The Flag Stays Down

Andy, Matt, and Parker are back!  In this week's episode we continue to heap praise on Kai Havertz.  Continuing from last week's discussion, is this the Kai Havertz we paid for?  Was Chelsea ready for Norwich and Newcastle's press?  Just how bad has Timo Werner been?  Finally, the boys address the elephant in the room... new ownership.  Each of the guys lays out what they want from a new ownership in a discussion that will certainly be continued later this week.  

Roman is leaving, we barely pull out a win in the FA Cup, and it was a tale of two halves against Burnley.  A lot happened this week, so of course we have a lot to discuss!  We finally get Parker's take on Roman Abramovich announcing he will be selling the club.  How does this affect the club in the transfer market?  Getting in match action, the boys try to figure out why Chelsea is such a second half club and seem to struggle in first halves.  Mason Mount draws the ire of all three, but how does Thomas Tuchel get the best out of Mount?  Finally, the boys are overjoyed to have Reece James back in the squad and spend some time discussing his impact.

It finally happened.  Roman Abramovich has confirmed that he is indeed selling the club.  He bought the club as an outsider, but leaves as one of us.  He leaves a Chelsea legend through and through.  Andy and Matt break down a very emotional day for Chelsea fans.  It's a raw reaction.  It's emotional, but we look back on Roman's legacy and what he has done for our club and our community.

A lot happened in the world this week, and a lot happened at Chelsea Football Club.  The boys almost forgot Chelsea played Lille in the Champions League in midweek.  After that Roman Abramovich stepped down as a hands on owner, and Chelsea played in a domestic cup final.  Most of the focus fell on the latter two.  For starters, why can't Chelsea finish?  Goals seem to be at a premium and boys dissect why.  Andy wants to know if we're getting the real deal Kai Havertz at this point or if it is a temporary run of form.  The boys dissect whether Pulisic is right for the club or not.  Finally, the elephant in the room... Roman Abramovich.  Andy gives a detailed explanation of the situation and what kind of guy Roman is.  

In honor of the NBA's All-Star Weekend, the boys decided to blend it with the Premier League.  This week they figure out who would make an EPL all-star game by having a draft of the best of the best this season.  They then go on to figure out a skills competition and who would win.  Crossovers galore!

We won!  A late winner by Hakim Ziyech after 90 minutes of riding the struggle bus has Andy, Matt, and Parker confused on how to feel this week.  We wouldn't be a Chelsea pod if we didn't talk about Romelu Lukaku touching the ball SEVEN times in a 90 minute appearance.... so we did!  The mood did shift, though, as we transitioned to Hakim Ziyech.  Andy ponders on whether Tuchel managed the team correctly coming off a big Club World Cup campaign and all that comes with that.  We got a listener question from a friend in the Faroe Islands on what is holding Chelsea back.

Following this week's podcast after the Plymouth Argyle match, the boys continue the discussion and look to the future.  Andy and Parker discuss players they genuinely hate, channeling their inner Matt.  Andy concedes that Jorginho has not been great, which leads to a future of the midfield discussion.  Do Billy Gilmour, Connor Gallagher, or both make next year's squad and how do you fund a possible big name signing.  Matt ends the pod with a USMNT hot take.

We've got a full house tonight.  Matt and Parker are back for another all-Chelsea pod.  After an extra-time win over Plymouth Argyle, the boys answer the question: why is Romelu Lukaku still starting?  What are our other striking options?  Looking ahead to the Club World Cup, what formation is better, a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2?  Finally, who do you start, Kepa or Mendy?