SeB

Precisely he asks at least 10 or 12m for two different reasons: he thinks the player isn't ready to leave (I think so, except if Di Matteo identified him as a part of his plans) and don't want some clubs to sign the player "because he's a bargain" and ending up with the guy released in 3 years, signing for a League One club. And also because he owes 20% of the sell to Crystal Palace.

Good stuff ! Kakuta's "good loan spell" has to be nuanced a little bit. He had a difficult debut then he played well 6 games until the win at Marseille. After that his behaviour wasn't good, he sorted his efforts. Patrice Carteron made a lot for him, contributing to offer him important wages, gave him confidence etc... Kakuta was that bad that he wasn't picked for the 3 or 4 games of the season. Carteron said to medias that he was injured instead of saying what he could have said. In a recent interview Kakuta says he feels that his loan spell(s) were blameless (Bolton's one as well). He said Carteron was selfish and that his (proven) conflict with the sporting director was rather childish. If I was Kakuta I'd hate to see my parent club looking to sign Victor Moses because he's what Kakuta could have become ; what that he didn't manage to be due to his immature attitude.

You imagine Hulk playing back to goal as a lone striker, making strikers runs etc... ? I dont I watched a lot of Bolton games in 2010/2011, Coyle played 4-4-2/4-2-4 with Elmander as a right midfield (he put him there because there were injured players and that Elmander lost confidence in front of goal but not his work rate. I wasn't convinced vs WBA but after it came to be a brilliant idea I think. Many managers would have lost faith and put Elmander on the bench). I don't agree with you about their positionning, at the contrary I noticed that Davies weighed on the defense and make the defenders staying deeper in order to left the maximum of space for Sturridge between the midfield and attack lines. And I think it's his best position. He could supply Davies as well as enjoying his (now gone) terrific ability to put players in shooting position with his touches back. And he could orientate the play as well or going to goal by himself. I think he's definitely a support stiker, players such as Anelka or Fabregas can hold the "false nine" role because their leaving position runs are what is expected from them. The difference with Sturridge is that because he wants to do everything, he can't manage to be a focal point or allowing diagonal runs for his team mates. If we sign someone like Salomon Rondon, Steven Fletcher who can really be focal point, I definitely wouldn't mind. We have only Torres the goalscorer as a striker. Otherwise, Sturridge, Torres the assister or even Moses, Hulk etc... are support or wing players. Lukaku is kind but we cannot rely on him at the moment. Like Zolayes said (and what I was going to answer to Konohas) is that on 60 games you can't rely on 1 proven central striker. A team is starting players and squad players

Moyes implemented it with success at Everton with Tim Cahill And I do think it's the best system to play teams who park the bus. If you play a 4-6-0 with a player such as Rooney as a false nine, he aspires the defenders by leaving his position and a winger can cut inside. If the defender don't follow the Rooney, then he can turn around and shoot and score (like against us at SB). And if the defender is tempted to come out, a winger can run into the space. What Spain does is very smart because they even play with 3 players with specific roles between the lines. Fabregas is the false nine and leaves his position whereas Iniesta and Silva ay be higher than Fabregas. Silva and Iniesta are really fixing the defenders, they make them focused on another thing by standing where they are. 4-6-0 means a lot of players between the lines because the false nine allows two support players to insert into spaces he creates. And it's way to counter teams parking the bus. You can play a quite direct way with 4-6-0, the only thing that changes with Spain is that they decide to play possession. If you ask your offensive players to shoot and put the CK under pressure, there's no reason not using the 4-6-0. Ancelotti already used it at Old Trafford when we won in 2010, Drogba was surprisingly benched (because he is regarded as a player who weighs on the defense line and makes them staying deeper) to play Anelka. Anelka left his position and Malouda and Joe Cole were higher than him, running into space created by Anelka But you hardly can play a similar way of 4-6-0 away because you have to be very high and keep possession, what's more difficult considering that you're "not supposed" to play when you play away. It's better to play it at home against a team who will only defend. Because that way of playing does not really plan the defensive duties of the between the lines players (tracking full backs by example)

