OneMoSalah

I will be honest having seen him at Palace that season he didnt impress me, much of the same as what he’s doing now for Fulham. You keep saying he got fit and improved but he still only played 24 games for Palace and didnt score or assist anywhere near enough. Theres almost 40 games in the PL he still missed a lot of minutes. He also didnt last 90 minutes most weeks.

I disagree. The first goal changes the whole complexity of the game. Positively or negatively. Madrid can sit in and just maybe be tough to break through and try rely on individual quality in the final third. We start well and score first we completely change their whole approach. Then it creates opportunities for us to expose spaces that may not be there if its 0-0. We need to be clinical aye. I hope we dont just sit off them though. Its always tempting fate, a fast start is what we need.

Still first goal for us will make Madrid play much more offensive as they will need 2 goals, meaning spaces for us to exploit though. As long as we can get the first goal, keep it tight at the back and play in those spaces they will undoubtedly leave to try chase the game I think we will be sound. Whilst they need a goal they wont be as easy to play against like last week so we need to get them committing players up the pitch. Or just control them from minute 1 which may not be as easy as they will definitely play much better.

See people already want to cut their losses with Ziyech. Wait and see one season with Sancho if its a poor one will be the same and the next big thing will be wanted. Ziyech has to get next season, hes got the quality, obviously just has been start stop with injuries and in and out the team. Also if we keep playing 343 do you really think wingers will be our first priority? Or even if we dont, when we lack a CF and a CM perhaps it would be stupid to buy in areas we dont need unless we sell in that area first.

78m So guess our main priority, which is a CF, or our second priority which is a MF player to back up/compete with Kante, will be painfully neglected unless we get Aguero on a free and source up some bargain in the MF department? Amazing. On second thoughts for MF would anyone take Soucek? Remember being impressed by him against us in the EL a few seasons ago with his ability to get in to the box and cause trouble but didn’t expect him to be such a dominant midfielder in the PL. Not the worlds most progressive passer and doubt Tuchel would go for him but his sort of presence in midfield would be handy.

Will say it now. PSG have been a much worse side this season than under Tuchel last season in the CL. They’d never lose their cool last season like they did tonight. They may have had the legs v Barca and Bayern but fits and bursts isn’t better than being consistent throughout. Pochettino needs time obviously but still battle of the bridge vibes from that game.

Why do it/start talks before the CL tie? Seems odd. Not opposing it but he has enough on his mind to think about potentially getting us to a 2nd cup final. Do the contract in the summer. He deserves it yes but don’t take his mind off preparing the team for the game.. We already arguably seen some of the effects of the upcoming game as it was in the match with Fulham, where a lot of the boys looked elsewhere at times so talking contracts etc with the manager when we still have a lot to play for, let the guy do the job fully focused on the football things just now.

Hope we get off to another fast assured start like the first leg. If we start like vs Fulham, it will be a long night because regardless of what Madrid line up they put out, you know they are looking to score as this swings the tie for them. We need to keep a clean sheet at all costs but also score to make absolutely certain. City just played a perfect game tonight I would say, we need to do the same.

Just shows. Being an offensive coach like Pochettino doesn’t always yield results in big games. City tactically brilliant. Also Ruben Dias and John Stones both excellent, Dias is an absolute colossus of a CB.

Played as a right back at Dortmund for a good bit of his spell there although they did also use him as a wingback and further forward IIRC. Playing wingback with Inter though aye but really think Madrid missed a trick not keeping him. Be surprised if they dont try get him down the line though.

Tbf he went to Inter and rejuvenated a lot of old players who many felt were past it despite having success with Mancini. Its not a necessity that the same will happen again but I do think that they’ve maybe considered this.

Tbf I think Roma have got a multi billionaire owner but with FFP and lack of European competition next season, maybe it will affect them financially. interesting move either way.

Interesting move for Mourinho but also a good one for him and Roma I would think. Reunites him with players he’s worked with before such as Smalling, Pedro, Santon and Mkhitaryan. Roma have underachieved this season for definite after last year and Serie A suits his style and management more now than ever I think. Plus their aims aren’t going to he winning Scuedettos or anything immediately so punching above their weight getting into the top 4 will be a more realistic goal and certainly one which is a possibility, will be interesting for sure. Conte, Mourinho and maybe Allegri in the same league it Juve reappoint him?

