Blue_Fox_

You surely must be joking?

Which is why, as already mentioned before, if we do manage to get a b2b I can easily see Candreva getting AT LEAST ( ) as much minutes as Willian. The system could be much more effective then.

Exactly. It is more about the system than the individual player.

That might be if you keep acknowledging only what you think useful to your own points. Ya. "Conversation" over.

Conte did play 4-2-3-1 a few matches (as I've said already it's not my favourite option) Again, IF our chase for Morata should fail, I can see Hazard getting minutes as a second striker, because his work rate is shite and Conte doesn't really do free roles. Are you sure in a 4-4-2 under Conte, Willian would get more minutes than Candreva? I'm not so sure, looking at their traits, and what they like to do during the course of a match, I think Candreva has every opportunity to start AT LEAST (again you seem to want to read only what suits you) as much minutes as Willian. And again, it might be (pure speculation I know, and something you conveniently left out) Conte could feel like fielding a 4-4-2 Diamond for some pure midfield power.

A number of things can happen. As I've already explained it might be we'll keep using a 4-2-3-1 (something I don't really want) It might be we'd be going with a 4-4-2 Diamond (Interesting idea) In a 4-4-2 (4-2-4) for Conte, it might happen that Hazard plays as the second striker (If our Morata chase will fail) And to be honest if we manage to get a proper cm I can see him getting in ahead of Willian a fair number of times. As I've said, he is a fantastic player, even more so than Schurrle in my opinion, and it would be a waste to keep him on the bench more minutes than not.

That was in my first post. Was it not?

I think that is quite obvious why it would be a waste to let him stay on the bench. Is it not? I don't know about that. I would like to see him play more than Schurrle did, he can offer much more, so much more. As I've said he should start on a regular basis.

Would be an absolute waste as a back up option. He needs to start AT LEAST on a regular basis. You can't put someone like him rotting on the bench and waiting for his turn.

4-2-4 is 4-4-2 for Conte, mate

Nice shout, very good player, but from what I gathered and what I'm assuming thus far, I think he doesn't completely fit the profile of player Conte wants for his midfield. I think he is looking for a proper box to box midfielder a la Vidal; strong, can pass, quite fast, can come inside the opponent's box and score, can defend, energetic. Badelj is in possession of some of those traits, and I think he's been also used as b2b on occasion (I don't watch Fiorentina as I used to since Prandelli left.) but he is more suited to a traditional cdm role. To be completely honest I'm having difficulties thinking about who else we could target for that role, since, apparently, our chase for Radja has failed.

My money is on 4-4-2 Flat. Maybe 4-3-3

What we do with him though? One winger must surely be on his way out if we're bidding for him. Unless we're going to use him as RB Vast improvement over Ivanovic. I'm confused. Maybe him, Hazard or Willian will play as the number 10. But then that would mean we're going to keep using the 4-2-3-1 and I really don't even want to think about it. Unless we're going to use a 4-4-2 Diamond. Interesting idea. If it's a winger for a winger I hope it's Pedro who goes.

What if we get Darmian AND keep Matic, please? I know, outrageous idea.

Isn't that what i wrote though?

Jesus Christ. That would be worth watching just for the laughs. Playing Fabregas in a 3-5-2 would be such a huge mistake. And no, the Pirlo comparison doesn't hold. Pirlo played there his whole life basically, he was a smart player and had positional awareness. Fabregas has only his passing , he would be a complete disaster. Hope we upset everyone in the world of football once again.

Take away his goals and you have nothing, again as seen numerous times, not only against Italy. As soon as the difficulty of the match rises he disappears. Same with numerous Belgian players.

Still a donkey for me. As seen numerous times, against a more than decent side he disappears.

If Conte wants him and has a use for him in his system I don't see why not. I would prefer some better signings, but the boy know how to work hard and understands what Conte wants from him. As a plus he humiliated Courtois and the Belgian defence.

Meaningless observation, but i find amusing how, thus far, our only tangible activity in the transfer market has been tangential to our loan system. I find it amusing because it's pretty sad. And I don't want to be sad.

I think you are right. I'm still somehow stuck on the goal difference criteria.

I'm hoping for a draw tomorrow then yes, top spot will be secured. If Belgium wins there is still some chance for them to finish top. If they score at least 5 goals and win tomorrow and then against Sweden. Assuming we lose and don't score.

Except Rudiger and Lichtsteiner, we've been linked with exactly the players we would need to get back to the top. Koulibaly, Nainggolan, Kante, Morata. These are not second or third rate player.

He got it wrong with the selection. Wasn't as great, tactically speaking, as the first match. He should have started Zaza, he likes to press and as seen in the second half the Swedish defence panics as soon as you press them. He should have rested Candreva, at least in the second half, playing the winger/rb is one of the most taxing roles in his system, I really hope he will rest him against Ireland. He should have started Motta from the get go, De Rossi has had a tendency to lay deeper, almost in the defence line, and as seen in the second half we need to play higher up the pitch. But yes, great win we are through the group stage and forward we go. Forza Azzurri!

Hazard already around December will want another siesta.