A nice attacking game and a poor defensive one. Bassey is good (yet kinda chaotic) and Cuenca has potential, but I don't see him as a starter for now.
The King-Bobb connection was fantastic and Iwobi is still an important player and a leader. Berge, on the other hand, was poor on covering the defensive back and very predictable in the build up. Idk, I kinda expect more "control" from a player in that position.
Hope I will see a game in your beautiful stadium one day!
To offer some defence of Cuenca I do think the front three Chelsea boasted sits near the top of the league in terms of quality and danger. No idea how Morgan Rogers was the only one of the three to make it to the World Cup - it felt terrifying watching them spring into action when they came forward! Hopefully he'll have a chance to bond with Bassey and settle into place as the season gets underway.
There was a moment in the second half where Berge had the ball with Chelsea entirely in our half, and a good pass through the defence sets us off on the counter. He dithers and goes sideways, and Chelsea aren't made to worry about their depleted defence. I do feel he can do more for us and would share some of your concerns about him. Whilst I agree that Iwobi is versatile great he'll need time to get used to sitting deeper again (as, at heart, he feels a player more involved further forward).
1. The Cottage was the loudest I’ve ever heard it. What an atmosphere! Great support for the team. However, we still need more passion from my fellow Riversiders!
2. Overall, a sound performance. The attack is exciting and the pressing impressive. Outstanding performance by King. Bob and Castagne have gone up a level since the World Cup. Robinson back on form. Garcia and Palacios clearly astute signings. Bassy was exceptional and deserves the captain’s armband.
Berge was not at his best, looked nervy and needs to take his shooting opportunities. I felt he was the weakest link. Cuenca, too, looked a little overwhelmed, but it’s not easy dealing with Palmer, particularly when Robinson was clearly instructed to play higher up.
Kevin, Charles and Sess showed their quality as substitutes. Iwobi had an odd game and seemed to be covering several positions. Worth noting that ESR didn’t play — where is his role now?
3. We faced a new, expensively assembled Chelsea squad with an outstanding manager. I think we would have won by a good margin had we played the Chelsea of last season.
At the end, the Chelsea players didn’t look triumphant — they looked knackered and relieved it was over. Our lads were exhausted too and gave everything.
Many reasons to feel positive after this game, but we still need strengthening in midfield — maybe we now have that with Charles — and I think we need a giant of a centre-back for games like this.
The style of play does leave us exposed at the back and vulnerable to counter-attacks and long balls. Alonso knew that from the start.
1. A lot of people seem to share your opinion! Hopefully with a bit of time and some positive results we can have a home crowd that truly bolsters the confidence of this exciting young team. These things take time after all, and I reckon football that produces goals and flair can go a long way to raise the volume in the stadium.
2. Agree with all of that, particularly on the World Cup improvers and captain Bassey. The Berge-Iwobi pairing didn't work out tonight, and as you say with Robinson so advanced at times and Cuenca picking tonight to be a bundle of kittens we looked very vulnerable to Palmer all evening. Perhaps Shea Charles' value will become clear in the coming weeks as Arbeloa works out who is needed to balance the side?
I was impressed by Sessegnon as always, though Kevin looked a little disconnected from the action IMO. I'm hoping ESR will show his worth as the fixtures pile up - we'll need everyone, because the cup run we're all hoping for will drain the energy from performances like tonight quite quickly, and there's a lot of talent in the squad to utilise across all the competitions.
I'd also suggest that there won't be as many teams with a frontline of Rogers-Pedro-Palmer to contend with, which may prove a more accurate reflection of where we are going forward...
3. ...leading us nicely into your third point, Chelsea were great and could have scored lots, but also went toe-to-toe with us across the game and only won by a goal. We weren't humiliated or battered, but we've had a real lesson in what the top teams in the division can do to our strategy, and the signings you suggest are probably needed to ensure we are less vulnerable the next time those strategies or personnel are deployed.
Same as you- mixed feelings! Definitely nice to see the offensive mindset and lots of good passing play which feels like a different team from last year. But I hate losing to that team, esp with the always strong away supporting saboteurs in the Putney End all around me. We're still way too nice as a fan base...
