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EP 65: Matchday Monday Review: Brentford
12 Plays5 days ago
Join Jake and Matt as they discuss all the happenings from Sunday's 2-1 win vs Brentford, plus the big question - are Chelsea title contenders?
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Transcript
Chelsea's Positive Start and Lineup Changes
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, everybody, and welcome to Match Day Review Monday. And oh my word, it is a very nice Monday for Chelsea fans. We are all very jolly as we head into the new Premier League week. But of course, we had to talk about the Brentford game, which we won 2-1. And to join me here today is my co-host, Matt Blackden. How you doing?
00:00:31
Matt
Yeah, really good. Thanks, Jake. I'm delighted with the win, obviously. And there's actually quite a lot to discuss, um which I'm sure we're going to get into. But um yeah, big win for the Blues to get over kind of quite a bogey team for us in Brentford.
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100 percent. And you know, as Brentford, you know, since they since they came up, they've won every time at the bridge. And of course, he's just said quite a lot to speak about from the game because it didn't turn out to be, the you know, the game we thought we would be within the first 20 minutes, half an hour, especially especially.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I mean, suppose I suppose matt maybe the the place to start is obviously we sort we' headed we headed into this game with quite a few changes um you know for various reasons.
Squad Depth Concerns and Tosin's Rise
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had players of illness and stuff like that. And it wasn't just changes you know to the to the starting lineup, but also you know changes to our bench also matters for us these days. you know Being able to reload our attacking players with we've some more off the bench you know has really helped us in certain games. and So what did you think when when that lineup came out sort of before the Brentford game? Were you a bit worried about them ah the amount of changes we had?
00:01:31
Matt
You know, a lot of it was expected because Maris has got, you know, effectively two teams, one that plays in the Europa Conference, one that plays in the Premier League. And so, you know, because we played quite a, you know, no disrespect, but second-rate team in the Europa Conference. I was expecting a lot of, the you know, the first team started to come in against Brentford. Obviously, Neto's, you know, suspended, so that's why he wasn't in the team, and by the way, KK came in at right wing.
00:01:56
Matt
ah But I guess, you know, sort of tossing coming in instead of buddy of Sheila alongside Cole did raise a couple of eyebrows. And then the real concern really was when you looked at the bench, because normally our bench has been really, really strong with tons of options available. But, you know, no Madrid, no buddy of Sheila, no Joe Felix. um And, ah you know, sort of that yeah sort of, you know, when I first saw that, I did start to think that the first team have really got to get this right, and they've really got to win the game. There's not really much scope for Mresca to pull too many changes within this game in terms of personnel. um And even you know even so, like only Jackson was substituted um in the game, and that was at about 83 minutes. So you know well into the um latter bits of the game.
00:02:46
Matt
but um you know Overall, you know sort of not too many changes, but it does you know bring up a bit of concern around our squad temperament in terms of ah injuries and fitness because I don't think we can have many more games when we have a bench that week.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, I agree with you there. And it's it's funny. I mean, one of one of the players that that came in was, and to be honest, one that I was worried about just because of the sort of synchronicity that our setbacks are starting to have. I mean, it's not you know we're not we're not expecting clean sheets every game yet, but i think I think our defense is starting to definitely get to a point. And I think it's probably our defense which really needs the most work, obviously, for us. um I think especially in terms of chemistry, because so much of Maresca's system is down to,
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
where players need to be and where they should be at certain points and obviously you need to know where someone else is to make sure you're in your position so on so on um and yeah i was i was a bit worried because just because we haven't really seen too much of toasting in It's not a massive game, but it was it was a massive game for us obviously, you know to go within two points of Liverpool Which we which we did successfully and what did you think of toasting performance in that game? Because I for me I was a bit worried about him heading into it and then you know Some people were calling for him to be you know, man of the match or you know, certainly one of the best defenders on the pitch um What did you think of toasting in that game? And what do you think of his future at Chelsea? Do you think he's he can maybe push for one of those starting center back places now in our our first team as we call it? I
00:04:16
Matt
Yeah, absolutely. He can definitely push for that first team. I mean, by the fact, like, you know, Fafana is injury prone and Badia Shilley in the entire time that we've had Badia Shilley, he's been incredibly inconsistent. And so that second center back slot is really up for grabs, I would say, um just because availability is the best ability. And so if Tosin stays the fittest, he's going to get the most game time. And, you know, there's not really any reason why he can be a great partnership.
