quickpassnmove

This squad needs every player out of the starting XI who detracts from attacking momentum. need spacing, sharpness, quickness, precision. not enough of it in Chelsea for a long time. nice goal, Hazard.

All the CMs sound good to me. I'm hoping that Gundoban goes to a club I like or, better, stays in Dortmund. For CBs, I'm fine with Mangala, Varane, Benatia Striker... I really don't care, but if Torres and Ba were leaving, any number of possibilities.

Chalobah is not ready for the Premier League yet and Chelsea need better players immediately in center midfield. Center midfield is overdue since Ballack left and time keeps on slippin' Should have had two top-quality center midfielders into the squad over 2 years ago--and not just developing players, but mature, ready center midfielders. Chalobah will be good give some playtime in the future though.

Pogba might not be worth 40 million, but even if he is overpriced and Juve take Benteke out of England, it could be good business. Take a look at the highest-valued centre midfielders on transfermarkt and Pogba is already in the top 20. He will likely gain value regardless of Chelsea's future actions in the transfer market. Pogba and Diame in January would be perfect. Dump Jon Obi Mikel if some club wants him.

good pass, but Chelsea need more from center midfield. hopefully, Chelsea's play does not center around Lampard making aerial passes from midfield or arriving late for a shot on goal.

I would like to see an occasion where Chelsea use a traditional 4-3-3 and employ Ramires as center, deBruyne on the RCM and Oscar on the LCM.

I agree with u Gilvorak. haven't read the whole original post nor the entire thread here but this the same conversation I've been having with myself and same topic I raise every time on Chelsea discussion boards. Ramires--although not perfect--is good enough for a top team in Europe as a CM. Reducing Chelsea's problems down to talking-points, here's what I see: 1. Chelsea have no playmaker nor anyone to give momentum and/or quick transition in CM, in their 4231 formation if not for Ramires. By extension, the opposition can focus on Ramires because no one else provides a threat until Mata gets the ball centrally or Hazard wide, further up the pitch. As someone else has stated in this thread, the other CMs shift the responsibility of creating forward momentum and forward ground passes to --someone else-- constantly. 2. Chelsea have failed to sign anyone as good as Makelele and Ballack for how long now? Reiterating point number one, when a neutral fan or opposition fan sees Chelsea play, it's clear as day that Chelsea have nothing coming out of CM. Nothing unless Ramires is there and finds some time/space. 3. Never should have re-signed Frank Lampard. yes, I said that and I'm not much a fan of Frank Lampard unless he's a sub in a 433 formation. Frank's game consists of poaching in and around the box and some long balls. He can't pass forward, from deep on the ground, he will NOT face-up and take on a defender (always turns away), and he lacks the speed to retreat back into defense once he's tried to creep forward for one of his famous late-arriving goals. 4. Chelsea should have been building this team from the back and displacing poor CMs like Mikel and Lampard in 2010 and 2011. This is long overdue. Instead, Chelsea have neglected the all-around CMs to build their squad and opted for multiple attacking players, none of whom (save Lukaku) have the ability to keep the ball up the pitch or prevent being dispossessed with their size and strength. Of course, Torres single greatest failing isn't his finishing but his total inability to contend with Premier League center backs. 5. I can agree with AVB's sentiment about Chelsea as indicated by his statement earlier this year about Chelsea still be "in crisis." Not really a "crisis," but unsteady, weak in the spine of the team, shaky confidence, and full of insufficiency. undermined by the club's choices since January 2011, this club is still seeing the effects of 2011 and not buying good CMs and a top RB in its rearview mirror... frequently unsteady when facing a disciplined side with top talent in CM and unable to shift into a higher gear, unable to increase passing tempo and attack in transition with a jumpstart.

