OneMoSalah

True but I still think his general hold up play would of still added to our team and even his finishing prowess, he would definitely have scored chances the likes of Morata and Higuain have missed. But as you said a lack of a quality replacement was more of an issue (still disappointed Morata couldnt build on his first 15 games here and ultimately flopped, was a huge fan of his at Real for both spells and at Juve). Also, I know Costas goals havent been as regular as before in his career but that supercup game where Atletico beat Real at the start of the season, it was quite a incredible performance from him, when he plays like that goals or not, he is unplayable.

True but again, Kovac worked with Jovic at Frankfurt, if he was to be made available along with Werner I wouldnt be surprised if they went for both. I think the Bayern always try to sign the most exciting young German players, such as Goretzka, Gotze, Arp, and wouldnt be surprised if Werner was an addition they go for too but I also think theyd go for Jovic.

Glad to see him publically say this regarding Sarri. Maybe because hes said some people will soften up on Sarri a bit.

I still think Bayern will sign him and give him back to Frankfurt for a season. Hes going to be a top player. Benfica will be kicking themselves too because he will easily cost 40-60m.

Selling him, as bad as it was at the time, looks well justified now.

I still think if he goes there, huge fee, superstar wages the lot, he will be seen as a direct replacement for Ronaldo. And yes he will struggle to make such an impact as Ronaldo managed to. I see him making a similar impact to Bale more than anybody else tbf and to be honest Bale has done reasonbly well for Real so wouldnt be all too bad but I really think their fans and the Spanish media will see him as a Ronaldo replacement and expect him to try and make the difference up. Even Bale who has done very well there, having a goal every 2nd game basically, scoring in finals, winning a lot has endured a mixed reaction from their fans and the media so it wont be plain sailing. Its 100% happening though, although I wonder if Barca would be willing to rival them for him I think hed suit them better.

Spain, Barca, Real Madrid and Man City are all proof you can. While I agree some teams can still bully some teams but you definitely can go far in European competitions, which are also far less physical than English football as referees are stricter, with those sort of teams made up of more technical players. Even now Barca are still doing it with guys like Artur, Alba, Semedo, Roberto, Messi, Dembele, Coutinho, Alena etc. Regarding Matic there were times where he was very poor and left Cesc struggling too. That game he got subbed om and subbed off basically summed him up that season. Although Cesc wasnt hugely impressive that year either but one thing I would disagree about is that he could definitely keep the ball under pressure and would want to get the ball whenever he could take it unlike many others in our team in that period who just stood around waiting for shit to happen.

Nah Ronaldo scored like 90 goals in all comps in his last 3 seasons at United (66 PL goals out of those). His numbers were already improving and they did so more at Real. Even at Real his first season was 33 goals in 35 games. Then the next 6 seasons he scored over 50. I think he would of managed to score 30-40 in the PL if he stayed still. I dont think Eden will ever be that prolific.

Good move for him. I am surprised Bayern maybe didnt consider a move either with Ribery and Robben both leaving this summer. They are normally keeping an eye all over German football for the better players.

For a team that has 70% of the ball most matches I dont think him being a defensive liability as youve called him is as big an issue as you make out. He isnt that big a liability defensively, sure if players get by him physically hes not that fast or strong but liability is a bit overkill, Fernandinho has this a lot but hes experienced enough to know when to make mulitple (and multiple is probably the right word) tactical fouls. Those guys are technical yes but not players who play as a fixed defensive midfield position in a 3 man midfield. Pjanic isnt a particularly gifted defensive minded midfield player but he has played that role Jorginho does for us but his defensive frailities, never mentioned because Juve win every week. Because he has Khedira and Bentacur doing donkey work for him. Its also hard for me to understand why people only pinpoint the whole blame that the team struggles when Jorginho is manmarked purely on Jorginho too. Is it his fault hes marked? Should we buy 11 Jorginhos next time? I think its hilarious that when he gets manmarked people still blame him for underperforming or not being as influential. Others have to step up and that is a fact. Sure Luiz can help with his passing but you need your other midfielders to take the load off the guy whos being manmarked. Kroos and Modric at Real are great examples, both comfortable deeper or higher up. Even Pirlo struggled against us when Oscar man marked him years ago. Man marking somebody is more or less a sign of respect basicslly along the lines of "we know your a very good and very important player so we need to stop you". Do you think many teams would have especially man marked somebody who as youve put it blunty "job can be done by anybody"? Even then you've mentioned Henderson, Fernandinho and whoever else, when was the last time they were ever man marked in a full 90 minutes game? Also you said you dont care about Jorginho getting goals and assists basically after criticizing him for having 0 assists and not creating more chances several posts ago? And not influential? Look how many times a game Jorginho touches the ball. Look how many touches hes had all season. Hes maybe not influental in the way Eden is but its wrong to assume he isnt influential in anyway. He wouldnt have made as many touches or as many passes if he wasnt influential in some way with regards to how we play.