00:04:46
Matt
In terms of the game, yeah I did think he had his best game in a Chelsea shirt for sure. um He didn't look as nervy as he did when he was playing against Southampton a couple of weeks ago. and He did actually put in you know a solid um a couple of good solid challenges. It was a lot calmer, um which I think was the best thing about his.
00:05:07
Matt
his performance against Brentford, you know, sort of maybe, you know, a little bit unlucky um against Wommo for when Brentford's goal, maybe he he should get there, but Emboyment is a quick guy and you know, that was just a fast break from them a great pass through to a memo and so Maybe that's being pretty harsh But I guess you know sort of if we do want to get to that next level um And you know sort of this whole talk of title talk and title race um I do wonder whether you know sort of we need to the the goal that we conceded whether you know sort of If we are going to concede similar goals like that, maybe we're not quite there um To be top dog in the Premier League, um but we'll see we'll see indeed
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred percent and its the i'm I'm quite impressed by by what by what he did in and that game, to be honest. it was it was not Although we compressed Brentford quite well, I think that he still had quite a few issues to face, especially sort of that but ah latter part of the second half, which is also when he was feeling probably you know getting a bit tired. I imagine it's also a bit you know probably a bit weird when you go through a game not having to do too much and then you get to the last 20 minutes and and it's it as as intense as it was. um i i He actually quite impressed me considering that was a a free transfer in the summer. um
Kukarela's Red Card and Maresca's Leadership
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and another Another one i impressed me as well, Matt, ah just quickly before we head to our first break was considering he didn't have a bad performance last week, but he definitely turned up sort of looking to boss this game was Kookarela. I think Kookarela really, really did well in this game.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, not only just from the fact that he was, you know, just, you know, his actual football was quite good, but he also just had a bit of that. I'm trying to use not a swear words, swear words, just describe him here. Just, just that, that winding players up enough, that winding players up and getting in people's faces and that sort of thing. And it sort of helped us because Brentford started committing a fair few fouls after Kookarela started getting into them. Um, how did you rate Kookarela in this game after the interesting performance against Tottenham?
00:07:06
Matt
Yeah, I think interesting is um a wise word to use in all of this, just because, I mean, the way Maruska sets out, it's it's almost like anyone can be a number 10 or be a striker, because Kukarela, particularly for the first half and for his goal, he was run in in the penalty box for for a lot of the crosses, a lot of the attacking attempts. And it's amazing to see, when you know, sort of the players, you know, sort of, it's clear, you know, new instructions from Maruska each game.
00:07:33
Matt
And they trust him and they're going to do it. And that's how we got our first goal. You know, we knew Brentford was were going to set up with the low block and trying to frustrate us. And so we just counted that with a lot of crosses ah into the box. And, you know, for Kugarela's header, amazing goal, you know, great crossing from Madawake. He really should do a lot more of that um and add that to his game as a more consistent, you know, strength.
