Daniel1980

lol Reading some comments makes it look like Cesc became bald in a matter of weeks. During the WC: He's got plenty of hair--and pretty thick hair--on his head. His hairline at his temples is just high, which is what makes this horrible haircut/shaved head look like he's become totally bald. He's far from being bald.

Yep, totally shaved his head. It's not a haircut.

Poor thing. He's going to get a complex. But seriously, he looks so unlike himself, I wouldn't have recognized him if I didn't know it was Cesc.

But his hairline has always been high. His hair was fine enough a month ago: I'm not convinced he just didn't lose a bet and had to shave his head.

Cesc's horrible haircut is the only thing ruining the picture. Did he shave his head? Hopefully his hair grows fast.

TB -- through balls per game. Sorry to disappoint, mate--not making anything up, I'm afraid. Whoscored's data.

They'll train this evening and will have a double session tomorrow. Hopefully, it'll be enough and Jose lets the new lads play.

LOL I always thought his hairline was weird, even when he was a 20-year-old kid. Now imagine him with that odd haircut and you'll get the same result. His hair just usually masks his weird hairline.

I agree on Arsenal, but there are no real runners at Barcelona. They don't play with a runner CF. Fabregas's through ball rate, while still very high, suffered at Barcelona because of the team's style. In his last season at Arsenal, Fabregas's through ball rate was 1.5 (!). That's why he's still topping the PL's through-ball chart despite the fact that other playmakers had 3 more years to overtake him--and couldn't. Stats aren't everything, of course, but in this case, they show how much more creative and accurate his passing is compared to other playmakers. Fabregas has many obvious weaknesses to his game, but his passing, vision and creativity are absolutely top notch.

Juan Mata in 2013-2014: 15 appearances for MU, through ball rate 0.3 (5 through balls in total) 13 appearances for Chelsea, through ball rate 0.2 (3 through balls in total) I think 28 appearances is more than enough to get an accurate data. Mata has never been a through ball master for us. In 2012-2013 season, he played 35 games for us and his through ball rate was 0.2 (8 through balls in total). Compare it to Cesc's through ball's rate of 0.7 (24 through balls in total). It's not even worth comparing. Cesc is obviously a more creative passer.

The through ball chart is a per match stat, so it doesn't matter how many games he played.

He's the best at through balls in the PL, and La Liga and Europe. I hate repeating myself. I already posted the information on Europe. But here it is again, if you don't believe me: Top 20 players who made the most accurate through balls in 2013-2014 season in Top 5 European leagues (whoscored's data): 1 Cesc Fabregas 0.7 (24 in total) 2 David Silva 0.6 (16) 3 Isco 0.5 (16) 4 Luis Suárez 0.5 (16) 5 Roberto Firmino 0.5 (16) 6 Henrikh Mkhita... 0.5 (14) 7 Francesco Totti 0.4 (11) 8 Jack Wilshere 0.4 (10) 9 Andrea Pirlo 0.4 (12) 10 Ander Herrera 0.4 (13) 11 Philippe Coutinho 0.4 12 Aaron Ramsey 0.4 13 Mesut Özil 0.4 14 Reyes 0.4 15 Andrés Iniesta 0.4 16 Johan Cavalli 0.4 17 Yohan Cabaye 0.4 18 Xavi 0.4 19 Lionel Messi 0.4 20 Antonio Cassano 0.4 Mata isn't even in Top 20(and this is a per match stat, so it doesn't matter how many games he played) I think the correlation between clear-cut chances created and being a better final ball provider couldn't be more obvious. The definition of a clear cut chance is ‘A situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score usually in a one-on-one scenario or from very close range.’ Clear-cut chances created stat is the best stat for determining the best final ball provider. I'm not sure what more proof you want.

It has nothing to do with Fabregas or Mata playing for us or not. Quite objectively, Fabregas is the better final ball provider, better long ball and through ball passer and creator and has been for many years. Hell, he's still the top through ball passer in the PL despite leaving 3 years ago. That's insane. I don't remember Mata ever topping through-ball charts or clear-cut chances charts in Europe. He's not a better final ball provider. Objectively.

I was wondering why he's been wearing a cap all the time lately. I think he hates this haircut more than we do.

That's a very odd haircut for him. Did he lose a bet or something?

