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I disagree with the need to change the system, I believe that verratti is physical enough to hold is own in that spot next to kante/matic. If we can play fabregas against man city and win I have faith Verratti can play that spot. He also would fit in the 352 and any formation really. He is a class player with a tough streak and lots of skill. we are playing the 343 now but Conte values tactical flexibility (as any manager would) this is a player who can add to our flexibility.

He came out and said he was still feeling the tackle from Aguero but wanted to play. He did not have a great game but he is still one of the first names on the team sheet. Zouma couldnt do for us what Luiz does.

This would be a spectacular Christmas gift! Fingers crossed it goes through

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/meet-naby-keita-leipzigs-own-kante-who-turned-down-man-city-arsenal-and-liverpool Looks and plays an awful lot like Kante. Could you imagine pairing these two Tasmanian devils in the middle of the field? Not sure if we are sniffing around but he could be very interesting.

Every press conference makes me like him more and more (if that were even possible) He stays focused and motivated about the next game ahead, refuses to speculate on transfers, lineups, or issues. Speaks about the players in positive light and gives whatever small updates on injuries are needed. We are so lucky.

but we can DREAM. haha

Oh my, not sure how possible this is but if there is any chance we must explore every opportunity. He is an absolute perfect signing for that spot in our team, perfect signing as far as a tailor made Conte player. I close my eyes and dream of Hazard, Costa, Alexis.

Would Christensen, Ake, Aina, Cahill, Chalobah, Moses all classify as HG? I am not very educated on the HG rules. Any help would be appreciated.

Adding to the discussion is also allowing Conte to bring in some players of his choice. While we value these guys highly due to a variety of reasons, Conte might want to put his mark on the team with transfers of his selection(which he has rightly earned) @Unionjack is right, some people will be disappointed. One thing we can all agree on though is that whoever is at the club be it youth products, expensive transfers or loan army, Conte will play the players who deserve the time and who will give us the best chance at being successful. Good enough for me.

I much prefer Auba to Payet, His speed could really unlock another layer to our attack and such a clinical finisher. Im not so focused on him being able to play Right attacker so much as being able to be work with Costa and Hazard. As we have seen this year hazard switches sides with pedro quite often and is higher up the field than costa. I view the front 3 as all fluid attacking players not set positions. Will be quite the interesting summer for us, Very tough decisions ahead.

I think that with his level of talent and comfort on the ball, and luiz being so versatile that Conte could figure out how to utilize both of their talents together. Luiz might thrive playing LCB or RCB if christensen slides in the middle. I look at BBC, Barzagli is the destroyer, Bonucci the ball player, and Chiellini has more freedom to charge into the attack/carry out. We have a lot of options available to us which is something Conte must love. Example 1: Azpi (Destroyer) Christensen(passer) Luiz(marauder) Example 2: Zouma(Destroyer) Christensen (Passer) Luiz (Marauder) Example 3: Zouma Luiz Azpi Example 4: Azpi Luiz Christensen Luiz is playing unbelievably well in the center but that could be due to circumstance. He could potentially be even more lethal if moved to either side and such a smooth ball player like christensen in the middle. At the moment we don't have anyone who could play in Luiz spot except Luiz. Very exciting possibilities going forward.

In his defense he had Cahill behind him, Hazard in front, and Fabregas next to him against Man City who were clearly intent on attacking down that side. Yes he struggled, but so did moses on the right side. Cahill was not much help plus without matic next to him he was left on an island 2v1 against KDB and Navas. I don't think he played especially well but as i have said in the past he is serviceable, hard working, and a good soldier. I agree with everyone in that we definitely need to bring someone in to be competition/challenge/replace him. But he can play LCB, LWB and has a good attitude. I like him and think he has been a good purchase in the context of the market and where we were.

As we see with the results across the league every week there is no "easy" week. However I have found that with Conte leading the squad I am far less nervous against lesser opponents. He keeps the players too focused to let up. Anything less than a W will be massively disappointing. I think a 2-0 or 3-0 will be the result. He wont allow a big game hangover and being at home in front of a charged up crowd will help.

