Podcast: Chelsea 1-1 Everton | COVID-19 Outbreak!

NOW WE ARE TALKING! | Chelsea 2-0 Dortmund Review The Chelsea Spot Podcast

  1. NOW WE ARE TALKING! | Chelsea 2-0 Dortmund Review
  2. Scared, Potter?

In our latest episode of The Chelsea Spot Podcast, Paree (Owner – @CFCParee) , Orlando (Host – @0rland1nho) & Rob (Admin – @CFCRobL) gave thoughts after Chelsea’s disappointing draw with Everton. The boys discussed the big missed chances, Tuchel’s poor in game management, the terrible bench, Chalobah’s importance to the team, Loftus-Cheek’s recent performances and so much more! 

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Podcast: RLC is BACK and Juventus Preview!

NOW WE ARE TALKING! | Chelsea 2-0 Dortmund Review The Chelsea Spot Podcast

  1. NOW WE ARE TALKING! | Chelsea 2-0 Dortmund Review
  2. Scared, Potter?


In another episode of The Chelsea Spot Podcast, Orlando (Host – @0rland1nho) is joined by his fellow admins Paree (Owner – @CFCParee) & Rob (Admin – @CFCRobL) where they discussed the terrible but expected performance against Manchester City in the League, the rise of Ruben Loftus-Cheek once again. They also look ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League and UEFA Youth League game against Juventus!

Click your preferred streaming platform –

Spotify

Apple

Make sure to check us out on all our social media platforms, including our website, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, ITunes, Amazon Music, Google and Youtube.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s Loan to Fulham: Last Chance for Loftus-Cheek?

Hours before the transfer deadline, Fulham announced that Chelsea fan favourite Ruben Loftus-Cheek would be joining Fulham on a season long loan. Ruben’s career is one which has been riddled with injuries and setbacks, as well as being utilised in a way many argued stunted his development. An impressive season on loan at Crystal Palace and a breakthrough year under Marrizio Sarri changed Ruben’s fortunes, arguably becoming Chelsea’s best player on form in the second half of the 18/19 season. However in keeping with the theme of his career, Ruben sadly suffered an Achilles during a mid season friendly which saw him side lined for 13 months.

Loftus-Cheek completes Chelsea loan exit in late deadline day deal

Ruben’s loan at Fulham announced – Credit: TEAMtalk

Fast forward a year and a half and Ruben returned to full fitness but struggled to get the minutes needed to regain his pre injury form. Ruben’s first game back came at the start of the Premier League restart in a game against Aston Vila. He continued to come off the bench for the remainder of the 19/20 season, showing a few good moments but ultimately failing to impress. Ruben went on to earn a start in Chelsea’s first game of the 20/21 season against Brighton but had a very poor game, being substituted in the 61st minute for Ross Barkely. Since then Ruben hasn’t even made the bench for Chelsea, a worrying sign for Chelsea fans who hold him in such high regard. With his less than impressive form and failure to gain any recent minutes in mind, going on loan seems the best option for the Chelsea midfielder.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek joins Fulham on loan from Chelsea | BT Sport

Ruben at the back end of last season after returning from injury – Credit: BT

So is Fulham a good loan for Ruben? Ideally no, but it does have its positives. Fulham will likely be in a relegation fight this season and are the favourites of many fans and pundits to go down. Hardly the ideal environment for a player to attempt to regain their form. In saying this, Fulham’s lack of quality can work in Ruben’s favour as he will be able to accumulate lots of minutes, being the most high profile and when on form, the best player at the club. Fulham is also only 10 minutes down the road from Chelsea and Ruben is friends Fulham right back Ola Aina from their time together in the Chelsea youth setup. Knowing Aina, and not having to move house or acclimatise to new surroundings will likely allow Ruben to settle in to life at Fulham more easily than he would on loan elsewhere.

Fulham complete late double swoops for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and £8million  defender Tosin Adarabioyo | Daily Mail Online

Ruben’s Loan at Fulham announced 2 – Credit: Daily Mail

Under manager Scott Parker, Fulham alternate between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 formation based on their opponents. In both formations Harrison Reed plays the holding role while Andre Aguissa and or Tom Cairney  play box to box. In Fulham’s current setup RLC would ideally be used as the box to box midfielder where he can best utilise his ability to carry the ball from deep and his physicality and athleticism to dominate the middle of the park. Parker could also opt to use two number 8s with Ruben and Anguissa or Cairney in front of Reed, although this may be unlikely given Fulham already lack in defensive solidity. Due to the lack of comparative attacking quality present in Fulham’s ranks and Rubens ability to score goals, Scott Parker could potentially deploy him as a number 10 or a winger (similar to his loan at Crystal Palace). 

A concern for Ruben is that he not only needs minutes but the right quality of minutes to get back up to speed. If used incorrectly in a role which doesn’t suit him as he has been under pervious Chelsea managers, it may stifle his ability to get back to his pre injury form.