When Sarri kept him here when he first came in, regarding the regular posts that Ruben had “done enough at Palace” to be kept here, I wont lie I was hugely disappointed at the time. I mean was he really good enough? Really? He only scored 2 goals, 3 assists and created 5 big chances in 24 games for Palace. I felt that if that is deemed acceptable enough then they should be pulling folk in from the championship to be in the Chelsea squad. I thought the whole purpose of the loan system was for rewarding players who had very good seasons? Granted he had that spell here that season, with 4 goals in the Europa League and the 6 in the PL plus some good performances before his injury but clearly it must have been a purple patch. To have played 27 games at Fulham and have 1 goal, 0 assists and 2 big chances created on top of the stats at Palace, for 2 seasons as a PL Footballer in sides where your meant to be one of the attacking players/better players its not good.

Well considering he is actually predominantly more of a number 6 and sometimes a number 8 as opposed to Milinkovic-Savic who is kuch more of a number 10 more or less, he would suit playing in our team in the midfield a lot better. His game is more varied, he can do the defensive stuff but also get his foot on the ball and dictate a game as well. Was a big fan of him at AC Milan actually, the likes of him, Calabria, Cutrone, Donnarumma all sort of broke into the Milan team at the same time or same season. Found it strange Milan didn’t try keep him or play him more often prior to letting him go after that initial break through. Think he will be going to Juventus though. Aye he was world class and arguably the best number 6 in world football for probably 6-8 years. Even them he is 32 now but still a very good player I feel or certainly what I have seen the last year and a bit. I do think he is a victim of his own success unfortunately on top of the fact he’s never been flashy or particularly the sort of player who stands out due to his playing style because he doesn’t score goals or create goals. In terms of ball retention in tight areas, being progressive and breaking the lines with the ball, as well as generally looking for the ball under pressure still think theres not many better out there than him. He will be a huge player for Barcelona to replace.

Have to disagree. Severely. People have been saying it for years but he’s still a very good player. I still remember when he absolutely ran the show for them against us under Conte in two legs despite him being past it. He is one of the most press resistant players in world football. Still Barca’s best midfielder even with de Jong there. Was immense in the game a few weekends ago also. Never seen the last 2 though.

Broke the cycle of Juve dominance. Biggest task is now to retain it. Was able to do so at Juventus but he has to do it again. And Juventus may be reappointing Allegri.

Maybe but when your playing every 3 days you have to rotate also and especially when you play a CL semi mid week and already have a CM out injured in Kovacic. Dont disagree re Jorginho but ultimately if Billy had played more games and had some actual consistent playing time and even more so if Mount did a bit more in the first half defensively in midfield, I think we would of been better off. Second half he wasnt that bad, he was tidier on the ball. We needed Kante in there though Mount was great going up the pitch but struggled also going back the way. Billy was for sure sloppy first half but got better second half as I said there. He was playing 2 v 1 a lot, Mount seemed to reign it in a bit second half but I felt he played more out on the left closer to Chilwell as opposed to in the middle of the park and that left spaces. Ultimately we still had control of the game I would say after their period in the first half. Possession stats are misleading - even then 52% v 48% hardly that bad not like Barca having 70% v us home and away so would say your greatly overreacting to this. Stats on attempts on goal can also be misleading. Would probably say half their attempts were from outside the box/long range efforts. They weren’t big or clear cut chances, yes they had the one Mendy had to readjust to save due to a deflection and a few others he made from long range efforts but wouldn’t have said they should have scored in that game. Or that they had created any real clear chances to do so. Plus we had 9 shots in all they had 10, but ultimately we had more shots on target, 5 v their 3, which is more important than overall attempts and leading on from there we scored 2 goals and they didn’t. Plus we scored an offside goal also and looked more purposeful in the final third IMO.

