El P.

If Modrić have played in advanced position and in high-possession based team like Kovačić does, he would get in a lot more chances. In that case he would score more goals because he is better shooter than Kova. 7-8 goals, I would say, if you just swap him and Kova in this CFC team.

He needs to work on his shoot. It looks miserable every time he tries to do it... Maybe he should abandon power-shoting and practice accurate placement, without so much power. Fine players with good pass and dribbling, like he is, tend to be good at shoots like that.

Yes, we are thinking the same. He is playing that advanced because of the attacking system. I don't think anyone who wants to play attacking-pass-free-flowing football would have him at the defensive midfielder position.

Kante was not shoe-horned out of his natural position, he was shoe-horned out of his natural system. That system being compact/defensive one.

Romagnoli is the boss. I think he could be a good leader in the right system. But he is Italian, it would be hard to get him, Milan will fight hard for him.

He also missed a big big chance. But yes, still agree, he gave a good assist, and great pass in build-up of that for-goal action. Been watching last 10 minutes of that game, what a circus. FORZA!

I somewhat think that he is still evolving in his head. He should build his confidence on poachers' goals (like today) and headers, not on 1-on-1-es. He should say to himself - I need to focus to score almost every cross and poaching chance, and if I score 1-on-1 it's even better, but not crucial for me! That way his mind would be at peace, he would know that he is enough (for himself) as he is. And in that way he could be calmer when 1-on-1 is due. What do you think Giroud tells himself? Same shit, guy can't even run fast enough to GET in 1-on-1 situation, but builds his confidence on aerial presence, headers and some poaching scrapes...

Luiz, you clown...

Why is Willian on the right?

We can dig deeper in history. We can analyse past best midfield destructors with Kante. I am on purpose using term "destructive midfielders", not "defensive midfielders", because Xabi Alonso and Jorginho are too DMF-s, but they are not the Kante mold. I'll list some midfielders in Kantes' mold, and they even don't need to play in same position to be good comparison. Makelele was close to being WC, IMO. But, for me, he had (almost) all qualities Kante has, but his defensive intelligence was out of this world and significantly better than Kantes'. Never he was at the wrong position. And that made difference. Vieira was a beast, and was a lot better at holding on the ball and passing. Also, he had height and brute strength. Roy Keane - almost same as Vieira. Edgar Davids - destructor with abnormal dribbling skills and shot power. Also, that man could jump sky-high! Essien - he is (was) for me Makelele level - at the edge of being WC level. His defensive capabilities were not awesome like Kantes', but he was one of the strongest players in the Europe which by itself improves his ball shielding ability. And had rocket-shot and could win headers. Arturo Vidal (in his prime) - A lot like Essien, but even better I guess. Maybe a bit weaker, but more capable of offensive duties. WC for me. Duty of those players were similar to Kantes - stop the opposition, and provide us something in attack. Not much, but something. And there are others too. THOSE are world-class, in my opinion. Kante? I'll put him above Gennaro Gattuso, for example. Kante is very good player, and we should not sell him or anything. We should just accept him for what he is and accept that his shortcomings must be compensated too.

I am talking about Hazard and how he is WC at every setup. Unlike Kante.

As I have always been saying - when deciding how much one player is really good, you should analyse him through some different setups. You put Hazard in Mourinho pragmatic setup, he is world class. You put him in Contes' compact 3-4-3 setup and he is world class too. And now under Sarri, he is world class again.

Bring him if Mateo is set to leave.

Yes, and that way a lot of money would be available to buy a proper striker. Also, we could sell Pedro / Willian if Suso comes. I think Suso is somewhat better than Willian, but main difference is that Suso is the best on the right side. Willian is at the left, where we have (at least for now) Eden Hazard. Suso would be like a somewhat better Willian, always playing on his most preferred position. Also, CHO is also playing his best on the left. We are really in a need of one natural (probably left-footed) right-winger. Even RLC could be good on the left wing because he can dribble and shot well, with his right foot.

Yes

3 goals and 7 assists in mediocre AC Milan this season. I think this guy is on the up, we really should grab him.

Hazard is evil mastermind, lol. I guess he ordered Perez to sell CRonaldo too, so he could have guaranteed place on the left flank...

Sometimes, when Pedro is off-form, I wish we could play some 4-3-3/4-4-2 hybrid, with Barkley playing as right AMF... Like this: ------------ Morata----------- Hazard----------------------- ------------------Barkley---- ----Kovačić---------------- ----------------Kante------ ---------Jorginho---------

Credit where its due - Morata played a great half. Hart barely saved his headed effort, then he scored... after that he had one great chance when he could have done better, but he himself got in situation with great dribbling. And last chance, great run-in, but Hart was too close. COME ON ALVARO!!!! And Barks is really really great. Jorginho too.

Well, if that's the case - if Sarri really see things that way, than I'm of course on board with that! Jorginho - Kovačić - Barkley/RLC sounds sick against smaller opponents.

If he continues to improve we can let go Kovacic in summer and save money for striker, winger or defender... Poslano sa mog SM-A310F koristeći Tapatalk

Real is a mess. It increases chances of them really wanting him, but decreases chance of him wanting them, I guess.

Once we buy good striker, or/and goal-scoring right winger, Bakley will be no match for Kovačić I think. In this set-up we are in a need of goals SO much, and that's why Barkley sometimes seems more useful than Mateo.

Dear diary, today I woke up and I love Chelsea. Maybe I can be here forever. Its really great club. ... Not hating, but this is actually funny sometimes.

Good thing that he is playing great. If we offer him new contract with at least 150mil pounds buy-option, he has no reason to complain and should sign it. That would be leaving club at "good terms", if that eventually happens. 150 millions is still a bargain for a player like that, in his prime years and in that kind of form. Also, that way he will have time till the end of a season to decide whether he wants to go to Real drama Holywood f**kers, or play beautiful Sarriball and continue being second best player in the world here.