point is, it's not just about money. Build a stable club, and they will improve what you are paying the players to match your earnings. Don't put yourself in trouble for any player, even if it's Messi. It's not worth it. A football team is much more than an individual.
As to why Chelsea can't overpay now: PSR and FFP are regulations put in place to force teams to pay based on their paper revenue. Basically, you aren't allowed to pay more than you earn. Sign-on fees are amortized and spread over five years max, but every wage you pay goes straight into the annual expenditure. For example, a player on £300k a week is earning £15.6m annually; if he's earning £200k, his annual earnings drop to £10.4m. The club saves £5.4m on that player's wages per year. Multiply that by four or five players on such deals and see the difference. That difference is enough to break FFP or PSR. It's not something clubs can ignore until they become financially stable and also stable on the pitch. If you make the UCL every season, such fees won't be much of a problem.
Also, there's the issue of the capacity of Stamford Bridge. We are currently earning way less than many big teams in the Premier League, and that includes Spurs. So, let me ask: with limited revenue, do we need to overpay and land in trouble? Obviously, it doesn't concern fans, but if we get to the point of a transfer ban and points deduction, it will concern everyone. Roman did it how he did it for us to enjoy success. I'm happy I had Roman as an owner—the best in the world—but we are not under him anymore, and the current owners don't want to cut corners, and rightly so.
I believe we will be back. If Alonso, with his coaching, can help us find stability on the pitch and make better decisions, we will be back for real. Like Barcelona, we don’t need to pay more than we can afford to rebuild. We just need to be smart and make good decisions that will benefit the club and not individuals. Then we will be fine.
It's a long read, but I had to be detailed. Anyone who wants to misinterpret or misunderstand me can go ahead. I have nothing more to add on both topics. Of course, this is my personal opinion.
Well done if you read to the end. I appreciate that patience. 🤝
Dear football,
Today, I want to share with you that this season will be my last as a professional footballer. After so many years living my dream, I feel it’s time to start a new chapter in my life.
Being honest, even though I have been preparing myself for this moment, I found it hard to write this letter. After 20 seasons , many people have played an important role in my career.
When I first kicked a ball as a child in Pamplona with my schoolmates, I never imagined the amazing journey ahead. I’m grateful for every moment: the wins, the tough losses, the challenges, and most of all, the people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made along the way.
To my teammates, coaches, and every staff member at all the clubs I’ve been lucky to be part of, thank you for helping me grow as a person and a player every day. Wearing the shirts of CA Osasuna, Olympique Marseille, Chelsea FC, Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla FC, and representing my country at the biggest stages has been a true privilege. Every moment has meant so much to me…