King Kante

Not sure he is physically able to do that. He has been playing a lot better but once teams start to bombard him with high balls, I fully expect to see old Kepa, just simply because their isn't much he can do about it as it is largely down to him being a small GK. As for the result, it all worked out for us. We can now play a reserve side in the next game which is great as we could do with the rest.

Well this also makes no sense if people are going off stats; Mount 3rd year: 53 games - 3782 minutes - 13 goals - 16 assists - goal involvement every (GI) 130 mins 2nd year: 54 games - 4242 minutes - 9 goals - 9 assets- GI every 235 minutes 1st year: 53 games - 3741 mins - 8 goals - 6 assists - GI every 267 minutes SFL 3rd year: 58 games - 5041 mins - 15 goals - 6 assists - GI every 240 mins 2nd year: 48 games - 4127 mins - 8 goals - 5 assists - GI every 317 mins 1st year: 53 games - 4483 mins - 7 goals - 2 assists - GI every 489 mins So, every season Mount has been here is has significantly outperformed SFL in terms of year for year (their first three years) stats. In addition, SFL started to take pens in the latter part of his third season whereas Mount I think has only had the peno against Norwich last year. Certainly from the 4th season SFL became the no.1 penalty taker, so that will need to be considered moving forward. Furthemore, Mount is 2.5 years younger than SFL was when he came into the team, so SFL was already more developed and had more experience of the PL from West Ham. Additionally, Mount has had to also adapt to playing in the CL straight away whereas SFL didn't do this until the latter part of his mid-20's (he only started playing CL in his 4th season here.) For me, the SFL comparisons are a good one, but not in terms of stats and contribution as the stats and the eye test show he is performing better overall than SFL was in his first three seasons. People also forget that a lot of people where complaining that SFL at Chelsea was overpriced and overrated until Jose rocked up. The real comparison here is how football fans in England don't particularly like educated players who come from what the deem middle class backgrounds. This was seen with SFL and the supposed 'nepotism' he recieved from Ol' Arry and his Dad at West Ham; and the comments about how he attended a private school and had a Latin GCSE. Another example of this is Bamford who has had difficulties with fans and coaches because he is quite middle class (probably more so than both SFL and Mount.)

I think Potter may have heard me, only missed Cucu over Chilwell. Line up has to be 442, no?

Can see him at Villa. They're good sized club and spend decent money. Poch, I think, is best in that sort of environment.

I am really not very sold on Nkunku, he screams to me another Budesliga attacker that does well over their because of the space he is afforded like Werner, Sancho, Kai etc. Kvaratskhelia looks more like someone who would adapt quickly in the PL.

Yeah, I am the same. Doing a bit more thinking about this game, our injuries and Silva's game management, I would be against going to a back four and trying to hustle them in CM. For me, Jorgi is going to be quite important in this one as he is our best CM at drawing in the press then quickly bypassing it with a short pass. I would actually be tempted in this game to go 442 (diamond.) As it will give us the best option to try and take control of CM as well as put on our most athletic players in their positions. I wouldn't be against, something like this: Kepa Dave Trev KK Chilwell Jorgi RLC Gallagher Mount Kai Broja Arguments could be had for Kova over Gallagher and Puli for either Kai or Broja. If it doesn't work then we could bring of Auba and Sterling/Puli for Broja and Kai and go 433.

If James isn't a WC RB to you, I don't know what you're looking for. Additionally, Mount is close to being WC If you can appreciate off the ball work and not just be obsessed with OPTA stats. Even if be comes back at the start of March that gives him 13 league games (so essentially 1/3 of the season) plus the important end of the FA Cup and CL. Still plenty of football left for him. It is obviously disappointing, and I do not expect him to re-sign; because of the offers he will get elsewhere. However, he still has a important role to play this season.

I think we'll see him again this season as he'll be back for the run in. However, I do not see him getting a contract that'll match what he'll get offered elsewhere.

