TheWiz

I wonder, what some of you guys are dreaming of ... Bakayoko on the Pitch, while Matic sits on the Bench? Unbelievable ... There is nothing Bakayoko can offer that Matic can't offer with just 70%-80% of his Capabilities ... I do understand Conte's Love for less creative, but constantly running Players who tear themselves apart on the Pitch. We need those Workers - That's where Kante's and Bakayokos Value comes from. But we need the Football Brains as well. The ones who are capable of reading the Game and marshall the Center of the Pitch, creating Balance between Offense and Defense. That's why Matic is one of the Cornerstones of the Team(s) that won us 2 EPL Titles. A silent Heartbeat, although he was misused positionally I believe.. TBS, I don't mind bringing in Bakayoko ... But with a coherent Plan to dominate Midfield ... Not just willy-nilly and of course not with Matic on the Bench. Thats ridiculous. If we bring in Bayoko ... I'd go like this ... Kante ---------- Bakayoko -----------Matic--------------- ---- Pedro----Hazard------ ----------Costa--------------- Whil I do agree (to some extent) that Bakayoko is equal to Matic when it comes to defensive Duties (Bakayoko played French League and not EPL), it is pretty obvious that, when it comes to Offense and Creativity, Bakayoko can't carry Matic's Waterbottle. That's because Bakayoko lacks Matic's natural Vision and Creativity. He predicts Space and Situations before they occur. Matic / Bakayoko Comparison Games Played 35 32 Minutes Played 2697 2219 Win % 77% 75% Goals 1 2 Assists 7 1 Fouls Conceded 33 51 Fouls Won 25 53 Tackles 51 70 Blocks 9 3 Interceptions 50 56 Clearances 46 53 Duels Won 143 242 Duel Success 51.8 59.2 Passes 1865 1369 Passes Successful 1636 1193 Passing Accuracy 87.7 87.1 Yellow Cards 4 2 Red Cards 0 1

I don't love the Guy. What is it with this Love Thing? I simply admire the way he plays. I'm taking the piss no more and no less than People, who admire the likes of overrated Players like Zidane an Ballack ore great Players like Messi, LeTiss and Maradona.

Going back to the 70s ... You're funny mate Yeah, I know things were different back then ... I also remember when Teams like Villa made it among the Top 3 Teams and when Teams like Norwich, Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn made it among the Top 5 Clubs. I also remember when Football was competitive and not a spending race in order to give a few privatized and rich Teams an advantage in winning Titles. But Football has been taken away from the Fans since then, and we have not reclaimed it. We succumbed to the Price Tags and Club Exlusiveness forced upon us. How is it possible that (the most expensive) PL Ticket costs 1800 Pounds or how is it possible that Teams like Bristol ore Millwall sell Season Tickets for 400 Pounds? The Times Clubs were (partly ore fully) owned by Fans- ore Supporters Trusts ore Mutual Trusts are over. Almost at least, with a few Exceptions out there. Large Trenches have been created between Clubs and it's Supporters and while Club Owners as well as Players seem content and even happy with it, Fans still pledge their Loyalty by paying any Price necessary.

A nonchalant Style of Play, Vision, the Ability to tear holes into opposing Defences with direct Passes, Great first Touch, The Skill to get past multiple opposing Players and an uncanny Ability to reclaim the Ball .. That's why I believe Conte doesn't want to sell him. He's too valuable and one of the Cornerstones of the Team.

Maybe I don't. Explain it, please.

I don't wanna be the Guy who says Things in this Forum, that noone wants to hear. But, your are right. Football Clubs are nothing without it's Fans. Because without it's Fans, Football Clubs have noone they could bleed dry. It would be better, we would get together .. Form our own Club .. Call it whatever we like ... And start to build a Club History by Choosing a Color, Creating a Logo .. With a Dragon on it, Or a Horse with Wings, Or a Ball with a Firetail .. And then we could go ahead making Statements like ... "We" need to do this ore that, in order to improve, win Titles and make some Money. We could bring in Matic .. Or Bakayoko .. or Nayngollan or whoever we like .. Because the more we invest, the better Players we will have ... and the better Players we have, the more Fans we will have, who throw Tons of Money in our Pockets fore Jerseys, Tickets and Pennants in order to identify themselves with us emotionally (Because we also need them to call the Ref a Wanker ore a Cunt, when a Decision goes against us or to whistle against an opposing Millionair Player, who commited a Foul against one of our Millionaire Players). So yes. You're right. We need them Fans for all of that, although they don't have any Relation or Connection to our private and closed Group of People. That's why we won't let them on the Pitch, to celebrate with the Players after winning a Trophy. That's why we won't invite Fans to Club Parties, because only Club Related Millionaires will be welcomed. We need them Fans. We need them as our driving and financing Force behind that invisible Wall called Exclusiveness, because a Club is nothing without its Fans.

