FM11: Chelsea FC thread - Champions of England!

[joe__the__man]

Congratulations, you've made it to the

Official FM11 Chelsea FC thread

(obviously not the actual kits, but that's what they are in FM)

Who the hell are Chelsea?

Chelsea are an English football club founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub, opposite their present-day entrance to the ground on Fulham Road, West London. They were elected to the Football League shortly after their formation. The first 50 years of their existence were bereft of trophies, with the closest attempt coming in their failed attempt in the 1915 FA Cup final. The 1950s brought about a reformation under manager Ted Drake, with renewed focus on the youth and training side of the club, with very minimal investment in first team players. This brought about almost immediate success with Drake's Chelsea landing the 1954-55 First Division and their first major trophy as a club.

Chelsea continued continued for major honours throughout the 50s and 60s but suffered heavily from late-season falters, and never won the league again in the same century. However, the 1970s were not so sweet for Chelsea, with financial instability forcing the club into selling their best players, subsequently resulting in relegation into the Second Division, a la Portsmouth. Following Ken Bates' famous £1 acquisition of the club in 1982 the fortunes of the club picked up somewhat, after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Third Division the year previously they were yet again challenging near the top of the league. In the 1983-84 season Chelsea were once again a First Division side, now under the managerial guidance of John Neal. After an unremarkable period in the top flight, Chelsea yet again succumbed to relegation in 1988, but bounced straight back up the following season.

For the first few years of the newly formed Premier League, Chelsea's form could best be described as mediocre. In the latter half of the 1990s, after the appointment of Ruud Gullit as manager, better players such as Gianfranco Zola and Frank Lebeouf became attracted to the club, and Chelsea's fortunes picked up. Towards the end of the 90s, Chelsea added 'minor' trophies to their sparsely filled cabinet, such as the '97 and 00' FA Cup, '98 League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. It was only in 2003, when Bates sold his club to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, that Chelsea could make the step up from being a team competing for a Champions League spot to a team competing for the Premiership. In 2004, Abramovich appointed the mercurial Jose Mourinho who (helped by a significant financial backing) led Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles.

Mourinho's vivacious character always meant he was likely to lock horns sooner or later, and one such supposed falling out with Abramovich led to his departure in 2007. Avram Grant, Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink all followed, all having largely unsucessful tenures, with no Premier League or Champions League trophies between them. In 2009, current manager Carlo Ancelotti took charge, leading Chelsea to a league and cup double in his first season, although European silverware is still beyond Chelsea.

Can you be the manager that finally leads them to European glory whilst maintaining a league dominance?

What's the stadium like?

Chelsea current stadium is the 42,055 capacity Stamford Bridge, in Fulham, west London, and they have played their since their formation.

Sounds interesting, can you tell me more about their current situation?

Chelsea are still under the ownership of Roman Abramavich, although he has vowed that he wants to cut pack on the spending of tens of millions on new talent and the huge wages that come with that, and insists that he wants to make Chelsea FC a profitable company. Over the summer this plan was put into action, with highly paid stars such as Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Deco being released, and only one major signing was made in Brazilian Ramires from Benfica. To make up for the loss of players, numerous youngsters have been promoting from the reserves, including Dutch defenders Jeffrey Bruma and Patta van Aanholt, exciting playmaker Josh McEachran and talented attacking midfielder Gael Kakuta. This means that, although Chelsea retain a hugely talented first team filled with some of the world's finest players, backup for those players in case of an injury case is relatively young and inexperienced.

Any chance of a squad list?

1 Petr Cech

2 Branislav Ivanovic

3 Ashley Cole

4 David Luiz

5 Michael Essien

7 Ramires do Nascimento

8 Frank Lampard (VC)

9 Fernando Torres

10 Yossi Benayoun

11 Didier Drogba

12 John Obi Mikel

15 Florent Malouda

17 José Bosingwa

18 Yuri Zhirkov

19 Paulo Ferreira

21 Salomon Kalou

22 Ross Turnbull

26 John Terry ©

33 Alex da Costa

39 Nicolas Anelka

40 Henrique Hilário

43 Jeffrey Bruma

44 Gaël Kakuta

45 Fabio Borini

46 Josh McEachran

[joe__the__man]

Cool, how have they lined up this season?

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Cech is the undoubted number one, and arguably the best keeper in the league. He's been first choice for Chelsea since Ranieri signed him in 2004, despite going through a very shaky patch in 2007-2008. He now looks like he's back to his best and has pulled off numerous outstanding saves this season without any of the mistakes from previous years.