Maybe but again even with a 26 man squad, I think depending on whether or not McTominay plays CB as he has done sometimes (although he didnt the last bunch of games) its very slim as others have played regularly and maybe deserve more of a chance. Would imagine the MFers Clarke takes (although some are closer to 10s as opposed to more natural central midfielders but we play 352 more often than not) will be, barring any injuries: - Callum McGregor - David Turnbull - Scott McTominay - John McGinn - John Fleck - Stuart Armstrong - Ryan Christie - Kenny McLean Ultimately I think McTominay McGinn and McGregor will start the games for us and then maybe Turnbull would be the only change in ahead of McGregor (would go with Turnbull in from the start 100% it it were up to me). I dont think he will want to take anymore midfielders because we still have to take Ryan Fraser and Jame Forrest as more natural wingers also plus 2/3 CFs such as Dykes, Nisbitt and hopefully Che Adams - with no place for McBurnie being an absolute godsend as he is one of the worst CFs I have ever seen for us. Although if its a 26 man squad I would think 4 CFs isn’t out of the question. If there was any injuries then maybe, maybe it opens the space up for Gilmour but taking someone whos played 1 league game in like 5 months probably isn’t viable considering the more deeper options like McGinn, McGregor, McTominay are likely to be there ahead of him and fully fit for it by looks of things (fingers crossed) then Turnbull/Armstrong/McLean. Plus Ryan Gauld has had an exceptional season in Portugal with Farense and would maybe be taken in the place of them as Steve Clarke has been asked about him numerous times and he is being linked with Braga and Benfica as his contract is running out. Maybe he sneaks in maybe not. Would say for his talent yes take him but he has 0 caps for Scotland as it is and has played very little football. Considering we will probably be taking 5 or 6 CBs for our back 3, 3 GKs thats 8 or 9 spaces. Then say 3/4 CFs, Forrest, Fraser, those guys in midfield, Robertson, Tierney, 2 right wing backs. Thats what about 23/24/25. It depends ultimately on injuries I would think. Plus Steve Clarke has been pretty consistent and loyal to certain players with his selections (McBurnie and Stephen O’Donnell in partifular), similar to what the Italians were like with Conte (likes of Pelle and Giacchereini at Euro 2016), seems to be 85 or 90% the same players barring injuries.

I think Havertz is hard to leave out either way. But if we want to be more cautious then Timo and Pulisic maybe play for their speed.

Some of his first touches today were absolutely beautiful, genuinely no other way to describe them 😂 He actually reminds me of Thomas Muller but if he was technically better, could actually manipulate the ball in tight spaces and had real high level footballing intelligence (although that may be a bit harsh on Muller also re footballing intelligence because I have rarely seen someone who just ghost in spaces or positions where the ball ends up as often as with him who isnt a natural forward, although some of the finishes hes put out are just absolutely terrible but still somehow go in). If we go take the game to Madrid from minute 1 he must start.

If he plays like 2nd half today, yes, I would consider starting him. Because not only was his play good at times, he actually looked more confident. Ok first half he didn’t impress and had a few scraps that maybe if he was on his toes he may have gotten contact on etc but nobody did play well either bar Mendy, Kai, the CBs and Mount (going forward anyway, left Billy with a lot of ground to cover as if he thought he was playing with Kante...). I get Timo did the same v WHam then was pretty shit/frustrating in the first leg in Spain but I suppose it depends on what Tuchel’s thinking. I mean are we going to go for the jugular? Or try be a bit more cautious and play on the break? Personally felt the front three we seen against Madrid last leg worked, and he was part of it. Madrid wont play as bad as last time either so I couldn’t really say 100% start him or 100% don’t start him. If we want to sit off them at home (very dangerous as they know if they get a goal its difficult for us), he will play with same front 3 I think that he did in Spain to play on transitions. If he wants to go for it I’d expect Kai to be in though because today he was outstanding for a lot of the game.

Looks that way but still ultimately hasn’t contributed to a huge amount of missed time by the looks of the stats there. Missed 75 games in nearly 10 seasons. Suppose its food for though but I think if you get 30-35 games your going to get 20-25 goals. Like Costa also, missed a few games here and there but if hes playing 80% of the time you know what your getting.

True regarding COVID etc but still think we should be expecting more! Re Cancelo tbf this is true, but he also played predominantly at LB and his best position is on the right. He is a superior FB though and I cannot believe it took a year for Pep to see that he is better than Walker. Like I am baffled. At Juventus and even Inter he was potentially a top top player. And aye all the new signings bar Mendy, Chilwell (has had ups and downs though, today he was caught napping a few times) and Silva have struggled. Ziyech and Werner have been disappointing for us. Havertz I can see a bit more improvement from early on but still think he had the issue of being played out of position. I think Tuchel has found his best role, hes either a false 9 or similar to Thomas Mueller of old. Sort of floats around finding space. If you fix him down as a 8 or a winger like Lampard did he struggles. Where as Timo unfortunately he seems to be one step fwd then one or two backwards at times. He did impress me today in elements of his game but now v Madrid he has to retain that level of performance.

I still think with Levy being Levy it will be near impossible for us in particular. The price I do agree with I just meant it would be a good investment though. At 28, given he remains fit he would be a top signing. His ankles only dodgy because every time he gets close to being back they rush him in too soon. Mourinho did it for the best part of 2 seasons.