00:07:56
Matt
And, you know, Kukarela, yeah, takes like his goal brilliantly, celebrates wonderfully. And, yeah, it was um yeah brilliant in terms of just getting and in defender's face and breadth of his face, like, you know, definitely against Wisser in particular. I thought he had a great battle with him. And, you know, I guess it was just a little bit disappointing that um After all that great performance after that goal and everything about it that he did get sent off um Maybe a bit harshly at the end, but so I guess you know sort of when you're in around the ref at the last moments, you know sort of What's the point? You know sort of I'm not totally sure what happened there in all honesty I think sort of one of the brentford players was just winding him up and he pushed him and it was right in front of the ref and
00:08:39
Matt
the ref wasn't having it and so we just got a second yellow and you know maybe that's another factor why maresca is quite quick to dismiss any title talk just because champions they probably wouldn't you know sort of have players in their team or crucial players like kukarella for our team making those silly mistakes um ah in ah in and ah all around it having said all that you know i think maresca dealt with that whole situation superbly by not trying to blow it up um in front of the ref or for the cameras, which is something that, you know, if we had Mourinho, he absolutely would have done. um I think Maresque is brilliant at just trying to, you know, keep the focus on the results, that we've won the game, and, you know, he's definitely going to deal with that internally behind closed doors with Kukarello and the rest of the team.
00:09:23
Matt
And I just, you know, sort of more and more, I think, you know, Josephine's just falling in love with Maresca because he's just, he's doing all the right things. He's saying all the right things. And and it's clear that the that the team, they want to play for him.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, a hundred percent. It's, I think Maresco is just, the thing about Maresco, he's just, he feels, I can't describe it much better than he feels so Chelsea. He feels so Chelsea. And I think that's why all the fans are connecting with him is all the right things. Um, and yeah, as you say, obviously, you know, it's funny. I was just saying about Kukarela, you know, getting those fouls, you know, getting credit for players, the foul and stuff and wind them up during, and during the game, obviously.
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
as you just said, yeah, it came back on him a little bit because he was wound up at the end. I think i think what the actual we yellow card was for was the sort of shove slash pushing someone out of the way of that player because he sort of went up to him and did it. And I suppose that sort of the referee can say, Oh, that's intent or you went up to him or whatever, I suppose, but it is a little bit silly and it is a bit It is quite annoying that we now go to Everton away. Someone I think Kukarela would have been really good for um without him. And now, obviously, of course, we don't know what's happening with injuries, illnesses throughout the week. And it will. It's it's one less player in the squad. It's one less, as you just said, one less crucial player in the squad. Someone we're going to need. Discussing Mariska and the title race will be doing that all very shortly, but first a very quick break.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ready to tell your story? Check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster. And we are back on the Match Day Monday review. It is myself, Jake, and Matt with me as well. um And we've discussed the lineup. We've discussed a couple of individual performances from the players. ah But as Matt was alluding to before the break, I think one of the massive talking points, again, coming out from this game, is Enzo Maresca.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah
Game Management and Title Contender Debate
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
For first round, let's talk about how the game sort of went, and and I suppose how Mariska had to manage that game. um We dominated for quite a lot of that game, which I didn't actually expect from us. um And then we had a very sort of intense last 20 minutes, which i don't know if i don't I don't think anyone expected the game to go exactly how it did. I don't think we we were expecting to be so dominant. ah had What do you think? do you think I suppose the question is, do you think we are title contenders or not? Do you believe Enzo Maresca when he says that we are not title contenders? Because, and I know i know we leave this right until the end, but we're we're talking specifically about what Enzo Maresca is saying at the moment. And he's coming out and saying, we're not titles contenders. Do you think he does that because he truly believes that's the status of this squad? Or do you think it's maybe just the way to sort of keep the players under the,
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
under the cost, you know, and the yeah and under the wraps, you know what I mean, in in ah in a sort of protecting the players sort of way.
00:12:51
Matt
you know, i ah I think he is being absolutely genuine when he says that. um Obviously, we can pick at it and say, look, yeah, it's just to sort of like to deflect pressure and to not sort of roll.
00:13:07
Matt
more intensity up onto the players. Because remember, we do have the younger squads, you know, the average age of 23 within the Premier League. And so, um you know, in football terms, they are just kids, you know, this team, and they don't need any more pressure than they've already got. so And we're in an amazing position right now. We're second in the league. We're 12 points ahead of Man United. We're seven points ahead of Man City. We're four points ahead of Arsenal. And we're only two points, albeit with a game in hand, behind Liverpool. you know That is dreamland for us. That's absolute dreamland.