Right back: Branislav Ivanovic

Right back has been an awkward position for Chelsea so far this season, with Bosingwa injured until late October and Ancelotti often needing Ivanovic to play at centre back, Paulo Ferreira has featured the most here, although he is clearly not first choice. It remains to see whether Ancelotti will prefer Ivanovic or Bosingwa, but the most likely outcome is that, like his predecessors, he will use a mix - Bosingwa for when he wants an attacking right back that's not great at defending, Ivanovic for completely the opposite of that. Bosingwa was signed at the start of the 2008-09 season and had been regarded as the outstanding first choice. However on October 16, 2009, Bosingwa sustained an injury to his knee that ruled him out for the rest of the season, and he only returned on the same date in 2010, having required further surgery. This was a massive dent in Bosingwa's career, partially because in his absence Ivanovic had made the role his own, being considered the first choice for all the period Bosingwa was away. Ivanovic was signed to Chelsea just six months before Bosingwa, in January 2008, although he didn't play any games for Chelsea in the his first eight months there, mainly due to a lack of fitness. He has now established himself as a very good member of Chelsea's defence, and can almost be considered a first choice backup for any position there.

Left back: Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole has the position sewn up completely for both Chelsea and England, being probably the best left back in the world. He is the outstanding first choice and no one really comes close to his talent in the Chelsea squad. Therefore there isn't really much to discuss about the left back position, Cole just wins it hands down and will always play in important matches when he is fit. Cole arrived at Stamford Bridge from Arsenal in the summer of 2006 in a situation rarely seen amongst such fierce rivals, with a swap involving William Gallas moving the other way. Cole slotted straight in at left back and has held the position down as first choice until this day.

Centre back: Alex and John Terry

This has been shown to be Ancelotti's first choice pairing at centre back, although with Alex injured or if just giving a rest to either centre back, Branislav Ivanovic has stepped in and proved himself to be a very good player here. However, with the recent arrival of David Luiz, Alex's position as first choice is under question with a series of encouraging performances from Luiz. John Terry is the club captain and one of the very best players, having been here since a schoolboy, and has almost proved himself undroppable. He did go through a rough patch at the back end of last season, and it appeared as though his private life was affecting him on pitch, but he looks to be over that now and back to his best. Alex was signed from PSV at the start of the 2007-08 season, but wasn't immediately regarded as a first choice, with Ricardo Carvalho playing with Terry at the time. However whenever he came into the lineup he proved himself as a solid choice, and this is what reassured the management that the time had come for Carvalho to move on over the summer.

Defensive midfield: John Obi Mikel

Mikel has stepped into his role as the holding midfielder in chelsea's formation brilliantly over the past season or so. Despite initial worries about his composure on the ball and the amount of mistakes he made, he has turned into a fantastic passer, regularly completely over 95% of his passes, and often finding killer balls to one of the wide forwards. Mikel was signed in 2005 in controversial circumstances, as it was alleged that Manchester United had already sealed a contract with the teenager, but after a bizarre series of claims from both parties, involving a kidnapping and a false press conference, Mikel came out and said that he was a Chelsea player and that he had been pressured into signing a contract with United. FIFA ruled that Mikel must return to Lyn Oslo to fulfill his contractual obligations and then move to Chelsea at the start of the 2006-07 season. Michael Essien also regularly plays in defensive midfield, usually when Ancelotti wants to get the ball moving forward more quickly, as he is more decisive on the ball, and it also allows the quicker Ramires to play in midfield.

Central midfield: Michael Essien and Frank Lampard

In Essien and Lampard Chelsea have arguably the strongest central midfield pairing in the world. Essien is the runner, sitting deep than Lampard, closing down with boundless energy and retaining posession when on the ball, whilst Lampard is more of a playmaker, looking for the killer pass more often, sitting higher up the pitch and attempting to get into the box with his trademark late runs a lot more often. Together as a patnership they work brilliantly, but are helped an awful lot by the terrific runs made ahead of them. Lampard is the squad's vice captain, although he appears measurably less vocal than Terry, and is one of Chelsea all-time top goalscorers with a terrific 106 goals in 322 games since joining from West Ham in 2001. Like a fine wine Lampard has matured and become better with age, and at 32 is still in the form of his life, being central to Chelsea's attack. Michael Essien doesn't have such a long history with Chelsea, but is no less important to the side. Essien arrived in London for a record transfer fee for Chelsea of £26 million, and the transfer took place in the summer of 2005. Essien soon found his place in Mourinho's side, and over the years his reputation has built as one of the world's finest box to box midfielders. Over the past two season the Ghanian has struggled much with injuries, having missed most of the 2008-09 season with a cruciate ligament injury and also the second half of the following season after sustaining an injury whilst at the African Cup of Nations. Ramires also often plays in midfield, and is arguably part of the first eleven now, replacing John Obi Mikel. Ramires posesses lightening pace, great work rate and good defensive and offensive instincts. Despite initally looking ponderous in posession, it appears that the Brazilian was still adjusting to the league in his early months for Chelsea, and throughout the remainder of the season has been Chelsea's best midfield man.

