Are Chelsea REALLY Premier League Title Contenders?

0:00Before the season even kicks off, soccer fans are already making predictions. Who wins the league? Who qualifies for Europe? And who's lifting the trophy at seasons end? On Kalshi America's number one prediction market platform, your trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code CUP26 to get $10 when you trade 10. KALSHI Kalshi trade the beautiful game. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading and volsarist can may not be suitable for all investors. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see Kalshi.com slash regulatory. nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies. Just like I'm so much more than quarterback Peyton Manning. I'm also Peyton Manning. Insurance and financial services together. It's a masterpiece. Peyton Manning does it again.

1:00For your insurance and financial needs, nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation and Bafinra Columbus, Ohio. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. We go. We go. We go. We go. We go. Ask your prescriber about Wigovie. Some Maglatide Injection 2.4 mg, a GLP 1. Call 1-833-4 Wigovie or visit Wigovie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about Wigovie. Why wait? We go. We go. We go. Good evening everybody and welcome to EPL Injects. Welcome to Tuesday night. Welcome to fan focus. I am Lola Katzrobits, just in the

2:00avoidance of confusion because I know that there are some of you out there who have been confused because you've met my sister. You've seen my sister maybe in passing and you've been confused thinking which one supports Arsenal, which one supports Liverpool, what is going on? Well, I can assure you we are two different people, very different people. I am a Liverpool fan and I'm sitting here today wearing, God the green screen, to make it wear wearing my Liverpool top. So you know exactly who I am and who I support. And I just want to have a chat with you guys really tonight. Sorry I've just noticed a bit of that on my screen. I just want to have a bit of a chat with you guys tonight really about the state of play in the Premier League. And we will interlude and break to look about, look into what's happening in the Champions League. I'm sure you guys in the chat will keep me updated with any scores as I'm when I need to know. Just to keep anyone in the loop who hasn't been watching, there's already been a very sort of

3:01strange meta anxiety dream sequence for Liverpool fans as Curtis Jones gave the ball away to Trent Alexander Arnold, which resulted in an impact, a goal for Real Madrid. Very strange, very disappointing to see the two of them both playing net trade for European giants that aren't Liverpool. But I know there are other people who have different views on them and wouldn't want them as part of the club and are glad that they've left. But I can't help but feel disappointment to see those two players, especially two scouts that have been through the academy from the youngest possible age to be on that sort of stage representing other clubs and to be kicking lumps out of each other and forcing mistakes. It just doesn't sit right with me. But look, we're going to talk about the title race tonight because the game of the season so far, the biggest game of the season was Arsenal vs Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. And there've been a lot of people with a lot of opinions about what it means for Arsenal, what does it mean for Chelsea, what does

4:06it mean for the rest of the league? And we've got our first comment and it's Scarlett Katz Roberts who was, she was very raffled guys. Let me know in the comments by the way, those of you who are yesterday, she was extremely raffled by the chat that we had about the referee and decisions that favoured Arsenal, which we will come onto in the course of the show. And I think that to answer Scarlett's question, no, not in the slightest, they have not scared me. I'm looking at it and thinking there's a gaping opportunity to win this Premier League title if Liverpool can get their shit together. And that's a big if because Liverpool's ship was the opposite of together last season and you've got to have your ship together to win a league title. But no, I see there as being a huge, huge opportunity and that's really what I want to talk about in the course of the show today. Thank you so much for all your comments, Scarlett. We will come to you. Perhaps you'd like to dial in. Would you like me to send you a link to the studio? You're very welcome. You're always always welcome in my studio, Scarlett. Guys in the chat do let me know if you would like that to happen

5:10or if you would prefer just to hear from me for the evening. But we can have Scarlett on any time, can't we? I'm going to give her an invitation, see if she's down to join, see if she's, she wants to put her money where her mouth is because there's a lot of talk, isn't it? It's a lot of talk. Guys talk is cheap, talk is cheap. So where are you, Scarlett? If you back your opinions, come and join. There we go. So I want to talk about the title race and I want to talk about reacting to the weekend. I want to think about the relative strength of the big teams. We had a really, really interesting chat just after deadline day where we were ranking squad debt and obviously Arsenal came out on top. I don't know, it was Manchester City actually. Manchester City came out on top. And I think perspective is everything, right? That's maybe where we can start. Before the season even kicks off,

