<p>Many have been demanding Pochettino’s dismissal for most of his time at Chelsea due to the club’s recent lackluster performance.</p>



<p>This past year, the Blues co-owner Todd Boehly brought in the Argentine, but only for two years. There is also an option for another one. So far in Pochettino’s first season in charge, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> have had a mixed bag. They made it to the EFL Cup final yet languishing in 11th place in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a>.</p>



<p>Eventually, the FA Cup is still an option for 2024-25 to get into Europe. However, making it to the quarterfinals won’t stop people from talking about his future. Since extra chaos may be detrimental at the moment, Boehly might not want to wait before taking any action.</p>



<h2>Should Chelsea have sacked the Argentine by now?</h2>



<p>It was said in late September that the Blues owners still fully supported Mauricio Pochettino, despite the criticism he was receiving. It would seem that his underlying statistics disproved the notion that the team was doing poorly, contrary to what the league standings and results indicated.</p>



<p>Pochettino had only managed Chelsea for six games in the Premier League at the time. He was in charge of a dismal 3-1 record, with the lone victory coming against a Luton team that was still getting used to playing in the Premier League.</p>



<p>Despite sitting in 14th place at the time, Chelsea looked like they belonged in fourth place based on their play. Put simply, they generated enough high-quality scoring opportunities to merit a position eleven spots higher in the league.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/03/16044632/Chelsea-logo-chair-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-494039" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>The decision to fire Pochettino after just six games on the job would have seemed hasty even if the statistics had supported him. However, the same arguments and demands for Pochettino’s dismissal continue even after more than four months have passed.</p>



<h2>Meeting scheduled at Chelsea regarding Pochettino and budget</h2>



<p>The Blues are now mired in 11th position in the league, putting manager Pochettino under pressure. The forthcoming transfer window is a chance to strengthen the team, and he has already indicated that he will be a part of that discussion.</p>



<p>Regardless, the 52-year-old is scheduled to meet with the club’s hierarchy this week to address the summer transfer budget, as per <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-transfer-news-pochettino-blueco-b1143820.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Standard</a>. Chelsea announced pre-tax losses of $116 million for the year ending in June 2023 on Thursday.</p>



<p>This was the first year that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-financial-losses-reach-115-million-to-flirt-with-ffp/">Todd Boehly</a> and Behdad Eghbali were co-owners of the club. So far, the club’s transfer budget under the new management is around $1.3 billion.</p>



<p>Now reporters asked him whether he had received any information on Chelsea’s summer transfer policy. He responded: “I don’t know. I don’t know because I need to be informed. Until today, we haven’t talked about that.</p>



<p>Today the club announced the finances. This afternoon or tomorrow we will talk, and after tomorrow I will be informed for sure. But I don’t know what is going to happen. I only just saw that the club announced it. But I’ve still not spoken with the owners or the sporting director. I cannot give my opinion on it. I don’t know anything.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


Meeting for summer budget: Pochettino likely to stay at Chelsea?

Many have been demanding Chelsea sack Pochettino for poor form, but the Blues may add pressure by limiting the club's budget this summer.

<p>Want to view the Blues? Here’s all the info you need to know on how to watch Chelsea on US TV and streaming.</p>



<h4>West London’s Blues</h4>



<p>Chelsea are one of England’s most successful clubs all-time, and as a London-based side, one of the most prominent. In fact, Chelsea are the only London club that has ever, as of 2023, won the UEFA Champions League. Especially since the turn of the 21st century, the Blues have attracted world-class players to Stamford Bridge and have been a consistent threat for trophies.</p>



<h2>Where can I watch Chelsea?</h2>



<p>Chelsea are usually a top-six contender in the EPL each season, which puts them in a place for international competition as well as domestic. We’re here to help you find the different games in these various tournaments:</p>



