Liked what I saw today and think that the majority of people feel the same - barring a few taking it a bit too seriously. Chelsea lost to a second-string NY Red Bulls side 4-2 a couple weeks ago or so, can't even imagine the sh*t-storm that would be had with that minority on here... Yet they're still the favorites to win the league.
Anyways, moving back to reality. I saw some real positives today:
-Migs looks like the second-half of the season keeper, not the first-half that we saw last year. Looks sharp, maybe Bogdan coming in will keep him on his toes.
-Backline looks solid. Still do have faith in Lovren, optimistic that he'll turn out for us - unlike some who have completely written him off (which I do understand). Skrtel same as always, Clyne is going to be a brilliant signing if you ask me, fantastic piece of business. Gomez solid as well, potential to be a star, still unsure about his offensive abilities, but would like to see Moreno be given a good run of games in an actual back four. All in all relatively untested, but still liked what I saw back there.
-Hendo and Milner look like carbon copies of eachother if you ask me. They're getting some good chemistry, liked what I saw in their rotations in and out of offensive/defensive positions. However, I am still firmly of the belief that neither of them are defensive-minded players and they both (as well as the back four) would be much better off supported by an actual defensive midfielder.
-Couts excellent as usual, but he can't continue to be the only source of creativity, which is why Firmino coming in is another brilliant piece of business. Lallana was good, think he'll be a much better player this year and could be more efficient with his movements and plays and add some goals. Ibe's got more potential than Sterling if you ask me, but still much more raw due to the lack of game time relative to what Raheem had. He's got power, speed, directness, and ability. What he's missing is the ability to lift his head up. Likes to take players on but lacks an end objective. Do think that if he's given time and the right nurturing then he'll turn out to be quality.
-Ings and Origi both looked good. Origi looked better of the two to me today, but all in all pretty good to me. Origi's more raw, but got power, pace, and good ability. Ings more refined, with less than anything, but needs to work on his movement a bit. Maybe I've been spoiled by Suarez and Studge in recent years, but movement is what creates goals.
-Side note, Pedro Chirivella looked class in his cameo there. Not often that you see a 19 year old come like that and know exactly what to do in order to wind down a game. Moved the ball extremely well, movements and positioning were fantastic and released Hendo. A player who is truly a student of the game and uses his brains to make it happen. Hoping he gets more opportunities going forward.
Adding Benteke and Firmino to the side will really add to the value of the side, but I'm excited for the season. Only lapses in the side could be at left back and a true DM other than what we've got, but otherwise we've got a lot of depth everyone else and I think our signings net-net will be a huge improvement.
Looking forward to see what we can do. I think a lot of sides will be underestimating us and we'll come out much stronger than last year.
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