The degree of success of Ruben’s loan and whether he can stay fit will dictate Ruben’s future at Chelsea. The Englishman undoubtedly has the quality to reach the top given the right circumstances, but those circumstances seem to be something that have often alluded Ruben throughout his turbulent career. Whether Lampard continues to play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, both can suit Ruben’s game. However Chelsea are already crowded in these positions with Havertz, Mount, Gilmour, Kante and Kovatic currently in the squad as well as the likes of Gallagher and Anjorin looking to break into Chelsea’s side. As painful as it is to type, it will take nothing short of recapturing and maintaining his brilliant pre injury form and remaining injury free in order for Ruben to fulfil his potential at Chelsea, something he is yet to do in his entire career. The potential for Ruben to revive his Chelsea career is still there, but now at the age of 24, it does feel like Ruben may be one injury away from joining the sad list of players who’s potentially brilliant careers were robbed of them through injury. Chelsea fans can only hope that Ruben’s loan is a success and his injury days are behind him.

Chelsea Interview with Mark Worrall

Jerry Mancini spoke to Mark Worrall, author and publisher for Chelsea FC related books. He has written books such as Chelsea Here Chelsea There, ‘Blue Murder: ‘Chelsea Till I Die’ and Chelsea Football Fanzine.

How would you rate Frank Lampard’s first season with Chelsea? Additionally, why is Lampard struggling to coach defense?

“A very solid 7/10 for Super Frank. [A] victory in the FA Cup Final would have pushed it to 9/10. Achieving [a] top four [position in the English Premier League] in spite of having lost Eden Hazard and not being able to sign new players was commendable.

“Defence issues were there from day one. Frank permed every option available to him as far as centre-back pairings and 3 at the back was concerned without ever achieving consistency. Clearly there is the need for a quality centre-back to be added to the squad and a left-back. Goalkeeper has also been an issue which has led to a crisis of confidence on several occasions. I’d like to believe it’s a personnel issue rather than a coaching issue…. We will find out next season, if the squad is improved in this area.”

Willian left Chelsea after seven seasons to join Arsenal. Did you feel this was the right move by Chelsea and the player? Also, how do you view his time with the Blues?

“I love the bones of Willian. He hates Tottenham of course! Joking aside, every Chelsea manager he played for rated him and there were always offers coming in for him. I think he found it hard to be constantly in Eden Hazard’s shadow, but his contribution and work rate were top notch.

“The move to Arsenal, is proof that at 32 he’s not a spent force. Personally, I don’t like to see Blues players move to rival Premier League clubs, especially London clubs. Was it the right move for Chelsea? I think so. I’m not sure he would have got much in the way of game time next season the way the team looks to be shaping up with new players.”

Chelsea shocked many with the signing of Timo Werner. How do you see the German fitting into Lampard’s plans this upcoming season?

“If [he is] playing through the middle, [Timo] Werner will hopefully be the man to consistently convert the chances that Chelsea create down the flanks. There is flexibility though and he can play left-wing with Tammy [Abraham] as centre forward. Either way, he’s going to be one of the first names on Super Frank’s team-sheet and if he stays injury-free then a 50+ appearances season beckons.”

Which area should Chelsea focus on the most in this transfer market window?

“Goalkeeper needs to be addressed and one centre-back – I actually think left-back is less of an issue for now while Kai Havertz is a luxury signing. It looks like [Roman] Abramovich is motivated to spend, spend, spend and so it’s a question of finding the right players and getting the deals over the line.”

Chelsea have been very active in the transfer market. They have acquired Werner, Hakim Ziyech, and look close to signing Ben Chillwell and Kai Havertz. Which players do you believe will not benefit from all these players joining Chelsea?

“There’s quite a list, but avoiding the obvious ones who will be sold or loaned I do wonder how much game-time the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy and perhaps also [Christian] Pulisic and [Mason] Mount will get over the course of the season.”

Do you think César Azpilicueta is the best captain in Chelsea’s history?

“Short answer, no. César Azpilicueta is a terrific ambassador for the Club and a loyal, dependable and versatile defender… but he is nowhere near John Terry in terms of providing do-or-die leadership on the pitch.”

What has been the downfall to Kepa’s career and do you see the Spaniard in goal next season for Chelsea?

“Kepa’s downfall started with his player-manager escapade at Wembley in the 2019 League Cup Final v Man City. He then allowed personal issues to cloud his game (girlfriend trouble). Having a shaky defence in front of him hasn’t given him confidence and that’s a two-way street. Being dropped for the latter stages of the 2019/20 campaign spoke volumes about how much the manager trusts him – he doesn’t

“Without the benefit of a decent pre-season to see if he can be trusted with a better defence in front of him (assuming new signings) I don’t see how Lampard can re-evaluate him and, on that basis, I can’t see him getting a game. That said, if Chelsea don’t sign another goalkeeper and something happens to Willy Caballero there may be no option other than to play him.”

Lastly, how do you see Chelsea finishing this season and do you think they will progress this upcoming year?

“Progress will largely depend on fixing the defensive problems that plagued Chelsea in 2019/20. Do that, and with exciting new attacking talent already on board and the promise of more to come then the Blues could give Liverpool and Man City a run for their money in the Premier League.

“Realistically, going one better and winning the FA Cup this time around looks like the best option of silverware with the League Cup as a back-up… or why not win both? The new season is all about finding the right formula team wise, do that and we should be seriously challenging for top honours including the Champions League within the next couple of years.”