<h5>Watch Chelsea in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>:</h5>



<p><strong><em>TV:</em></strong> USA Network, NBC, Telemundo, Universo<br><strong><em>Streaming:</em></strong> <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a>*<br><em>*The majority of televised games are not available on Peacock</em><br><em>**On the final matchday of the EPL season, NBC often airs the simultaneous kickoffs in English across their broader family of networks. This has included CNBC, Sci-Fi, Bravo, MSNBC, and others in the past.</em></p>



<h5>Watch Chelsea in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">League Cup</a>:</h5>



<p><strong><em>TV:</em></strong> N/A<br><strong><em>Streaming:</em></strong> <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a></p>



<h5>Watch Chelsea in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>:</h5>



<p><strong><em>TV:</em></strong> CBS*, CBS Sports Network*, Univision*, TUDN*, UniMás*<br><strong><em>Streaming:</em></strong> <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/vnzRry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>, CBS Sports Golazo Network*, ViX<br><em>*Only select games are featured on these networks. Most are only streamed on Paramount+ (English) and ViX (Spanish).</em></p>



<h5>Chelsea Friendlies:</h5>



<p><strong><em>TV:</em></strong> Varies<br><strong><em>Streaming:</em></strong> Varies<br><em>Friendly matches can show up almost anywhere that airs soccer. For the latest schedule of these games, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/club-friendlies-tv-schedule/">visit our Club Friendly TV schedule page</a>.</em></p>



<h2>Chelsea Streaming Options</h2>



<p>While some games each week are exclusive to <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a>, most EPL matches are televised live in English and Spanish. <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fubo</a>, <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/330866/1132376/14334?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Fprogramming%2Fsports%2Fsoccer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sling</a>, and <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DirecTV Stream</a> will get you all of the TV networks that show the Premier League.</p>



<h5>Watch Chelsea with Fubo:</h5>



<p>
<table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Premier League, Liga MX, Ligue 1, + 84 Sports Channels</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:#ef4923; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/3605402?irad=356365&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/16064041/FRVO-1-200x100.webp" alt="Fubo" width="200" height="100"></figure></div></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/3605402?irad=356365&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><span style="color: white;"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
&nbsp;



<p>To see Chelsea in the FA Cup and Champions League, you’ll want an ESPN+ and Paramount+ (or ViX)subscription. Fubo and DirecTV Stream do include the TV channels that show the handful of UEFA matches on TV, but since most games are exclusive to streaming (all FA and EFL Cup games are only on ESPN+), it’s the only surefire way to see every Chelsea match in Europe.</p>



<p>CBS Sports Golazo Network is free to stream, which is great, but the odds of Chelsea being featured in one of their rare UEFA matches are low.</p>



<p>For a list of the latest club TV games, visit our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea TV schedule page</a>.</p>



<h5>More resources for soccer fans</h5>



<p>Courtesy of World Soccer Talk,&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ultimate-soccer-tv-streaming-guide/">download a complimentary copy of The Ultimate Soccer TV And Streaming Guide</a>, which features details on where to watch all of the leagues from around the world on US TV and streaming.</p>



<table style="border-collapse: collapse">
<tbody>
<tr style="width:100%">
<td style="width:50%">
<div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/16054238/AppBannerLeft-1-590x175.webp" alt="Soccer TV Schedules App" height="175" width="590"></figure></div></td>
<td style="width:25%"><a href="https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01HD2CNDGE5YDT5JNJR46BGNJK_34" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/16054239/AppBanner_Apple-1-290x175.webp" alt="App Store" height="175" width="290"></figure></div></a></td>
<td style="width:25%"><a href="https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01HD2CNDGE5YDT5JNJR46BGNJK_35" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/16054238/AppBanner_Google-1-290x175.webp" alt="Google Play" height="175" width="290"></figure></div></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>



<p>To find out when soccer games are on, download the free&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/12/26/soccer-tv-schedules-app-making-it-easier-to-watch-soccer-games-on-tv/">Soccer TV Schedules App</a>&nbsp;which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/soccer-tv-schedules/id1543713555" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple iOS devices</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.worldsoccertalk.SoccerTV" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android devices</a>).</p>



<p>Have questions on how to watch Chelsea? Let us know in the comments section!</p>


How to watch Chelsea on US TV

Want to view the Blues? Here's all the info you need to know on how to watch Chelsea on US TV and streaming. West London's Blues Chelsea are one of England's most successful clubs all-time, and as a London-based side, one of the most prominent. In fact, Chelsea are the only London club that has [&hellip;]

Want to view the Blues? Here's all the info you need to know on how to watch Chelsea on US TV and streaming.

