CurlyHairLikeLuiz

yep, and that's how teams have sussed out the only way to defeat us is to mark Matic and drag him out of position to even get at our defenders. Tbf regarding Spurs away too the rest of his midfield and the back 4 behind him weren't doing him any favours either.

Mikel/Zouma-Matic please. Cesc can be #10.

I just read a post on WAGNH, and it's changed my perspective on him again. The fact he is constantly covering for Fabregas' defensive deficiencies when out of possession means that his end product is lost. Of course, at the moment he is in aa bad run of form, coincidentally while Willian is currently in a good run. Willian's pace means he can make up for these things, while Oscar...is not so quick. Which is fine. At previous clubs he's always had good visions for passes etc. Which leaves various possibilities open for his Chelsea career to further or terminate: A: We continue to move towards the Barcelona model of possession based football. This includes the possibilities of being left open to getting bullied off the ball by strength; ironically a common fixture in our historical midfields. This would include utilising a quick back 4; Azpi-Zouma-Terry/Varane/Stones-Luis will be the final solution for the next 2 or 3 seasons, Matic playing Busquets. Iniesta being Oscar in a new CM role for him, and him getting stronger too, which gives the luxury of time to pass that is afforded to Fabregas. Similarly he can use his vision to be "Xavi" in Fabregas' absence for whatever reason. This seems to me to be the direction we are beginning to move to as a team. B: The next option is that we bring in a more defensively competent midfielder. Such as RLC, Koke, the list goes on, with Oscar being able to be the true number 10 he is for Brazil and his old club and he is the one who provides the incisive passes. C: We lobby the Premier League to clamp down on physicality, with the Spanish league the model for this. I don't want this, not at all, as I am not a fan of the league. But nonethless it is still an option. D: We sell or loan Oscar and use Willian, who is arguably more equipped for the job we ask of him (if we wish to play the same as we do now) in the number 10 and use Cuadrado and soon our academy grads on the RW. E: We do as above on D but rather than selling Oscar, we simply just invert Willian's and Oscar's positions with Willian in the 10 and Oscar on the RW. But I'm almost certain he will not be sold. Apparently coaching staff regard him as one of the best talents we have, alonside Hazard.

...so everything we want Oscar to do?

Remy's face lolololol

It's inconcievable imo that some clubs in the Spanish top flight have lower attendances than League One clubs... Having said that though they know how to knock up a midfielder!

Feel sorry for the geezer. Has to play central right back and then when he has to back off because he can't cover so much ground he gets completely slaughtered for it. Yeah, he's not the best centre half Terry has partnered (surely Ricky) but he's not shite either. If Dave played next to him I guarantee he would look so much more solid. Zouma does well there because of his pace and impeccable timing/technique of the tackle, and that'll be the cross on which Cahill will be crucified. And rightly - if Zouma is better in the role he should be played there.

Ahh, but now comes the question of replacement or supplement of/to Fabregas?

I thought he was good against Stoke...

Burnley win or draw. Considering they've done outstandingly well against big teams you could perform daylight robbery with the right stake!

and a wild Barbara appears you coming back?

You seem to have caused quite a stir

lol tbh it's not like he has a position really... he just goes where the space is or where his vision tells him to go.

Also alternatively to Messi Max Meyer of Schalke I'd like to see. If he can play RW with Willian at CAM it would be ideal, but otherwise Willian can stay RW and Meyer in the middle. Seriously, the guy looks exceptional for his age, and with that we can afford Gundogan/Koke, Butland and Varane more easily than with Messi.

Always admired Gundogan. He's a complete midfielder imo. Otherwise see Koke.

Please no. The midfield will be crippled by his lack of pace. 4-4-2 might be good though

I don't have complete confidence in Oscar but all I can say is that our scouts must have been impressed. They know better than me.

I'd like: Courtois /Butland (3rd keeper = Blackman) Azpi Varane Terry (subj to perf) Luis /Iva /Iva /Zouma /Azpi (3rd for back 4 = Ake) Gundogan Matic /Fabregas /MVG/Ake (3rd for DMs: Zouma/Ake) Messi Fabregas Hazard /Cuadrado /Willian /Willian (3rd for CAM/CM: RLC, RW 3rd: Fabregas, LW 3rd: Messi Diego /Remy(maybe Icardi) (3rd for ST: Fabregas, Messi) Only reason Cahill is out is because Iva can play more positions, despite the fact I regard Cahill as a better defender)

I can't bear the gerrard wankfest now, let alone if he wins the FA cup. Fuck that, at least Arse are a southern team.

At least it wasn't a knee injury(ies). They ended Essien's career.

...Unless he gets injured too. He did his groin in when he took a heavy shot, I think. Fingers crossed he holds out.

That's Willian starting in his place next match then... I'd like to see Oscar on the wing and Willian in the middle for once.

Nobody seems to like him round here. Not anymore, anyway...

Good, they're gonna be knackered when we visit us then.

wrong thread