Beginning of this past season I was among the small camp of people who did consider this season a free hit but retained a feeling of cautious optimism - in many people's minds I think stemmed by a belief in Lampard and/or the young players, in mine because we always seem to have a nack of upsetting the order when people begin underestimating us (most relevant recent example being 16/17's title win). What I wanted to see primarily was player development & tactical experimentation over any measurable achievements (trophies, league finish, points tallies, etc...), and in that respect Lampard's killed it this year ... but, now we get a bit more serious.
First of all great to see us not only making a real effort to improve the squad, but this year doing business the right way, clinically & efficiently - the Havertz saga's harking back to the Robinho days a little but I think the club's earned the benefit of the doubt this time. And if he signs up (which I expect) it only underlines the fact Lampard has to be judged with a more critical eye from this point forward, no-one can deny he'll have the attacking lineup - with fluidity & creativity - to hit minimum targets befitting a club like Chelsea even if, hypothetically, the business stopped there. A left back, centre back & a new GK (just 2 out of 3 there) to match & he'll have been 100% backed to the point failure to hit targets would have to be considered a sackable offence. Bottom line, sh!t gets real now.
This is what I want in terms of competition performance :
League : 4th minimum & between 75-80pts (both equally important)
Europe : Don't roll over vs. heavyweight team in knockout stage
Cups : One final or better success in Europe, i.e. beat at least one heavyweight team in knockouts (City & Pool in CL included)
This is what I want in terms of team/tactic building :
By the end of the season being able to clearly identity one primary system, way of playing, and at least 7 players (GK included) who are considered first XI where ever they are on the pitch.
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So that's me. Too lenient or too harsh?
What's yours
Lampard's Expectations Next Season
posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
Devil, yeah I’d go along with that. We’ve an advantage going into the season knowing what will be our strongest team, pretty much. And that they’ll have played quite a bit of football together already.
Even if we only signed Sancho I could tell you ten players that will start the majority of our games next season. Depth could fack us up, especially with the congested schedule, but there’s a decent foundation to work off from the start.
I don’t think anyone has a clue how Chelsea will be lining up next year. And it might take a little while for Lampard to work that out as well. It’s obviously been an issue this season given the amount of chopping and changing. Six new players, potentially as important first team players, makes life difficult to establish that core group you need in a team to consistently win football matches.
Both teams should be nailed on for top four given their firepower, however. Especially as the schedule will test Arsenal, Leicester and Spurs’ squads.
posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
We won’t make that many signings. I’ll be surprised it we make more than three. But if we do I don’t see more than two being first team regulars. I don’t think Ole wants mass upheaval given our form since we’ve established a core group in the squad.
posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
I don’t disagree with you. But what we need and what we’ll actually do in the market are always two very different things where United are concerned.
So much will depend on outgoings as well. We’ve got a very bloated squad, with a lot of average players earning good money. But we won’t need such a big squad next season, so we’ll probably see more go out than come in.
posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
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posted on 9/8/20
Yeah there are a lot of players there that don’t have much of a future at the club. Depth will remain an issue when we are going to invest so much in Sancho. If we can get another attacker that should be enough for us to beat up the small teams and get comfortably into the CL places.
But I know all too well it can quite easily go tiiiits up at United.