How to watch Chelsea on US TV - World Soccer Talk

<p>One of the marquee EPL fixtures each year, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> vs <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Spurs</a> is often a key match at any time of the season. Here’s how you can catch this London derby:</p>



<h4>Where to find Chelsea vs Spurs</h4>



<div>
<table class="table6">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td id="magenta" width="20%"><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>WHO</strong></span></td>
<td width="70%">Tottenham vs Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="green"><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>WHAT</strong></span></td>
<td>English Premier League</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="sky"><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>WHEN</strong></span></td>
<td>3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT • Monday, November 6, 2023</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="red"><span style="color: #ffffff"><strong>WHERE</strong></span></td>
<td><em><a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Peacock Premium</a></em></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="yellow"><span style="color: #e04403"><strong>STREAM</strong></span></td>
<td><strong><a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">WATCH NOW</a></strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div>



<p>Depending on what competition the two clubs meet in, the platform you’ll find the game varies.</p>



<p>The two sides will meet each season in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>, unless the unthinkable happens and either of the two is relegated. EPL games can be found on TV on the USA Network, NBC, Telemundo, and Universo. <a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a> has games that aren’t televised (usually mid-morning Saturday games that share a kickoff time).</p>



<p><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/3605402?irad=356365&amp;irmp=330866">Fubo</a> will get you all the channels that show Premier League matches, so it’s a fair bet you’ll be able to watch Chelsea vs Spurs on the service. </p>



<p></p><p>
<table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="width:100%">
<td style="width:70%">
<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Premier League, Liga MX, Ligue 1, + 84 Sports Channels</center>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:#ef4923; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/3605402?irad=356365&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/03/16064041/FRVO-1-200x100.webp" alt="Fubo" width="200" height="100"></figure></div></a></center></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/3605402?irad=356365&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><span style="color: white;"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
&nbsp;<br><br>Fubo has a free 7-day trial and will run you $74.99/month after that. <p></p>



<h4>Watch Chelsea vs Tottenham on US TV</h4>



<p>ESPN has the English FA Cup and League Cup competitions. Almost all games are exclusive to <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a>. But sometimes a match will be shown on ESPN or ESPN2 as well.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> or <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> games are on CBS/<a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>. Univision/TUDN/ViX meanwhile is the home for Spanish-language coverage of European competitions.</p>



<h4>Streaming offers </h4>



<p>Fubo, as noted, is $74.99/month and has a free 7-day trial. The service is similar to traditional cable or satellite TV with many channels, but delivered via streaming</p>



<p><a href="https://imp.i305175.net/c/330866/1313913/11640" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peacock</a> has exclusive Premier League games, but more often than not Chelsea vs Tottenham would be a match that airs on TV, and not on Peacock.</p>



<p><a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN+</a>  will run you $10.99/month, or $109.99 annually. You can also get the <a href="https://disneyplus.bn5x.net/9W1XvE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney Bundle</a> – that’s ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu, which is a little more costly but an overall savings vs getting all three services individually.</p>



<h4>History of the Chelsea vs Spurs rivalry</h4>



<p>Chelsea and Tottenham share the London area (along with, as of 2023-24, five other EPL teams and six more clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two).</p>



<p>Due to the elite stature of Chelsea and Tottenham, especially in recent decades, matchups between these two are often highlights of the season.</p>



<p>The first time Chelsea and Spurs met was in December 1909 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues took the result 2-1. In the final match of that season, Tottenham got revenge, winning 2-1 at White Hart Lane, which saved them from relegation and sent Chelsea down.</p>



