quickpassnmove

I don't understand why Oscar being situated up the pitch is preferable to just getting Bats on the pitch NOW.

Lower mid-table side. Funny how people were talking about top four a few weeks ago.

I like the optimism, but seeing the selection of Pedro on our bench doesn't inspire me at all when Chalobah couldve have easily been included.

How is Hazard supposed to do anything while bordered by Azpi and Matic for interplay?

Exactly. Matic can't cut it, Oscar... meh, but could do better under a different setup/tactics/manager, starting fullbacks for us: just cap as-is.

Liverpool aren't the best to compare our squad to, but I think any of you criticizing Conte right now have a fair point to make. When one watches ManCity play right now, anything is possible; with Chelsea, every looming fixture is just a source of dread -as it has been for years IMO. Klopp/Koeman/Emery would have been my choices for manager. Conte's not a bad manager, but I don't think he really had a clue about what it would take to improve Chelsea whereas Pep Guardiola already could see the challenges in the Premier League. One is less perceptive and conservative on the Prem and the other has a good grasp and is very progressive in his tactics.

The fact that Chalobah isn't even on the bench in a side that lacks impulse from center midfield has me doubting Conte at this moment. WTF is Pedro going to do off the bench?

We got Kante, Batshuayi, Alonso during the summer, plus one repeat player, a GK, and we've kept Aina, Chalobah and L-C in the side. We needed two fullbacks, two CMs minimum and here we are with the same fullback setup starting and one capable player in CM (Kante). If we're going to have a chance today, it's gotta be Alonso for Ivanovic, Fab/Chalobah for Matic, and maybe Bats on for Willian.

Like some people said (ie. Pep Guardiola), Chelsea's squad needed 8-10 new players. A manager like Conte comes along and doesn't really have a clue how awful our side is with its lack of quality, lack of pace, lack of depth etc.

THis is just going to be shite until there are substitutions. Hurry up and score, Liverpool.

goddamn. The faster Liverpool score, the better for us. I hate this midfield and fullback setup. Not Conte's fault, but we are too damn conservative.

I think that if we score first, we're gonna lose the match 100%. If desperation sets in early enough, subs might be used to crank us up a couple of gears. Conte can't afford to play conservatively in this match because Kante and Luiz won't be able to handle everything that Klopp throws at them. The sooner we see Ivanovic outta the RB and some changes in CM, the better off we'll be. Also: Batshuayi.

Gundo-deBruyne-Silva

Dahoud looked like the only player in front of Christensen capable of doing anything at ManCity. M. Dahoud could become the next Gundogan. Probably worth scouting (as Liverpool/Klopp have) and a long look for a potential transfer. Otherwise, I have to say that although some doubts about the squad remain, I think City will take the league this year. Name a better midfield (along with a complement of capable fullbacks) in the Premier League than Gundogan, deBruyne and Fernandinho. None better and the only thing close would be Tottenham's best lineup (whatever that is). With the direct passing out of the back, the only thing that remains to be seen are consistently good performances from players like Sterling, Navas, Sane, etc.

Yeah, what they said above about having another good CM. Someone on a blog suggested Gana (Aston Villa, now Everton) earlier in the summer. Excellent idea IMO. What a bargain buy for Everton! I just hope Chalobah gets time. I'm not an Oscar fan despite some of the skills he has. Matic... I just don't know what's going on with him, but it's not good enough. He doesn't combine well with anyone in build-up right now in my view.... so there's Azpi and Matic close to Hazard. Not good enough. Might as well sell the both of them to Italy (or China, elsewhere) and look for a better star MF to go with Kante and the potential we see in Chalobah. It's looking to me like Chelsea need to acquire another top defender, another CM, and another scoring foward (thus the rumours on Griezmann, I guess). Koke would certainly fit in CM.

Can Chelsea play cohesively and quickly for a whole match? Liverpool should test us. Better not sputter for 45-60 minutes then wake up after some subs. The lineup needs to be better for this one. Too bad Chalobah didn't get a shot in the Swansea match instead of Oscar. So, when is the right time?

We're not dominating matches this season unless there are lineup changes or possibly some bit of rotation going on. This draw is on Conte due to lineup choices. Costa should stay on his feet more, but that discussion is a complete waste of time as we all know he won't change. And Gary Cahill? Well, let's hope that Zouma is given plenty of time to make a full recovery still. Today is the kind of performance that when compared with what Tottenham can do, what Arsenal may be capable of, and what's in Machester, you really doubt Chelsea make top four this season.

I think a lot of us would echo you on lineup changes that are necessary to give Chelsea an edge. It wasn't a bad half away at Swansea, but I hope that Conte sees we need something else when we're repeatedly not really making things click in the opponent's half. Already feeling like stagnation creeping with meager clear cut chances created. Too bad Chalobah isn't on the bench at least. An away fixture is a good time for Nathaniel.

Thibault Azpi -- Cahill --------------Terry/Luiz--------Alonso Chalobah--------Kante Moses--------------------------------------Hazard Bats--------------Costa

Wonderful day for Kevin, another day of moaning for Jose. Yes, it is poetic justice, but it's too bad we're not watching Kevin at the Bridge every other week. Hopefully Chelsea find someone who can come within 75% of de Bruyne on striking the ball for crosses, FKs, and shots.

What size do you wear?

Sign him up. Someone among the defenders is bound to be a liability or injured.

Good player, but I don't see how he makes it at Chelsea with his slight physique... it's not impossible, but unlikely. Pace or acceleration also isn't that great.

Time to sign another defender then.