Chelsea Buzz

Wat(ford) a joke. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz We have been sleeping all match. Only hope is changes and we wake up. Come on you Chelsea!!

Ok, time for a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 with Batshuayi and Fabregas in for Pedro and Oscar with Matic-Kante midfield combo. We have not looked awful, but not terrific either. Need to create some attack. Come on you Chelsea!!

Very satisfying start! Had to listen to the first 75 minutes on the radio before I could watch live. Went back and watched the entire game. I am surprised by the few who have moaned our play tonight. I really thought we could have and should have won 4-1 or 5-1. Thought we totally bossed them in midfield most of the match. It was the most aggressive I have seen us in midfield in a long time. Kante's efforts seemed to keep the pressure off the back line. Our aggressiveness was so refreshing after last year watching time and time again as the other team penetrated through balls to open players for easy opportunities. Hazard looked like himself, in shape and motivated. Matic played much better than last season. Azpilicueta was everywhere at times. Even Ivanovic had an improved game. I really like the idea of Batshauyi and Costa up top. Both are physical and hard to handle. Even Moses has earned a spot on this club in my opinion, but not the starting XI. Oscar still is a mystery, much like Pedro. Different type of enigma, but both are head scratchers. The crowd seemed into the game and very loud on the radio broadcast. It was not as apparent on TV. All in all, a nice night for Chelsea fans everywhere! Come on you Chelsea!!

I like what I am seeing. Pressing forward consistently. Nice goal by Diego just before half. No need to mention the effects of Kante. Everyone can see it. A few sloppy passes. Hope Willian can pull it together by next week. He is struggling this pre-season. The back still gets opened to easily. Need a signing and a healthy Zouma. Come on you Chelsea!!

Has Conte unlocked the key to getting more out of Oscar? Is he suddenly a better option than Cesc? It is just pre-season but maybe.....

Who is this Oscar lad with 3 goals in two games?

Eden is back, baby! Come on you Chelsea!!

So, is this close to the opening day lineup: - - - - - - - Courtois - - - - - - - Ivanovic - JT - Cahill - Azpilicueta - - - Kante - - Cesc/Matic - - - Willian/Cuadrado - - Batshuayi - - Costa - - Hazard As for the rest of the season when Zouma is back: With the typical bench of Traore, Oscar, Chalobah, Aina, Zouma (is there a spot for RLC or Moses?): If we are looking for speed and more offense, you go with: - - - - - - - Courtois - - - - - - - Aina - Zouma - Cahill - Azpilicueta - - - Kante - - Chalobah - - - Cuadrado - - Traore - - Costa - - Hazard If we are looking to play defensively,you go with: - - - - - - - Courtois - - - - - - - Zouma - JT - Cahill - Azpilicueta - - - Kante - - Matic - - - Willian - - Batshuayi - - Costa - - Hazard More than another striker (Lukaku, etc), these lineups show the need for a BIG TIME RB or CB. Come on front office, make it happen. Get us a top notch defender before the season starts. I can live with Batshuayi, Traore and Costa up top throughout the season. With Kante, you can almost put him with anybody else (Chalobah, Matic, Cesc) and it is a pretty decent midfield. BUT our back line is dire (as we all know). More than anything, this was our biggest issue last season. Just look at the number of goals allowed. Yes, it is that simple. By the way, need a Begovic replacement too to back Courtois. So, front office, we beg you, dole out some of Roman's cash and get us the RB or CB we need!! As for Moses and RLC, are they kept or loaned out? I think Moses deserves a shot to stay though he will not see a lot of action. Come on you Chelsea!!

Will Zouma help much other than depth? Would Zouma plus just one quality RB or CB make the difference? I think just one quality defender added plus Zouma would be very serviceable.

So, is Chalobah - Kante our best midfied combo?

So, is Chalobah - Kante our best midfied combo?

So, is Chalobah - Kante our best midfied combo?

So, about 10th in the PL?

Boom! Boom! Oscar again. Who knew?

We definitely press forward more and better with this group now in the game, even with Oscar the invisible man.

Not necessarily considering their players on the pitch tonight, but where would Milan finish in the PL? 6th - 8th?

Mask time again, this time for Hazard?

Oscar again on the PK? Really? He stinks. Scores this time.

Bats is quick, but looks unsure of his finish and pulls the ball back so far in preseason.

Willian is a turnover machine tonight. Really looks bad.

Yay,Oscar!!

Willian struggling. Cuadrado please.

We need to play "mad", with an edge and get after the other team a bit. Way play too passive defensively. Like PSG typically has played us.

Yay!

Makes you wonder if we would be better if we had kept some combo of Mata, Schurrle, Ramires, Bertrand, Felipe Luis and/or David Luiz. Don't get me wrong, it was time for Ramires to go, but some of those names would be upgrades at the back.