Wide forwards: Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda

Chelsea's wide attackers play a very unique role, with jobs mainly as creators to compensate for a lack of creativity in midfield. They spread out wide across the pitch to close down the full backs when out of posession and drop deeper and narrow when in posession to allow the full backs to bomb forward. They also shoulder a large goalscoring burden, in particular Anelka, being a former 'poacher'. Anelka's transformation from pure striker to a 'deep lying, creative wide foward' role has taken place only since his arrival at Chelsea from Bolton in January 2008. This is the reason behind the fact that he has a much lower goals per game ratio than at most of his (numerous) previous clubs, as he is often seen picking the ball up in a central midfield position. When Didier Drogba is out of the side, Anelka is usually the one pushed up front however, and more although he lacks the physical presence of the Ivorian, he more often than not hits the back of the net when presented with a chance. Generally starting from the left side of the pitch is Frenchman Florent Malouda. Malouda had a slow start to his Chelsea career after arriving from Lyon at the start of the 2007-08 season. He struggled to break into the starting lineup, and when he did he generally put in average performances and was often second choice to Salomon Kalou. This form continued deep into his second season for Chelsea, until something changed in his play and he became more direct and clinical in his approach. Over the course of the second half of 2008-09 he became a crucial player for Chelsea and he has continued this form up until the present day.

Main striker: Didier Drogba

Powerful, brutish and game-changing are just some of the adjectives you might use to describe the mercurial talent that is Didier Drogba. Since Drogba's move to chelsea in the summer of 2004, he has become of the most important components of the side and one of the main reasons for their success over the last six years. Not just purely from a goalscoring perspective (although that is a very impressive 90 in 173 games) but also largely for his ability to pass and move and create chances for others inside the opposition's box. Without Drogba, particularly against better teams, Chelsea look simply unable to break down defences, and are often found wanting for that moment of magic that Drogba can provide. Although many negative accusations such as 'diver', 'petulant' and 'bad loser' have been levelled at him over the years, he has stuck to his game and ignored the jibes, transforming himself into one of the very best strikers of the last ten years. £50m signing Fernando Torres may just look like he can change Chelea's Drogba dependency though, and has impressed a lot since his January transfer, despite a long goal drought at the start of his career in blue. With Torres up front Chelsea seem to have switched to a different system, albeit with the same players, as Anelka plays more central with Malouda being pushed back into a more midfield role, and Ramires pushed a little wider.

[joe__the__man]

That's all well and good, but what is the squad like in FM11?

Goalkeepers:

Petr Cech, Henrique Hilário, Ross Turnbull.

First season:

Petr Cech is by far the squad's strongest goalkeeper and will be comfortably the number one in the first season. Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull are both very mediocre backups however, with Hilario being the stronger and older of the two. It is of course up to you, but I would actually stick on the goalkeepers, as I feel that Hilario is good enough to play backup for Cech during the first season. However if you decide that Hilario isn't good enough for you, I would still keep Turnbull as a third goalkeeper, 'just in case'.

Long term:

Petr Cech is good enough to play a role in a squad, and he is still only 28 so is young enough to be a part of your squad for years to come. With a bit of luck and some time, Matej Delac will become as good as, or even better than, Petr Cech, and will be able to take over the number 1 jersey by his mid-twenties. Although that's a long way off you should consider Delac and give him games where you can, and also get him tutored when he comes back to Chelsea.

Key man: Petr Cech.

Prospect: Matej Delac.

Targets: None needed.

Rating: 8/10

Right back:

José Bosingwa, Branislav Ivanovic, Paulo Ferreira.

First season:

Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic are both very talented full backs, but in different ways, so the first choice for this position is open to how you like your full backs to play. Personally I prefer attacking full backs, so Bosingwa would be my first choice, but Ivanovic is clearly more talented defensively. Either way, I'd keep both of them, especially because Ivanovic is also a great centre back. Paulo Ferreira is fine to keep for squad depth first season, but you may want to replace him with a young defender that will improve over time.