Watching the game on saturday i couldnt help but think that if Cesc Fabregas can pull off the two man midfield with kante against city than clearly Verratti can excel in the position! Any minor concern I had with Verratti positioning went out the window with that Fabregas performance. He is top of the buy list for me at the moment.

I have and will always have my criticism of Fab, however i am really happy for him because he has been an absolute professional about this situation. He hasn't bitched and complained and sulked. he trained hard like a pro and when given his chance he showed he still has something to offer. Will i always worry a little when he plays in a 2 man midfield? yes. were alot of our issues down the right side where Matic would have been helping? yes. Could we have scored that first goal and swung momentum without him? no. I really am happy for the guy. Against more defensive teams I am confident he can play with kante, that is something i never thought id be able to say. Kudos Cesc!

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@OhForAGreavsie @BlueLyon I agree with both of you. Kenedy just seems to lack the necessary skillset of the position(at the moment) there is always the off off off very slim chance Conte can work his magic on him. But worst case I agree that he can be a super sub if we are behind and need a little more direct attack from the LWB role. It is a shame as I had high hopes for him initially and am not willing to completely right him off but it does look like a steep up hill climb for him. I am still holding out hope that Baba can come back with some confidence and be a good depth option

Ya maybe not, but at least conte has inflated the worth of Matic in the market now. I do not want him to leave but if the right offer comes along I will help him pack. Conte is hot for Radja and besides the drama surrounding him in regards to signing him I would absolutely LOVE to have him playing in the matic spot. Chalobah certainly has contes trust and looks comfortable so i think he could do well. The fiorentina croatia guy Badelj is on the radar. lots of options. But IF Verratti wants to come, IF we can agree to a fee with PSG it would be an absolutely spectacular signing for us.

Against bigger opponents a 352 with Verrati, Kante, Matic is rock solid and will still have the width with the WB's. He would have the most freedom of the 3 and could jump into the attack or play a deep anchor role like we envisioned for Cesc. Would strengthen our attack through the middle and give a different look going forward. Against lesser opponents who just want to park the bus I really think he could play next to kante/Matic in one of the 2 midfield roles in a 343. With our high press we recycle the ball quickly and with 3 cb's and 2 WB's im not concerned with him having to be in too many aerial battles. and offensively as a partner to Kante in a 343, it would just be ridiculous. Look how many assists Matic has already...now imagine verratti picking the passes instead.

Agreed, 4 wins and a draw or 5 wins is expected. absolutely need to get maximum points off lesser opponents. We have a great december/christmas schedule, lets take advantage!

my dream defensive signing! perfect for the LCB role. I dont think AC will part with him for anything but I am hoping for a miracle.

sorry to get off topic on alonso, In regards to verratti my feelings on him are known. I think that is a strong offer that PSG will seriously consider. they get star power in cesc moving back who will be perfect for them, get value for a seemingly disgruntled player, and we get a major contributor that conte wants. Win for all involved

agreed, but we need him to be fine/good to get us into Europe. I 100% agree competition is necessary for that position. Watching the game it was clear spurs wanted him to beat them not moses in the first half. Alonso + cahill is clearly the weakest part of our team. However at the moment he is the best we've got and I know we share the same feelings on him. He is serviceable, hardworking, and doing the job at the moment but going forward we might need someone a little more dynamic.

Any points we get from City away is a good game for me. I dont care about pep, id say the same thing any year. the key is to get points against the big boys on their home fields and beat the lower level squads. a win or a draw next saturday and I am one happy guy. Lets go back to the beginning of the year and all of our year end goals were to qualify for CL. That is still my goal and getting a point away from home at Etihad will help that. Yes we are on a great run, Yes i believe if we come to play we can absolutely win. But being a realistic supporter any points we can get on saturday be it 1 or 3 is great for me. That being said....I hope we come out firing and send a message, my goal might be CL qualification but my dream is the Title!!

agreed, I have my heart set on Romagnoli in that LCB upgrade role, i just put cahill and alonso in as its easier to imagine with players names. I think we are over looking the contributions alonso has made but competition is certainly necessary for him to keep him motivated.