Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hello everyone, welcome to the Daily Chelsea podcast. A good weekend for Chelsea, 2-0 home win against SW6 rivals Fulham. The scoreline sounds comfortable, but that doesn't tell half the story. Chelsea were poor, particularly in that first half.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um But two VAR decisions went in Chelsea's favour and the momentum turned to seal the three points. You're listening to Martin and Saps and over the next 10 minutes or so, we're going to reflect on the game. What were the things we learnt?
Global Sports Podcast Network: What still concerns us? Saps, good to have you on.
Aryaman: Yes, thank you Martin. It's a pleasure to be here.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So we obviously kicked off the weekend um and weekend's round of Premier League fixtures, the Saturday 12.30 kickoff. 2-0 home win. what's your over Before we dive into specific incidents, goals and VAR, what's your overriding emotion, feeling?
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i guess a good We record this on Sunday, so a good way to to sort of in peace watch the rest of the the the weekend, knowing that we secured the win early.
Aryaman: Yeah. a
Aryaman: yeah Yeah. It's a really good feeling, isn't it? And we're on top of the table as well. Now just hope for the other results to come in and hope we stay on top as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ye Yeah. Yeah.
Aryaman: But but yeah realistically, it was a really good game, apart from the apart from the controversy that happened.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Aryaman: The goals that we scored, I would say the Jao Pedro goal, i was it was it was good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Aryaman: And and we've we've been scoring a lot from said pieces, which I think we've like you know strengthened up over there. It's really good to see if we're making changes, and it's good to see Jao Pedro on the score sheet again.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, no, totally agree. Set pieces, you make a good point, actually, because we used to, or certainly me growing up, was used to every corner being potent in the sense of, you know, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Didier Drogba.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Aryaman: Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then for a few years, we lost that. i think we we lost a bit of hype, but as you say, very nice. In the ninth minute of first half entry time, yeah, for Gerard Petro to open the score line with a header from from a corner.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And as you say, three games played, two one one draw, so seven points.
Aryaman: ye
Global Sports Podcast Network: so at the time of recording this, this is before Arsenal and Liverpool have played. um We are currently top of the table.
Aryaman: yes
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Going into some of the specific incidents then, the Zral Pedro goal you've mentioned, um and obviously if there's anything more to you want to say on that, feel free.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: The Enzo Fernandes penalty, again, was, um was I guess, the the game's other goal, so we've got to start with the goals. What did you think about seeing him, I guess,
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah back as the penalty taker with with Cole Palmer injured. Should it have gone to Joao Pedro? Should it have gone to someone else? It sort of masked what I thought was actually quite a poor game from Enzo Fernandes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um But just your thoughts on on him getting back on the score sheet, I guess, through penalty duties.
Aryaman: Yeah, no, absolutely. um And I feel this it is a good thing that Mareska has done. there that he's He's put an order out that who needs to go for the pens and if we're disciplined enough to go for it. Because, you know, as we've we've had incidents in the past where, you know, players want know they they want to take the penalty but obviously they're not going to get the penalty.
Aryaman: And um I think, yeah, it's the pecking order in which we have to follow. And, yeah, it was good it was good for him to come back with a goal. I think he got an assist as well from the corner, didn't he?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yes, yes, yes.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and And tactically, um what did you think of this? as You know, Rhys James didn't play, Maule Augusto was preferred at right back. And it was interesting because with a back four of Augusto, Chalabar, Tosin and Kukurea, Kukurea often is the one that goes forward.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: when Chelsea are in possession and then it's a back three and Kukurea is so far advanced. And that's why the last couple of matches, he's got quite a few goals and assists. um
Aryaman: Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But this game, it was actually slightly different. Kukurea stayed um as part of the back three ah ah defensive duties alongside Chalabarantosin.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mauro Gusto was the one that very often I saw was the one that went forward a bit more. um Don't know if that means Enzo Mreska doesn't trust him as much defensively.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Of course, Malagusto, I think anyway, will admit himself that he's a bit better attacking-wise than than defending-wise. um
Aryaman: yes
Global Sports Podcast Network: But a subtle a subtle shift there. and that We lost, therefore, a bit of potency with Mark Kukurea going forwards. um did you Did you read anything into that?