I don't think so. There was two players I really appreciate at Palace for some years, Moses and Nathaniel Clyne. Though their young ages and the weaknesses inherant to it, I though they have a really impressive maturity in their play. I don't find that with Zaha, he seems technically good and he's very quick but I'm not convinced by the content of his games. After all he doesn't manage to make the difference that often on the ball, I mean a lot of player can't do neither but Zaha's play has too much stepovers and useless things Players such as Clyne, Bertrand, Moses aren't that inconsistent in their play, they lack presence but they don't do lows and highs. For the handle of times I watched Zaha play, when he manages something great he starts then to try even harder things (that he often missed) whereas the best thing to do to prove you're mentally ready is to continue playing at the same level whatever happens. And I remember the double confrontation with Cardiff in League Cup, though they have the same age, Clyne and Zaha were opposed on the pitch. The first one was captain and made two impressive and consistent performances, the second one was inconsistent (but also alone because Palace stayed deep) and got more and more nervous as the game went (was booked, and if I remember well it was McNaughton playing with his nerves) I easily see a bright future for Clyne and Moses. I'm not that optimistic about Zaha Otherwise I completely agree with the second part of your message !

It's not because it's on the internet that it's reliable. If I take a picture of you and I put "cunt" just beside it, if I google "cunt" I'm likely to find your picture. Though I don't think you're a cunt. That's why something gets viral that quick on the internet Of course it's not the same person, I wonder how one can imagine that. Just to make a buzz... But some french medias (SoFoot) also posted the image. Bunch of morons hungry for quick information even if it's completely untrue

I don't know, I've never heard anything about it...

Ashley Cole said in his book that he's still an Arsenal fan & that Wenger is the best coach he worked with. He said his departure was due to Arsenal's prehistoric board Otherwise Ryan Bertrand is also an Arsenal fan (said it on twitter), for 4 months I read that I did not manage to get used to this awful awful fact.

He said it several times, his father is a die hard Loserpool fan. I remember that Walcott stated it after or before that quarter final at Anfield.

The atmosphere on this forum is really special

So your point is that everything under 80 on FIFA cannot be even considered ?

Van Aanholt is incredibly quick as well I don't regard him as a winger but rather as a central complement striker. I use to think his movements are quite good, beside the fact he's incredibly quick. Diagonal runs through the defense, good timing. I do not pretend he's the missing piece of the puzzle, I just think he's a decent opportunity among other ones for a cheap price

This stuff is definitely going to ruin me ultimately

You forget the one regarded by the man who coached Shevchenko as the quickest player he has ever seen. Daniel Sturridge I wouldn't say that. His passing and assisting register is quite narrow but for short passes, short through balls and short crosses he's decent

I'm fair play, I vote for BluesMaster :blue scalf:

Excuse me but though I'm an admirer of the player Junior Hoilett, it appears that the relegated Blackburn's Junior Hoilett can't agree financial terms with qualified for Champions League Borussia M'Gladbach for almost a month now Good player but big sized ego and wage demands as well ! Not precisely the same role than Anelka, Anelka left his position to be central during games whereas Walcott eats the touchline chalk except than for cutting inside with a run. You speak about this famous hat trick against Blackpool. If you consider the goal in itself rather than having a random conclusion about the opponent (Blackpool was excellent away, they got a man sent off early in that game, how can you announce a scoresheet with such different facts and events ?), you see that the 3 goals comes from pure strikers runs through the axis and the space It's easy to whine on the plastic Walcott and his alleged crap confidence. Let's play on a wing since 19 with that much pressure. Of course it's enough to draw definitive conclusions about his potential as a central striker with a lesser role.

At the moment he's good to be a squad player in a big club. He's not a finished product because he precisely lacks in terms of finishing of his actions due to his loss of lucidity after such brilliant athletic efforts he manages. Give him Ramires' stamina and he'll be world class. I really make the difference between a player such as Downing or Gervinho who base their play on an amount of service, thinking a less or more important part will find a team mate. Lennon does less that than in the past but he also used to do the same thing and crossing on the blind. I really hate this attitude, it shows a player who has no care about improving and gaining in intelligence of play (looking before passing the ball) At the opposite for me it's clear that Moses has a good sporting mentality. Not only he showed to be wise by signing at Wigan rather than Arsenul, Inter etc... but even if he has still some waste in his play, we see it's not due to a sufficient mentality. We see that in his huge improvement for 2 and a half season, substitute then part time starter then starter