<p>The first major meetup between the two was the 1967 FA Cup Final – the first to be contested between two London-based clubs. Over 100,000 fans were on hand at Wembley to see Spurs win.</p>



<p>In 1975, it was a repeat of their 1910 late-season clash. Spurs won a game that was delayed by fan unrest, sending Chelsea down and saving themselves from relegation.</p>



<p>Since then, the two sides meeting in a relegation scrap is pretty much unheard of.</p>



<p>Chelsea dominated the matchup in the 1990s, at one point going unbeaten for sixteen straight league matches. 2007-2008 saw two big cup clashes. 2007’s FA Cup quarters had Chelsea coming back to win a replay 2-1. Tottenham would get revenge by winning the League Cup Final 2-1 over Chelsea the following year.</p>



<p>Chelsea passed Tottenham in terms of total trophies by beating Spurs in the 2015 League Cup final. </p>



<p>For more info about each club, including schedules and TV listings, check out our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Spurs</a> club pages.</p>



<p><em>Photos: Imago</em></p>
</div>

Chelsea vs Spurs: Where to watch the game in the USA

One of the marquee EPL fixtures each year, Chelsea vs Spurs is often a key match at any time of the season. Here's how you can catch this London derby: Where to find Chelsea vs Spurs WHO Tottenham vs Chelsea WHAT English Premier League WHEN 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT • Monday, November 6, 2023 [&hellip;]

One of the marquee EPL fixtures each year, Chelsea vs Spurs is often a key match at any time of the season. Here's how to watch.

Chelsea vs Spurs: Where to watch the game in the USA - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-30 alignnone" width="768" height="557" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2022/05/a62021a98f975429208e1a7a102e515c235d4927-768x557.webp"></figure></div>
<p>London (AFP) – The sale of Chelsea must happen swiftly and transparently to avoid putting the club in existential danger, a leading supporters’ group warned on Thursday.</p>
<p>The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) said it had held a meeting with representatives of Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who tabled a last-ditch £4.25 billion ($5.3 billion) bid for the club last Friday.</p>
<p>Ratcliffe’s offer came weeks after the deadline for interested parties to submit their bids to American bank Raine, who are overseeing the sale process, and has been “rejected out of hand” according to Tom Crotty, a director of his petrochemicals company Ineos.</p>
<p>Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale on March 2 before being sanctioned the following week by the British government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</p>
<p>A special licence issued by the UK government allowing Chelsea to operate expires at the end of the month.</p>
<p>There are fears over the future of the club should a sale not be completed in the coming weeks with British culture secretary Nadine Dorries warning Chelsea are on “borrowed time.”</p>
<p>“It is essential that the sale of Chelsea is completed swiftly and transparently,” the CST said in a statement.</p>
<p>“We urge the current ownership, Raine and the UK Government to ensure this happens.</p>
<p>“Any delay to this process could risk the future of Chelsea – all parties must ensure the sustainability and future of the club is safeguarded.”</p>
<p>The bid fronted by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly has received preferred bidder status from Raine.</p>
<p>Boehly has united with fellow Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter, British businessman Jonathan Goldstein, Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and US investment firm Clearlake Capital.</p>
<p>Under the terms of their licence, Chelsea are currently unable to offer new contracts to existing players or sign players from other clubs.</p><p></p>