Aryaman: um I just feel that as every match goes, I think it's going to be very different for which fullback is going to go up or which fullback is going to go go go you know higher or lower.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Aryaman: As we saw against the game against PSG, we saw Malo Gusto running up the flank every now and then. So, this is purely a tactical thing and I'm i'm just actually really glad with the fact that our left wingback and right wingback are full of power, they're full of energy, they they're full of you know spirit to run up and down the pitch and
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Aryaman: I've never heard Malogus to complain even once about, you know the the chances he gets.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Aryaman: he He's always putting a shift out there, which I'm really glad about. And I'm really happy with the way that, you know, the team is actually coming together. And, you know, they're they're actually very disciplined. They're they're acting they're backing each other up. is It looks really positive, actually.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, no, I agree. Malagusto is one of those underrated um ah cheap cheap signing. You know, he reminds me almost like a Cesar Azpilicueta sort of comes in slightly under the radar.
Aryaman: Yeah, very
Global Sports Podcast Network: Again, when we bought Azpilicueta in 2012, didn't take a lot of um headlines.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think it was a very small £7 million pound fee. um And Malagusto reminds me or strikes me as that as well. um
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: One final thought before we go to the break, and I know everyone wants us to talk about the VAR decisions, which we'll do after the break, but one final thought before the break. Obviously, you've mentioned João Pedro, five goals and five starts, which is fantastic.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: The person he was competing against for the striker role was Liam De Laque, who limped off very early with a hamstring injury in the first half.
Aryaman: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um In future podcasts, we will talk about the transfer window and what still needs to happen. But how concerned are you that, I guess, the two up top of Joao Pedro, Liam De Lappe is really one in Joao Pedro and what a shame it is for for Liam De Lappe.
Aryaman: Yeah, no, it was I think it's going to be very gutting for him to actually pick up an injury this early on in the season. But I think with everything that's happening with the transfer season and everything that's going on in in and around it, as you said, we're going to get to it.
Aryaman: But one thing I would like to say is obviously ah Nico Jackson, he's obviously been called back. So I think I don't know how or what role he's going to play in there. But it looks like it looks like he is going to stay.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Aryaman: And Liam Dillard, unfortunately, is going to be out for a while, as it seems like. And um yeah, it's really sad actually to see a new striker that's come in, but he picks up an injury real soon.
Aryaman: It's a shame actually.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, and we will talk more in tomorrow's podcast on on Nicholas Jackson because it is ah very live topic at the minute.
Aryaman: yeah
Aryaman: Yeah, it is.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um It looks like he is still in Munich as we record this on a Sunday afternoon. So the final 24 hours or so will be will be very interesting. um Before we talk more, especially on the VAR decisions, a quick word from one of our sponsors.
Aryaman: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Welcome back to the Daily Chelsea podcast. You're listening to Martin and Zapps as we review the weekend's home win against Fulham. We've spoken about the goals, what we haven't spoken about, and many of my Fulham fans, Fulham friends who are Fulham fans,
Global Sports Podcast Network: We're very disappointed, as you would expect, with VAR. How many times are we going to mention that three-letter word this season?
Aryaman: e
Global Sports Podcast Network: Who knows? um said you know This time, this match, it went for us. The two I'm referring to, and let's spit them up, One was when it was 0-0, Fulham really should have gone up and did um on field with through a Josh King goal before it was pulled back by VAR for um what VAR said was a careless challenge.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then two, there was a VAR call for Enzo Fernando's penalty strike to make it 2-0. If we take the disallowed Fulham goal, Saps, Your blue tinted honest thoughts.
Aryaman: Oh, it was harsh. It was harsh to see. And when I saw it the first time, I i didn't see any any problem with it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Aryaman: to be To be really honest with you, I didn't have a problem with it. I thought the goal should have stood.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Great.
