Supermonkey92

He has now, at least for Cahill. I'm talking as of this summer. Alonso seems more surplus than Moses which is crazy. In fact, Conte is happy to play Moses on either side. If it was just a case of waiting for more options we would have by now.

I get the feeling you are being to general saying 'everyone' wanted this and 'no-one' wanted that. I certainly didn't want rid of Costa. Nor did I call for a nice striker. Id bet many others were against selling him too.

I'm torn about giving any manager full control of transfers. They are tricky and important decisions. I don't think Conte's decision making regarding player's is his strength either. As a coach he is one of the best in the world. He can stamp an organised and efficient style of any team. But a man that thinks Moses and Cahill are fine first teamers gets me worried. The man is ruthless, he dropped Terry and Ivanovic (rightly!) Like it was nothing. So i assume he thinks they are good enough. That shocks me. Add Morata, who I think will struggle, and I can understand the board overseeing somewhat the direction of the squad. On the other hand, the board themselves seem to have gone to shit to. When we had De Bruyne, Lukaku and others coming in they made great decisions. That has reversed over the past few years.

If Morata doesn't strike you as empty of confidence then I'm honestly amazed

I think this guy will fail here. Not because he missed and penalty and was shit for the 20 minutes he was on (being a new player doesnt excuse him from the criticism others get) but becausr he is easily scared and mentally weak. Just like Torres. He hid today and that tells you more than full 90 minute matches. Hes not a kid either. He's 24. He's obviously not a lone forward either, he cannot hold the ball up and tries to be too quick with his decisions rather than waiting for support. Other times he doesn't even attempt to be the lone striker. Its that and his weak confidence which make me think he will fail. I know the cliche that you are supposed to give players time before you make a decision, but I was just as quick to accept Hazard and Costa will be a success as I am to think Morata. I don't know why it's ok for one type and not the other. Its ok if I get flak, accused of overreacting after losing to Arsenal, I don't mind. Im being honest about my opinions early. If i'm wrong it'll be great, but i think that's a long shot. Let's see how hia first few league games go. If he is just as bad with no improvement, we shouldn't turn a blind eye.

Compare: Azpi Luiz Cahill Moses Alonso Kante Bakayoko Pedro Hazard Morata With: Azpi Rudiger Luiz Alonso Bakayoko Kante Fabregas Hazard Pedro Morata We could even play Luiz in front of the 2 cbs with a monstrous midfield: Azpi Rudiger Christensen Alonso Luiz Kante Bakayoko Hazard Pedro Morata

Unless we upgrade our supposed WB, i can't see the 343 lasting much longer. In fact, it shouldn't be called a 343. We play with a back 5 and fullbacks which get forward at the same right normal fullbacks do. They dont make a midfield 4, they make a back 5 and then get forward to make a front 5. We literally just play with 2 in midfield. We all agree that is suicide. Sure, willian and Hazard are expected to come back and make a midfield 4 without the ball, essentially a 541, but Hazard plays more like a wide SS and Willian doesn't make up much to give even a 3 man midfield stability. Switching to a 352 puts MORE emphasis on the WBs. Our squad simply isn't set for a 352. We would probably have to bench both Willian and Pedro. However, the 442 diamond isn't as dissimilar to the 343 as you think. That's why RM utilised it against Juventus. The anchor at the bottom of the diamond, for all purposes, drops back in front of the 2 cbs. The fullbacks are depended on for width. 2 cms are box to box and then there are 3 attackers, the no.10 and 2 strikers. We could accommodate that now. Drop Moses (thank God) and play Azpi rb. Luiz Rudiger CBs and Alonso lb. Bakayoko as the anchor (he has played as a deep sitting cm for Monaco last season and looked very good) Kante in the Gattuso destroyer position on the RCM and Fabregas on the LCM. You could have Hazard behind Bats and Morata. Hazard behind Pedro and Morata with pedro dropping back to help fabregas. It would be more 2 no.10 and one striker but that should allow another man to drop back in midfield without the ball. It's flexible, we can have a 451 when sitting deep. We have more men in midfield and we keep Hazard &Pedro/willian on the field. Azpi will still offer the same sort of width as Moses (who wouldn't even be on the field!) If we get no more signings, id hope we ditch the 343 and Moses from the xi. We can do it!

I know he's the shiny new toy and we want to give him a chance but he looked like a weak pussy today. Easily bullied. Not even Torres was that easily pushed off the ball!

I agree. Give the board until 19th. Then I'm joining Fernando in attacking our incompetent board! Lol

I think he's dopey. Will be ok in some games and shoddy in others. In that sense he reminds me of Cahill. Would I love to be here in 6 months eating my words because he turned into Boateng? Without a doubt!

Haha. Hi Tech! I remember WWF attitude as well

I actually think Cahill is better. I think ake will be better and isn't far off now. Ake's passing shits on Rudiger's. I hope he comes as 4th/5th choice. It's depth anyway. Silver lining. Christensen pushes Cahill out anyway

I thought Conti was a wingback?

Guys don't get but hurt over Antonio8. He's been a great addition to the forum with a perspective on Conte that others don't have (being a juve fan). I want Sandro just as bad!

Eden should me second striker with a harder working winger.

Remember we basically play with a back 5 and with Hazard and James ALL defensive responsibility will fail to Kante and Bakayoko. Hazard essentially played like a second striker just on the left. You can't have that on the right, Pedro worked like a dog. With James in the team, Kante and Bakayolo will have the job a traditional 4 man midfield had to protect the defence. Suicide.

Or you could, you know, stop lumping me in with everyone else. Just because one poster says something negative about Hazard defensively doesnt mean it's the same as all other negative comments on Hazard defensively

I cant remember the source, but apparently Lukaku ran the least out of all prem strikers last season and was very low for interceptions too. I think Costa is very high for interceptions. Hopefully he just needs a kick up the arse though the Everton boss strikes me as someone who would demand that too.

Two lazy wingers that won't track back. We'll have a back 5 and 2 cm will still get overrun. Against the small teams though would be tasty. I second Bernadeschi

Unless we improve our cb and fb situation, a back 3 is the only viable alternative. So 343 or 352 take your pick. Personally don't want James. Always gave me the impression of a stinky attitude, pretty slow and not great off the ball. Good left foot though.

Thought as much

Bit of a change in topic that. Weren't you annoyed at users because we're unhappy Bakayoko is coming? So, what, I should just say 'wait a minute! my opinion opposses the chelsea board's! They must be right and me wrong!'. I'm sure gad i changed my mind with Torres, Baba Rahman, Falcoa and the rest and agreed with the board. I may have had many criticisms of those former players for not being good enough/the right fit for our team but the board's choice sure turned out to be correct

Give me a break pal! Many are moaning BECAUSE we have seen him kick many a ball and know how poor said ball kicking is! And who, out of all us moaners, are asking for £100m options? How much would Tolisso cost?

Really fucking robbed. Not just 100m (which we aren't stupid enough to pay i hope) but anything over 60m (that's including his contract situation and those prats Everton). If you just go on the price of his worth without the negitiation bs, is anyone going to go over 50m?

In how many games? Hasn't he been playing since 19? I'm sure he's played a whole season or 2 more than Kane. How does he compare to Rooney from 19-24?