Long term:

Most squads would kill to have two full backs like Bosingwa and Ivanovic, but this is Chelsea, so I feel that in the long term you should be looking to improve on this position. You could do this one of two ways; by signing an already top class right back for big bucks, or by bringing in someone young and talented and nurturing them into the first team. Whilst the first option is more assured, the second option is obviously a lot cheaper, so it's up to you to decide which route to go down.

Key man: Jose Bosingwa.

Prospect: None.

Targets: None needed, but maybe a youngster with potential.

Rating: 6.5/10

Left back:

Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov, Patrick van Aanholt, Paulo Ferreira.

First season:

In Ashley Cole you have someone who is one of the very best in the world for his position, he will be your first choice and one of the first names on the teamsheet for the big games. In terms of backup you could use the versatile Yuri Zhirkov there, but defensively he is very suspect. Patrick van Aanholt is another who could play the role of backup to Cole, but he's very undeveloped at the start of the game. Also the shaky and slow Paulo Ferreira can also play here, but as left back isn't his favoured position I'd give him a wide berth here, leaving the Russian Zhirkov as your automatic second choice.

Long term:

Cole is 29 and not getting any younger, so a few years down the line you might want to bring someone in who is up to the same standard. Alternatively, you could put faith in PvA to step up to the first team and do a job in the long term. It's up to you really, you could even use Yuri Zhirkov as Cole's successor, if you concentrate on developing his defensive abilities. On loan Ryan Bertrand also has the potential to be a squad player, but I wouldn't think of him as a prospect as such.

Key man: Ashley Cole.

Prospect: Patrick van Aanholt.

Targets: None needed.

Rating: 7.5/10

Central defence:

John Terry, Alex, Branislav Ivanovic, Jeffrey Bruma.

First season:

John Terry is one of the best centre backs in the world and Alex and Branislav Ivanovic are both top quality options. However, Ivanovic may often be required to play at right back, and outside of these three there is a lack of players for this position. If you're feeling brave you could give young Jeffrey Bruma a season to shine in a role as fourth choice centre back, but I would feel more confident bringing someone in who can do a better job from the start of the game.

Long term:

Terry is getting on a bit, but should still be a viable squad player for a fair few years, whilst Alex and Ivanovic could become the future of your central defence. Bruma and on-loan Michael Mancienne both have the potential to become first team players also, so it may not be necessary to bring in anyone in the long term. However, you may decide that you want better first choice centre backs than Alex and Ivanovic, so your best bet here would be to have a scout around when you get to the stage when Terry has to step down.

Key man: John Terry.

Prospect: Jeffrey Bruma.

Targets: A solid, stopgap defender.

Rating: 7/10

Defensive midfield:

John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien.

First season:

If you decide to use a defensive midfielder then John Obi Mikel fulfills this role excellently. Although he won't win you many games he'll rarely let you down. The only problem in this area of the pitch for Chelsea is the lack of adequate backup, as the only other first team player that can play here is first choice central midfielder Michael Essien. This a problem I would consider addressing, as Essien is much better playing further forward

Long term:

After the first season on-loan Jack Cork and Michael Mancienne will return to the club, but their ability at defensive midfield is debatable and you may well find they have to be sold. Mikel should remain your first choice for a long period of time, as he is only 23 at the start of the game.

Key man: John Obi Mikel.

Prospect: None.

Targets: A solid backup for Mikel.

Rating: 6/10

Central midfield:

Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Florent Malouda, Yossi Benayoun, John Obi Mikel.

First season:

Central midfield is probably the strongest area of the pitch for Chelsea, both in first team quality and in depth. Michael Essien and Frank Lampard are two of the best modern day midfielders, combining workrate and defensive ability with creativity and goals between them. The players that should be used as their immediate backups, Ramires and Yossi Benayoun are also excellent in the same areas, so you should be well covered here. John Obi Mikel can play here if you are not using a defensive midfielder as well, likewise with Florent Malouda if you're not using a wingers or wide forwards.

Long term:

With Lampard at the ripe old age of 32 you will want to think about his replacement from the beginning of the game. In here you could simply use a first team player already in the squad, Ramires. He could fulfill the role well in the medium term, although his ability on the ball could be questioned. An even longer term option would be 17 year old Josh McEachran, who has fantastic potential and will undoubtedly be first team-worthy in the future. On-loan Nemanja Matic could also be a good player, and when he returns to Chelsea he should be worthy of a squad player slot, but probably never any more than that.

