Bir_CFC

Had some nice first time passes out to the centre-backs. Good distribution overall.

Someone put KDB's face on this:

KDB def has good workrate but other than Ramires, Oscar has the best workrate in our team and it's not even close. Not to mention, his tackling is unreal as well. But let's not turn this into Oscar vs. KDB, both are great talents and bring completely different games to their position. The only way to pick one over the other can be determined based on the opposition. One thing's for sure though, Oscar's time shouldn't be wasted on the wings now though.

That's my point though, I don't think we need to give him the job of breaking down stubborn defenses because I think with his talent he can already do that. Yeah sure he can still improve here but even if he doesn't he still good enough offensively. It's the other half that he needs to work on, his technique, vision and passing is so good I'd argue that his training should be 100% strength and defense training. At this point in his development, I'd rather see him misplace 5 passes and miss two sitters if he gets 2 tackles, 2 interceptions and a block. His offense - 7/10 His defense - 2/10 Total - 9/20 So even if he has an amazing offensive game, which he's def capable of, the max he gets is 12/20, whereas if he even improves his defense to a 5/10, he's putting in 12/20 performances on his off days.

But is that really going to help him develop? Just playing him when it's the perfect environment for him to succeed. How valuable is that, if at all?

Well he's proven himself on the international stage as well. And, imo he is easily more creative than Oscar (his strengths lie elsewhere), not Mata though I agree.

Incredibly harsh on Van Ginkel. Did he even misplace a pass today? Not sure where when you saw him struggle with basic passes.

lol people acting like it's his offensive contribution that he has to prove, no it isn't it's his defensive contribution and he didn't show me anything in that sense, no improvement at all people aren't writing him off because he can't pass, dribble, or has no talent, it's because he's nowhere near a complete midfielder you need to be to be able to play in the PL

Some crazy overrating going on here but that's what happens in preseason. Preseason doesn't matter much but what I was interested in is how Essien gets on after his first match, just to see if he could build on it. Well, he was excellent. The only barometer in preseason really is that if the player improved game by game and he def did. So did MVG. Thought their partnership was great. That said, it's still only preseason but I can't help but get excited about Essien.

He has talent, no doubt, but considering how deep he wants to play he should be able to handle his own on the defensive side. Until he improves that, he'll always need to a babysitter in defence and that's not going to cut it in the PL.

http://www.footballorgin.com/2013/07/pre-season-friendly-match-malaysia-xi-v.html

Excellent defensively. His partnership with Essien (who was great again today) was great. Didn't drive forward much but that will come eventually once he gains more confidence. For now though, tidy in possession, great composure and very capable defensively. He'll def be a vital squad player.

Those aren't the official lineups.

Everyone has tingled me man parts at different times. I can't choose, can I have them all?

I don't think he'll ever play for Chelsea again. My guess is that he gets sold to Vitesse or if he impresses this year tthen o someone else next summer.

He's talking about the Vitesse coach asking him to switch to RB last season, not Mourinho.

source? nvm, found it

um the mourinho quotes that were just released is what he was talking about, it was an interview, so really everyone broke it at the same time 9 and 26 meant torres and terry, mou said torres will stay but he will pick and choose when to play him and terry he said will have to fight for not only his place but another contract, so he has to work very hard

Close thread. Mou confirmed he's not buying anyone else for the midfield. “No, we are fine for midfield players. Experience: Michael Essien, Lampard. Mid-age: John Obi Mikel, Ramires. Very young: Marco van Ginkel. We are there.”

So in a gist, Mou def thinks the strikers aren't good enough. None of them he says can play in close quarters, turn and make a play, hence why he wants Rooney. Regarding Torres, he says he'll play him depending on the opposition as he likes to run in behind in space so presumably, against opponents that stay deep we'd likely never see Torres start. Imo, if Torres is being saved for opposition that don't play deep then he's screwed because Lukaku also prefers the same tactical approach and he's def better than Torres.

Think it'll probably just be about Higuain. Nothing else really needs to be said from Mou's end about Rooney.

Mata can play all 3 AM positions at a high level, so can Hazard and KDB. Schurrle and Moses should only stay on the wings and Oscar in the middle. My depth chart for the 3 positions would be: LW - Hazard, Mata, KDB, Schurrle, Moses CAM - Oscar, Mata, KDB, Hazard RW - Mata, KDB, Moses

He did in in the 2nd half.

Is Zlatan really leaving PSG? If he is and we aren't getting Rooney, the same package can be offered to Zlatan. Can you imagine us playing two up top, Zlatan and Lukaku, bonerific!

We've improved our squad but not our first eleven, especially not the areas we were weak in.