6:13soccer fans are already making predictions. Who wins the league? Who qualifies for Europe? And who's lifting the trophy at season's end? On Kalshi America's number one prediction market platform, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code CUP26 to get $10 when you trade 10. KALSHI Kalshi, trade the beautiful game. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading at Volsriss can may not be suitable for all investors. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see kalshi.com slash regulatory. Imagine buying your kid a toy only to find the batteries aren't included or buy in furniture, but missing the tools to build it. Frustrating, right? Now imagine the exact same feeling, but you're paying way more. That is what buying business software usually feels like, fragmented, disconnected and incredibly expensive. Odoo completely changes that. Odoo is a complete, fully integrated business suite where all your

7:16apps actually talk to each other. We're talking automated lead routing for your sales team. Seamless AI integration and intuitive point and click website builder. It's everything your business needs to scale, saving you time, headaches and money. Stop piecing your software together. Go to odoo.com. That's odoo.com to learn more. Great guys. We're going to have a special guest. We're going to have a caller. We're going to have Scarlett on in 20 minutes time. So that will be lovely. Lovely to hear from that. Always, always lovely when your family want to support you in these things. But I want to talk about narrative skies. I want to talk about what do broadcasters want from the Premier League season. The broadcasters would like, they would like a new challenger in the same way that they got, they tired of the city pool rivalry. They have tired of the Arsenal, Arsenal City rivalry and they would like a new character to enter the chat. And it is my genuine, genuine belief

8:20that they can't do anything. They can't influence the outcome, but they can influence the narrative and the narrative is powerful because it ends up being the content that fans consume and and the beliefs and opinions that they hold. That is just the nature of news and culture and how we absorb it. So this is a long-winded way of saying that I felt that the narrative about Chelsea being title challenges was forced. And I personally never really believed it. And that is where I want to start the show today is talking about what I saw on Sunday and why I don't think Chelsea are capable of challenging for this title. Barney Bernardo, 1998 says 100 Scarlett Krylar, Barney, thank you for your comment. I'm guessing you must be a goona to any of the gooners by the way. And this is not a joke. If you are going to Naples, please do be careful. I've seen some absolute horror stories online about, well, I haven't been to Naples but I have been to

9:20Italy following Liverpool and there are all sorts of rules and precautions that you have to take, but they are there for a reason. And it's not a joke. Those Italian altrues and it's a blight on the game. So if you are traveling to Naples and you are a goona, please do follow the advice because it's not, it's just not one to take a risk with. I'm starting to think guys that Barney Bernardo must be Scarlett under an alias. What do we think? Just putting it out there. It feels like she probably could be. I don't know who you are Barney Bernardo but you do share the same birth date as me and Scarlett. So maybe you're her also ego. Scarlett's got more questions but we are going to let her bring all those into the chat when she does eventually arrive. But let's start with Chelsea and I'm going to share my screen here as we begin to look at Chelsea. Now this is from an opt-out analyst article about knee jerk reactions to the Premier League weekend. Let me just get to the right bit. And I'm willing to accept by the way that I am having a knee jerk

10:26reaction but I did also feel that looking at their squad, that this was the case. So look, they've added Morgan Rogers and he's a wonderful player. Jow Pedro's second season, he really kind of hit the stretch hard last season and started to look like a world-class player to be honest. But when you look at this XG chart, I think it's fairly damning and it was something I discussed with Scarlett on the show yesterday. I think it was always Chelsea's plan to allow Arsenal to have the ball and allow Arsenal to have territory and they were planning to play on the counter attack. But I certainly don't think it was their plan to allow Arsenal to rack up this level of XG. And 2.5, 2.05 XG here for Arsenal. Chelsea, two goals conceded in their previous two games. I think it's fair to say Chelsea have significant weaknesses at the back. That's not to mention the midfield but I think the based on the team that they started at the

11:28Emirates on Sunday, that was a strong team and a strong midfield. You'll have to accept Reese James while he's a wonderful player. He's not necessarily a midfielder. So you are forcing players out of position and then you have Malogusto coming on and having to play a midfield too. But yeah, I think it was this really. This is the problem. You can play on the counter attack and you can have the idea that you're going to create high value opportunities relative to the opposition even if you let the opposition have the territory and the ball. But they did not manage to create those opportunities and those openings. Yes, Pedro and I saw hit the post but that was a fairly low XG opportunity and there was a moment that I spoke about with Scarlett where Chelsea counter attack, Cole Palmer plays a very good ball with just a little bit too much on it for Jow Pedro. But it didn't work because I don't think Shabby Alonzo's plan would have been 0.39 XG. The plan would have been we're not going to have the ball but we are going to create high value