Key man: Michael Essien.

Prospect: Josh McEachran.

Targets: None needed.

Rating: 8.5/10

Right wing:

Nicolas Anelka, Yossi Benayoun, Salomon Kalou.

First season:

If you're planning on playing a genuine winger on the right hand side then you only really have two options. Nicolas Anelka is the first choice, although he is a natural striker that has been retrained on the right. Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou is the other option, and they make decent backup and substitutes. If I were to play with a right winger I would definitely consider bringing in a quality option there, to either compete with Anelka or relegate him to the bench. If you are reluctant to bring someone in, then this will just give Gael Kakuta more minutes on the pitch, which can only be good for his development.

Long term:

Anelka is not getting any younger and, with Benayoun and Kalou the only other right wingers in the team, you will sooner or later have to bring someone in. I would suggest that it should be a younger player, possibly in their early twenties, so that you can have this position sewn up for many years and concentrate on strengthening other areas of the side. Gael Kakuta can play here, as he has done in real life this season, and he can be considered a great prospect for any of the attacking midfield slots.

Key man: Nicolas Anelka.

Prospect: Gael Kakuta.

Targets: Younger competition for Anelka.

Rating: 5.5/10

Left wing:

Florent Malouda, Yuri Zhirkov, Yossi Benayoun, Salomon Kalou, Daniel Sturridge.

First season:

Florent Malouda will be your first choice here, with Yuri Zhirkov his very able deputy. You shouldn't be forced into playing anyone else in this position, but in case of an injury crisis you have many other players in the first team and reserves capable of playing in this position, notably Yossi Benayoun, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge. The quality of the first teamer and the backups make this position another one of chelsea's major strengths, and as such no signings are required here in the first season at least.

Long term:

Malouda is 30 at the start of the game, so you may want to shop around for his long term replacement. However, in the medium term at least, Zhirkov will be a very good player for you, but depending on whether you want him at left back in the future or not, you may want to think of other options. Sturridge and Kalou probably don't have a future as Chelsea left wingers, although they should play some part in the squad. Youngster Gael Kakuta could be a real prospect here, with good ability and high potential ability at a young age, he is perfectly placed to be Malouda's successor, even if he is stronger further infield.

Key man: Florent Malouda.

Prospect: Gael Kakuta, Daniel Sturridge.

Targets: None needed.

Rating: 7.5/10

Attacking midfield:

Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda, Yossi Benayoun.

First season:

If you plan to use an attacking midfielder with Chelsea, then the formation you use will probably decide whether you need to invest in this area or not. If you plan on using a 4-2-3-1, then Frank Lampard will be excellent here in the first season, with Yossi Benayoun as his backup, and the likes of Florent Malouda and Gael Kakuta just in case. However, if you plan on playing a narrow formation such as a 4-1-2-1-2 then Lampard will be best deployed deeper in midfield, leaving the attacking midfield slot fairly lightweight, with the out of position Malouda or Benayoun as first choice. If this is the case then I would definitely invest in a top quality attacking midfielder and probably offload a winger or two.

Long term:

Long term the key player should be Gael Kakuta, as he has the potential to become a truly top class player. With all the other options for this position being the wrong side of the 30 you will undoubtedly have to strengthen this position if you are going to persist with using an attacking midfielder.

Key man: Frank Lampard.

Prospect: Gael Kakuta.

Targets: Depending on your formation, you may want to bring in a first team player.

Rating: 5.5/10

Central attack:

Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge, Salomon Kalou.

First season:

Obviously the outstanding choice for this position is Didier Drogba; one of the most complete strikers in the game. Should Drogba be unavailable first choice right sided attacker Nicolas Anelka would be more than good enough to fill in, however this may leave your right hand side lacking quality. Therefore I would suggest you either sign a right sided player or a striker during the first season. Young Daniel Sturridge would be an okay backup, but may lack the strength and ability on the ball to play up front on his own, at least first season.

Long term:

With Drogba being 32 at the start of the game, a replacement is going to have to be necessary, as I don't believe in Sturridge enough to give him the role of main striker. I would suggest you wait at least a season before making a signing, and then when Drogba has begun to decline to sign a real top quality striker. Alternatively you could make a young signing in the first season and mould him into Drogba's replacement over time.

Key man: Didier Drogba.

Prospect: Daniel Sturridge.

Targets: A young striker in the same vein as Drogba, or another first team striker if you have two up front.

Rating: 7/10

What are the youngsters with the best potential?