00:13:43
Matt
and We're on 34 points um at Game Week 16. For you know comparison to last season, it took us to get um to Game Week 24 to get 34 points under Pochettino. And to put that in real context for this season,
00:14:00
Matt
That means we wouldn't get 34 points until the start of February when we play West Ham again. so you know sort of the the The improvement we've made under Maresca is ginormous. We've still got the rest of December and the whole of January to pick up points, which we will do. um you know so We'll definitely get over 40 points by February eight at the very, very minimum.
00:14:23
Matt
And so that is just, you know, sort of, so all of us, we can just really enjoy it. And I think that's the main thing for us Chelsea fans. I think we've just got to enjoy being on top again. um Let's not, you know, get carried away with trying to win the title and everything because There are quite a few issues within this team and Marisca really knows that. I think he's just always been really upfront with the media and the more that he does that, the more that I think the media respect him, like you know in past managers with Mourinho in particular,
00:14:54
Matt
There was always you know sort of some sort of distraction or some kind of analogy that he would try and answer difficult questions with and so because of that The media would just like read into that and sort of you know make up more things and potentially put more pressure on the squads and Whereas because Mariska is so direct, I think that, in turn, actually does take the pressure off the squad because they just really listen to more what Mariska says. You know, if there's an issue, there's an issue. I mean, he's called out Ruth James and Madawake for leadership and performances respectively. and And so, you know, he's not afraid to say to say how it is. And I think that's refreshing for everyone. And so he, um I think, you know, sort of
00:15:41
Matt
when all is said and done by the end of the season, if he actually thinks that Chelsea are ready to for to challenge for the title next season, then I think he'll actually just come out and say it. And so, you know, there's part of a deflection, but I actually do genuinely believe that Maresco, you know, he just sees this outfit as getting top four and then trying going for the league maybe next season or the season after that.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think he's he's had a little sit down with Jose at some point and asked for a bit of advice? And he's gone, little horse, little horse, just say, little horse.
00:16:13
Matt
he Yeah.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Your next season, um excuse the accent. um iss Yeah, it's very interesting um to see. I mean, so i've i've got I've got a couple of qualms about him, in all honesty.
00:16:26
Matt
Really?
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I suppose we're bringing the title race speech a little bit forward. Yeah, I mean, for me, for me, it's it's quite interesting, right? Because I think there's one, we're going to have a lot of ah pressure from the outside. Everyone, all the media are already saying we're title contenders, even though the manager is coming out and saying no, they did that everyone is saying that, you know, we're up there. and And the fact of the matter is, we are up there. We are two points off the leaders.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And for me, I do understand where Mareska is protecting the players and such and such. But also, what have we bought these players for? My issue is, what have we bought these players for? What is this squad that we've assembled? What is it for? Is it for sitting in second and calling ourselves maybe not title contenders? No. And they know that that's not going to be the case forever. However,
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
The experience these players will get now from being in a title race now and acting as if they're in one, I feel like will be beneficial for their careers. If you have someone like Cole Palmer who is already
Performance Analysis and Injury Concerns
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
quite mature, you have some you know we have a couple of players who are actually quite young and quite mature for their ages.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if they're getting this experience of being in a title race now, see probably at least a season ahead of what everyone was expecting, I see that as a benefit and not not something we should be protecting the players against. I feel like this is experience that players should be getting now. Because it's in my opinion, this is this this should be us every season. This has to be us every season. And the owners can't really afford it afford for us not to be in this position every season. They've gotten a bit lucky in the fact that no one was expecting us to be here. But just because no one was expecting us to be here, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's, although I'm very happy to go along with the ride, and you know you know I'll say to anyone, if an Arsenal fan approaches me and says, oh, you've you lost that game and now you might not win a league, I'll say, well, whenever title contenders doesn't matter to me, obviously. But on the inside,
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
like on the inside it does hurt me a little bit to say to be in a title race and say we're not title contenders. And and I understand this is a bit weird for me because I fully accepted it when Jose was saying it. When Jose Mourinho was sitting there and saying it and we had this massive squad of expensive players that Jose had worked himself. You know, remember he brought in Matich and so and so. You know, I was accepting it then, but I feel like we've had a very hard two years and it's very hard to enjoy what we're doing right now if we're saying, oh, but we probably won't be there in six weeks, which is essentially what we're saying. We're not we're not going to be there towards the end of season. What would you say to that?
