quickpassnmove

anyone want a new right back and another center midfielder from transfer?

good choice--or, just use oscar deeper in a 4-3-3.

I am just through the 1st half of this match today and this is what I've seen so far: The team began playing better after the opening 10-14 minutes, as some here have already said. 1. Mikel (or Essien) should be given starts alongside Ramires. Chelsea don't have other options, but Lampard is a certain non-starter. And, I say this as someone who has not liked Mikel in the past, but thinks he should be given a chance to move around, be more progressive, alternating with Ramires. 2. Willian, Schuerrle, and Eto'o all work well together; 3. the hang-up is likely Oscar, who I have always doubted as a central attacking midfielder behind the CF. I would rather see Oscar's starting position pushed back to the left of center, where Lampard has preferred to begin his play. I could never understand why Oscar is expected to start almost directly up against the defensive midfielder or the centerbacks. 4. Ivanovic is utterly out of ideas at right back. Please change this, Chelsea. 5. Azpi looked very strong, sharp, confident for a guy who hasn't had regular playing time. congratulations to him. I would say Benitez should not be allowed to take him, but we'll see how he performs if given more starts in the league. 6. Mourinho should consider using a normal 4-3-3 with Eto'o, Willian, Schuerrle in the lineup. Eto'o is accustomed to 4-3-3, so is Schuerrle. Oscar has never looked like an attacking midfielder to me since I watched him in Porto Alegre.

Imbula, Banega, Jorginho.... sounds like a story (or television drama). BTW, I don't rule-out the possibility of Luiz leaving. If someone wants him, Chelsea would be smart to seize the opportunity and use the funds for an expensive centre midfielder who can run and excels technically.

Because Basel played quick; Chelsea did not.

I think the word you're looking for is "Gerrard," "Vieira," "Schweini," "Xavi," or "Alonso." Pogba has the skills and physique to be a great player. Definitely worth buying, but Chelsea really need to dump Lampard from the starting XI ASAP and get a good RB into the lineup. I think Pirlo is a complete center midfielder, but also incomplete if you require BOTH men in CM to be physically imposing. Then there's deRossi, who I also regard as a complete center midfielder. Chelsea need another physically imposing CM, a deep playmaker, to dump Lampard, decide on Mikel (sell or keep), and fix the right full-back problem.

I don't understand why Cundy says he's "stunned" in that call-in show. Mata and Oscar both want to play behind the striker and add no width, both are not fast, right back typically never adds much to any Chelsea attack, and both Ramires and Cole are babysitting Lampard. Meanwhile Torres gets no action. What exactly is stunning about what happens when all this comes together? It's the same inept Chelsea from months and years gone by. Instead of having Drogba, now it's as though 'give the ball to Hazard' is the only outlet going forward. after 15 or 20 minutes, I guess Newcastle could figure it out and wouldn't be scared anymore. Seems as though apparent "success" blinds Chelsea fans and the pundits to glaring deficiencies that Chelsea have had for a long time.

Might as well say it now: Chelsea aren't getting a Premier League pass to the Champions League this season, so if CL next season is a priority despite the suggestions over the summer of "Mourinho's long-term project here," I think it's time to hit the January transfer market early for something in CM. And, BTW, I'm NOT going to throw Ashley Cole under the bus yet because not only is Ramires babysitting Lampard, but I would say Cole must also. Still think we need much more from a RB though. I don't think Azpi crosses well with his right foot either, but maybe we'll see a little more of that soon enough (?).

No matter if Chelsea win or lose on any given week, my reaction changes only by degrees but the conclusion is always the same: I'd like to see the players who slow Chelsea down OUT OF THE LINEUP in the future due to buying players or promoting young Chelsea players. I think Mourinho can see the obvious deficiency in center midfield within this squad and it's good to see Terry playing well again. Just hoping that transfers and lineup changes in the 2nd half of this season give us some optimism for the future. Don't know what Chelsea might do with the two fullbacks positions but I would be looking to get Lampard out and a different RB into the lineup ASAP.

As someone said above, Chelsea wasted a lot of time with Lampard in the lineup. Neither Lampard nor the fullbacks offer enough IMO. Same old Chelsea... except that Willian and Eto'o are not yet infected by Chelsea's constipation.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/440171/Barcelona-hoping-to-make-Man-Utd-and-Arsenal-target-Ilkay-Gundogan-next-Xavi

let's just underline the fact that Chelsea are the underdog in this match. how does anyone here dispute this fact? ManCity's weakness is at the CB pair and the fact that this group have not been playing together very long. Still, they are better the way they normally line up. Chelsea's weakness is Lampard and possibly lack of attacking prowess from the fullbacks. Oscar can do just as much from a deeper role as he can from just behind the striker. An experiment involving an all-Brazil center midfield: Oscar, Ramires, Luiz could tip the balance in our favor. If it must be a 4231 again, I understand; it seems that Chelsea play this way because the primary striker (Torres) is proven too weak up against Premier League center backs alone and because Chelsea have played with Mata behind him for awhile up until this season. I would still like a 433 as a plan B or plan C, but maybe Chelsea don't have the right striker for this now(?).

If Chelsea start ponderously (as per usual for the last 5 years), the result is likely decided by whether ManCity pounce on Chelsea early in the match. Should start a flat 4-3-3, use Mikel or Oscar in CM with Lamps and Ramires. Put Hazard Left, Willian Right, Torrres/Eto'o in the middle.

fullbacks, CM... watching Roma yesterday, I am reminded why Italy are far superior to England: players like deRossi, Pirlo, Ambrosini, etc. have been far better than anyone from England--except Gerrard for over a decade. Scholes and Lampard? laughing. point being, you want a good all-around CM, look elsewhere; not the U.K.

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.

Bruce Buck comments on FFP. Maybe he should say more ITF. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/435910/Chelsea-s-Bruce-Buck-slates-Financial-Fair-Play

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.