By now, you all understand that every game we watch together is doomed to the dustbin of mediocrity. Today, it’s two of the best defenses in the league: City (first in goals allowed and xG) and Chelsea (fourth in goals, second in xG). Will anyone score? Let’s find out at 1130 EST.
City: really f'in good, still. Pep's tinkering is annoying and misguided a lot of the time, but when it works, it's beautiful. Also, Phil Foden is A LOT better than Ferran Torres. Brilliant performance -- probably the best performance of the season by any Premier League team. Certainly didn't hurt that they got an extended rest, either.
Chelsea: good enough players -- "great" enough, even -- to win most games. But there's just so much slack in how they play -- no real coherent pressing, a very "roll the ball out there, lads" approach in possession -- that a well-aimed opposing gameplan executed by world-class players can absolutely dismantle them. We'll see what happens with Lampard -- they can still finish top-four with him, imo -- but it's pretty clear that he's not the guy to take them to a title challenge.
Metaphorical Spanish Ham Recipient: Kevin De Bruyne. Despite a different role today -- not quite a possession focal point -- KDB led all players in shots (five) and added three chances created. He got an assist and also nabbed his first open-play goal of the season. He gets out highest-grade ham on offer.
Finally, a fun game! But also a dead-rubber second half. But given the past 100 (?) chats we've done, we'll take it. I had a blast today, hope you guys did, too. Talk soon!
Imagine what an absolute football lunatic Bielsa must be if he set up an elaborate spy system to discover what kind of tactics big frank was cooking up
If Chelsea stop allowing City to just completely run straight up the middle of the pitch unimpeded now that Kante is off, we may have to start a dialogue
This feels to me like playing a hugely mismatched chess game. The weak player does something that seems like a good idea for a moment, then the stronger opponent just punishes their mistake immediately, before they’ve even figured out it was a mistake.
Jose Mourinho once said you win the Champions League with 11 Azpilicuetas. Is the problem with Lampard that he took that comment way too seriously and can only think how to play soccer with 11 Mason Mounts?
I have been wondering for some time now that is Frank Lampard just Zidane without the gravitas, Tom Ford suit, and a world-beating squad (with a generational superstar) at his disposal?
An American player showing ignorance of the rules by using his hands for no reason is probably confirming some serious priors for the anti-American bias crowd
If this one develops into a chess match, switch over to Bayern Munich vs. bottom feeder Mainz., if only to see a rested Alphonso Davies try to help Robert Lewandowski add to his ridiculous goals total. Sorry, I just can't help it: I'm a Vancouver guy who has watched Davies since he played with the MLS Whitecaps.
CHO looks pretty good out there, and obviously Chelsea fans are clamouring for him to start every match. But whose place does he actually take in this situation? Pulisic? Werner? Ziyech? I don't think Chelsea's problem is not having enough good attackers on the pitch.
FT Stat Update:
-Shots (on target): City 18 (6), Chelsea 9 (2)
-xG: City 2.74, Chelsea 0.77
-Final-third passes: City 89, Chelsea 132
-Penalty-area passes: City 14, Chelsea 10
City: really f'in good, still. Pep's tinkering is annoying and misguided a lot of the time, but when it works, it's beautiful. Also, Phil Foden is A LOT better than Ferran Torres. Brilliant performance -- probably the best performance of the season by any Premier League team. Certainly didn't hurt that they got an extended rest, either.
Chelsea: good enough players -- "great" enough, even -- to win most games. But there's just so much slack in how they play -- no real coherent pressing, a very "roll the ball out there, lads" approach in possession -- that a well-aimed opposing gameplan executed by world-class players can absolutely dismantle them. We'll see what happens with Lampard -- they can still finish top-four with him, imo -- but it's pretty clear that he's not the guy to take them to a title challenge.
Metaphorical Spanish Ham Recipient: Kevin De Bruyne. Despite a different role today -- not quite a possession focal point -- KDB led all players in shots (five) and added three chances created. He got an assist and also nabbed his first open-play goal of the season. He gets out highest-grade ham on offer.
Finally, a fun game! But also a dead-rubber second half. But given the past 100 (?) chats we've done, we'll take it. I had a blast today, hope you guys did, too. Talk soon!
Timo Werner has 4.3 expected goals since his last actual goal.
Remember this? https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53176020
Imagine what an absolute football lunatic Bielsa must be if he set up an elaborate spy system to discover what kind of tactics big frank was cooking up
Chelsea have two shots in the second half. Given that they were down 3-0 at HT, it's a pretty interesting approach.