12:30opportunities. So that's the kind of tactical weakness. That's the tactical weakness for Chelsea and the weaknesses within their kind of setup. But if you look at the Chelsea squad as a whole and we can share a depth chart, you know, I love a depth chart guys. Love a depth chart. Let's see if this works. Here we go. This is pretty good I think. With me operating multiple screens. So here is the Chelsea squad as things stand. I think that's why I can see it. Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies. Just like I'm so much more than quarterback Peyton Manning. I'm also Peyton Manning. Insurance and financial services together. It's a masterpiece. Peyton Manning does

13:36it again. For your insurance and financial needs, nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation and Bafinra Columbus, Ohio. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online makes sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up require compatibility and availability very 18 plus. I don't know why LAN pods just depend on my screen. Amagas left the club now. So this is the depth that they have to play with. I'm really interested to get other people's takes on this. It is important to emphasise, Chelsea, if you're not having European football of any kind. So these first 11 players, they are going to get the rest that they need and they are going to be able to play lots of games. The likes of Reese James who are struggled with injury, they're going

14:40to be able to be very careful with him. There is no doubt that for me, this trio, Rodgers, Pedro, Palmer, that's about as good as an attacking trio as you're going to get in the Premier League. They've got everything that you would want. Potentially, Palmer, just because the last season and a half, I would say, he's not really been himself. You may worry a little bit about goal scoring, but that certainly hasn't been a problem for them in the early weeks of the season. So I think we can look at that front three and say that's not weak. Gittens, good player by all accounts, but totally unproven. Danny Wellbeck, top player, but he's not, he's Danny Wellbeck is not going to win you the title on his own. He may win you the title as part of a balanced squad and he could win you the title if he was your superstar, but to me, if you're only rotating him with Jal Pedro, he's going to play a more important role. So now,

15:43Cole Palmer, being backed up by Esteval, that's very strong. Esteval, wonderful young footballer, recovering from a serious injury, again, they're going to have to be careful with him. Now we come to the midfield. Lavia seems like a good player, but made of absolute cardboard chips, crisps, whatever you want to say. Kaisedo, excellent player, Reese James excellent player, Gusto is not a midfielder, Reese James neither. Barco is more of a fallback from what I've heard, and then Jordan Henderson. Definitely, I think positive for Chelsea to have him around the group, and he will have a net positive impact, but they don't want him to be starting many games, and you're only one injury to Lavia, all Kaisedo away from having to use him. D'Auril Harto started the season really well, but looked completely out of his depth last season. Tavaria came on against Arsenal and looked like the love child of Alejandro Garnato, Pedro Neto, he didn't really do anything. Then you've got Nesto listed here at Wingback and Pelestra and Kwenda. These all feel like weaker options than what Chelsea had last season.

16:48The trio of Fafana La Cua and Colwell, theoretically all very strong, but Colwell has had a very shaky start to the season. Acheampong is really young. I know nothing about Anselmino apart from that he had a promising loans fell at Dortmund. I know nothing about Denner. Then you've got every Marcinas who made a mistake for Kai Havett's goal. All of which to say, guys, and I'm really interested, Barney Bernardo, if you're out there and you want to do anything other than then what is it that you want to do? Oh, you're saying I'm rattle. If you are there, Barney Bernardo, or you're not just a figment of Scarlat's imagination, I would love to know what you make of this because I think when you look at that team and I watch them at the Emirates, I think Chelsea have four well, they had four world class players on the pitch on Sunday. Five if Kaiseda was also on the pitch. And those players all want to pass to each other and they all want to bounce off each other and they all are at the level required to win stuff.