There are no -10s at the club. However there are several -9s that you should pay close attention to:

Josh McEachran, Matej Delac, Daniel Sturridge, Gael Kakuta, Philip Prosenik, Tomas Kalas.

Also there are a few -8s that could make it into the first team in the future due them having a good CA and well spread attributes:

Patrick van Aanolt, Jeffrey Bruma, Ryan Bertrand, Gokhan Tore.

There are loads of other -8s, so make sure you at least give some of them a chance if they're improving well:

Marko Mitrovic, Michael Woods, Rhys Taylor, Jacob Mellis, Milan Lalkovic, James Ashton, Conor Clifford, Amin Affane, Sam Walker.

What formations would you recommend?

4-3-3/4-5-1

The first formation I would recommend for anyone playing Chelsea is the one they use in real life, the 4-3-3/4-3-2-1 hybrid.

4-2-3-1

4-1-2-1-2

4-4-2

[joe__the__man]

Other FM11 Information

General:

Year founded - 1905.

Status - Professional.

Reputation - Worldwide.

Chairman status - Loves the club.

Fierce rivals - Tottenham, West Ham, Millwall.

Other rivals - Fulham, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, QPR.

Legends - Peter Osgood, Ron Harris, Gianfranco Zola.

Financial:

Finances - Rich.

Estimated value - £474m.

Average ticket price - £50.

Average season ticket price - £822.

Season ticket holders - 22,000.

Facilities:

Stadium - Stamford Bridge.

Capacity - 41,761.

Year built - 1877.

Stadium condition - Very good.

Corporate - Top facilities.

Training - Top facilities.

Youth - Average facilities + academy.

Youth Recruitment - Above average.

Affiliations:

Vitesse (Holland) - International partnership in which players are loaned.

Westerlo (Belgium) - To avoid work permit regulations.

Los Angeles (USA) - Financial benefits for both teams.

Maribor (Israel) - No benefit really.

Transfer and Wage Budgets:

Starting wage budget - £1.5m per week.

Title challenge:

Transfer budget - £0m.

Wage budget - £1.7m.

Winner:

Transfer budget - £0m.

Wage budget - £1.9m.

I would recommend the 'title winner' option, as choosing title challenge (and shifting the funds over from wage to transfer budget) gives you around £8m to spend, whilst choosing title winner gives you around £20m, which is a huge difference really. If you're not planning to invest in the squad then obviously you can reduce pressure on yourself by choosing title challenge though.

[joe__the__man]

FM11 Chelsea Records

Team Records

Most goals scored in one league season - 132 (Gazza56)

Most points in one season - 114 (bucket/Bracken/mag man)

Largest goal difference at end of season - 116 (Bracken)

Fewest goals conceded in one league season - 7 (lacoste8030)

Most games won in a row - 72 (bucket)

Most games without defeat - 185 and still going... (Gazza56)

Most games without conceding - 21 (lacoste8030)

Biggest win - 10-0 v Cardiff (bucket)

Biggest loss - 4-1 v Man Utd (Intercept)

Fastest goal scored - Romelu Lukaku - 12 seconds (bucket)

Individual Records

Most goals in one season - Michael Wilson - 102 (Bracken)

Most assists in one season - Luigi Mariani - 51 (Gazza56)

Highest average rating over a season (25+ games) - Michael Wilson - 8.62 (Bracken)

Youngest goalscorer - 15 years, 176 days (Bracken)

Oldest goalscorer -

Transfer Records

Most spent on one player - Cristiano Ronaldo - £95m (J.T)

Most spent in one season - £171m (lacoste8030)

Most received for one player - Silvio Diaz - £65m (mag man)

Most received in one season - £261m (mag man)

If you want to submit a record, simply put it in this thread making it clear that you think it is a record or want it in this post. If I seem to have ignored it, pester me, I'll just have missed it.

[McGougan33]

I like it Joe, didnt realise we were formed in a pub!!!

I agree with el sid though!!!

[el sid]

Deleted my post, as it was in the middle of your reserved posts. Its sorted now anyway, well done

[joe__the__man]

Yeah I'm trying to fix it, but my internet is really messed up at the moment, going really slowly and doesn't let me do anything. Thought I'd just get the thread out there and post the proper bits later.

[kamikaze_josh]

Good stuff Joe, looking forward to reading your thoughts on the current squad and potential signings. I'm just about to start a save on the demo!

[edgar555]

Good work Joe

[kamikaze_josh]

I'm loving the transfer and wage budgets, Roman must've sold a superyacht!

