Ahhh, you guys, so damn kind on the birthday of Le Grove. Is that going to last all year? Of course not you total savages.
The Chelsea FREAK show kicked up a gear last night. Auba put in a disaster class that we’ve seen many times before and Chelsea lost to Zagreb in their Champions League opener.
Todd B did what he needed to do after the game, sacking one of the best managers in the world in September, so sharp.
What’s that tho? Arteta sees off another ‘WE FAILED BY NOT SIGNING HIM’ manager? Quite something.
I’d feel more hopeful about the sacking if Todd B was going to chase down some old relic of the past to take on the Chelsea mess – like a Capello or a Zola… but it sounds like he’s going to make moves on Graham Potter and pay the £15m release fee.
I’m a massive fan of Potter, the man got a suit sorted, upgraded his hair, and trimmed the Brighton beach surfer beard. Now he’s gonna be hanging with Todd B forcing him to do Instagram stories at Chiltern Firehouse.
‘Whose bitch are you Big G? TODD’S BITCH. Like my post.’
Potter is a problem going to Chelsea if they have patience with him.
I’ve read some people say that he hasn’t dealt with BIG players before, and yes, that is true. Don Unai had trophies, but he was a beta male in the dressing room and was rolled for it. Chelsea has had most of its success predicated on beast managers with BIG reps and HUGE egos.
Jose… Conte… Carlo…
When they go for upstarts, it doesn’t end well.
We’ve seen AVB come in and tank, we’ve seen watched Frank Lampard get the big seeee yah, and we’ve seen Di Matteo come and go at breakneck speed.
Graham Potter lives more in the world of AVB for coaching talent, but the problem with the Portuguese man is he was a bit of a dickhead, I don’t think Big G has that issue.
Potter made his name in Norway, hoovering up difficult to work with players, and making them more than the sum of their parts. Remeber when he beat us with Ostersunds? He’s personable, he has great ideas, and if he’s given time, he is going to make Chelsea a tour de force.
Why might this NOT work for him?
Todd B doesn’t really know what he’s doing if his transfer business is anything to go by. Chelsea isn’t really ready for JdP. They are further ahead than Manchester United squad-wise. But really, they need more players that can play his way and there will need to be a lot of money spent to get there.
Great managers are NOTHING without good people around them. Potter isn’t a technical director, Dan Ashworth was the brains behind the Brighton operation before he went to Newcastle, Chelsea have been hemorrhaging staff all summer.
So who knows how this pans out, but for me, this is a really, really good hire for them IF Brighton let him go.
Ok, how about some more ref juice?
OK, so still hearing it doesn’t matter that 60% of all referees hail from the NW of England – there’s no bias. So I thought I’d take a look at penalties stats. I went back across the past five seasons including this one – 1,580 matches. Guess who comes out top…
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) September 6, 2022
Matt is one of my fave people I’ve met through Le Grove. He’s gone hard at uncovering the correlation between mostly refs from the North West giving North West clubs better decisions… and boy oh boy is there a hard correlation.
United gets more penalties via 45% less touches in the box… WOW.
That is the difference between someone like Matt and someone like the guy from the Independent who said fans were wack jobs for refusing to believe that the talentless crop of refs we watch have no bias.
One investigates a curious oddity… the refuses to dig a little deeper.
I know who I’d rather read.
Arsenal have taken a big squad to the Europa League tie. I hope we’re doing that to have a massive bench. My fear is Arteta wants to crush the early games so when things get spicy fixture-wise before the WC, he can rest hard then.
I do worry though…
We have had a lot of injuries so far this season, more than we normally do, and putting these kids on a plane feels reckless.
But we’ll see, I don’t have the data, I’m not qualified, so until I have something to whine about, I’ll keep it SHUT.
Bernd Leno has gone BIG on Arteta.
“When I realised that it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew I had to go,”
“During the preparation, I saw that it’s not about performance, it’s just about politics. It was clear to me: I have to get out of here.”
Ooof… there might be SOME truth to Aaron Ramsdale getting games when his form dipped. There’s also some truth around the problems with the keeping coach who chose Ramsdale. BUT if his performances were that good, wouldn’t he be at a better club than Fulham and wouldn’t he have caught that cross against Arsenal?
Oooohhhh… birthday bitch over here.
Right, short one today. Get on the On The Whistle stuff and subscribe to the Patreon. Next one is going out on Friday!
‘’ job.That way, he might not have made so many bloody basic mistakes in his first x 3 seasons.
Mistakes he is still making, ill add‘’
Not sure if you know mate but managers are constantly making mistakes.. we’ll see if Potter gets Chelsea above the mistake ridden Arteta
CG- As the Bedwetters rather conveniently forget in their Agenda.Mr Generational had a “ Clearout” to contend with.Ignore this fact all you like but unfortunately it’s true.As for mistakes.Even the greats make them.Deal with it.
