OT: Trolling Chelsea fans!
Haven't had a good, solid soccer post in a while....
Today's result -- Leicester 2, Chelsea 1 -- pretty much creates two of the most amazing one-season turn-arounds in major sports history, and in the same league at the same time, encapsulated in one game.
Mighty Chelsea: Won the BPL last year in a run-away, 12 points clear or something, wrapped up the title 4 games before end of the year. Brought back basically ALL the same players and coach. And... now they SUCK. Particularly their defense (defence) is dreadful. Are only 1 point above relegation. Their next game, with Sunderland, is oddly an early battle not to be in the relegation zone. This is a team owned by a multibillionaire, they buy expensive players like fish breathe water...and they have gone from the best to almost worst, inexplicably.
And little Leicester: Two years ago you'd never heard of them, they were in the lower divisions. They got promoted last year and did ok for themselves. But this year, they are LEADING the league -- "top of the table" -- and have beaten several of the heavyweights. Their best player, Vardy, has set a record scoring (goals or assist) in 14 straight BPL games, he scored goals in 11 straight, he is absolutely going to get a huuuuge $$$ contract offer from Barca or Real or Man U this summer. They score 2, 3, 4 goals a game... their defense (defence) is pretty shaky, but when you score as much as they do, who needs it. So they have gone from nobodies to leading the league. Everyone keeps waiting for the wheels to fall off, and maybe they will; but today's result shows, they are still the quality of the league.
(Then there's the Gunners' fans, FINALLY you have a team capable of winning... and now you're chasing Leicester. Somehow, it's always about Arsenal's frustrations, isn't it?)
December 14th, 2015 at 6:56 PM ^
... with negative points. Color me shocked. Not even on Mgoblog do people like Chelsea supporters.
December 14th, 2015 at 6:59 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:16 PM ^
Here are some helpful links. Perception and recent issue.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:37 PM ^
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December 14th, 2015 at 7:04 PM ^
It's no great surprise the Leicester won this game - they're playing out of their heads this year. This result would have been shocking two years ago. In December 2015, not too many people who follow the EPL are surprised by this result.
I don't particularly like or hate Chelsea - my son's a supporter so I sort of pull for them. But my loyalties are with Liverpool, and yesterday's single point at home, earned in stoppage time, was pretty damned entertaining to watch.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^
Too bad Mig had to make an instructional video on how not to defend a corner.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:19 PM ^
I hate watching them defend set pieces. Jordan Henderson in particular has been ... poor in defending corners and free kicks.
It's one thing I expect Klopp will be able to address. Sooner than later, I hope.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:23 PM ^
I can't speak for others, but I hate Chelsea because their fans act as if they have always been this largely successful club, when if you look at their history, the majority of their trophies were won in the last 10 years. Not only that, they've played in some of the nastiest ways to win, borderline unsportsmanlike (I'll never forget Ivanovic actually tackling a player like a DB trying to prevent a touchdown).
And then the Special Bus Driver--he is one of the most delusional sports figures I've seen. He is one hell of a successful coach but he also is paranoid, which leads to meltdowns when he gets outcoaches/outclassed (the man probably has a Pep Guardiola voodoo doll). And he is the definition of a mercenary--never stays beyond 3 years, when his teams begin to crumble. And then toss in the eye-poke against Tito Vilanova (R.I.P.)...
December 14th, 2015 at 7:38 PM ^
Cech yourself
December 14th, 2015 at 6:56 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:05 PM ^
I was trying to figure that out. British Premier League? Now I get it.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^
the English Premier League, but the league sold naming rights to Barclay's Bank, so its referred to as the BPL, Barclays Premier League.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^
Most fans call it the EPL, because it's pretty ridiculous to sell the naming rights to your own league.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:49 PM ^
and Wales ain't in England.
December 14th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^
And the Toronto Blue Jays play in the American League.
And Monaco plays in France. Lots of these little exceptions.
December 14th, 2015 at 10:37 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 6:58 PM ^
Somewhere Tom Paine is appalled.
December 14th, 2015 at 6:58 PM ^
You forgot to add that it is Ranieri, the former Chelsea coach, leading Leicester to the top. Its one of the best coaching jobs in years. Maybe since Mou's run to the CL final with Porto.
December 14th, 2015 at 6:59 PM ^
were in the Premier League 15 years ago played at a wonderfully quaint English stadium called Filbert Street. You could see the row houses over the roof of the far side stands with their dark brick chimney's and white trimmed windows. Relegated in early 2000's just as they built a new stadium and found themselves in the lower leagues with an expensive team and expensive stadium bills to pay. Relegated again to the third tier of English football and have battled back to be in the BPL.