I think many forgets he's only 23. His natural role is central striker, not winger. He's not the skills to play there. He's a good passer, I mean his understanding with Van Persie for three years cannot be regarded as "some punctual and luckily good passes". No, he has a genuine assisting ability. Not the most varied one but something we can expect with next season's animation: short crosses and through balls. Many don't notice his goals comes from natural strikers runs as well, through the axis when he cuts inside. He's a well known terrific speed, his struggles in front of goal are mainly due to the high expectations for almost 4 years whereas he's all but a finished product. As an impact player with a role in the strikers hierarchy he can be a decent shout For a similar price than Marin (considering he's free agent next summer) and decent wages (maybe what makes an eventual deal not that interesting, he's already on high wages) I agree with TorontoChelsea's message.

Why ? He's homegrown and happy to stay on the bench. Can you list me a lot of english goalkeepers ready to spend 60 games per season watching Cech performing ? Ben Foster chosed to go to a "lower" club, now he's the best english goalkeeper If the 2nd choice is any good, he won't kill his career only for Cech blue eyes. If he isn't able to be ready in the specific use of one game every 4 months, often because the 1st choice is a last minute injured player ; then he hasn't anything to do in a club where the 2nd choice is expected to be always ready and be happy to stay on the bench because the starting goalkeeper is one of world's best

Spike Spiegel, I often shared opinions with him

OK. I don't know but it was reported on several websites, Chelsea or Spurs forums. Maybe the info has an unique origin and it gone viral. But beside the fact Spurs waited July to announce all the things they had to (new kit, new sponsor, new manager etc...) I think there's a link between AVB not being appointed until July and this rumour

Errr... Player's twitter ? The link I posted above, just check last eveing tweets

I didn't think it was worth opening a new thread. So I post it in the latest AVB related thread: Carl Magnay said things about him and his management yesterday evening on twitter. He's at Gateshead now https://twitter.com/#!/CarlMagnay_Icon

Mata's movements are brilliant. But like Torres after he scored again, he wasn't that influent on the play. This season Mata is a bit the anti-Torres, Mata was hugely decisive but not that influent on the play whereas Torres spent 24 hours without scoring but with brilliant performances in the play. I think that Mata will gain some volume and some stamina after a first year in Premier League and that's what makes me wonder if he isn't going to be another player next season. Less decisive but more present in the play. And I also think Mata will evolve that way considering that Hazard is also hugely decisive I think Mata should best be used like Young against Swizerland at Wembley one year ago: central attacking midfielder in front of a double pivot who feeds and launches him from the midway line ; Mata would then launch counter attacks by asking the ball pretty deep before orientating on the wings or searching Torres through space. I also think Di Matteo will use that system, with Mata to launch the counter attacks, Hazard on the left and probably Ramires on the right. I agree with you about Ramires, in fact he's an inconstant crosser, able to give terrific deliveries like pure shite at times... But he can balance the team because his zone of play is rather central/right than the wing so he may be crucial there. I'm convinced that Ramires will be the key next season and that we'll be forced to come back to a system where he can play centrally. The 4-3-2-1 is a very difficult system to play: on a complete season it's impossible to play it due to the incredible amount of pressing expected from the two attacking midfielders which is crucial in that system. And except Carrick, no player is able to play like Pirlo in front of the defense (due to the need to have a DM to purely regain the ball). It's a good system to use on one game against teams who use to start their play with their full backs, Swansea is one example with Vorm's always short distribution through Ashley Williams or the right back Angel Rangel. The difference between the 4-3-2-1 is the positionning of the two attacking midfielders and then the pressing orientation. In 4-3-3 the wingers are expected to press from the touchline through the middle of the field in order to left for the full back the only option of a pass toward a midfielder back to the adverse goal, so then it's easier to regain the ball. In 4-3-2-1 the pressing is in the opposite sense, the attacking midfielders are expected to press from the center toward the touchline to left the full backs (who can come higher than against a 4-3-3) as only distribution solutions. Then the flank midfielder can press the full back whereas the attacking midfielder comes closing the pass angle toward the axis of the field. Then, the full back can only pass backward to his goalkeeper (under pressure from the striker) or clear (or loose) the ball. The other consequences of that system is that your full backs are forced to defend and has no offensive impact. The midfield would implode with adverse players leaving their position and playing between the lines as well. So then the two "attacking midfielders" of a 4-3-2-1 aren't two ball wankers, you are virtually expected to choose players with the ability to press strongly for a whole game and often they are central midfielders put higher rather than attacking midfielders who only waits their team to have the ball. Mata and Sturridge were already completely useless and threatened the team in a 4-3-3! (when the adverse first distribution can be done without being attacked, it makes even harder to the team to regain the ball) That's why 4-3-2-1 at Chelsea couldn't be used except than punctually in a specific context with the proper players suited to the system

