King Kante

Nah, Giroud has to play as otherwise they will physically dominate Werner. You need to play Werner off someone so he gets a bit of room. As for the next game, it is far too early to say who will play. At this moment, I would suspect James comes in at RWB and CHO goes to Mount's position. This tie is also not over by a long chalk, we may have got an away goal, but the thing with away goals from first legs is that they only really hold any importance if you get two or more. For instance, if AM score early then they have the advantage in away goals as any goal they score after that equates to 1.5 goals. It is why, while I was happy with the result last night, I do think we should've pushed for another as AM were there for the taking and even if it ended 1-1 it would not really be that much different to a 1-0 win, as it would still mean a 0-0 in the second leg takes you through. However, if you win 2-0 away then you heap 3x more pressure on AM as it means they cannot risk conceeding early in the first game as then they starting having to quickly reach 3 or 4 goals as it kills the extra time route and they aren't really suited to chasing games.

Mendy Dave AC Silva James Kova Jorgi Chilwell Mount Puli Werner This game will be difficult as not only will we be playing Utd but VAR as well. In my opinion, James and Chilwell need to play at WB as they look to counter and are really fast on the break so we cannot risk Alonso (even though I think he is the better WB) or CHO (who isn't a good enough defender) at WB. Upfront, I would go with pace as McForehead and Lindelof are a disaster against pace if you can get in behind them. There is some arguement to play Giroud to have his backboard abilities but I think we may see a fluid False 9 situation with Puli>Mount>Werner. CHO could potentially start instead of Puli but I think Puli may get the nod as he has slightly better feet in tight spaces. As for Mount he will 100% start as you need someone pressing effectively in the front 3rd as Penandez and Pogba drop deep in Utds system to set up their counters and I do not trust any of our other AM's to do this properly/to the level Mount does. At the back, AC should keep his place as he has been our best CB since Silva went out. However, I am not moving him away from the CCB role as he isn't comfortable in a left sided position. If Silva comes back play him LCB. After that the only question is whether you move Rudi to RCB or keep Dave there.

Thing is we can all pick statistics to use as we wish. First, your one that you have lifted is slightly disproportionate as you've 74 games v 18 games which is over a 4x difference. Second, it can be questioned if the quality of the opposition comparable? I ask as if his games missing are primarily against bottom half PL clubs, League Cup games and 3rd/4th seed European teams in the group stage, then that 50% win rate quickly looks horrific. Another thing to consider is what players where doing at a comparable siutations/age to Mount. Here is a couple: SFL 01/02 (First season at Chelsea - age 23) - Games 53 - Goals 7 - Assists 2 02/03 - Age 24 - Games 48 - Goals 8 - Assists 5 Mount 19/20 (age 20/21 - First season at Chelsea) - Games 53 - Goals 8 - Assists 6 20/21 (age 21/22) - Games 38 (season on going) - Goals 5 - Assists 6 Grealish (as he seems to be a player everyone wants to compare Mount too) 17/18 (Age 20/21 - Championship) - Games 34 - Goals 3 - Assists 8 18/19 (Age 21/22 - Championship) - Games 35 - Goals 6 - Assists 8 If you look at those stats: 1) Mount outperformed SFL in his first season by 1 goal and 4 assits even though he is two years younger. 2) Mount is on course to again statistically beat SFL in goals and assists in his second year, dispite being 2 years younger. 3) Grealish was still playing Champo football at the age Mount is now. Thus, Mount is having to operate in more difficult circumstances. That said, he has a +3 goal/assist record over Grealish for their age 20/21 season, albeit in more games. 4) Mount is -3 goals/assists on Grealish on his age 21/22 season having played more games. However, again it needs to be remembered the level isn't comparable.

Looking ahead of this game, I thought I would look at the betting markets for what WWE (WWF) finisher will Harry Maguire pull and not get penalised for. Here is the market for those that are interested: Rock Botton - 8/11 DDT - 10/11 Leg Drop - Evens Sweet Chin Music - 2/1 Peoples Elbow - 4/1 RKO - 7/1 Pedigree - 12/1 Powerbomb - 20/1 Stone Cold Stunner - 25/1 Tombstone - 33/1 Million Dollar Dream - 40/1 Cross Face Chicken Wing - 60/1 Walls of Jericho- 80/1 Swanton Bomb (from the top of the Shed) - 120/1

