Blues restoring order in the world

[PoppyHart]

On the verge of 9 points, Torres amazingly appearing in form, and Hazard looking like the signing of the year.

Combined with Rooney and Aguero likely out a month and things are shaping up nicely for Europe's top club.

Jeah!

 

[Bortukal]

Amen, brother! I love what I'm seeing out of Chelsea's midfield. They're playing extremely fast, fluid and aggressive. Hazard is playing nasty football.

If Ramirez gets back into form and if Oscar and Sturridge develop into consistent scoring threats, then the Blues might be the team to beat.

Fulham and Swansea -- Swansea! -- are pretty dang potent out of the gate too.

 

[PoppyHart]

Amen, brother! I love what I'm seeing out of Chelsea's midfield. They're playing extremely fast, fluid and aggressive. Hazard is playing nasty football.

If Ramirez gets back into form and if Oscar and Sturridge develop into consistent scoring threats, then the Blues might be the team to beat.

Fulham and Swansea -- Swansea! -- are pretty dang potent out of the gate too.

By the end of the year, Swansea will be closer to the drop zone than European play. Hull City caught lighting in a bottle in '08-09 as well, and just barely stayed up.

 

[Bortukal]

By the end of the year, Swansea will be closer to the drop zone than European play. Hull City caught lighting in a bottle in '08-09 as well, and just barely stayed up.

EPL is a marathon, not a sprint. Still, starting with an 8-0 goal differential is pretty impressive for a 2nd-year top flight team. They very well may improve on their 11th-place finish from a year ago. Who knows. It's a long season.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Amen, brother! I love what I'm seeing out of Chelsea's midfield. They're playing extremely fast, fluid and aggressive. Hazard is playing nasty football.

If Ramirez gets back into form and if Oscar and Sturridge develop into consistent scoring threats, then the Blues might be the team to beat.

Fulham and Swansea -- Swansea! -- are pretty dang potent out of the gate too.

Frank Lampard is the worst player when he's in there. I'm a little concerned about Mikel, as well. He's not that steady on the ball, although he was good against Newcastle. I'd like to see Romeu get the start in the holding MF position in the Super Cup, along with Sturridge up front, and Oscar taking Mata's place to give him some more rest.

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

I hope Bayern gets another shot at the Blues in the CL. We owe you one.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I hope Bayern gets another shot at the Blues in the CL. We owe you one.

Last year was Bayern's shot. I'll bet they don't make the Final Four this year.

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

Last year was Bayern's shot. I'll bet they don't make the Final Four this year.

Disagree. Bayern is one of those clubs that can be expected to be around until the end every year and be one of the toughest outs in Europe. The roster is basically the same from last season with some much needed quality depth added (and possibly Javi Martinez as well). Dortmund will be tough again, but I expect a Bundesliga title and deep CL run from Bayern.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Disagree. Bayern is one of those clubs that can be expected to be around until the end every year and be one of the toughest outs in Europe. The roster is basically the same from last season with some much needed quality depth added (and possibly Javi Martinez as well). Dortmund will be tough again, but I expect a Bundesliga title and deep CL run from Bayern.

No offense, but Scar Face is not exactly beloved in the locker room and got into a bust up with Robben, who probably has scars of his own from having lost 3major championships now, and the Netherlands under-performing so at Euro 2012. I think he has peaked. Can Gomez have another 30+ goal season if his wingers don't play as well ? I don't know. They have a great goal keeper in Neuer, that's for sure. He's probably the best in Europe, and single handedly carried Schalke into the Final 8 two years ago before Bayern scooped him up.

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

No offense, but Scar Face is not exactly beloved in the locker room and got into a bust up with Robben, who probably has scars of his own from having lost 3major championships now, and the Netherlands under-performing so at Euro 2012. I think he has peaked. Can Gomez have another 30+ goal season if his wingers don't play as well ? I don't know. They have a great goal keeper in Neuer, that's for sure. He's probably the best in Europe, and single handedly carried Schalke into the Final 8 two years ago before Bayern scooped him up.

Similar to what Chelsea have done, Bayern majorly overhauled their attacking mid-field play during the off-season. An attack that relied far too heavily on the play-making of Ribery and Robben won't need to this season. Xherdan Shaqiri (future star), Mario Mandzucic, and Claudio Pizarro will all add greatly to the attack. They're added to Gomez, Kroos, and Muller to create a dynamic attacking force. My questions stem from the play in front of Neuer. If there's a down-fall this year, it'll be on that end of the field, IMO.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Similar to what Chelsea have done, Bayern majorly overhauled their attacking mid-field play during the off-season. An attack that relied far too heavily on the play-making of Ribery and Robben won't need to this season. Xherdan Shaqiri (future star), Mario Mandzucic, and Claudio Pizarro will all add greatly to the attack. They're added to Gomez, Kroos, and Muller to create a dynamic attacking force. My questions stem from the play in front of Neuer. If there's a down-fall this year, it'll be on that end of the field, IMO.

I'm not familiar with Bayern's new midfielders, but I'll keep my eyes open for them. Nice having people to talk to about football, isn't it?

 

[NailstheCusefan12]

I'm not familiar with Bayern's new midfielders, but I'll keep my eyes open for them. Nice having people to talk to about football, isn't it?

It definitely is. There aren't enough people to talk about it with, but there are definitely some knowledgeable people on this board. Looking forward to this year.