Neil Atkinson and John Gibbons look into what has been happening away from Anfield in English football this week. Where is the drama? Which club has a story to be told?
Neil Atkinson, John Gibbons and Andrew David first speak to Rebecca Knight of Unilad on life at Chelsea under Conte. They’ve started with two wins, but how optimistic is she for the rest of the season?
They then speak to author Daniel Gray about Middlesbrough, also unbeaten in the league. We find out who has impressed for them so far and where they still need to strengthen.
Lovely to hear from Lancashire’s favourite Kings’ Road daughter again. I’m delighted Rebecca has no problem with John Terry. He’s lovable and so are you Rebecca.
Rebecca Knight’s like Robbie Savage, all opinions not no substance. Please go and support you local club.
I surprised you gave Rebecca such an easy time. She dismissed Chelsea’s Europa Cup victory under Benetiz; I for one had a great time at the final in Amsterdam (which enabled Chelsea to complete the full set of European trophies). The silent majority at Chelsea are grateful to Benitez for the job he did i including qualifying for the Champions League.
Why does Micahel Emalano still have a job at Chelsea? The truth is that no one really knows the extent of Emanalo’s involvement in transfers. But he plays a useful role in allowing managers to take credit for the great buys whilst he can take the blame (from the likes of Rebecca) for the poor ones. Emanalo is the equivalent of the Anfield transfer committee but Courtois, Azpiliqueta, Fabregas, Oscar, Costa, Willian, Zouma, Hazard and others have all been signed under Emanalo.
We’d all like to see young players given a chance but they have to be good enough. The best way to develop them is to loan them out because the reserve league provides no challenge. In the new U23 league Chelsea put out a team with an average age of 17½ in the recent 4-1 victory over Liverpool (I believe Liverpool’s side was equally full of youngsters).
Rebecca bases here judgement of Tomas Kalas on one performance at Anfiefd in 2014. Since then Kalas has had two season on loan at Middlebrough where he made a total of 35 starts. Is a player who could not hold down a first team place in the championship ready for Chelsea’s first team? .
Matt Miazga is a young centre half (he just turned 21) who cost only £3.5m. but he’s now a full USA international with potential. Yes. he was substituted at Swansea but kept a clean sheet on his debut against Villa (ok not the greatest opposition but its the only clean sheet in the last 21 games).
As Traore and Kenedy, Rebecca’s claim that “…everytime they played last season they were were brilliant”, is utter nonsense. I saw every match and whilst both were very promising in a poor side and showed potential but to call them ‘brilliant’ is a big stretch.
As for Lukaku and he has no doubt progressed because of first team opportunities at Everton, a lot of Chelsea fans would like him back but not at the money Everton want. Should Chelsea have had a sell-on clause or buy-back clause? Possibly but these clauses would have been reflected in a lower fee.