OneMoSalah

I watched the game last night and I think everything half decent that Inter managed to come up with, in terms of getting through Juventus' press and at their back 4, Lukaku was involved some how, be it holding the ball up or bringing others into it. Think he really suits Conte's system, he doesn't do anything spectacular but what he is asked and the basics. Then he will score goals on top of that. Plus we've all seen how Conte has used what you could call more limited players in the past upfront likes of Vucinic, Quagriarella, Pelle etc in a 3-5-2 and managed to get goals as well as effective performances out of them and these guys were by no means top top players. Even here Costa was arguably more key to how we played under Conte than with any other manager I felt. More involved maybe a better way to put it. Plus its obvious Conte wants Lukaku, hes obviously a good player but hardly outstanding, although in the right sort of system he will do fine.

He was named the best player at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, so it clearly went to his head. Perhaps. But again, I think he will be kicking himself looking at Ruben, Tammy, Mason, Christensen and Tomori who were probably similar ages and went on loan/bid their time. Fair enough it was different managers etc but he could have been more patient or have gone to a more sensible club than Liverpool after us, hes 22 and has a poor goal return in the top flight, 1 PL goal in 3 seasons where he has played maybe 40 times, his most prolific spell was a loan spell at Vitesse too. Not saying he would of absolutely made it here or at Liverpool but to think after being the best player at an U20 World Cup means anything hugely important outside of the U20s, meh I don't know. I still think that the PL needs to bridge the gap between the u23s and the first team to help. He still has plenty time but Bournemouth have got decent enough strikers who are scoring in the PL that I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on the move again in the next year or so.

Again come the end of the season, the majority of these pundits will change their tune. Personally I think Jorginho was doing things last season in phases that he is doing now, creating good chances, recovering balls, making interceptions despite his defensive side of his game being critically analysed almost every 2nd week by folk like Rio Ferdinand, who lets no forget as good a defender and player as he was, has said some ridiculous things like United are back under Ole after an inevitable bounce period that most top clubs get with new managers who haven't alienated half of a temperamental squad. I don't think Sarri's stubbornness and insistence on playing him every week helped as well as it being a first season in a different league among other things but he got a lot of stick which was undeserved and I won't forget when he got boo'd by the fans either which I think is a disgrace by all accounts. The whole 2000 passes and 0 assists comment last year was one of the fucking stupidest things I think I have ever heard. I mean its obvious hes not a number 10 or a box to box midfielder or winger so why was his assists a huge topic of interest? Even then out of those 2000 passes probably 2/3s went forward and undoubtedly a percentage of these led to chances or key passes prior to a chance being created. I mean how many chances did Jorginho set Higuain, Morata, Willian, Eden, Pedro etc up for last season that they fucked? Its absolutely baffling. I mean the numbers don't look great but stats can be misleading, it maybe looked like he was just passing it square at every opportunity but once you get into the games and watch them, he wasn't just passing square. Anyways, a number 6 in a 433 isn't there to score a hattrick every week or assist 20 goals a season either. I mean even then when Cesc left he said in an interview that Sarri stopped having players run beyond the striker, I don't think it is any coincidence that Jorginho started to get criticised for passing sideways and backwards after that period, when the likes of Barkley or Kovacic stopped running ahead of the midfield like they did in games vs Arsenal, Southampton, whoever else early doors. I watched Newcastle v United the other day, they lined up with Mata as a number 10 and I see a similar situation albeit different positions. No third man runs, everything short and to feet, predictable. I mean how many times did we see David Luiz kick long diagonals to Pedro last season? Other than Pedro who else did that when we hit a bad run of form and performances? People also talk about passing range, you don't need to be able to pass the ball 50 or 60m if you can create a chance by passing it 20m or play a key pass that is 5-10m . I honestly don't understand people must think that he has to be playing these sweeping hollywood passes every 2nd pass like Charlie Adam used to do for Blackpool and Liverpool, absolutely unnecessarily at times. There's a member on here we were debating about his passing range, the likes of Alonso and Pirlo came up who were top class players and perhaps unfair to compare many midfielders to, where or not his range is good or bad or okay or not okay etc but like many folk on here, I watch a of other European games when I can as well and you don't always see Verratti, Thiago, Pjanic, Modric, Kroos, Busquets etc passing the ball longer than 30m more than on average four or five times in a lot of games because all these teams like to play quick, short passes into attacking players and they always seem to have forward movement and good options off the ball. I just think the whole Sarriball thing didn't help him, it was very uncompromising and unvaried in how the team would approach the games even when it was going well but for me, you can see in any system with any manager he is a top player.

