FI Weekly Mag Issue 015 - 12/08/19

Issue 15 12/08/19

Weekly Magazine Unofficial Weekly Magazine for Football Index Traders

Chelsea Facing Tough Season After a 4-0 opening day mauling, Frank Lampard faces an uphill struggle to match the glory he enjoyed in his playing days...

A question that pops up from time to time on forums and quizzes is whether you would prefer to be forgotten or hatefully remembered when you die. It’s a profound question in the most extreme; no one wants to look back on a wasted life, yet to cause a negative impact goes against human nature.

Roman Abramovich will certainly not be forgotten. Yet for all the good he has done at Chelsea - the millions ploughed in that have seen them become one of the game’s biggest forces, lifting 5 Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League since arriving in 2003 - he will be heavily criticised for the manner of his hire-fire policy with managers.

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medal still not enough to satisfy the owner.

Yet this time is different.

Chelsea are currently embroiled in a transfer ban, meaning they have been unable to strengthen their squad this summer.

With a necessity to rely on youth prospects, this same approach to the management has seen them appoint a club legend with just one season of experience under his belt. As both a fan-favourite and thanks to his work with several young loan players last season, Frank Lampard will be afforded more patience by fans and Hudson-Odoi owner alike during Current Price what is likely to be a difficult season. £4.46 But have the club entirely underestimated the challenges they face this season? They have enjoyed great success at youth level in recent years, and with an army of prospects out on loan, the approach feels like a positive step for the purists who feel money and foreign

Be it the fiery relationship with Jose Mourinho, the manager who first brought them success, or Carlo Ancelotti being dismissed despite having the third-highest win percentage in Premier League history, the owner has not been afraid to pull the trigger when others may have been more hesitant. This summer has seen yet another managerial change, with Maurizio Sarri’s third-placed league finish, League Cup final appearance and Europa League winner’s

Bad Week

Wilfried Zaha: ‘Dream move’ Arsenal couldn’t find the £70m to sign him - and subsequently spent the same on Nicolas Pepe.

After a failed move to Everton too, Zaha will have to postpone his Champions League dreams.

talent is ruining the game.

But in reality, things could well be about to take a turn for the worse at Stamford Bridge.

The opening game of the season saw them thumped 4-0 by a Manchester United side who themselves have endured recent struggles.

There were bright moments, yet there was also a naivety in their play that led to a total collapse at Old Trafford. Simply installing a fan favourite as manager, and promoting youth talents, is not enough.

Chelsea have lost their talisman, Eden Hazard (£4.35) this summer and, due to their ban, have been unable to replace him. Whilst plans were made ahead of time to secure Christian Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic (£0.66), this is a squad that is in dire need of a refresh. This is not Frank Lampard’s fault, and there is little he can do right now other than steady the ship, but this is nonetheless the task which he has decided to undertake.

What makes it even more daunting is the improving strength of their rivals. Both Manchester City and Liverpool

Good Week

Graham Potter: Brighton have been one of the bookies’ favourites for relegation. This ‘inexperienced’ manager will therefore be delighted to have shocked his critics with a resounding opening day win.

C

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05/08/19 Treble Media Day Media Buzz

Pulisic

Current Price

£2.71 look on another level, whilst the remainder of the top 6 invested heavily this summer. If the flaws in this defeat against United are not shown to be an exception to the rule, Chelsea could well find themselves in a battle simply to stay in the top half of the Premier League, with the likes of Leicester, Wolves and Everton all eyeing to break their way in to Europe.

This is not simply an overreaction based on one result, but a genuine fear that has been burning for several months. Yes, it could just be a bad day at the office that is easily repaired over the coming weeks with a few positive results. But equally, the club currently has all the ingredients for a season of disappointment which, in this current climate, could spell disaster for the longer-term future of the club. Firing a fanfavourite could be the latest in a long-line of sackings but, with a potentially difficult season ahead, it may not be one for which Abramovich is hatefully remembered.

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09/08/19 Single Match Day Media Buzz Romelu Lukaku 940 Goalkeeper/Defender Joachim Andersen 188 Midfielder Lucas Tousart 176 Forward ✴ ✴ ✴ Mohamed Salah 189 10/08/19 Single Match Day Media Buzz Raheem Sterling 890 Goalkeeper/Defender ✴ ✴ ✴ Dante 249 Midfielder 214 Wylan Cyprien Forward 223 Harry Kane 11/08/19 Single Match Day Media Buzz Harry Maguire 1620 Goalkeeper/Defender Marquinhos 190 Midfielder Marco Verratti 190 Forward ✴ ✴ ✴ 201 Marcus Rashford Upcoming: 12/08 Treble Media Day 13/08 Treble Media Day 14/08 Treble Media Day 15/08 Treble Media Day 16/08 Single Match Day 17/08 Treble Match Day 18/08 Double Match Day Footie: 112,261 +2,429

Wonderkid Profile: Jonathan Bamba Yet another talented star coming out of World Cup Winners, Bamba announced himself after a blistering start to last season at new club Lille. With a host of caps at youth level, along with Champions League football beckoning this season at club level, Bamba could be the next big money-maker for the French club.

Style of Play: A wide attacker, Bamba - like many who play in such postions - combines electric pace with excellent dribbling ability. His close control is superb, allowing him to get out of tight spaces before speeding towards goal with a direct approach. Goals flowed early in his Lille career, netting 7 times in Ligue 1 by the beginning of October; matching the tally he had notched in the entirity of the previous season. Whilst they dried up somewhat as the season progressed, his contribution alongside an exciting attacking trio with Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao - who have both left for Arsenal and AC Milan for a combined fee of around £100m - was certainly acknowledged as a key part that saw the team secure a 2nd placed league finish, just 12 months after narrowly avoiding relegation.

What’s Been Said? Saint-Etienne were highly disappointed to lose one of the most exciting young talents in Ligue 1, and his performances last season produced Current Price a list of potential new suitors, namely Internazionale and Everton.

Whilst a move didn’t materialise this summer, the aforementioned departures to the Lille forward line give Bamba the prime opportunity to shine as the club return to the Champions League. If he can make an impact here, caps with the senior national team beckon; it would be hard to see Lille turning up any big money offers.

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