I like you too, Greavsie. But I never said that Matic is better than Glen Hoddle in avery aspect of the game ... I said they are similar, but they have differences as well ... Hoddle might have been the better Header, while Matic is certainly the better Dribbler. And there Similarities being ... Passing Technique, Vision, Touch ... There is nothing Genius or Brilliant about my Statement, everybody can see the Similarities. I would, however, choose Matic over Hoddle ... Because Hoddle played in different Times, when Professional Football was easier. Who knows, wether ore not Hoddle would even play in a Top Club nowadays. After all, Matic marshalled the Midfield of a Top Club the last 3 Years, leading it to 2 EPL Titles.

All good, mate.

Don't even try to drag me into that kinda Conversation. I know more about our History, than necessary really .. Considering that I am not even a Citizen of England ore London in particular. And of course I am a Fanboy ... We are all Fanboys here ... Club Fanboys ... Specific Player Fanboys ... Mixed Fanboys ... Fanboys all around. You are also a Fanboy. News to you? Welcome to the Club.

I mean ... I must admit ... Being a Fan of one specific Player is equally as useless and dumb as being a Fan of a Football Club ... We are here, talking about who "We" should sell ore buy .. Which Position "We" should play a specific Player on ... Ore which Player "We" should put on the Bench ... Ore how much Money "We" should spend on new Squad Members ... As if it is an Institution that we own - Which is basically a few Guys coming together, to wear the same T-Shirt with a specific Logo on it (Which anybody could create) ... Ore as if we had something to say ore decide about. As if "We" had to decide anything ... We cheer and root fore a Bunch of Multi-Millionaires who (if we are honest) earn more than they deserve for what they do, while they don't give a flying fugg about "Us" the Fans ... What in Consequence makes us buy Tickets fore Matches with ridiculous Price Tags ... Worth 500, 800 ore even 1000 Pounds ... in order to make them even richer. Human Logic at it's best ... But no shame in being Human. So I root fore Chelsea, and fore Matic specifically ... Doesn't really fit into this Thread ... But kinda felt like writing it.

You Guys can attack me all you want. All I can say is, I am not a Troll and I certainly do not have a crush on Matic. Big Part of the Problem is, that English is not my native Language and you Guys probably don't always understand ore get what I am saying ore what I mean exactly. And that leads to Misunderstandings. What is certain to me, is that Matic is a footballing Genius with Tons of Talent - That's why I like him so much. The Passes he is able to produce, the Vision he posseses, the Dribblings he is able to put opon Opponents, the Goals he shoots out of nothing, the Tackles he makes, His nonchalant Style of Play ... All that is beyond reach fore us, because Conte misuses him. As soon as Matic is put in a more offensive Playmaking Role, Things will change to the best .. I am sure about that. It is unbelievable fore me, that People do adore a slow Square Passer like Zidane ... but wanna kick out a Title Winning Pillar of our Team, who had 77% Forward Passes this Season as a purely acting DM.

From what I saw at the Final, they suck anyway in comparison with Matic. But then again ... Who are the few Players on this Planet, who don't? With Matic, they would have won the Final most likely, but they don't have him. We do have him, however, won 2 EPL Titles with his help but we want to kick him out. Human Logic at it's best.

Lose more regularly and (most likely) unsuccesfully defend our Title next Year. That much is certain.

"And in central midfield, much will depend on Nemanja Matic. The Serb is in negotiations with Chelsea about a new deal, but it hasn't been smooth. Ideally, Conte wants Matic to stick around. That's his priority ahead of any new midfield signing - which has been made clear to the player's minders." http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/calm-conte-why-chelsea-not-panicking-over-sudden-man-city-mega-spend-4184682 The Article claims, what I've been thinking since the beginning of last Season. That Conte knows and aknowledges Matic being on of the Pillars of the Team. And that he kows it would be a big Mistake to let Matic go, because without him the Task to defend the Title and be successful in the Champions League would be a lot harder.

Because Matic is a natural Playmaker and a very good DM at the same Time. Kante doesn't provide enough offensive Abilities to be chosen over Matic. I agree with your second Line. Although I don't agree with Part where you suggest Nainggolan playing as free Roam.

1) If I had to choose 2 out of the 3, I'd take Matic and Naingollan I think. But all 3 of em forming the same Midfield would probably be the best. I agree on that. 2) Because I believe that Radja is the more reliable DM while Matic is a natural Playmaker. 3) Don't worry about that.

I did not mean, that he won us the Title "on his own". I think that's something many of you here misunderstand. What I mean is ... He was/is one of the Pillars of the Title Winning Season(s). Sure it's his Job. Ore at least Part of his Job. What else is the Reason for Coaches to do private Training Sessions, Conversations and Match Analyses with single Players? How would it be madness? It would be perfect. A Playmaker, who has Vision, the Ability to go past Players, open up the Space and create Chances as well as reclaim the Ball and initiate Attacks out of his own Half, if need be. It happens rarely. Then Conte needs to put him into a Position, where it happens more often.