Why has selling/loaning him been up for discussion in any context after 10 or 15 games into his first season in a different league, under a new manager who wasnt in charge when he originally signed? Really really baffles me. I get it the knives were out as people seen him as Hazards replacement (which is unfair and not true, plus its Chelsea FC not Hazard FC) but in all fairness and this is maybe controversial but I think we are playing much better without Eden. People thought and maybe myself included we would struggle without him but I think theres more of an emphasis on playing as a collective and other players taking on more initiative/responsibility than before now that hes not here. Similar scenario to what Arsenal had when Henry left and United had when Ronaldo left. Others have stepped up. Based on how Edens fairing at Madrid you could argue that moving him on at that time was the right thing to do with these young guys breaking through. For me Pulisics assist was the pick of the bunch (or joint with CHOs for Tammy). If the likes of a David Silva, Bernardo Kevin De Bruyne etc played that pass theyd be talking about it for weeks, looks simple but the weight of pass and spotting that run, really good. Him and Michy have good chemistry on the pitch, you could see Pulisic would get close to him and they played some nice combinations (believe it was the same at Dortmund). His time will come this season when he gets more and more minutes, I dont doubt that, if anyone is doubting him they should watch the super cup and that assist, its only a few incidents but its clear that there is ability and talent there.

1 PL goal (was in 2017/18) in 30-40 games maybe suggests he should of been a bit more patient and went on loan again to develop rather than spit the dummy out. How he has an England cap is utter madness as well.

Only 8 games in and for me, I would be more concerned about how far or close we are to first position regardless of an individual team. Great finish Batshuayi. Amazing pass by Pulisic.

Hudson Odoi looked sluggish. Final ball and finishing needs huge work. Should maybe have taken him off earlier. Still good assist first half for Tammy and there were good moments but work to be done yet. Alonso top marks today. Responding again after a run out the team.

Even if the ref didnt give it there and then theyd review it with VAR... that's why it is there. If refs miss things they get a shout from VAR who review a lot of incidents during the game or if they need to confirm decisions, again VAR. So technically VAR doing the right thing makes teams lucky? People bitched about referee incompetence for a long time now there is a method of eliminating mistakes, people say its lucky. Dont worry I am an aethist as well 🤣

Call it luck but I would say that if you continue to press to 94th minute and end up winning a penalty, youve. made your own luck so to speak. I hope this happens to us this season snd see what the reaction is like lucky or deserved... If there is clear contact in the box its obviously a penalty though? Isnt it? Thats the rule? I was debating whether its lucky or not. If you continue pressing to the 94th minute and end up getting the ball back in the opposition box is that luck or reward for still sticking to your game plan and pressing/hunting the ball that late? Maybe two individual errors help but at the same time, 94th minute 1-1 you could excuse a team for dropping into a block and taking a point but they didnt. They went for it and got 2 extra points. Typical signs of championship winning teams are late goals and riding out a storm in the game (although Leicester didnt offer a huge deal until 2nd half I felt). Obviously its a pen, maybe hes fallen a bit theatrically but its no doubt a penalty as youve said. Good god.

Also true regarding Brighton game. Thought that was a ridiculous call. Even with VAR avaliable too....

Youve got to be kidding me 🤣 I am not a Liverpool fan, fucking hate the bastards with a passion but anyone saying thats not a penalty or lucky that they got it, despite the numerous times they press the ball so well in the oppositions half, is obviously deluded. Their approach of a high press/looking to recover the ball put them in that situation. Albrighton fouls Mane which if Schmeichel didnt rush out like a fucking idiot, he wouldnt need to do as desperately as the net would be covered. If it was a Chelsea player we would all say its a penalty so please stop with the bullshit 🤣 its embarrassing. They even ran it by VAR ffs which is there to make sure refs dont make mistakes.

Luck? They were the best team for 65 minutes... which we have used as a excuse many times this season against United, Liverppol etc and others.... so wouldnt say its luck at all. Obviously disappointed to see them win so late obviously but I think they are definitely in the driving seat for the title race, in comparison to last season, seems to be some sort of know how to get results despite playing averagely and then late goals is something that all title winning teams get be it corners, penalties, from open play etc. Wouldnt say its lucky Albrighton gave a ridiculous penalty away after Schmeichel came flying out as well like a bat out of hell 🤣 absolutely comical defending again and people think Leicester will compete for top 4... May have looked soft but nobody can complain we would of wanted it for that theatrics or not.

