Chelsea Diary

I don't think Manchester City will dominate the Premier League any time soon after Pep. I think we are back to the era of anyone can win.

In my opinion, Pep made a mistake of dumping what had served him well. He panicked, switched it up and never recovered.

The moment he shifted from technical, hard working footballers he used sign to dominate possession, press high and create a lot of chances, to less technical physical bullies, he lost it.

He used to dominate physical teams with xavi, Iniesta, Aguero, Silva, Villa, Pedro, Messi, etc, small technical players but they pressed so intense out of possession.

Old Pep bought and sold Ibrahimovic. He wouldn't have worked with Haaland. He made that change to sacrifice high pressing for the goals. Old Pep wouldn't sign Donnarumma and weakened his buildup or Semenyo just to add goals from the winger, despite not technically built for small space possession football.

He completely lost his DNA. I wouldn't say he ran out of ideas and started doing things he normally wouldn't do. I think he felt Arsenal as a physical force and tried to match them. He started making these changes as Arsenal started gathering momentum.

But he's not good at dark, ugly, physical football. Even if he keeps trying to go the Arteta route, he will keep finding it hard. He needed to go back to what he's good at, which is building a team like PSG. Unfortunately, it's over but it's good for the Premier League. It's a wide open league again.

Teams are beginning to figure out Arsenal’s corner-kick routines, so I wouldn't say they will dominate the league. It's anybody's league next season.

If Chelsea do the right things, they could take advantage. It won't be that difficult to win the Premier League next season. It could be a 75-80 points League.

I feel Cole Palmer is getting a bit undermined nowadays. It feels like some Chelsea fans are willing to let him leave. I keep seeing, "He can leave if he wants."

This guy still has world-class potential. He hasn't even fully physically developed.

He burst to that level in his first two seasons, but it was obvious he didn't climb to it gradually, so it's difficult to sustain.

Also, it's not out of place for a young player to have one or two off seasons. I believe that injuries have contributed to his recent form. He is clearly lacking confidence.

But I expect all that to change under Alonso. If he can get him up and running like he did for Wirtz after that ACL, and create the same free role for Palmer, we could see him back to his best.

The guy deserves the benefit of the doubt.

After the Game vs Sunderland which Chelsea disgracely lost

Xabi Alonso was seen very furious & angry with Chelsea boards & staffs

Xabi Alonso was like what the h£ll is going in here ➖ These Players are so a average & needs total overhaul

No one is untouchable & special 🤪

🚨Valentin Barco will be our first signing under Xabi Alonso.