00:18:56
Matt
Yeah, I totally get what you're saying, um but I guess I would I think really, you um it's funny, I even saw like Declan Rice talk about this a couple of weeks ago after a game and he said, you know as long as you're there about February, then then you know you're in a shot of the title.
00:19:17
Matt
And I think Maruska is probably seeing a similar thing in terms of you know, we could be here um Right now or like, you know sort of alternatively, you know man city there in fifth. There's seven points behind us Nine points behind Liverpool potentially twelve if if Liverpool win their next game You know are people like totally ruling them out of the title race. I mean some people are But football changes so quickly and in previous seasons we've seen ah City need to win 12 games in a row and then they've done that.
00:19:52
Matt
um And so I think it's kind of just basically still managing expectations that
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well.
00:20:01
Matt
at this moment in time in December before Christmas it's it's it's too much to sort of um say that yeah we're definitely in a title race right now because I think what we have to bear in mind is that we we have a really good run of games at the moment in terms of we've gone through a really tough tough period against Liverpool, Arsenal and the like and the top top teams Now we're, you know, playing teams. I mean, Brentford's still a tough team because it's our first win against them. um And that that's amazing because we've, you know, sort of kind of got over that bogey team. But in terms of like the teams coming up, they're a lot more manageable um compared to what we've played recently. And
00:20:45
Matt
So like we've got Everton, Fulham, Ipswich, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Wolves, you know, sort of that run of games, you know, if we are back to our best, we kind of do need to win all of those games. And then in particular, when it gets to, quote unquote, the business end of the season from about March to May,
00:21:03
Matt
we actually do have like a run of really difficult games in terms of we've got Arsenal and Spurs back to back, then we've got Everton and Liverpool back to back, then we've got Newcastle, Man United and Forest as our last three games of the Premier League season. Those are really, really tough games and so I think Mariska is kind of just looking forward to that, and like seeing that there was a real potential at the end of the season to sort of like sort of have a really tough time and slip up and so that's why he's just trying to I guess slow down the excitement um I get what you're saying in terms of let's just embrace it because I would say that we're we're It's it's I don't know how to phrase it necessarily because on one hand we are tied to contenders because we're only two points behind liverpool So we're there we're there there about um in terms of The we're making too many mistakes.
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:01
Matt
Um both the defense and an attack um, and I think So a lot of things has been said about our defense and attack and improving both areas But I actually think the main one is what we touched on with kukarela getting sent off.
00:22:13
Matt
Our main problem is actually discipline and just not getting too many silly silly yellow cards. um Because that is probably what's gonna hurt us most in the long run. um And so I think Maruska is just having a bit of foresight ahead of everything that moment momentum can change so much. And we might just get into a ah run of, you know, Cole Palmer, Jayden Sancho getting injured at a crucial point maybe in February or something. And then that really, really scuppers us.
