Tomas Lund Pedersen

Debate that Estevão ended in one game. 😂

✍️ This current Chelsea have a good chance of dominating the Premier League if everything goes according to plan. We are really close to that. I kept saying that this model is the best chance we have to do it. Even Roman's Chelsea which won our last UCL title wouldn't dare. That team was drifting all over the space, very unstable because we didn't have an improving core but a core that had already peaked. Roman being Roman wanted to keep winning but wouldn't dare revamp the core. So, basically we kept changing 2-3 players every summer and prayed to God for it to work. The quality was getting lower as we kept missing out on elite players like Haaland, Rice, Mbappe, etc because we didn't want to pay big for upcoming players who are mere prospects and not ready. But little did we know that they were the answer. Because with FFP, we wouldn't have been able to buy established top stars in every position like we used to. It was classic case of papering over the cracks hoping it would seal up. I think Roman knew that and also knew he wasn't a patient man to rebuild with top-level prospects and wait for them to grow and mature since paying top fees and wages for established stars had become a problem, especially when they flopped. I believe that there is a reason Roman looked at the current owners' proposal and chose them. He's not Roman for nothing. I believe he knew what was needed. And the 10-year non-profit taking agreement was a genius move to ensure the owners won't abandon their idea in the middle of the road. Here we are at the moment looking at a beautiful future. It's an amazing story that deserves a documentary. No matter what anyone thinks, it's better to sacrifice 2-3 years to build a solid, stable and sustainable project than to float from east to west every market day hoping for the best.

I have a feeling that I won't hear, "we are boring to watch" this season. 🤔

Signing ENZO MARESCA is the best decision Boehly and Clearlake have made since buying Chelsea. Purely based on football and no emotions. Poch ended well. We could've been tempted to keep going with him. But in terms of squad suitability, he was off. I remember saying we needed a positional manager or we give Poch the right players and that starts with keeping Gallagher. The club did the right thing. Pochettino's football is outdated in a way and physically draining. I watched USA in Gold Cup, and the way he spread the defence reminded me of his time at Chelsea. One of the things I didn't like about his football. The buildup was rigid and players too far from each other during the buildup. He spreads them like Amorim. Which means one mistake, big chance for the opponent. Maresca is completely different. The 3-2 buildup shape is super narrow. And the attacking midfielders use their movements to receive. My dream build-up shape since 2022. It suits our players a lot better. Another underrated aspect of Maresca is how he manages the players physically. It's not his physical exercise program or the highway. He's very adaptable. During the CWC, he gave players more off days than training days. I was also shocked. That's a genius move. Most managers today believe that players can only be fit and ready if they go through rigorous physical drills before games. It could be true but how about their state of mind? A relaxed and happy player can play through his limit but a sad and uncomfortable player despite the drills may not play to 50% of his physical capacity in the game. Balance is important here. Keep them happy and let them run through brick walls for you. Cruyff used to let Romario party before games because he believed that training wasn't bringing out his best but happiness did. And each time he came back from night party he banged goals like never before and he let him do that. My point is, Enzo Maresca brought a lot to this group that they needed which has elevated their game. From tactics to fitness management to philosophy to open-mindedness. Understanding what the group needs and giving it to them even against his wishes or beliefs. He's been truly transformational. One of our best signings in recent years. And I know he's only getting started.