Habesha.Hope they are being proactive with the Hunt for a No 6 & Winger.The groundwork needs to be done now.Not jan 1st.Believe like yourself that ideally it will be Danilo but Athletico are sniffing around.Also think they still might go for a winger,guessing.Mickey Magic,from Donetsk.
CG
No it’s not a coup. Your use of the word is completely wrong. Get a Thesaurus or a Dictionary. And take off that Chelsea shirt.
I like Potter but you’re making me really dislike him
PP
”””’CG- As the Bedwetters rather conveniently forget in their Agenda.Mr Generational had a “ Clearout” to contend with.Ignore this fact all you like but unfortunately it’s true.As for mistakes.Even the greats make them.Deal with it.””””
He was . He was clearing out all that garbage he kept bringing in (and renewing.)
William, Luiz, PEA,Mari, Runarsson etc
ps. The Potter /Chelsea coup has a Klopp/Liverpool feel about.- when they poached him to replace Rogers.
Who is going to replace Martinelli tonight?
Maybe we did need another winger after all.
Forever
”””CG No it’s not a coup. Your use of the word is completely wrong. ””’
I like the word and I am keeping it.
Its a coup.
Coup. coup, coup, coup, coup, coup!
CG
Are you eight?
””’CG Are you eight?”””
I wish
You simply dislike everybody
Potter
Fellow supporters
Conte
Refs
PGMO
you seem very bitter
Not worried about Potter myself David moyes did a great job at Everton for far longer and couldn’t deliver at Utd. AVB was the next big thing until he wasn’t. Gerrard did a great job at rangers and will likely get relegated this season. Emery was hot shit at Sevilla and that story ends in elite tears. Lampard was the one to lead Chelsea into a bold new era with attacking football and young talent. He’s also staring down the barrel at playing vs gerrard in the championship next season. Arteta is according to Pedro the best young manager in… Read more »
‘’ The Potter /Chelsea coup has a Klopp/Liverpool feel about.-‘’
😂😂😂
Pretty much the only two young managers who blew away the competition in recent times have been
Pep: inherited the best squad in the world, Messi and infinite money
Zidane: inherited one of the best squads in the world, Ronaldo and infinite money
Klopp: worked his way up the hard way
Which other young managers have come to a top club and done big things in recent years? Can’t think of any
China1
You make some good points.
Look, Potter is inheriting a team that is stoked with players and has just broken the record in a transfer window. With that comes real pressure. It’s not the same as managing Brighton. That’s not to say he can’t step up, he’s a quality coach, but it’s about all the other things that he has never been tested with; big ego’s, high expectations and an owner who is going to be in his face.
It’s a shame because I like Potter but I hope he fails and they get relegated…!! Horrible club.
I love Graham Potter and feel he would’ve been
a perfect fit at Arsenal had he been at Arsenal.
Nevertheless I’m hoping he fails and fails badly at Chelsea cuz I’m a little nervous lol.
Anyone who thinks Potter will be given time is having a larf
Do you think Tod is going to throw a third of a billion at Chelsea signings then watch them come 8th, 8th, 5th on the promise that one day they may get top 4 and higher?
fat chance.
Meanwhile he’s competing in the toughest league at a big club for the first time in his career. The odds are WELL against him doing something big before he gets sacked.
Potter is the least of our worries as arsenal fans
Managing a bunch of multi millionaires is a whole different ball game to managing Brighton. It is a gamble in my opinion.
Besides the money as well, most of the Chelsea players are CL winners. Unless such players are self motivated it can be hard to get them excited and giving 200% unlike if you’ve got players who would kill to win their first trophy
Pedro,
Great post. But there is no Zagreb, club is called Dinamo Zagreb, and it has a rich and famous history. Zagreb is another club that has been solid and now it’s ruined by a corrupt owner. It is my hometown so I feel that should be corrected.
Exactly Bard.It’s what a few of us have been saying.No blips allowed at the Dodgers for Harry.Especially not after shelling out £250 million large one this singular window.He’ll be expected to hit the ground running.No,make that sprinting.
I think Potter will do well at Chelsea. Agree with CG. He would of weighed up the pros and cons before accepting the job. It’s a no lose situation. If he tanks then another team will come in for him.
Chelsea “Revolving Door” FC. Always will be an inorganic club. At least Pep changed that a bit for City. But Arsenal, Liverpool and United are the only English clubs that have a worldwide appeal and have maintained their organic nature.
It can significantly damage a gaffer’s rep though Samesong failing at an elite club.
Look at Moyes, had to rebuild for years after the Utd disaster, Brendan had to go to Scotland, Poch right now is no longer in demand for the top gigs.