17:49But the rest just aren't. And you could see it on the counter attack every time Chelsea counted that Cole Palmer didn't want to pass the ball to Pedro Netto. He didn't want to and watching as a neutral, it must have felt different if you're an Arsenal fan because you'd be more nervous, I guess. But Pedro Netto didn't feel threatening to me. It felt like you could give him the ball and he could keep hitting and hoping crosses into the box and probably nothing would come of it. Whereas if you give Cole Palmer time in space or Morgan Rogers or Jopedro, they're going to hurt you. And that's the point. I feel, guys, that this narrative around Chelsea is title challenges. It feels confected to me. It feels like a media plan, an industry plan. Now, Chelsea are better than they were last season for the simple fact that they have a world class manager. And people might say I'm going to soon on Alonzo Barney, you say terribly unbalanced for the money they've spent. That's what I think. And you think that defense is awful. I'm with you. I don't think the defense is awful because I really like La Croix. And I think Ajahn Pong's going

18:52to be fantastic, but it's true. I don't trust for Farna at all. I wouldn't if I was a Chelsea fan. But yeah, I think they're going to be better than they were last season. It's clear. This is not Liverpool bias. Really, I think Javilondo's achievements at Biola Vico's and speak for themselves. But it's clear that Javilondo is going to be an upgrade on Liam Rossini. So I think it's not a stretch to imagine this Chelsea team being significantly better than last season. But how many points did they get last season? Chelsea points scored. Last season, they got... Wow, points, points, points. Just points. Not fouls. This has got their one win, Dawson dresses. Sorry about this. Here we go. Is this going to be a no?

19:55Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies. Just like I'm so much more than quarterback Peyton Manning. I'm also Peyton Manning. Insurance and financial services together? It's a masterpiece. Peyton Manning does it again. For your insurance and financial needs, Nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, Ember Finra, Columbus, Ohio. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online makes sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up require compatibility and availability varies 18 plus. Sorry. Just trying to find the right thing here. 26-27. Wow. Okay. So last season, they finished 10th. I didn't even know it was that bad.

21:06I did not know it was that bad. Last season, they finished 10th with a points tally of 52. So here's my point, guys. If you are going to make Chelsea title challenges, you need to have a 40 point swing, a 40 point swing, and yes, their squad has improved, and yes, their manager has improved, but they aren't getting 40 more points than last season. I do not believe that that will be the case. It would go down despite the money spent as maybe one of the most remarkable sporting achievements, genuinely. It would be up there with Leicester, and I'm not trying to exaggerate just for effect here. It's the point about how far they would have to go to be at 90 point pace. Now, there were six draws in the Premier League this weekend. It may be that this is another season where it's not going to take 90 points to win the league, but even then, you're looking at a massive swing. So for Chelsea, really, the target has got to be 70 points and Champions League

22:11football, and that would be a massive achievement for them. It really, really would. It really would, and that's not to talk down on Chelsea or Shabby Alonzo, but that would be a massive achievement for them. So this is part of my kind of wider argument. Barney Bernardo, thank you, you agree. Say, well, they're not challengers. That's crazy. I know. It's absolutely mental. It's mental that it doesn't get mentioned in mainstream media, and this is my point. The Sky Sports want for their viewing figures and for the narratives. They want to introduce a new challenger, and it's also partly transfer fuel. When teams spend lots of money and they buy lots of players, there is more positivity in the fanbase. There is more positivity about the middle media. So that is why Chelsea find themselves in that position of being kind of darlings of the media. But to me, it's improbable. It's improbable that this team, not just improbable, impossible even, and I've been wrong before, but it's improbable that this team can win the title,

23:12because I believe that it's impossible that they can get 40 more points than last season or 38 more points. So I don't think Chelsea are title challenges this season, and I think it's, I think it's, it's a media narrative. Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. They're one of America's largest financial services companies, just like I'm so much more than quarterback Peyton Manning. I'm also Peyton Manning. Insurance and financial services together? It's a masterpiece. Peyton Manning does it again. For your insurance and financial needs, nationwide is on your side. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation Finder at Columbus, Ohio. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about Wigovie, some Maglatide injection 2.4 milligrams, a GLP1.

24:17Call 18334 Wigovie or visit Wigovie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about Wigovie. Why wait? We go beat on September 25th. No one's coming for us. It's just you and me, boy. 58 miles. Part of the beast is the must see adventure of the year. An incredible story of survival. I got you. One of the most extraordinary on-screen bond you'll ever see. Oh, he's the greatest dog I've ever walked here. Brad Pitt. I'll give you a little part of the beast. Lean theaters September 25th. Ready PG-13. Maybe inappropriate for children under 13.