Yes, Cesc shares some of Mata's weaknesses, but he still isn't as limited as him. He's far more versatile. I agree that the fundamental difference between them is that Cesc is an outstanding passer while Mata isn't. As for Barcelona fans, I'll have to disagree. I live with a Barcelona fan and read their forums a lot, so I'm very familiar with the complaints they had of Fabregas. The nature of their complaints is that he can't play tiki-taka in a rapid manner and control Barcelona's midfield like Xaviniesta. Inability to dictate the tempo at Barcelona is different from inability to dictate the tempo at a team with a far more direct style. That's where the claims that Cesc was a poison to Barcelona originate--their managers wanted to fit him in, but it never really worked without completely changing the team's system. In Barcelona's system, his strengths were neutralized. A few posts on the subject from Barcelona fans(April-May 2014): Well, he'll have Costa at Chelsea. In fact, Jose probably bought Cesc with Costa in mind. Hopefully they'll have a good chemistry.

Oh well. It sounded too good to be true.

Chelsea tweeted that the team is on board already:

I don't really like that our #10 isn't a traditional playmaker, but I think(I hope) that this season, Oscar's lack of creativity wouldn't be that much of a problem with the new additions to the team. Jose seems to want Oscar as #10, and unless Jose changes the formation or Oscar is really poor, Oscar will probably remain as our #10. He's not that bad as some make him out to be, really. It's true that Oscar is really underrated among Chelsea fans. Other teams' fans seem to have a much better opinion on him than us.

To sum it up: Mata's advantages: 1) He's faster and has a better acceleration 2) he's possibly more direct 3) he's a better dribbler (alright, this is arguable) Cesc's advantages: 1) He's better at possession. He can slow the game down if needed and dictate the tempo. 2) His passing range is much superior to Mata's(his long balls are as good as his shot ones). 3) Mata is no slouch either, but Cesc is still a better final ball provider, has a better vision and creativity. Objective fact. Despite not having his best season, he still created the most clear-cut chances in Europe last season, had the most through balls in Europe too. 4) He's physically stronger: taller and bigger--179cm to Mata's 170--so less likely to be outmuscled. 5) He's not exactly a defensive genius, but he's better than Mata at tackling, interceptions and clearances. 6) He has the experience of playing numerous positions on the pitch: DLM, CM, CAM, winger, false 9 7) He's homegrown 8) Having him at Chelsea makes Arsenal fans mad and bitter.

Yeah, chances created stat doesn't always give a clear picture. But it shows us that Eden was always involved and trying to create something. Creating clear-cut chances isn't as easy as it might seem. Besides possessing great passing skills, a player must be amazing at reading the game for that. Eden is still young and has all the talent. He can only improve his decision-making and final balls. As for more shots on goal... Yeah, I expect more goals from him this season now that he doesn't have the creative burden only on him.

Too good to be true.

But most of the squad still don't know him. Only 3 players in our starting XI played with him--our squad changed that much. Though it's not really the point. My point is, expecting that Drogba would magically rub off his champions' mentality on the players he's never even played with is unrealistic when he isn't even a first team player. He's going to sit on the bench most games. We need leaders in our first team. It's a good thing that our new signings are experienced players who have experience at winning. They have a better chance at transferring their experience to the younger players than Drogba does. P.s. Seedorf finished his Milan career just 2 years ago too.

The thing is, it sounds good on paper, but sometimes it doesn't work out like that. He's a Chelsea legend, but as I said above, our squad is very different now. Most of the first team players never even played with him to have any connection with him. For example, Seedorf was a Milan legend and well-respected veteran in the dressing room when he played for Milan, but when he returned to coach Milan, instead of teaching the players the champions attitude, he was disliked by most players. Players that never played with Seedorf didn't like him, didn't agree with him, Milan legend or not.So I'm not convinced that Drogba would be such a positive influence on the team's atmosphere and mentality. They shouldn't need hand-holding anyway. They aren't babies anymore. Who's going to be the captain after JT retires? It's ridiculous that we still don't have any clear candidates. It's time for someone to step up and become a leader. Drogba isn't going to be much help in that regard sitting on the bench.

Many people commented about Drogba's presence in the dressing room, his leadership skills, etc, and while all of this is true, we need to remember that our squad is different now than it was in 2011. Most of our first team players, especially midfielders and attackers, never even played with Drogba. Would they like being bossed in the dressing room by a player completely unfamiliar to them? I'm not so sure. That said, of course I want him back for sentimental reasons. But I'm not sure his return would actually improve the atmosphere in the dressing room. Our first team players are mature enough to start developing some leadership skills. We can't rely on the veterans forever. Next year Drogba will be gone, then JT at some point, then what? We need new leaders to emerge now that Cole and Lamps are gone, not to cling to old ones.