Chelsea’s squad is excellent, on paper they should be finishing top 4 comfortably, but football isn’t played on paper. Brighton played with the 4th highest defensive line last season, and the 7th highest field tilt, Potter is aggressive in his teams positioning, Brighton are a brilliant watch. Their current squad would be a more attractive proposition to inherit than Liverpool’s IMO, Chelsea are in possession of some serious talent. Gallagher’s energy + aggression off the ball will suit Potter, he’ll be a player that benefits from that appointment Chalobah could be another, stylistically he’s similar to White, he’s got a… Read more »
I think he will tank because they won’t give him time.. might not b as easy for him though to get another top job soon after..
needless to say hope he fails
Potter’s first job will have to be dropping Thiago Silva.
Elite defender most of his career but at 38 he’s no longer top shelf and he is easily exposed now.
And rich if he is too upset some senior players then he’s gona have to b winning at the same time otherwise there could be problems
Who should replace Martinelli Tony?
Samesong
“”I think Potter will do well at Chelsea. Agree with CG”””
That’s because you know the game and can think independently.
The Potter/Boehy combo looks like a potential dream team.
Potters’ composure, mangerial nous and degree in emotional intelligence and the mad Yank with his millions
Chelsea in it to win it.
Pedro
The art work you have on this and past posts is phenomenal. Who is the artist? Really dig it.
Zurich will sit deep, thats the tactic they have been usinh in the europa playoffs. They have done better in europa than domestically
The artwork is neat all right but fuck me do I miss the Frauleins.
Man of culture.
Tony Maybe but to be honest I don’t think that Brendan’s man-management is what has let him down, he supposedly is amazing to work for. I think that Potter is on a different level to Brendan in terms of understanding the game and setting up teams to get the best out of all of his players which Brendan clearly was not doing in his last season at Liverpool or this season so far with Leicester. Potter is the golden boy but it is a completely different level at Chelsea where a season without a major honor is seen as failure.… Read more »
Tony
No idea. That’s why I’m asking. Goes to show another winger incoming would have been handy.
I suspect there will be less roatation than many would like tonight.
What’s the story with Marquinhos, is he not good to go?
‘
’dSidstathopoulosSeptember 8, 2022 08:30:44
From Boris to an accountant who cheated on a beta husband, the stuff reality tv is made of.‘
’The operative phrase is, an Oxford trained PPE accountant who cheated……
Marquinhos would be replacing Saka one would think.
Chelsea have possibly the best academy in England
If they give Graham Potter 2-3 years with that academy’s products, they will be set the league alight.
They’ve never figured out how to get an escalator between the best academy products and the first team.
The likes of Jamal Musiala was in the Chelsea academy from 8-16 y/o.
” Dream team”? Yeah right😂near wet my pants laughing.More like lords of chaos!
Afternoon all. 1stly can we all say a prayer for H M The Queen. It ain’t looking good. 2ndly I post occassionally but read everyday and although I don’t agree with everyone all of you are in titled to your opinions and as long as it doesn’t become personal it’s all good. 3rd Sometimes on here people post something that it’s truly brilliant. Last season Almunia (where are you and hope you are good) posted some things that were exceptional and had me in fits. Yesterday AFC FOREVER posted about why their is corruption albeit untentional (perhaps) within the referee… Read more »
I think Liverpool have a far bigger rebuild project than many are willing to acknowledge. They have an aging squad and they haven’t recruited all that well, tbh. Can Nuñez and Diaz replace Mane and Salah? Doubtful. Those two are going down as two of the best forwards that have played in the Premier League. We already know Jota is not at that level. Their midfield is full of 30 year olds. Milner is 36 and still starting games. Henderson is 32. Outside of Fabinho, will that midfield last another year or two? Trent has been exposed and has not… Read more »
My prayers to Queen Latifah and her Family, (Eboni & Rebel)
Tony2
“Yesterday AFC FOREVER posted about why there is corruption albeit untentional (perhaps) within the referee community. AFC thank you it was a masterpiece of writing.”
Thanks I appreciate that, I’m usually getting pelters….!!!