Yeah I mean, I was talking about the one sensational Season, not his overall Performance since he came back to Chelsea. The Thing is this I believe ... Matic set such an abnormally high Standard two Seasons ago, that whenever he performs below that Level, People feel like he's the main reason why we lose (single) Games, instead of carrying us from flawless Victory to flawless Victory - Although he still wins us Titles. So big was his Influence back then, that People came up with Terms like the "Matic Position" You don't play like that just by coincidence. That's not possible in Football. You are either able to perform a certain Level ore you are not. And if Matic, fore whatever reason, is not able to release his Magic by his own, it's Conte's Job to help him find a way to do so. Because, if Conte can't release the best Matic possible, what can we expect from him when it comes to Players who are far less talented than Matic?

There won't be a Matic - Naingollan Partnership anytime soon, it seems .. Radja Nainggolan believes that Antonio Conte is “still a little angry” that he rejected a move to Chelsea last summer. Roma midfielder Nainggolan was thought to be one of Conte’s primary transfer targets last summer, but he eventually turned down a switch to Stamford Bridge. Conte instead landed N’Golo Kante for £30million and paired him most often with Nemanja Matic in midfield as Chelsea cruised to the Premier League title. Nainggolan once again enjoyed a fine season in Italy, helping Roma finish second in Serie A, while they reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals. The 29-year-old is not expecting to hear from Conte again however, as he thinks the Italian is still “angry” with him. “I haven’t heard from Conte this year,” he told Italia 1. “I think he’s probably still a little angry with me about last year. At least I think he is, I don’t know. “I get very fond of places and if you earn a certain respect, it’s because you’ve given them something. I am happy in Rome, I like playing where I do now and changing club often is not my style. I showed love.”

1) I have asked myself that same Question when Ballack came here as the "Most Goalthreatening Midfielder" in Europe. What followed was him scoring 17 Goals in 5 Years as an Attacking Midfielder. Matic is a different Story tough. 2) I can tell you what Matic offers that most Footballers don't possess. An Eye fore Space, Vision, the Ability to open Opponents Defenses with Passes out of his Hip, The Ability to score Goals if need be and an uncanny Ability to Dribble past multiple Players and bring Balance to any Midfield. However this Matic cannot be unleashed if he is shackled to Defensive Duties. 3) I will tell you something. Players get past Players every single Game on any Day of the Week. That's Football. 4) But he has the Ability to marshall Midfields and initiate offensive plays. And he is a Champion. He won us 2 Titles in 3 Years. He is a Winner. If you had to choose between a suboptimally playing Matic who wins us Titles ore an amazingly playing Naingollan or Bakayoko, who doesn't win us any Titles .. Who would you choose? 2) Chances created: 27 3) Assists: 9 4) Passes Completed: 1602 5) Pass Accuracy: 88% 6) Forward Passes: 77% (Matic, the "TalkChelsea Squarepasser" .. LoL) 7) Shot Accuracy: 54% 8) League Titles past 3 Years: 2 While I do aggree that Stats don't tell the whole Story, there is no doubt that Stats + Results finishing in Success definately do. That's an Equation noone can deny. I'll be honest now, although I know that some Forum Users will attack me fore it ... I'd love to bring in Naingollan (after analysing his play and watching some Youtube Videos) in order fore him to partner up with Matic, while Kante remains on the Bench as Backup next Season ore as Rotational Player. Naingollan (acting more defensively) playing right behind Matic (who acts more as a Playmaker) would be enormous. I believe this Core would be devastating fore any opposing Midfield .. be it Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juve or any other Team.

I am not deluded. Ok maybe I was wrong, and Gianfranco Zola was better ... But that's about it. And yes, Matic is a Football Genius ... And it's Conte's Job to reach deep and drag it out of Matic right on that Pitch.

It's Contes job to lure out the best of a Player. We've all seen what a Matic on top of his Game is able to do. We saw it two Seasons ago ... When he forced opposing Midfields into Submission on a regular Basis, when he marshalled our Midfield better than any Chelsea Player before him in History. If Conte is not able to squeeze the best out of a footballing Genius like Matic, then what can we expect from Conte in the upcoming Seasons, with Midfielders like Bakayoko or Nainggolan, who are far less versatile compared to Matic? The Fact we have not sold him yet to United ore any other Club is a good Sign fore Conte knowing much more about his Players, than we do.

You are right. And I fear the worst ... Rumours about him leaving to United are intensifying day by day ... 16:00pm: Nemanja Matic reportedly wants to quit Chelsea for Manchester United. That is according to the Manchester Evening News, who claim he wants to link up with Jose Mourinho again. Mourinho is targeting a central midfielder in order to coax the best out of Paul Pogba next season. And Matic could now make the move to Old Trafford - with both clubs now haggling over a fee. Please don't let him leave Antonio. Just don't ...

I do, that's for sure. I'm sorry.