Good summary 👍

Let's see how he deals with Brentford's aerial bombardment and shots from long range. He has been impressive recently, but the reason he lost his place wasn't due to his reflexes or feet. It was always to do with his lack of ability to deal with crosses and long rangers to the top corners.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/mason-mount-doubters-a-puzzle-to-Chelsea-boss-graham-potter/ar-AA135JS6 And yet there are still people who fail to realise how good Mount is and want to slag him off as soon as he goes a few games without a goal or assist.

Rice isn't signing a new contract. If he was going to do that he would've already done it. West Ham having been trying to tie him down for more than 24 months now and he hasn't signed. That 24 months has cost him real money, as he cannot get that back. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8825235/West-Ham-ready-double-Declan-Rices-wages-huge-120-000-week.html https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12611298/declan-rice-rejects-west-ham-offer-of-eight-year-deal-worth-83m-but-club-determined-to-keep-midfielder By doing that he has already lost £6m with the first offer and £3.6m (and counting) with the second offer. In particular, not taking the second offer shows he isn't going to stay. £200k is about the best he can achieve per week; although if he gets to a free I guess he can expect a mega signing on fee....(although I am not sure he'll get to that.) I think with Rice it is abundantly clear he is looking to come back here. Anyone that takes a couple of minutes to watch an interview with him outside of post match will realise a few things; 1) He loves London and has no intention of leaving. 2) Has a slightly unhealthy love of Chelsea, considering he is a WHU player. His mistake was signing that 5+1 deal in 2019. Who advised him that was a good deal shouldn't be near such an advisory role as it was always bonkers as he didn't get serious money (£60k a week for essentially 6 years) from it and as a young English player with potential he was always going to have options. As a result, I think it is clear he is just running down his contract. Next Summer he will get to two years left (1+1) and have turned down the best part of £10m from holding out. As a result, WHU will have to recognise that they'll have to either keep him until the end of his contract or take offers in the £50m-£60m category. I think they'll do the latter as that'll given them some money to play with. If they keep him for another season, then expect that fee to go down to £30m (this is also possible) but at that point he can probably expect a decent signing on fee. Either way, next Summer means he will start to enter the territory where he becomes more of a reasonable cost in regard to fee. Whether WHU hold put for another year is up for discussion but they're no longer at the point where they can demand £100m etc.

I don't trust us without him tbh.

Yeah, by Sunday we could be 9 points clear of them.

FDJ I am not so sure about. He seems like someone who has got there money and is now comfortable with the life that contract gave him. Personally, I would pick Rice over him. As for Bellingham, I like him a lot but I think he needs another year in the Bundi. I fear if he comes back next year he may get over awed like a lot of the young players coming in from there; although I do appreciate he has some experience of England already.

No more crazy sh*t like Cucu as LCB when we have KK on the bench. No need for that sort of thing. Kepa Dave Silva KK RLC Gallagher Jorgi Cucu Mount Auba Havertz

Personally I would take off Sterling for Jorgi.

We do. Need him on asap.

Kepa, is unbelievable today.

FDJ wants him money. He isn't leaving until he has that. I mean, isn't he on something like €600k a week now owing to his deferrals? Him leaving is just the Barca boards wet dream.

Guys, just discovered who our new Sporting Director is going to be!! https://twitter.com/LucasNavarreteM/status/1579827309929934848?s=20&t=oxB-sSp88RyTSvzm52FUEw

Every six months or so, we always get the Mount needs to be dropped/he isn't that good stuff. Problem is, even when he isn't producing offensively he is still doing more than anyone else on the pitch with his off the ball work; barring Kante when available.

Need to be keeping tabs on that A.Silva kid at Benfica. Looks uber promising for a 18 y.o. CB.

Was a strange signing. If Bellingham is an option in the Summer than. I doubt he will be here very long. That said, as an emergency CM he is a reasonable option.

Depends on what he wants. PL is tough. He may decide after this year he would be better off in a league like Italy where he can play at a slower pace. I think next year is 50/50 but the one after that I think he leaves unless he has absolutely fallen in love with London. Ideal situation would be that he becomes a player/coach after next season. Reckon he would be quality in a coaching role.