Pogba, Ramires, plus Axel Witsel. Chelsea would be looking brilliant, but I find it hard to believe Juve will sell Pogba. Is the family bleeding money from the stadium investment or other costs? can't imagine.

as someone who loves all-round center midfielders in the world of football, after having chosen Chelsea as "my team" with Didier Drogba in 2005, I have to say that Makelele, Ballack, and Ramires are the only center midfielders I've really liked at Chelsea since that year. Essien was good at one time, but perhaps got run into the ground--I hope this never happens to Ramires, who has, IMO, taken Chelsea on his back since Drogba left (and even prior). People might express the view that getting top players in your side can be difficult, but --really-- how difficult is it to see the opportunities? Juve do it constantly and are fully-stocked, PLUS their youth and young acquisitions. I have been in the "get your head out of your ass, Chelsea!" crowd for years now, so I know how you feel. thankfully, Chelsea HAVE gotten winger options after having only Malouda (I was not a fan of Joe Cole) for some time after Robben.

I agree on Benatia for quality. I'm trying to watch Lovren too. When I went to the Roma Chelsea pre-season match, I was struck by Benatia and Castan as a duo. they were easily the most impressive players on that pitch, but I am still surprised by how well they've begun their season in Italy. Chelsea will likely keep on scouting for players with lower wages, but in terms of getting some dominant center midfielders with high level experience, things might be a little trickier.

hi, i'll stick around for a while, sure. nice banner there. The severe financial problems at Dortmund were one reason I began following Chelsea (along with Drogba). IDK how some sports fans can remain utterly focused on one team; I like a reprieve from the woes and poor decisions of a single club/team sometimes, ya know?

Hi. I've arrived here from other online Chelsea discussions. I'm here to find healthy, multi-cultural discussion and people not obsessed with "positive thoughts/comments" on Chelsea. I frequently raise the topic of Chelsea's poor style or slow play because until I see it improve (long-term trend), I don't see what is more important for Chelsea's first team. My thought isn't to post anything inflammatory; I post what I think is most relevant in terms of Chelsea's quality of play--whether Chelsea have been trending toward stagnation or improvement. I've been watching since Drogba's first season with the Blues and I have not been impressed with Chelsea's development and transfers in since Robben departed --up until last year. Still waiting for some quality center midfielders to arrive and completely displace Lampard and Mikel. I will sound like a broken record on these points until things change or players/tempo improves. I regard an online forum as less a place to socialize and more a place to purge frustrations and express some joy. Clubs I follow: Dortmund are my number one club since the late 90s. long-term: Sampdoria, Siena, Roma, Cagliari, Catania, Internazionale, Bologna, Marseille, Toulouse, Nancy, Basel, Strasbourg, Werder Bremen, Mainz. sometimes: Sevilla, Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Valladolid, more recently: Gent, Genk, Zulte-Waregem, Vitesse.

I'll be happy when Chelsea can play quick, expansive football in the future. not happening this season. thanks to Willian, there was a spark. thanks to Norwich's failures and new players integrating, Chelsea got some slack.

what a great midfield duo Paulinho and Witsel would have been. how bout Pogba and Witsel? IDK but Chelsea need MORE in center midfield. Mikel, Essien, Lampard? laughable compared to top European sides and some of EPL sides.

Just to clarify: Chelsea with a singular driving force in center midfield is good enough to actually play football (not park the bus) to compete for another European title? What does Lampard contribute in your world?

should be totally awesome if Chelsea draw Juve or Napoli. Juve's midfield versus Chelsea? fahgettabout-it.

Maybe you will understand why Chelsea's center mid is poor (ramires aside) when Chelsea face real competition in Europe. should be embarassing.

Hi guys. I agree with "DYC" above and others who've stated that Lampard was poor. Chelsea do not threaten much in more and more matches now because key players do not add enough momentum to building Chelsea's attack. Lampard has occasions to face defenders and make a pass but he does not; he always turns away. As much as I've disliked Mikel in the past, I think Mikel would be an upgrade on Lampard at this point. Chelsea need to increase their pass and move tempo or expect a mid-table finish this season. How many more matches will Chelsea have against teams like Norwich who aren't scoring? Need a center midfielder who isn't Ramires who will drive Chelsea forward... in January.