A highlight of the season start is the return of your post-game reports. Always a pleasure to read, especially for those unable to be there in-person.
Tale of two seasons. In Chelsea's case, they may have a new, fantastic manager, they look much the same as their chaotic past, except that Palmer is back in form. In Fulham's case, it's a brand new approach unleashed. So good to see players feeling the freedom to express their skills in the course of a match, something sorely lacking in the Silva era.
That said, while Silva tightly controlled play, Arbeloa's approach is in serious need of organization and direction. While Fulham played with, "life and energy, fire and desire," they also had the look of a Sunday pickup match. I could not figure out Arbeloa's defensive set-up, if there was one. Iwobi, one of my favorites, was all over the place, too often without seeming rhyme or reason. His rapid meanderings left the defense and, particularly, Berge flummoxed. Look back to the WC and Berge playing alongside Odegaard controlling the center of the pitch to see how partnership suits him.
De Fougerolles deserves a run on the backline in place of Cuenca who was a disappointment. Disorganization in the back was highlighted by both wingbacks flying too high up the field and, especially in Robinson's case, struggling to get back against counter-attacks. There needs to be better balance to this aspect of the attack.
The youth corps upfront was non-stop fun! King has emerged as a genuine force who has sealed his starting spot with Bobb. Their new surrounding cast is going to provide lots of entertainment this season. Palacios was a blast! Love anyone who can bother Chelsea as much as he did. Garcia shows plenty of potential but he has to take the back heel out of his repertoire, please.
It's clear from yesterday's match that Fulham enjoys a wealth of young talent and will be a force to be reckoned with, but what will be critical to the team's success is the manager managing the team's shape and direction going forward - and rocking back.
That was a fun match, the best of the opening weekend matches for pure enjoyment.
Great write-up, Owen!
Thanks Ben!
A nice attacking game and a poor defensive one. Bassey is good (yet kinda chaotic) and Cuenca has potential, but I don't see him as a starter for now.
The King-Bobb connection was fantastic and Iwobi is still an important player and a leader. Berge, on the other hand, was poor on covering the defensive back and very predictable in the build up. Idk, I kinda expect more "control" from a player in that position.
Hope I will see a game in your beautiful stadium one day!
Greetings from a new italian supporter.
Thanks for the lovely comment!
To offer some defence of Cuenca I do think the front three Chelsea boasted sits near the top of the league in terms of quality and danger. No idea how Morgan Rogers was the only one of the three to make it to the World Cup - it felt terrifying watching them spring into action when they came forward! Hopefully he'll have a chance to bond with Bassey and settle into place as the season gets underway.
There was a moment in the second half where Berge had the ball with Chelsea entirely in our half, and a good pass through the defence sets us off on the counter. He dithers and goes sideways, and Chelsea aren't made to worry about their depleted defence. I do feel he can do more for us and would share some of your concerns about him. Whilst I agree that Iwobi is versatile great he'll need time to get used to sitting deeper again (as, at heart, he feels a player more involved further forward).
Welcome to the fulham family, COYW!
Three observations
1. The Cottage was the loudest I’ve ever heard it. What an atmosphere! Great support for the team. However, we still need more passion from my fellow Riversiders!
2. Overall, a sound performance. The attack is exciting and the pressing impressive. Outstanding performance by King. Bob and Castagne have gone up a level since the World Cup. Robinson back on form. Garcia and Palacios clearly astute signings. Bassy was exceptional and deserves the captain’s armband.
Berge was not at his best, looked nervy and needs to take his shooting opportunities. I felt he was the weakest link. Cuenca, too, looked a little overwhelmed, but it’s not easy dealing with Palmer, particularly when Robinson was clearly instructed to play higher up.
Kevin, Charles and Sess showed their quality as substitutes. Iwobi had an odd game and seemed to be covering several positions. Worth noting that ESR didn’t play — where is his role now?
3. We faced a new, expensively assembled Chelsea squad with an outstanding manager. I think we would have won by a good margin had we played the Chelsea of last season.