Aryaman: And that's an honest opinion, I feel.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Agree.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, agree. It was... you know what? it one us to So I was at the game yesterday and it's one of those ones where in the stadium you just wait. so I'm sure the TV cameras will um you know have four or five different replays, but in the stadium you're just waiting and waiting and waiting.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um And even when now that the referee speaks with the microphone, you know it's so loud sometimes around you that you actually can't hear what the referee says. And then only after... the instant and the restart and um you know did they actually show a replay in the stadium and it's funny because as soon as the first replay was shown of the stamp a lot of the fans near me were you know being like you know send him off ref send him off that is that is violent but again i think they all they said that in jest knowing think full well that
Aryaman: Perfect.
Aryaman: hurt
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Chelsea actually got away with one there. As soon as I saw that first view replay, it was a little bit of a, okay, he stamped him on the foot. You know, is that really clear and obvious error as VAR is supposed to interject
Global Sports Podcast Network: interjes on
Aryaman: Yeah, literally. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Um, but, and also I'm on a personal level, I'm disappointed because Josh King was in my fantasy, uh, fantasy team.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, um, I lost out on, on a number of points there, but yeah, that totally changed the, the tone of the match.
Aryaman: yeah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Um, and then I guess the second one, uh, which resulted in, in the Chelsea penalty and therefore Chelsea goal, um What are your thoughts on um the handball from the Trevor Chalabar cross?
Aryaman: oh um I think, again, was a very harsh decision. um If we were if we were one down early on, I think that would have affected us really, really harsh.
Global Sports Podcast Network: don't
Aryaman: And um getting the penalty was just, it was a stroke of luck, to be really honest with you. And again, it it was a very harsh decision. And again, one of those calls that I don't think should have been given.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Because of... Because Pedro handled the ball just before? Or because you don't think...
Aryaman: No, i I don't think it was a handball though, like even after seeing the replays.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Okay.
Aryaman: I don't know what your thoughts are about it, but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Mine were... So the way the referee...
Aryaman: I have mixed feelings, I have mixed feelings about it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah This one I have less me to connect his feelings on. I totally agree on the Josh King one. I think we got away with one.
Aryaman: Yes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: This one, I'm quite happy with this one being a penalty. um Only because, as the referee described it, um the defender has made his body unnaturally...
Global Sports Podcast Network: unnaturally bigger. Now, don't get me wrong. It was really close to the ball. You know, there will be the defender that says, well, what's he supposed to do really? Like he wasn't intending it.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He did turn his back to it. It wasn't, it wasn't as, it wasn't the most obvious handball penalty you'll ever give. But the way I try to look at it is if you basically take his hands away, would that ball have gone into the box and, you know, therefore potentially resulted in a heading opportunity?
Global Sports Podcast Network: i think it would have. So I think his but his hands have ah have stopped the ball going in. um and therefore, I think it's a penalty, but not I agree, not the most necessarily clearcut um clear cut, clear cut of penalties ever given.
Aryaman: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um
Aryaman: Now, what makes it a bit more difficult for me to get it or understand what the referee is going through is the fact that he's actually turned his upper body around when the cross is coming in.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah yeah
Aryaman: So, he's he's actually not seen the ball.
Global Sports Podcast Network: o
Aryaman: And again, I mean, if I was playing, because I play as well, and if that was given against me, i would be frustrated as well because I'm doing everything that I can as a defender to stop the ball.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Aryaman: And I've turned my body around as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah
Aryaman: and there is not much I can do. so i genuinely can't understand. ah i mean, I do understand what this unnatural and natural position is. But I i don't know how you can deem it, though. That's the thing.
Aryaman: And on what practicality does it work?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yep. No, Saps, very good to get your thoughts. I know this debate will rumble on and on.
Aryaman: Yeah. Go
Global Sports Podcast Network: And now it's a question about consistency, because if these two have been allowed, there will be a match, you know, not necessarily involving Chelsea or Fulham, but later on in the season with very similar and people will, people will dig out the archives and point to that these two are given and therefore the future ones should or shouldn't be given.
Aryaman: ahead.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um So the debate will rumble.
Aryaman: absolutely
Global Sports Podcast Network: Um, Thank you very much, Saps.
Aryaman: Yes, thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Thank you all for listening.
Aryaman: but
Global Sports Podcast Network: You've been listening to the Daily Chelsea podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. Thank you for being with us and goodbye.