” Dream team”? Yeah right😂near wet my pants laughing.More like lords of chaos!“” You sure it was from laughing? Potter kept losing his best players each season and never complained while continuing putting out the most watchable football around. Tuchel didn’t lose his job because of the shaky start to the season. He’s lost it because he’s a prickly character who only gets tolerated when results follow. They haven’t. Apparently Tuchel’s No transfer target was Matt de Ligt from Juve but Chelsea wanted to do a player swap and lost him to Bayern. Tuchel let everyone know he wasn’t happy.… Read more »
Yeah tend to agree, I think this was a *dynasty period for Liverpool that is likely coming to an end. (Ok so on paper they only won x1 PL and x1 CL title but they had x2 more seasons on top of that with point totals that win the league basically every other season in PL history as well as an additional x2 CL Finals). Their core key players were/are Salah (30+), Firmino (30+), Mane (gone), Van Dijk (31), Fabinho (29), Henderson (32). They still have some top players but that was the spine of their peak side, in addition… Read more »
If the timing of Thomas Tuchel’s sacking by Chelsea took many by surprise, the decision itself did not. Tensions had been building to the extent that the new #CFC board came to be convinced that Tuchel was not their man & Graham Potter is
–Ornstein
Graham Potter appointment as Chelsea head coach in process of being completed. Agreements between parties getting formalised. If everything goes to plan, expected to sign contract tonight + be in charge at Fulham this Saturday
Ozy “I think Liverpool have a far bigger rebuild project than many are willing to acknowledge. They have an aging squad and they haven’t recruited all that well, tbh.” Football is cyclic and always has been. There are so many things that affect decline; age, lack of desire, comfort, bad investment, managerial changes and often just getting sussed out. Liverpool have been unfortunate like us with injuries, they have proved they cope badly when they lose one or two from the first team. Last season they had a terrible patch when VVD got done by Pickford. It often gets forgotten… Read more »
The last few new managers at Chelsea and the Spuds have been hailed as bad news for Arsenal.
Things may come and things may go but the Art School dance goes on forever.
Potter may get it right but don’t think he’s suddenly gona get them winning which is good for us this season.. Tuchal apparently not happy that they didn’t get Jesus either.. potter l can imagine will be more of a yes man and if there’s a few players there he doesn’t fancy or doesn’t fit his system then that will take him time
It’s a shrewd move from Chelsea.
One of those appointments that will either hit big or he’ll be out by the end of the season. I’d imagine unless he loses every game between now and Easter he’ll make it that far.
With the World Cup break he’ll get his “preseason” prep so to speak
Potter is a good coach but Chelsea are built on win or be fired he will not last if he has a few losses
HAS ANYONE SEEN IAT ROBBIE LATELY NEED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THIS COMMENT:
‘You laughed when I said Tedesco was a good manager. Look at how the man has turned Leipzig’s fortunes around in 2022. 36 years old and already showing more managerial ability than Arteta. He’s also more experienced too🙂’
AFC not from me if anyone posts something thought provoking rather than just “I am right” it deserves to re recognised.
I love it when LG shows up with the receipts.
Can we talk about Alcaraz?
Klopp is a top manager, he signed a new long term contract last season, and he would have done that in full knowledge that the current team cycle was nearing its end. They’ve spent big on Diaz + Nunez, there’s no guarantee they’ll work out, and they’ve got some top young players in Elliott, Konate, Jones, and Carvalho who looks like an exciting talent, Klopp should be able to find solutions. There’s always going to be disruption when you go from an average age of 29, with a cohesive team that’s been together a long time, and know exactly what… Read more »
Tom
“”””Potter kept losing his best players each season and never complained while continuing putting out the most watchable football around.””””
Sounds like Wenger 2. And those types don’t grow on trees.
(Lucky Chelsea.)
”Fergie dipped between 2003-2006, but then won 3 titles on the bounce, and a CL.”
Yeah but he had no Pep or Man City to compete with let’s not forget. As great as Fergie was, no chance he could have competed with Pep and City’s endless finances.
Liepzig spent 59m on transfers and are in the CL, their owners do Not tolerate mediocrity
The average age of Liepzig squad is 24, the owners dont take excuses.
Arsenal: Turner, Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Lokonga, Marquinhos, Vieira, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Zinchenko, White, Saliba, Smith, Cirjan, Odegaard, Saka, Cozier-Duberry, Jesus.
jwl
Thanks for that.
Pleased Vieira, Marquinhos and Eddie are getting a start. I never like fiddling around with a team too much as you lose rhythm but it’s great to see some of these players. Let’s hope they go out there and show us how good they are.
Chaos in Nice with the 8,000 Cologne fans, game should be postponed apparently.
Ah Tom.You still here? Thought you & your opinions had been shunted into the wilderness where they belong.Anyway,moving on to Arsenal matters..Not what £250 million can get you.Actually ,make that £270 million( The £20 million extra the Nouveau Riche are going to have to cough up to Brighton for compensation).Oh & prob further £20 million plus to compensate Tuchel & his contract & you have a ball park figure ….. in the region of around £290/300 million for a f** k up.Hmm.indeed “ Lucky Chelsea”.🤫
Not cool, Turner
Poor first 10 min back in Europe
Marquinhos
1
AFC – I would also add your comment yesterday was worthy of the Sunday Times – Insight Team. A storming post!