FireSide

Dario is Key

If I were Maresca, I wouldn't be bringing in Dario as a cover for Caicedo. He would be his first Partner to compete with the always injured Lavia.

Dario is faster than Caicedo and more physical albeit with less technical skills rating.

I would play the two and achieve several positives.

1. Cut on plenty of inverts. This would allow fullbacks to instead provide wing depth upfront and play more central attacking midfielders when wing play isn't working

2. Cut on the attacking players defensive load making them more present around the opponent's box.

It's also clear Joao will be coming back. This should present the opportunity to finally fully try him out so that we can finally either have him or discard him.

That signing is supposed to unlock the team in so many ways. Of course getting another striker and CB cover and maybe a goalkeeper should see us fight comprehensively next season

John Terry: "Reece leads the team different to the way I did, which is fine. There are different ways to be a captain and a leader.

I said this to him, Reece has to be 100 per cent Reece James. He doesn't need to be 10 per cent John Terry.

He has to be really authentic because he is the one speaking in front of the boys as well, and - if not - people will see through it if not. He is doing a good job."

John Terry on Reece James' position: "I agree with that [Tuchel's assessment]. I see him as a defender.

I don't like it, to be honest, people drifting in [to midfielder] I think it is more confusing."

Matt Pyzdrowski, a retired professional goalkeeper on Penders:

"He’s a project. If there are Chelsea fans out there hoping he arrives in the summer and competes for the No 1 spot, it’s too early. It would also be a risk to throw him into that situation. That’s not to say a 19-year-old can’t handle it."

Pyzdrowski: “He’s not as composed with the ball at his feet as Ederson yet, but what I really like about Penders is his ability to go long.

He’s able to stretch the field just like Ederson and start counter-attacks from nothing, which is a huge asset. The way he hits the ball is fast, direct, but also very accurate.”

The last time Reece James played 8 games in a row consistently was in 2021/22 at the start of the season. He’s been battling Recurring hamstrings since then. The past three seasons he’s been more on the sick bed than on the pitch. He got injured during this pre season playing as a right back . Came back against Liverpool as a right back played 4 games and got his hamstring injury again. Since he recovered in December Maresca has made a plan to change his position to reduce the work load by drifting him into midfield and yet people are bashing Maresca for it. When was the last time you heard James for fit for 3 months continuously before? This should be the last thing we as fans bash Maresca for

🗣 David Ornstein: "I don’t know of any desire or movements to sack Maresca. I think Chelsea really like him."

‼️ They [Chelsea] want a striker this summer. It’s has been pretty well documented by me and others that they are in the mix for the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Liam Delap. There will be others on their list, too.

but but but but he won his last 5 games at Chelsea😂😂

Some Chelsea fans should be ashamed that you were defending the single manager in history who couldn't use Messi well.