Haha, another WhoScored addict I don't know if you saw my message (top of the 3rd page) but I noticed that the main thing Moses lacks is the end of his actions. He's quite incredible athletically but lacks logically lucidity at the end of his runs. That's why he's poor in terms of finishing and last choices. You can also rely that to the fact Wigan strikers are just awful, last season (2010/2011) Di Santo and Boselli scored on overall 2 goals (one in Mickey Mouse Cup), Connor Sammon isn't Premier League level (off topic but I've not lost faith about him performing in PL one day) because he's weak in every domains (worst rated player by WhoScored, even if he presses a lot). This season it's not very different, I read a very interesting piece on the clear cut chances last week: http://www.eplindex.com/13384/clear-cut-chances-hits-misses-opta-stats-analysis.html As you probably saw, Di Santo goals are for most, very spectacular. The article shows Wigan created the 2nd bottom less of clear cut chances (a goalscoring chance which is considered dependent only of the finishing ability of the striker because he's completely free in the 6 yard box by example). And they're the worst in terms of finishing those chances. We see it when we look at the goalscorers, Jordi Gomes, Franco Di Santo's wonder goals, some set pieces etc... On passing: I don't take that much importance on it, especially for a player like Moses who is the complete opposite of a possession player (I don't know if you use "rupture" in english, that's the term we use in french to mean that...). One doesn't expect from him to keep possession and pass backward if space seem closed in front of him. At the contrary, his dribbling and his runs with dribbling sequences is what makes his stock in trade. You shall have seen that Jermaine Pennant (18 per game), Etherington (18.7), Matthew Jarvis (22.6) have also not a huge amount of average passes per game. Though if you go to the European stats rubric, you see this alleged weak passing game does not prevent them to be 2nd, 15th and 17th best crossers in Europe. You can see Ben Arfa (though I'm surprised he can think almost 20 times per game to pass the ball to a team mate), Gervinho (stupid player though), McClean or Balotelli. Jarvis is even Premier League best crosser, he's the most accurate crosses (73) with a very good ratio of 27%. You really can't compare such different roles like that, it depends of the role given to those players and of course their role on the pitch I don't agree with Torres being poor defensively, at the contrary I think he deserves credit for the intensity of his pressing, even this season when he was often lonely to press the whole defense (hello Mata and Sturridge !). Hazard's not weak defensively, he played at Lille in the system Villas Boas wanted to implement at Chelsea: 4-3-3 with high team and possession football, requiring high pressing from the forward line, including Hazard. Mata cannot be regarded as "lazy", it's a bit controversial decision he took to keep his lucidity to attack and not to defend (when you look at his brilliant off-ball movement you just cannot imagine he sorts his efforts) because he isn't able yet to press high, as well as he isn't really able to weigh literally on the play, he's decisive but sometimes he seems invisible for periods of the game. But I understand your concern, I must admit I share it too. Finding a balance with such a system including the likes of Mata, Hulk, Marin etc... is very risky considering every one has his stone to provide to the building (awful translation, sorry) and has to press. I think I already said that elsewhere but the brilliant formations we make at the moment may not be the one with whom we'll end the season (with the caretaker boss... hahaha *sarcastic laugh*). I'm kidding but there's a cause of concern there, if we can avoid a ridiculous remake of Argentina vs Germany at the 2010 WC or Bayern-City of this season with a lonely DM behind 5 offensive players, it really would please me