[football_master_94]

Good stuff Joe This is my primary save for FM11, seeing as I have never done a proper save with Chelsea

[football_master_94]

[Bracken]

Good thread Joe, just got the demo, will be using it as a test for my real save starting November 5th. My first signing will probably be a new AMR and a young, strong CF as a back-up for Drogba. Bit disappointed with McEachran's stats, thought he might've had more of a boost than that, his potential looks good though.

[Evil]

Great thread the best i have seen so far.

I think i will get a good young st maybe aguero to play st/cam depending if i go 4-4-2/4-3-3/4-2-3-1

Ramires looks good.

Only other area for imrovement is a back up maybe world class cb and just adding depth and youth prospects.

[ballinisahabit]

Great thread Joe

Cant wait to develop McEachran!

[football_master_94]

I'm playing a 4-5-1 with a DM or a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opponent. So far, have signed Alexis Sanchez, Luc Castegnos(sp), Vaclev Kadlec and Miralem Pjanic with the youth players also in the squad for Carling Cup games etc

[FloydRix]

We lack a backup defender, and badly need a right winger. For the defender, what do you think about Bruma being 4th defender, he will improve in time, but I don't think he is ready yet. Right winger I would for for Alexis Sanchez / Eden Hazard. Possible transfers could be Akinfeev as Hilario is crap, Lukaku / Neymar for Drogba in a season or two. Possibly Bale for Malouda when he is too old.

[football_master_94]

Brilliant start to the season. 3-1 win away at Fulham, w/ Pjanic absolutely ruining Fulham

[Bracken]

Bought in Giuliano from Internacional as my new AMR, has been brilliant in pre-season. Also have brought in Poli as a back-up DM for Mikel, Phil Jones from Blackburn as a backup CB, Lukaku backup for Drogba and Zakaria Labyad who looks like he's got good potential (granted I can develop him on the demo, but I'll see how he does with the odd game). Playing a 4-5-1 with a DM and two AM wingers. Pre-season has gone fine, now time for United in the CS.

[Falahk]

Possible transfers could be Akinfeev as Hilario is crap

Hilario is a model professional, you will need him to mentor Walker and Delac, if that part can be arranged your gk set up will be sorted for years to come, and Hilario is most probebly decent enough to be back up untill Delac gets back

Turnbull on the other hand dont have a role to play at the club...

[kamikaze_josh]

So far, I've brought in Joe Hart and Jack Rodwell. I also had offers accepted for Jack Wilshere and Gareth Bale, but neither would even discuss a contract with me due to being a rival club. . Wayne Rooney is available, but at a stupid price. Hopefully that will reduce if a patch is introduced.

[football_master_94]

Another 3-1 win, this time vs Arsenal at home. Should have been more tbh, pure domination.

[RomaRulez]

Hi guys. Good OP Joe. I said I'd run a Chelsea save when 11 came out so here I am. I've started it in the demo but have yet to have time to even run through my initial emails. Hope to find some time this weekend.

[Intercept]

I'm definately going to be quiet active in this thread as well as the Barcelona thread. I plan on having a fair few long-term saves this time round and Chelsea and Barcelona are the two I have chosen for that.

Also really can't wait to see how Kakuta and McEachran turn out in the retail.

[kamikaze_josh]

I really hope that McEachran is a notch better than he is on the demo. He is good, but not good enough to develop into a first team regular in my opinion.

My plan this time around with my Chelsea save is to nurture the youngsters that we have and as a rule of thumb, only buy young British talent.

[bucket]

Hello again! That time of year again! Currently writing this from Stamford bridge waiting to go on the stadium tour that my girlfriend bought mr for my birthday! Had a little go on the demo last night and didnt do very well, but plenty of time to sort the tactics out and the signings

[bucket]

Hello again! That time of year again! Currently writing this from Stamford bridge waiting to go on the stadium tour that my girlfriend bought mr for my birthday! Had a little go on the demo last night and didnt do very well, but plenty of time to sort the tactics out and the signings

[Evil]

I think 4-2-3-1 will work really well as we have the movment necessery for it.

