DanP2311

I agree that an eventual front 4 of Puli-Werner-Ziyech-Havertz makes sense. And I’d put CHO at either wing as a sub before Mount. Mount excelled box to box and on direct kicks. But he while he can shoot, he didn’t seem to contribute to attacks in ways you expect of an attacking winger. However, that front 4 jeopardizes his playing time, because both Kova and Kante seem better suited to sit between that front 4 and the back 4. Should be interesting, since obviously FL really likes Mount on the pitch.

I don’t know if the eventual default front four will be Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech, and Havertz. But the prospect of those 4 getting used to one another, and gelling together, has me anticipating a really exciting and beautiful attack. Hopefully the other six can defend a little, because I don’t think those four are going to be lock down defenders.

I am very excited to imagine how beautiful the Chelsea attack could become with a front 3 of Pulisic-Werner-Ziyech, with Havertz right behind. The speed and technical skill in tight spaces in that group could look downright Argentinian (in a good way). And a rotation that includes CHO (he finished strong) and Giroud in that attacking front 4 would be powerful. It only leaves 2 other starting spots for three excellent midfielders--Mount, Kante, Kova. But with the compressed schedule and injuries, all these people will get to play. Barring serious injury problems, the minutes for RLC and Barkley might not be sufficient to keep them happy, but such is life at a top club. I do worry about the pressure on the CBs and box to box midfielders if both our outside backs play like attacking wings. But time will tell.

Celebrate Willian’s career for Chelsea. He was a great player and a joy to watch. But everyone is free to enter into the contracts they choose to enter into (or not). Chelsea has better options at both wings now, so it makes sense for Willian to move on if he insists on a longer contract. If Arse are willing to offer him 4 years, we should just thank our lucky stars that we are not in that position.

Once he gets in the box defender seems scared to death to challenge for fear of giving up a PK.

CP is a boss. Injuries are injuries. When healthy, first on the lineup card. That has been established, conclusively. The rest is about who fills in where when CP isn’t available.

Perhaps I am in the minority, but I don’t see this powerful attack making much difference if the central midfield and central defense are mediocre.

Willian (Mount) and Kante (Jorgi) changes the game

Pulisic in the right = mistake, IMO.

LOL. I am putting my emotional eggs in the ManU > Leicester basket. ManU's transfer budget is on hold pending CL qualification. I think they'll be motivated. Nuno frightens me. Somehow I think he has a plan to bottle up Pulisic, and I hope that our brain trust has a plan for that, because Pulisic seems to be creating a large percentage of the chances (and the general offensive menace) since the break. I'd a Mount-Kante-Kova midfield, and a Pulisic-Grioud-CHO attacking corps would make me more optimistic that we will make enough happen offensively to compensate for the inevitable defensive lapses.

On their 5th goal he worked hard to get back on that counter, and then just went brain dead about marking his man and Instead just went ball watching. His own reaction to the goal is proof enough that he was responsible. But I am not saying that he shouldn’t necessarily play, just that it’s fair to assign him responsibility for that particular goal.

If both Kante and Kovacic are in the mildfield I will be more optimistic.

This makes me nervous. I think we could have had a point today under different circumstances. Nuno is going to be ready to bottle up Pulisic. We have to have a plan for that.

Nationalities and nationalisms aside, one offensive player is playing at a speed and level above everybody else. Frank is missing that somehow, and people begin to speculate as to why. He is a legend as a player, not a manager. Questioning is normal. Wolves are scary, but if CP and Giroud start, I expect a point, even if the D sucks. (I still can’t believe Alonso hustled back and then froze on that last goal.) But the academy boys are not all that, at least not so far. Time to recognize that and set the team accordingly.

Alonzo should be forced to watch the 5th goal on a loop

Yeah, sure showed his fragility today

Well, I guess the only chance is a personnel change right now, which seems unlikely by FL

Not sure what keepers save that goal. The chance was the error.

Horrible defending as well. But I’ll take it.

When a heart breaks, it don't break even

With City winning their appeal that changes things a bit

The back line needs an overhaul in 2 ways. First, players who are capable of adequate play do not consistently play adequately. One of SHU’s goals yesterday was created by a cross in the box that Zouma could have prevented but simply didn’t try to stop. That kind of lapse in the back has been a problem all year. It’s why everyone blows so hot and cold about Zouma, Tomori, and Christensen. They look good, then bad, then good, then bad ... often in the same 15 min stretch. That seems like more of a mental discipline issue than a capability issue. That’s a coaching/motivation thing, IMO. The three of them could do the job (of 2 CBS) if they were each focused and disciplined all the time. Second, the outside backs have different issues IMO. Azpi IMO has been the complete package in his prime, when he plays on the right. He is just getting older, and he is being asked to play on the left where he seems less capable offensively and less comfortable. He still knows how to defend but sometimes his age seems to show in little ways. He needs a capable backup who can defend. Alonso looked motivated to play a complete game yesterday. Sometimes he seems to lose interest at the defensive end. He will never be a lockdown defender but he can be adequate when he wants to be. His issue is like the CBs, and he needs a defensively capable backup too. From my vantage point this team needs a coach (or an empowered assistant) who cares more about defense, someone who prioritises it. The minefield probably needs an injection of this idea as well, but that’s another issue. JMO..

Defense is the start of the offense. IMO defense is the issue.

I don’t think he cares nearly as much about the defense. All the transfer news is about the offense.

Better go out and get some more attackers.