If Lampard keeps his job, I'd love to see his next big chess move as this: reinstall Kepa as the starter.
This is the kind of game that 1) City weren't supposed to produce any more, and 2) Chelsea were supposed to have evolved past.
What a goal. Amazing patience from KDB on the pass, great little flick by Young Phil. Chelsea have NO CLUE what to do with this City system.
Chelsea got annihilated by Liverpool at home, and now they're getting annihilated by City at home. Not much progress there, huh?
Don't trust an American keeper who is not bald/balding
This match is really showing who comes out on top in the battle of no tactics vs too much tactics
Who is today's Ham Daddy?
There's still 25 minutes left. Woof.
Have any of you all ever used Discord? If so, might it be a better way to do these chats?
Love hearing the NBC commentators blame Chelea's 3-0 deficit on ... Timo Werner? What?
De Bruyne's finishing slump continues, too: 4.5 non-penalty xG before today, 0 non-penalty goals.
Did Hudson-Odoi just save the job of the manager who won’t play him?
So much for the mediocre non-entertaining match jinx
Was worried you would do one of these for this game! Nil nil here we come
If Chelsea stop allowing City to just completely run straight up the middle of the pitch unimpeded now that Kante is off, we may have to start a dialogue
Kante with hair is like Jadakiss with hair
DeBruyne with some strong Ham not xHam play this game
Will Lamps make it to the end of the season
Feel like CHO should get more starts
City with big "Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated" energy
This feels to me like playing a hugely mismatched chess game. The weak player does something that seems like a good idea for a moment, then the stronger opponent just punishes their mistake immediately, before they’ve even figured out it was a mistake.
Who will Lampard scapegoat at halftime?
HT Stat Update:
-Shots (on target): City 11 (4). Chelsea 4 (1)
-xG, per Stats Perform: City 2.34, Chelsea 0.29 OMFGGGGGGGGGGG
-Final-third passes: City 43, Chelsea 54 (!)
-Penalty-area passes: City 8, Chelsea 5
One of the most dominant halves of play you'll ever see in the Premier League. Reminder: Chelsea are in the Champions League, not a relegation battle.
Jose Mourinho once said you win the Champions League with 11 Azpilicuetas. Is the problem with Lampard that he took that comment way too seriously and can only think how to play soccer with 11 Mason Mounts?
Gundogan is the best in the world at 360/Cruyff/Maradona turns that lead to a goal.
More embarrassing moment so far: Steffen picking up a pass from his own teammate? Or Kante making Kevin De Bruyne look like Derrick Henry?
Gotta say there is something thrilling about seeing KDB lead a line with Gunny running shit behind him
CFs are clearly over. The era of "play everyone as an 8" has begun
Chelsea are only 3 points ahead of Arsenal...
If Frank got sacked by Chelsea tomorrow, where would he end up? Who would look at his body of work and reasonably conclude, this is the guy we want?
Lampard is a Kidz Bop manager
I have been wondering for some time now that is Frank Lampard just Zidane without the gravitas, Tom Ford suit, and a world-beating squad (with a generational superstar) at his disposal?
Has everyone had the chance to see Sancho violently ripping a defender's soul from his body?
An American player showing ignorance of the rules by using his hands for no reason is probably confirming some serious priors for the anti-American bias crowd
If this one develops into a chess match, switch over to Bayern Munich vs. bottom feeder Mainz., if only to see a rested Alphonso Davies try to help Robert Lewandowski add to his ridiculous goals total. Sorry, I just can't help it: I'm a Vancouver guy who has watched Davies since he played with the MLS Whitecaps.
What formation should Chelsea be playing? The general consensus is that Werner needs a strike partner, so 4-4-2? Or something else?
Bayern-Mainz is good rn
Wow. Mainz is up 2-0 against Bayern
Wild that PSG gave Pochettino half the time Chelsea gave Lampard.
Shades of Man Utd in Istanbul
Gundogan at times looks like an adult playing with children
Feels like lamps was really banking on facing city from a couple weeks ago
Ryan if Liverpool could have either on a free would you take Havertz or Nicolas Pepe
Blast there goes my Dias CS in FPL
CHO looks pretty good out there, and obviously Chelsea fans are clamouring for him to start every match. But whose place does he actually take in this situation? Pulisic? Werner? Ziyech? I don't think Chelsea's problem is not having enough good attackers on the pitch.