I dunno Vesper. I personally didn't want him in the Summer because what I saw of him between Oct-Jan is what I saw of him when he was at Leicester. I admit I was starting to change my mind in Aug-Sept but now I am fairly convinced that was a purple patch similar to what he had in Oct-Jan 2019/20. Well that or he is a very patchy player. Either way, he isn't a WB and we are currently playing a 343, so for me he is a square peg in a round hole at the moment. If we go back to 433, then he is the automatic LB as Alonso cannot run. What is lost around here is that in a WB role Alonso is decent, not world class, but decent and serviceable. Problem is that too many people made him a whipping boy and now they have to continue saying he is awful as they went so far with it. It is similar to the Mount detractors. First he was SFL's son, then it is 'he isn't as good as Grealish' (even though they aren't the same type of player and he is significantly younger.) The day SFL left and he got dropped they reached for the lube and unzipped. Now he is back in the team they are trying to figure out what else they can beat him down with. Me and Tomo are currently better that he will either; a) Be revealed as Granny's son, b) has elite level hacker skills to backmail the club with c) is a clairvoyant who is able to see who will be the next Chelsea manager then uses elite level spy skills to dig up dirt on said manager.

Or he Marina's son. Did think of that, did you?

I dunno, but it is getting to the stage were he must have some Mr. Robot level hacking skills to get the dirt he does.

Buddy you cannot be offside if the opposition play it to you.

I wouldn't worry, I am smelling a Donnarumma transfer this Summer. He has our fingerprints all over him

Yeah, this is exactly why it was absolute insanity to play Zouma of all people in the CCB role against Soton. 2pts flushed down the toilet for that selection. As for the game, got to be happy but felt we should've push for the 3rd, as AM were there for the taking. A second away goal is worth 1.5 goals effectively so I would've risked it even if it meant a 1-1. As for the players, I felt all of them put a shift in. Jorgi really annoyed me with his final ball but he did keep it moving. Alonso again, was nowhere near as bad as some posters on here were trying to make out he was. AC actually gets my MotM and is now ahead of Rudi and Zouma. That said, still a lot to play for and this tie is far from over but it is always nice to get an away CL KO stage win.

Yes, he could've done better but the real culprit is Rudiger. What the hell was he doing over there and then why the hell did he not deal with the ball. So, initial fault by Alonso, that was compounded by first by Rudiger's poor positioning and secondly his failure to clear up. As for the game, it is clear AM are trying to get a player sent off and the ref initially brought into it. That yellow for Mount was an utter joke. I think he is one of our better players today but I would take him off for Harvetz as he could get sent off for blowing on a player now. As for the game, Jorgi and Kova are killing us with their poor balls. Around three to four times they had a option and over/under hit it. It may be risky, but I would consider reaching for the 🐐. As for the rest, Werner is looking good and building up some confidence, whilst AC is looking composed. Just need to get a player in and around Giroud to get some quick one twos.

I have a funny feel we may win, so expect a 3-0+ defeat. Sorry lads and lasses.

Yeah, I could also do with a trusted one, if at all possible.

Personally I wouldn't be keen on giving up on Puli yet. Sure he hasn't been great this season but I think that is due to injuries which he may be able to recover from.

Is he related to Puli?

Agreed. If I see Zouma or Rudiger as the CCB, I will literally be doing this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLpKrTVJKc

Moses was indeed emergency cover for him at Inter. Moses is now at Spartak on loan with a compulsion to buy if they qualify for the CL.

I do not think Kloop picks many of the signings to be fair, I think Liverpool's signings are largely decided by their analytics team.

Prefer Neto to Jota to be honest. I think that boy could be something special. Top work rate and very good close control.

No Zouma please, AM are far too a wily side to have him on the pitch. He will be dragged all over the place.

Knew there would be state money involved somewhere if they had 😅. That said, not sure this still covers them. There 1bn renovation of their stadium plus existing contracts has really put them in a corner; not as much as Barca but I still don't see them going mega money on Haaland, as their principal target by all accounts is Mbappe. I could be wrong but I am still confident Haaland ends up in England and mostly likely at City.

Isn't he out of contract this year?

Well said.

We have to play 3atb as we only have funsized CM's who get outrun and our CB's, outside of Silva, either constantly get caught out of position (Zouma/Rudi) or get bullied (AC.)

Be interesting game this one. AM are on a bit of a blip but they are a very good team at grinding results out I can see a 0-0 or a 1-0 AM win, which would keep the second leg alive. Whatever happens, please do not allow Zouma or Rudi to be playing the CCB role, if both Silva and AC cannot play, give it to Dave. No way, are we going to get away with their lack of reading the game against a canny operator like Surarez or Simeone.