Chelsea fans call for quick 'transparent' sale

Chelsea fans call for quick 'transparent' sale - World Soccer Talk

<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/champions-league.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-117622" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2014/09/champions-league-600x337-600x337.webp" alt="champions-league" width="600" height="337" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a></p>
<p>The UEFA Champions League returns with a myriad of interesting fixtures. The biggest of which is Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona, but PSG will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has been ruled out of the game.</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Here are the TV listings for today’s matches (all times Eastern):</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;">2:45pm&nbsp;Manchester City&nbsp;vs AS Roma (FoxSports-1 and FOX Sports GO)<br>
2:45pm Sporting Lisbon vs&nbsp;<span class="mandelbrot_refrag">Chelsea</span>&nbsp;(FoxSports-2 and FOX Sports GO)<br>
2:45pm PSG v&nbsp;Barcelona&nbsp;(FoxSportsNet Regionals, Fox Deportes and FOX Sports GO)<br>
2:45pm Shakhtar vs FC Porto (ESPN Deportes, DirecTV-482,&nbsp;<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/" data-ls-seen="1">WatchESPN</a>,<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/" data-ls-seen="1">&nbsp;FOX&nbsp;Soccer 2 GO</a>)<br>
2:45pm Schalke 04 vs NK maribor (DirecTV-483,&nbsp;<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/" data-ls-seen="1">WatchESPN</a>,<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/" data-ls-seen="1">&nbsp;FOX&nbsp;Soccer 2 GO</a>)<br>
2:45pm APOEL FC vs AFC Ajax (DirecTV-484,&nbsp;<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/" data-ls-seen="1">WatchESPN</a>,<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/" data-ls-seen="1">&nbsp;FOX&nbsp;Soccer 2 GO</a>)<br>
2:45pm BATE Borisov vs Athletic Bilbao (DirecTV-485, <a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn/" data-ls-seen="1">WatchESPN</a>,<a style="color: #f26722;" href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/" data-ls-seen="1">&nbsp;FOX&nbsp;Soccer 2 GO</a>)</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Starting lineups:</strong></span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Manchester City:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Navas, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Subs:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Caballero, Sagna, Kolarov, Milner, Lampard, Jovetic, Mangala</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>AS Roma:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Skorupski, Maicon, Manolas, Mapou, Cole, Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan, Florenzi, Totti, Gervinho</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;">================================</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Sporting Lisbon:</strong>&nbsp;Rui Patrício; Cédric, Maurício, Sarr, Silva; João Mário, Carvalho, Adrien Silva; Carrillo, Slimani, Nani</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Chelsea:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis, Matic, Fabregas, Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard, Diego Costa</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Subs:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Mikel, Salah, Willian, Remy</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;">================================</p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Paris Saint-Germain:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Sirigu, van der Wiel, Marquinhos, Luiz, Maxwell, Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Pastore, Cavani, Lucas</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;"><strong>Barcelona:</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #292f33;">Ter Stegen, Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Alba- Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta- Pedro, Messi, Neymar</span></p>
<p style="color: #000000;">================================</p>
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UEFA Champions League; Sporting vs Chelsea, Man City vs Roma, PSG vs Barca: Starting Lineups, TV Times and Open Thread