Kakuta looks good as does Mceachran maybe a touch underated but remember that the rating are based of of the 09/10 season so he had no first team experiance

Miranda looks like a good 3rd chioce cb

[el sid]

Cant go wrong with Mexes for less than 5 million tbh

[Evil]

Cant go wrong with Mexes for less than 5 million tbh

nice i am not at the demo at the moment but i will have to look at mexes

Any suggestions for back up amr's

[football_master_94]

4-2-3-1 with a fluid philosophy works brilliantly for me, so far unbeaten. CL group : Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Twente. Beat Twente 2-0, gave a few younger players a run out (Castaignos, Bruma, Pjanic) and just beat Bolton 4-2 in the CC with only 4 first team regulars playing, allowing the likes of Sturridge, Kalou, Castaignos etc to get a game in and the whole team played well

)

[Evil]

4-2-3-1 with a fluid philosophy works brilliantly for me, so far unbeaten. CL group : Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Twente. Beat Twente 2-0, gave a few younger players a run out (Castaignos, Bruma, Pjanic) and just beat Bolton 4-2 in the CC with only 4 first team regulars playing, allowing the likes of Sturridge, Kalou, Castaignos etc to get a game in and the whole team played well

)

Great goal love the through ball

[football_master_94]

nice i am not at the demo at the moment but i will have to look at mexes

Any suggestions for back up amr's

Who is your 1st choice AMR ? I bought Alexis Sanchez, with Kalou and Anelka as possible back ups at that position.

Great goal love the through ball

Luc

[Evil]

Anelka Kalou and kakuta.

How good is sanchez always mean to try him but never did

[bucket]

Rightio lads, how are we all? Ready for another few seasons at THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

This year I think I'm going to try and carry on Carlo's philosophy and promote and develop the youth team and get them playing in the first team more often. I won't become a total Wenger and not spend the money but I'll only buy if I really need too. Straight away I think we need a right winger and a better back up keeper.

I haven't decided on what formation I will be playing with, so any help on that front with be helpful - I prefer to play as we are now, attacking but sensible at the back, I love the way Ash and Bran are currently up and down the line (well more Ash really) and will try and replicate that in the game.

Don't think I'll be signing anymore coaches as I like to try and keep it as real as possible for the first few seasons and then start adding my own staff later on in the game.

So if there are any tips on who to sign, release, tutor etc then please pass on your wisdom.

Thanks V Much

bucket

COME ON THE CHELS!!!

[Evil]

For rw navas or cazorla will do the job with anelka backup.

Cazorla if you want a inside forward navas for a more conventional winger.

[bucket]

just signed Alex Smithies as my back up keeper - Hilario is on the transfer list and Turnbull is on the loan list.

[Evil]

First pre season friendly as my save corrupted

lucky i had one after i played the reserves

5-0 cazorla x2 drogba alex and terry scoring

Carzorlas 2nd was a beauty

Will upload in a bit

[football_master_94]

Anelka Kalou and kakuta.

How good is sanchez always mean to try him but never did

I know its a bit late as you got Carzola but Sanchez is awesome - 10 apps, 7 assists, 1 MoM, 7.34 avg rating

[SSJ3-BROLLY]

^^^^^ How much did you pay for sanchez?

[Evil]

Nice am glad i got cazorla though although it was againstpreston in pre season

2 goals and a very accomplished display

And his 2nd was brilliant played through took it past two men then the keeper at an insane angle

[ballinisahabit]

I really hope that McEachran is a notch better than he is on the demo. He is good, but not good enough to develop into a first team regular in my opinion.

My plan this time around with my Chelsea save is to nurture the youngsters that we have and as a rule of thumb, only buy young British talent.

He could be developed into a first team regular on FM10, so im sure with better starting stats he can be developed into a first team regular on FM11

[football_master_94]

^^^^^ How much did you pay for sanchez?

£12 million. 5 up front and 7 over 18 months

[Evil]

Anyone considered getting van nistelrooy as a tutor his stats look immense for it.

[Zola444]

This is great mate I'm not going to be my beloved Chelsea in the demo though as i won't carry on in to the new game because of the fact there is only one league come on you blues!

[bucket]

Right, coming up to the Community shield. Players signed so far:

Alex Smithies - £1.5m

Adil Rami - £5.75m

Jack Rodwell - £15m

Alan Dzagoev - £7.5m

Romelu Lukaku - £7.5m

Vaclav Kadlec - £1.5m

Got Ipswich as my feeder club so fired a few youngsters off to them. Promoted Kakuta, Bruma, Van Aanholt, McEachren and Borini into the 1st team squad.

[football_master_94]

It's a shame Huntelaar had just moved to S04, i've had a look at his stats and they have made him a MONSTER

[el sid]

Won the Community shield 4-2, Drogba such an incredible player

[Evil]

Won the Community shield 4-2, Drogba such an incredible player

True his physical stats combined with his finishing and technichal stats and off the ball make him a monster.

He so often gets the ball 40 yards out runs through the heart of the defence and power one home.