00:22:42
Matt
So I don't think he's trying to you know disrespect the fans or um not say that you know this team won't go and win the title win at some point. I think he just um probably with his time at City and ah yeah and his time as Leicester has just seen seasons shift so quickly that he can maybe see that happening with Chelsea.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fair enough. I completely concede your point to be fair. ah I'm still going to have a cup. tribulations, but I still find it a bit weird, but I think that's just the status of our club. I think, I think probably there's probably some fans who feel that I don't think it's completely, everyone's going to side of Maresca, but, um, it may all be a moot point in six weeks. Anyway, we don't know. We are in the Christmas, you know, sort of period where we're playing every four or five days or whatever. So it may change. Um, we'll discuss a bit more about Maresca. Uh, and of course the title race shortly after this break.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back for the final part of the Matchday Review Monday. Of course, it was a lovely 2-1 win over Brentford. Matt, we've we've discussed a fair bit about you know what Maresca says and how we feel as Chelsea fans and such and such. The question is, I suppose now, looking at our next few fixtures, are we going to remain or you know oh you are not or whatever are we going to remain in this title race you know up to Christmas and you know past the new year? Do you think Do you think that maybe this is going to start to get on top of our squad a little bit now, like the amount of fixtures we've got coming up, even though we've, you know, even though we've got a bigger squad, we do have illnesses, injuries, suspensions now. um Can you see us con continuing with this charge or do you think we're maybe, we've maybe just had a very good run of form and now maybe we'll get a couple of bumps in the road.
00:25:01
Matt
To be honest, I don't think it's
Key Player Roles and Jackson's Inconsistency
00:25:03
Matt
either or, I think it's actually going to be an extra in terms of I fully expect us to continue our good run over Christmas just because of the the teams that we're playing. um Don't get me wrong, like there's never an easy game in the Premier League, but we're playing a lot of teams in in the the bottom half of the league.
00:25:24
Matt
And so I think we just we will capitalize on that. And there's so much good harmony and competence in the squads and in the team that I think, you know, we will get over the line most of the time in the games coming up. Having said that, you know, sort of if we, you know, drop points against Palace again, like at the start of the year, I probably wouldn't actually be surprised about that just because Palace They are one of those weird teams that will you know so struggle against the teams in and around them and then just pull out you know four wins against like the top four in in in that season. They're one of those teams. And so I can really see us you know sort of having one or two bumps in the road. And so much really does depend on timing. um I guess like you know sort of just to kind of maybe touch on as well about some of our weaknesses.
00:26:13
Matt
you know sort of Sanchez got man of the match against Brentford's because he made a lot of good saves and everything but you know how many times is he actually going to get man of the match I'm not sure there's going to be many more times this season alone to be honest and for me anyway Quesada was my man of the match just you know sort of the way that he stole the ball passed it to Fernandez who then played it through for Jackson He does that so well. And I think we're really seeing why he actually probably is worth 115 million pounds because he's so young. He's still got, you know, 10 years left in his career and he is so crucial to our team. Of course, Palm's going to get the headlines. But I actually think if we took Kaiseido out of the team, we would really, really struggle um just because he ticks. He just keeps things ticking over and he's just such a link between the defense and the attack.
00:27:01
Matt
Um, and then, you know, Nicholas Jackson, um, I'm still undecided how I view him because, you know, he's, yeah, as in the, the Brentford game really frustrated me because, um, his performance.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:27:18
Matt
And I think it summed him up really well in terms of. he he fluffed like two great chances before he scored in the second half one that was played to him basically on the penalty spot that he just like just kicked over and then another chance there palmer that just played him in really nicely and then he kind of just the ball got kind of lost and fumbled under his feet and then the chance was just gone um but then conversely he gets that through ball from Enzo and then finishes it brilliantly and that chance is arguably a lot harder than the other two
00:27:53
Matt
opportunities that he's had beforehand and so It almost seems like he's one of these players that he doesn't as a striker He doesn't necessarily finish the easier chances But he finishes the harder chances and I'd rather if it it was the other way around um When it comes just to you know a solid number nine um I mean he's got He played his 50th prime appearance against Brentford's and he's got 23 prime goals So that is really really strong and you know only Diego Costa only Hasselbank have more than um More goals at 50 appearances and because Jackson is always compared to drug by drug But only had 20 goals after 50 appearances
00:28:31
Matt
So, you know, that's really solid um in terms of the stats. um But again, um and I guess, you know, sort of I'm being picky because where there's all this title talk and I just think, you know, if we're really going to be title challenges that we can't have a striker that one minute is an amazing finisher and then the next just isn't and just flops, you know, sort of um an easy chance.