UEFA Champions League; Sporting vs Chelsea, Man City vs Roma, PSG vs Barca: Starting Lineups, TV Times and Open Thread - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-30563" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/new-chelsea-shirt.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="263"></figure></div>
<p>My girlfriend and I split up a couple of weeks ago. I have a lot of time to think and I’m doing a bit of reflecting on my life and the past. I was on vacation and while we were apart, we both did some soul searching. We talked about it when I got back and we knew it wasn’t going to work. I’m not mad at her or anything; it just wasn’t going to last. I’m alright with it and I’m moving on. It’s best for both of us. Another on the long-list of failed relationships. Some weren’t bound to last, others I didn’t want to last, and one I completely sabotaged and still regret how it ended. That’s life though. We’ve all been there… we live and learn.</p>
<p>But it got me thinking about my relationship with my football club. Interestingly, I got into the Premier League – and chose Chelsea – because of another girl. This girl didn’t last too long but she was a serious Arsenal fan. And I mean serious. She could recite scoring statistics from players that I still never heard of. She watched all their games more than once and listened to podcasts galore. She got into Arsenal during the invincibles season and all their games were shown on a NYC-area sports channel (I assume YES network but don’t hold me to that, I live in Philly). She was Ms. Arsenal.</p>
<p>I became an Premier League fan because of her. I have an easy explanation for how I became a Chelsea fan: I looked at a map and chose the team that was closest and highest on the table. Chelsea fit the bill. Done. I’m a Chelsea fan. It was, in part, to antagonize her but with good intentions. I couldn’t be a Man United fan or Arsenal fan as “everyone” loved those clubs, so it only made sense. Now who were all these guys out there playing? I didn’t know Frank Lampard from Frank Lloyd Wright; I couldn’t tell you if they played at Stamford Bridge or Stanford University, near where I grew up; I had no idea who John Terry was – that he was the captain of England – and that he’d been a career Chelsea man. This was the spring of 2007…. and my relationship was now in hyperdrive.</p>
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<p>So, I started to read. I read everything I could find. I learned the history of the club; about Roman Abramovich and about how he made his money; about Russia and the “wild east” capitalism that reigned in the 90s and made the oligarchs rich beyond anyone’s imagination only because they understood the true value of the assets Russia was auctioning off  (as a side note, <em>Casino Moscow</em> is an older but very good book on post-Soviet Russia, highly recommended if anyone is interested in that topic, but it’s not specifically about Abramovich). I learned about the dark side of Chelsea and the reputation they had because of the Chelsea Headhunters; and their financial troubles in the 70s and 80s.  I could tell you that John Terry came through their academy; Lampard may have never made it if it wasn’t for his dad being a coach at West Ham, where he got his start; that Drogba played just one year in Marseille and grew up near Paris; and that Claude Makelele also grew up near Paris. I learned everything I possibly could.</p>
<p>I’ve been there since 2007. But if I had do it over again, I wouldn’t have chosen Chelsea. And I’ve already cheated a little. I’ve started following two other teams but without such intensity: Everton and Tottenham. They’re solid, well run and talented clubs with great fan bases (especially at White Hart Lane) that I’d be proud to say that I’m a supporter. I even bought a Everton jersey from Landon Donovan’s time there. I tell people that I’m a Donovan fan and not an Everton fan. That’s a lie, I feel he’s a bit overrated (but I won’t get into that here). I wouldn’t dare publicly admit that I’m an Everton or Tottenham fan. I’m in denial and denial is the first sign of a problem.</p>
<p>Then I remember what I’ve been through with Chelsea. I remember screaming at a gamecast I was following during the 2008 Champions League Final and checking the rampant text messages I was getting during the shootout while I was stuck at the trading desk that I call my day job; the dismay when they fired Scolari who didn’t even seem to have been given a chance; talking to my co-worker, a London native, about the John Terry affair and his attempts to quash it hitting the press. It’s the little things and that’s what makes it tough.</p>
<p>But I just can’t do it. I won’t do it. I still bleed Chelsea Blue. I may be critical of their transfers and the revolving door in management, but I won’t turn my back. I can’t cut the cord but I’m not entirely sure why.  I’ve put so much into this relationship that it’s not worth turning my back on it. So I do the unthinkable:  I cheat on Chelsea and sit in denial. I’ve become complacent. I don’t want Chelsea to win… I expect it. I get upset if they lose and if they don’t win by four goals. I get depressed when they lose to Man United or Liverpool. And I cynical when they “only” beat West Brom 3-1. I get frustrated during their mid-season slumps and embarrassed that they lost 3-0 to Sunderland at the Bridge. I’m not sure how I’ll feel if they when they’ll play in the Champions League Final again. Not when, but if.</p>
<p>All relationships take some amount of work. For myself to claim that I am a true fan, a knowledgeable and dedicated fan, it takes work. It’s easier when you live in a city and the local teams are in the media like with the Phillies and Eagles here in Philly. Fox Soccer and the Internet, obviously, make a relationship with Chelsea a bit easier to manage. But it takes work. I’ve put too much work into it to turn my back on them now.</p>
<p>And after typing all this out, I openly wonder if I put this much thought into the how and what went wrong in my last relationship… my ex-girlfriend and I might still be together.</p>

Love and Chelsea: The Origins of My Troubled Relationship with The Blues

Love and Chelsea: The Origins of My Troubled Relationship with The Blues - World Soccer Talk

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