You've glossed over Leicester a bit. Last year they were dead last in the league for most of the year and looking at relegation again but went on an incredible end of year run to remain safe. Now first place. A great story for sure.
Despite being able to buy any player they want Chelsea brought in almost no one this summer and its as if all of their players aged beyond their years in 3 months. Crazy
December 14th, 2015 at 7:00 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:07 PM ^
After selling Schurrle, Lukaku, De Brunye, and sending millions of youngsters on loan, Mourinho hasn't been willing to rotate his squad for over a year; some of those players (Matic in particular) are probably well beyond knackered. I'm amazed they've escape major injury problems due to a lack of fresh legs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hazard leave should they do the unthinkable and get themselves relegated--what an end to the season that would be!
December 14th, 2015 at 7:00 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:15 PM ^
It was a total bite when Liverpool lost him to Barca. Liverpool has had difficulty shouldering that loss. Definitely left a mark ... .
(Man I miss that guy's production as a nine. No joke - brilliant footballer.)
December 14th, 2015 at 7:23 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:41 PM ^
Points are just a statistic.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:03 PM ^
Yeah, Chelsea's team is probably about 5x the value of Leicester's. I'm really enjoying Chelsea's demise; despicable, smug coach for a despicalbe, smug club. Their fans were willing to sell their soul for success, even overlooking Mourhino's and Costa's putrid antics. Fuck them. This will be a true test of who is a "real" Chelsea fan rather than a bandwagoner.
And I expect Arsenal to win the league if they are still in the top 2 by February; with all the injuries they've suffered, their form has actually improved some, and the team is clicking from defense to offense. They'll probably make a respectable exit against Barca, and win the EPL barring anything catastrophic, which is always a possibility with Arsenal. Leicester doesn't have the squad depth to cope with the rest of the season, but I do expect them to snag a CL spot. Vardy and Mahrez and Rainieri--I bet Chelsea fans remember the last name.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:16 PM ^
Kind of odd for OP to take a shot at Arsenal--must be a Supds fan. Gunner fans are kind of laughing at drawing Barca again this morning for the CL (it couldn't be Bayern so it had to be Barcelona) and loving what LC did to Chelski this afternoon. Far better watching another Chelsea loss than being top at some arbitrary date.
I never believe with Arsenal but if they can beat Man City in a week it'll be hard not to! Definite 2 team race.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:30 PM ^
Even Spuds' fans should root for the Gunners to win the league--how else can they finish 2nd? And Barca aren't indomitable--Neymar, Suarez, Messi, Rakitic, and Iniesta will be hard to stop but Arsenal, with Walcott and Ozil, have the right team for a quick counter. All you need is a goal at home and then hold on for dear life at Camp Nou.
And I think City will begin to fall off the race for the title--there is no reason why Arsenal shouldn't beat them (though, I said the same when Arsenal faced Chelsea). City have been inconsistent, and I'm still not convinced about the quality in the squad without Aguero and Silva. I'd really love to see Chelsea relegated the year Arsenal win the title.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^
is really the one guy Arsenal would have a difficult time containing. He might be fit for the game too. As his health goes, so goes Man City.
Walcott being fit should really help, as I really like him and Giroud as a counter/outlet when they have be more defensive like they may have to be against Man City.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:43 PM ^
Barcelona is going to tear Arsenal to shreds.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:28 PM ^
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December 14th, 2015 at 7:10 PM ^
to cheer for? Also, do you have clubs in Italy, Germany, and France you cheer for or do you just stick to EPL teams?
I enjoy watching international soccer because it's quite simple to decide who to cheer for. But when it comes to professional leagues it becomes real difficult. Chelsea, ManU, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Arsenal...the list is as long as an Alaskan winter night.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:15 PM ^
so I decided I was going to pick a team. I went with Liverpool because (a) they have enough money to more or less contend every year but not so much that it feels like rooting for the Yankees, and (b) the Pink Floyd song "Fearless" has a weird chant at the end which is a recording of Liverpool fans singing their fight song.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:32 PM ^
A lot of Americans seem to just jump on the bandwagon of the biggest, most successful clubs: Barcelona, Bayern, Real, Man U. I think that's lame. It's like a European becoming a fan of the Yankees, Lakers or Cowboys.
Fandom should just sort of happen: you realize all of a sudden that you have this attachment to a team and really want them to win. It shouldn't be any kind of rational decision ("They bought the best players in the transfer window, so they're my team").