00:28:53
Matt
I do think he's going to improve but um I think he needs to be a lot more clinical going ahead um and ah you know sort of time will tell but potentially if he starts flop ah you know missing his lines in the next couple of games over the Christmas period I'd somewhat wonder whether Nkunku will come in and try and and actually take that first team spot
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's interesting. I sort of see that. Another thing like you know I need to circle back to actually is he being undecided on Jackson. I'll tell you what, um being undecided on Jackson, I was in a very similar boat to you, but I think this season, the way he's just sort of carried himself and and and for me for me, I can't remember exactly which gold it was. It was only a few weeks ago, but there was one goal where he d literallyitch you took you got the ball and they took two touches and he had it No, it took one touch. and a sense It was essentially a first time finish. And I thought, OK, maybe he's there now. mate If he can do that, if he can do it, it's now down to the manager to get him to do it. That's that's that's that was what my opinion changed to. um which is Which is, I suppose, what Mariska is there for and what he's successfully doing. I suppose getting everything out of these players.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and it it matters it's very interesting but i think we've got slightly different views on if we're in the title race or not but it's it it's it's interesting it's such a weird time for the chelsea fanbase it's such an odd time because we're doing well but can we shout about it or not
00:30:21
Matt
Well, I think why not, you know, because like, I mean, a lot of people are saying, you know, this is Mariska's first season with Chelsea. And after 16 games, we're above
Managerial Comparisons and Episode Conclusion
00:30:31
Matt
Arsenal, um we're above City, um who a lot of people, you know, thought City were going to win, Arsenal were going to come second, Liverpool probably third. um And, you know, a lot of people are comparing, you know, this is year one,
00:30:46
Matt
ah for Maresca and this is year six for Arteta and Arteta is still sort of struggling, still sort of trying to figure out, you know, how best to work out his team and his players and everything.
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:58
Matt
What was that?
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fraud. Fraud. I said I coughed fraud.
00:31:00
Matt
from water. Sorry.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry.
00:31:01
Matt
Yeah.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hate to cough it up.
00:31:02
Matt
I missed that at the mic.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he's going to do all the time.
00:31:03
Matt
Yeah. But yeah, you know, maybe, um, and it almost, it's kind of crazy because both Arteta and Maresca worked on the pep years ago.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:31:13
Matt
Um, but somehow, you know, Maresca is coming into, a club seemingly in a bit of chaos um and disarray ah but just kind of making it work like almost effortlessly um albeit you know we spent a lot of money but we've also made a lot of money with with our selling and so our net spent isn't actually outrageous for a club of our size Um, whereas, you know, Arsenal fans, they're actually kind of complaining now that they've spent 700, 750 million to kind of play like Stoke City. Is that really the Arsenal way? Are they happy with that? I'm not sure.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, I'm going to go on a limb and say for us, I find they're not happy with that at the moment, um from what I've seen.
00:31:55
Matt
Yeah.
00:31:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But I'll tell you what, let's just sit here in our Chelsea camp and enjoy what's going on. while it lasts. Maybe while it lasts, as Mariska was saying, but we'll enjoy it nonetheless. and Guys, we are out of time and it's been fantastic.
00:32:07
Matt
Absolutely.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic Match Day Review Monday. We will be here throughout the week with you for Tactics Tuesday, Wildcard Wednesday, and so on, all the way leading up to the preview of the Everton fixture later in the week. I have been your host, Jake, and I have been joined by Matt as well.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Matt, thank you so much for joining me today.
00:32:25
Matt
Pleasure as always and come on you blues.
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
up the shelves, up the shelves. Thank you guys for listening today and we will of course speak to you soon.