At the end, the Chelsea players didn’t look triumphant — they looked knackered and relieved it was over. Our lads were exhausted too and gave everything.
Many reasons to feel positive after this game, but we still need strengthening in midfield — maybe we now have that with Charles — and I think we need a giant of a centre-back for games like this.
The style of play does leave us exposed at the back and vulnerable to counter-attacks and long balls. Alonso knew that from the start.
COYW!
Interesting thoughts:
1. A lot of people seem to share your opinion! Hopefully with a bit of time and some positive results we can have a home crowd that truly bolsters the confidence of this exciting young team. These things take time after all, and I reckon football that produces goals and flair can go a long way to raise the volume in the stadium.
2. Agree with all of that, particularly on the World Cup improvers and captain Bassey. The Berge-Iwobi pairing didn't work out tonight, and as you say with Robinson so advanced at times and Cuenca picking tonight to be a bundle of kittens we looked very vulnerable to Palmer all evening. Perhaps Shea Charles' value will become clear in the coming weeks as Arbeloa works out who is needed to balance the side?
I was impressed by Sessegnon as always, though Kevin looked a little disconnected from the action IMO. I'm hoping ESR will show his worth as the fixtures pile up - we'll need everyone, because the cup run we're all hoping for will drain the energy from performances like tonight quite quickly, and there's a lot of talent in the squad to utilise across all the competitions.
I'd also suggest that there won't be as many teams with a frontline of Rogers-Pedro-Palmer to contend with, which may prove a more accurate reflection of where we are going forward...
3. ...leading us nicely into your third point, Chelsea were great and could have scored lots, but also went toe-to-toe with us across the game and only won by a goal. We weren't humiliated or battered, but we've had a real lesson in what the top teams in the division can do to our strategy, and the signings you suggest are probably needed to ensure we are less vulnerable the next time those strategies or personnel are deployed.
Same as you- mixed feelings! Definitely nice to see the offensive mindset and lots of good passing play which feels like a different team from last year. But I hate losing to that team, esp with the always strong away supporting saboteurs in the Putney End all around me. We're still way too nice as a fan base...
A highlight of the season start is the return of your post-game reports. Always a pleasure to read, especially for those unable to be there in-person.
Tale of two seasons. In Chelsea's case, they may have a new, fantastic manager, they look much the same as their chaotic past, except that Palmer is back in form. In Fulham's case, it's a brand new approach unleashed. So good to see players feeling the freedom to express their skills in the course of a match, something sorely lacking in the Silva era.
That said, while Silva tightly controlled play, Arbeloa's approach is in serious need of organization and direction. While Fulham played with, "life and energy, fire and desire," they also had the look of a Sunday pickup match. I could not figure out Arbeloa's defensive set-up, if there was one. Iwobi, one of my favorites, was all over the place, too often without seeming rhyme or reason. His rapid meanderings left the defense and, particularly, Berge flummoxed. Look back to the WC and Berge playing alongside Odegaard controlling the center of the pitch to see how partnership suits him.
De Fougerolles deserves a run on the backline in place of Cuenca who was a disappointment. Disorganization in the back was highlighted by both wingbacks flying too high up the field and, especially in Robinson's case, struggling to get back against counter-attacks. There needs to be better balance to this aspect of the attack.
The youth corps upfront was non-stop fun! King has emerged as a genuine force who has sealed his starting spot with Bobb. Their new surrounding cast is going to provide lots of entertainment this season. Palacios was a blast! Love anyone who can bother Chelsea as much as he did. Garcia shows plenty of potential but he has to take the back heel out of his repertoire, please.
It's clear from yesterday's match that Fulham enjoys a wealth of young talent and will be a force to be reckoned with, but what will be critical to the team's success is the manager managing the team's shape and direction going forward - and rocking back.
That was a fun match, the best of the opening weekend matches for pure enjoyment.
Chelsea vs Fulham squad value
(Transfer market values)
2026/27 squads.
1.4Km Chelsea
301.3m Fulham