December 14th, 2015 at 7:20 PM ^
on to Liverpool because of Michael Owen after watching a 16 year old kid play for England in the World Cup in 1996. Over the years just tried to learn as much as I could about the club, the league and competitions with the help of Fox Sports, ESPN and now NBCSN.
Besides that I try to pick one of the promoted clubs to cheer for every year. Last year it was Leicester, this year Bournemouth.
The thing about the EPL is between matches among the top 4 and great rivalries like Liverpool/Everton, Arsenal/Tottenham, Newcastle/Sunderland there is almost always a really compelling game to watch each week. At the end of the year you get the title chase and Champions league chase and a number of crucial relegation games. Hardly ever a completely boring week. Then you have all the cup games and European competitions, fascinating some times.
I'm definitly not emotionally invested but I just find it entertaining and it usually kills off a Saturday or Sunday morning.
December 14th, 2015 at 8:00 PM ^
Did you mean the Euro? Owen's World Cup debut was in 1998, when he was 18.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:26 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:27 PM ^
... I have favorites in each of the four top leagues. My first love was Ajax and the total football philosophy. An uncle who liked soccer introduced me when I was 10-11. From there, everything happened.
Arsenal -- loved Dennis Bergkamp back in the day (another Ajax product). lived in North London for a year.
Barcelona -- They are the modern version of total football (their version is called tiki taka). Also lived here for a year. Plus, they are the anti Madrid.
Juventus -- Loved some of their players back in the day (zidane, Davids, Buffon, Del Piero) and I lived in Turin for a summer. Plus they are the anti Roma/Milan.
Dortmund -- Best stadium experience in the world. It should be a bucket lister for any fan of soccer. Plus, they are they anti Munich.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^
EPL gets most TV coverage here in U.S. so that league was natural.
Man U - was too easy to pick at the time. Basically the Yankees. Never liked Rooney.
Man City - liked them somewhat at the start, but bought whatever they wanted with their oil $$$. Started out as a bit of an underdog, but the $$$ got too crazy. Still love Aguero tho.
Chelsea - boring football/Mourinho + oil $$$$ = easy to hate.
Liverpool - liked them at first too, they had just signed Suarez. But they were often compared to Ohio State in random "which team should you pick articles" and I never got behind them. I don't hate them tho.
Arsenal - Wenger is brilliant and different than just about any coach in sports. And I fell in love watching RVP single handedly keep them in the top 4 that one year before they sold him. They financed their own stadium 15 or so years ago, and this set them back financially just as the era of huge transfer monies set in. So they were an underdog for the title but still had a chance to do things, unlke the other 14-15 teams in the league who would have been too frustrating to get in to. Pleasing team to watch, even if it sometimes borders on soft. And an active online community on reddit that simply brought more info than others.
Also-it's easy to watch other teams as you get into it. For example, I think everyone in the EPL is rooting for Leicester City this year, except when they play my team and especially when they play Chelsea.
December 14th, 2015 at 10:32 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 7:52 PM ^
which was last year, and I am a HUGE fan now...
is to DVR the games...and watch as many as you can...
each team has a personality...and over time, watching a full season...and continue speaking to peeps who know the EPL, you'll eventually see a time, like their players, their manager, their history...and once you have a team, you'll be hooked!
I never thought I'd be a fan, and now after UM sports, soccer (EPL and Champtions League) is 2nd..over NFL...
sjw
December 14th, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^
make sure to watch the MEN IN BLAZERS show!!!!
December 14th, 2015 at 8:05 PM ^
But I now watch EPL over NFL. I'm hooked.
December 14th, 2015 at 8:07 PM ^
December 14th, 2015 at 8:33 PM ^
It's a very unique situation, "shopping" for a team to cheer for in adulthood.
Most of us inherit our fandom from childhood based on location, family, friends, cool unis, and so on. Or we join into it such as becoming a Michigan fan by attending Michigan.
It's rare to just shop for a team out of the blue in adulthood, with no actual connection to the team.
Strange, really.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:30 PM ^
I thought this was going to be about how Chelsea drew PSG in the Champions' League for the third year in a row. They're going down.
December 14th, 2015 at 7:21 PM ^
Because I didn't want him to feel that I wasn't interested in something that he liked so much, I started to learn a bit more and watch EPL matches with him when they were televised. Last season, I took him to an NYCFC (NY MLS expansion club that plays at Yankee stadium), and since then, I have been hooked.
For those who thumb their noses at soccer, give it a try. It really is a lot more exciting than I ever expected. And, if you go to a game live, it is the closest thing to the passion of college football - the crowd is just so into the game that the whole stadium feels like a big students section.
Just my $.02
December 14th, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
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