Leicester wow what the fuck is Albrighton doing 🤣 why put your foot in there that is clearly a penalty, ridiculous decision to even try tackle from there and no idea what Schmeichel was doing either.

His career has gone downhill since his last season here. Thats what he gets for being an arrogant prick. Really really good GK for us before that season as well as for Atletico but lets be honest, we dont miss him. You could argue as well based on how Edens done since going to Madrid and how weve done, that we arent going to miss him either.

Never get overexcited about young talent in Holland during their first season. Dolberg is one that comes to mind in recent times. His record so far is pretty respectable. Got 47 goals in 123 games (Ligue 1, Europa League, League, Dutch Cup etc) which for someone under the age of 23 and plays CF, isnt nowhere near half as bad as youd think, that youd think would excite some people considering his age etc. Hes still only 21 and can improve his goal return yet but he is a good player, just hasnt maintained that momentum he had in his first full season (understandably so as well being a 18 year old CF). If you look all around Europe at CFs his goal returns is better than other modern day young CFs in their first 123 games, better return than guys like Rashfords, Balotelli who were dubbed huge talents, or even later bloomers such as Kane, Dolbergs first 123 games at club level is better IIRC. Its also very close to Agueros first 120 odd games as well. Hard to say somebody whos scored 46 goals in about 130 games is overrated or still not entirely exciting in terms of how much more they can improve. Depay was also a very good talent from Holland just didnt work at United. The amount of talent coming out of the Dutch league is still incredible. Not every players Frenkie de Jong or de Ligt but guys like Depay, Wjinaldum, even Lozano who developed there have all gone onto other clubs and found success or played at a higher level.

PSV Eindhoven* not Ajax. Malen is definitely a talent though and has made his full Netherlands debut I am sure. Has also scored 20 goals in 54 games for PSV in the last 2 seasons. Also at Lyon Depay has probably been playing some of the best football of his career. He looks as if hes matured.

And this is why loaning players can be dangerous. Should of just sold him even at a loss in the summer, everyone knew once Jamee was fit Frank was going to keep him around the squad.

Superb choice. Could see even last season his leadership qualities, not a surprise to me at all hes been chosen as vice captain.

Unless Kane is injured he will play every game. Think Tammy should of went to play for Nigeria. Hed be their number 1 every international break. But hey let him have a shot at it but if I was Southgate and Kane was fully fit its a no brainer unfortunately for Tammy.

2 goals in his last 2 games. If he keeps scoring goals then hes doing what the others arent. We need goals from other players than just Tammy. Doubt he will score much more next few weeks with his record but who knows ?

Exactly but Everton and West Brom arent exactly Chelsea or Man United. He, arguably like Kevin de Bruyne here as well, felt entitled that he should be a number 1 option and didnt want to fight for his place. Basically did the same at Man United now when Soljskaer lost faith in him. That for me shows a flaw in his mentality, that he isnt up for competition and thinks of himself being better than some of his team mates. Healthy competition should make players better. Should. At United that last season, he regressed with competition from Rashford and Martial. Will he throw the dummy out at Inter eventually if he doesnt start every week?

A lot of the triggers and passing sequences in our own half look very like how we played under Sarri and also Conte at times. I think the groundwork for Sarri was already there in a way because of how we played out under Conte despite using a different formation and again now for Frank because of how we continued to play out under Sarri. Even times when we play with a back 4, a lot of our football from the goalkicks and getting through teams in our own half is stuff we definitely seen under Sarri. Especially on the right hand side with Azpi, Kante and also Jorginho combining with one or two touch passing.

Must admit, that is some finish. Brilliant. Not easy to do either hitting it into the ground.

Every manager has favourites lets not kid on as if its something else ir something new. Examples of favourites again: Carlo playing Torres despite horrible performances. Jose playing Oscar every week over Mata basically because he could run faster to press despite playing as a low block counter attacking team most weeks. Villas-Boas playing Meireles, Bosingwa, David Luiz despite shocking performances... etc etc. Frank trusts Mason and Tomori, yes, obviously he has worked with them before. But like with Sarri and Jorginho it hardly means hes picking them unconditionally.

Think we got lucky there. That could of been a penalty before that corner, that ironically enough, they get a good chance from far too easily. Abraham possibly needs subbed off, hes been struggling since the goal to get involved.