who's in the bigger mess?
Chelsea
Chelsea did very well last season to take 3rd place under Sarri, but much like Conte before him it seems his style and personality saw him lose his job.
Chelsea had an aging squad and were largely propped up by Hazard. They still have some excellent players although they are lacking a decent forward. With the rookie Lampard at the helm no doubt this club legend will be given more time and patience than his predecessors and maybe its a good thing that the transfer ban and need to rely on more youth will see much less pressure on the team. Fans love 'one of their own' and with the manager and more youth, the spirit at the club could be high, even if they cannot be expected hit the heights. (If Chelsea made a success of this situation and brought through some of their quality youth I'd actually have a lot more respect for them).
It could all go badly wrong though with an untested manager and youth deemed of inadequate quality before now.
Man United
Another team that still retains some real quality in their squad, but seemingly a lack of balance and a truly hit and miss defence. I also feel there is a real lack of energy in their midfield and they have so far failed to develop an effective pressing game.
United have always been able to throw money at the problem but now they are beginning to be made to look like fools. £50m for Wan Bisakka is a lot but you can see the true potential there and if he stays for his career then (a bit like Rio) it's money well spent. The reported £90m for Maguire though is laughable. Reports say they've already had £70m knocked back. This possible transfer is dividing fans. Meanwhile question marks still hang over Pogba, Lukaku is for sale at the right price , and they've failed to address other key areas. Its less than 3 weeks to the season starts and Utd of old would get their deals done early. With all their power and wealth most must be pretty underwhelmed and concerned about their transfer policy/business so far.
Is Ole capable? No one really knows. Could go either way. He needs a good start otherwise the cracks in the team will widen.
Arsenal
Of these three teams it is Arsenal that lack the quality in the squad. A mutinous Captain, a collection of other average CBs, questionable full backs, a lack of quality in CM and they still retain Ozil who was pretty much booed off by his own fans in Baku. 2 strikers are their only truly quality players (may be Leno too), but Aubameyang is often accused of not contributing enough off the ball and can frustrate and delight in equal measures. Emry really hasnt been given the tools to show case his quality
Their funds seems very limited. They are scrapping around, making derisory bids for the likes of Zaha, or generally going for Spurs' targets. A lot of deficiencies in their squad that seem not to have been addressed and they havent got anyone of note through the door yet.
One of these teams will get top 4, probably! Are any of them at risk from the chasing pack - Everton, Wolves, Leicester?
Arsenal, United, Chelsea.........
posted on 23/7/19
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 29 seconds ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 minute ago
Why would we bid the extra 1p when the clause isnt in excess of £25m?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Because you have no clue in the transfer market. True story!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why would I, I'm not interested in buying a player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can probably afford more than your club
posted on 23/7/19
Low level banter.
posted on 23/7/19
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 minutes ago
Low level banter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on you last three comments, you're extremely dull. Just stating a fact, based on the internationally accepted 'last 3' standard
posted on 23/7/19
Wow, you are fuming because it was pointed out Spurs last 3 home games have ended in 2 defeats and a draw
"Internationally accepted"
posted on 23/7/19
Spurs > Arsenal.
Think we can all agree on that.
posted on 23/7/19
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 42 minutes ago
Wow, you are fuming because it was pointed out Spurs last 3 home games have ended in 2 defeats and a draw
"Internationally accepted"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
and that makes it 4. The Universally accept 'last 4' standard. SO according to the Universe, DJ is dull dull dull. Can't argue with the Universe
posted on 23/7/19
Devonshirespur is still fuming
posted on 23/7/19
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
They have their new stadium now though... (last 3 there, lost 2 drew 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice selective stats. Why not omit the 4 wins that preceded that 'last 3'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
its his opinion!
posted on 23/7/19
Actually feel like Arsenal are in the strongest position for the season coming, as Emery has had an extra season and is a more experienced manager than Ole and Lamps.
Our defence is weak yes, but if we buy smartly this year, get top 4 and have someone like Saliba coming in we could push on and get better. The thing is if we don't capitalise on it we will find it the hardest to get back in, whereas Chelsea and Utd will end up challenging again at some point I would imagine.
posted on 28/7/19
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 5 days, 9 hours ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 3 minutes ago
Interesting article - you could make an argument for any of them.
Arsenal's lack of investment is bizarre but Chelsea look in some real problems without Hazard. We may well see their squad laid bare this year, unless Lampard gets the youngsters playing well.
And United? Fack knows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We (Arsenal) haven't had a lack of investment, in fact we've spent loads and put ourselves in trouble because of it.
The issue was the timing of our spending and the quality of it. We waited far too long to use our cash reserves so the money was worth a fraction of what it could have been then bought several shiiite players... then paid several shiiite players unsustainable wages - it's a real mess that will take years of good off field management to rectify and made missing out on the CL cash all the more frustrating.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I mean lack of investment this summer.
Have you made any signings?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
With what money though? We have to be extra careful as we've overstretched our budget already
----------------------------------------------------------------------