Author: Joe Soriano

Chelsea started Reece James in the midfield again to get Malo Gusto a starting opportunity to overlap on the right hand side, and Chelsea fans could not help but think, coming out of the game, that this farce needs to end. James is a clearly superior player to Gusto, both defensively and, yes, offensively. He is more safe, more consistent, more intelligent, and better technically. So the only way Gusto and James can play together and the only way Gusto can play is for James to play in midfield. But all those things that make James so good at right back are not true in midfield. Look, it is true that James is versatile enough to be a passable midfielder, and he was far from the biggest problem in the team - actually, Gusto playing in his natural position was even worse than James, whi...

It has been a rough 2025/26 season for former Premier League Player of the Season candidate Cole Palmer, and after watching him struggle yet again vs. Newcastle United, Chelsea fans can only come to the heartbreaking conclusion that he is himself to blame for his issues. Just as Arsenal fans are watching Bukayo Saka look a step off this season, the young Palmer is, likewise, playing below his level and genuinely looking both gassed and lacking sharpness in his decision making. Chelsea thought they would be skating with an in form Joao Pedro and Palmer together in the attack again, and just as Pedro had been improving under Liam Rosenior, there was a prevailing belief that Palmer would improve away from Enzo Maresca and with health on his side. But watching Palmer struggle to win o...

Chelsea turned in a dreadful performance as a team against Newcastle United, losing 1-0 with even stars like Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer playing horrendously in letting the Blues down in a crucial game for Champions League places. But after the game, the player to earn the most vociferous criticism on social media from fans is striker Liam Delap. He has been terrible all season long, but these last few games have really reenforced the issue. Watching Delap up top is like watching a rugby player or a clumsy center back trying to play striker. He thinks and moves so slowly and spends more time tussling with defenders rather than making good runs or passes. Playing next to Delap as a forward is a death sentence, and all Chelsea fans think when he gets on the ball is, "How is he going ...

Chelsea were unable to find any sort of quality against Newcastle United in the Premier League, losing 1-0 to drop more crucial points in a tight race for Champions League places. Here are three players to blame the most for the display. DM Moises Caicedo Moises Caicedo has probably been Chelsea's best player this season, but you would not have guessed it based on this game. He worked hard and won the ball a couple of times, but even his defensive work was below his standard as Chelsea spent the game chasing shadows. So much of his passing was lacking in creativity. While he was not sloppy, he was so plodding in possession and was a huge part of the problem, wastimg time on the ball and slowing the game down so Newcastle were always in control out of possession. RB Malo Gusto Both M...