I dont know I think Spurs just need to get one goal and City are fucked. Both sides looked bang average tonight for large periods excdpt maybe one 15 minute spell for each team. I must admit Moussa Sissoko was really good for Spurs.

Even in defensive attributes comparing him to Fernandinho, who is decent enough defensively is still mad because I dont think I have ever seen a player get away with so many cheap tactical fouls when they get in behind him. Which does happen quite a lot too. Jorginho isnt played there as a defensive player which is another point. He isnt poor defensively but he isnt particularly great either but hes there because our team want to be proactive with the ball, want to control the game and him playing there is a huge reason as to why we can do so because he always makes options to recieve the ball, can play between the lines and also helps playing out from the back too. That is why I felt the whole argument about Sarri not playing Kante there the first games of the sesson were pointless because we wouldnt be able to get out as effecticely and wouldnt make it into the oppositions half so quickly (as well as Kante never actually playing as a fixed defensive midfielder in his entire career either). Jorginho has set up chances or made passes and between bad finishing and poor control/not getting onto them, he hasnt got any assists. Higuain has had at least 3 chances from Jorginho passes that I can think of and he would have definitely scored them if he was fitter and sharper. As well as one or two I can think of for Callum as well. Just because his stats say 0 assists doesnt mean he refuses to play forward or doesnt actually contribute anything else. This whole situation is like the Mikel scenario from years ago, people overlooked what he actually did because he didnt score or assist. I wonder if we had signed Modric under AVB if people would criticize him too for also not scoring or assisting enough. Or if Josh had made the breakthrough if there would still be the same attitude towards him as there is to Jorginho, which I think stems from the fact Sarri hasnt exactly got things working and people are frustrated so they are making him a scapegoat, like when he got boo'd a few months ago shamelessly by our fans who also have boo'd Sarri a lot mainly everytime he makes a sub over the last 2 months. Also it can take just one creative pass to score a goal. Its not like Jorginho never has passed forward either that or youve not been watching close enough. He isnt exactly purely a creator or purely a defensive midfielder though. He is someone who controls/dictates the tempo of a match, they called him a regista in Italy. There have been games where he has played very well defensively but those games have been when we as a team have pressed well, which is another thing that would expose any player when everyone isnt on the same page.

Theres no point comparing a left winger/forwards stats to a regista even if they play in the same team, have same teammates and whatever else. Regardless of the situation. Its like comparing Alonso to Higuain or Kepa to Azpilicuetas, they have different roles in the team. It makes no sense. Even talking about Fernandinho's 0.8 key passes to Jorginhos 0.7 per game. For all the difference anyways, both are still under 1 key pass per game anyway. Lets look at this way, Sergio Busquets averages 0.5 key passes per game, Jorginho 0.7, Fernandinho 0.8 but it still doesnt mean they are better than Busquets who has probably been the standout player in that position since 2009. Even Xavi and Iniesta when they played at Barca, amazing players but even then before Pep came in they were never truely appreicated in England or outside of Spain because they werent traditionally physical, all action players like some of the traditional all action midfield players such as Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes among whoever else (who I still think that is what British football pundits, British fans and British media seem to compare any sort of midfield player to regardless of their actual role or skillset). In short: Xavi only got 58 goals and 49 assists in La Liga, over 17 seasons. Iniesta only got 35 goals and 48 assists in La Liga. Over something similar, 15 seasons or whatever before he left Barca for Japan. Considering the sort of players they were goals and assists didnt define them. It doesnt define Jorginho, who is different but I feel in his defence, could probably have the same case made for him. Even Busquets, the guy is brilliant but he doesnt score a lot of goals or get a lot of assists and he probably is the guy with a close role to Jorginho out of those 3 players although defensively he is severely underrated a lot and has been for years at Barca and with Spain. I dont think people understand how cruical Jorginho is for us still, hes maybe not been as good as at Napoli, as we havent taken to Sarris philosophy as well as Napoli did but honestly there is a reason why Pep was desperate for Jorginho. If you dont think so, I dont know. I doubt Pep who was a 6 himself in Johan Cryuffs famous dream team as it was called would of wanted him if he was average.

Thats why he struggled at Porto after his breakout year before Wolves got him, he played as a 6 and was vulnerable there at times. Personally I dont think he will be a sitting midfielder, even at Wolves he plays in a 2 and gets up and down the pitch, Moutinho is probably more disciplined as he is a lot older and doesnt have the ability to get around as much as he used to in his younger days.

For a guy who plays as a 6 in terms of his position, I would hope people dont look at him as well as at the likes of Busquets, Pirlo, Makelele and whoever else over the years who played that positions and judged them for some goals and assists either (before someone decides to trip me up on it yes, Pirlo took set pieces and could score long rangers but he was a regista). Fans here should kind of be used to it now, John Obi Mikel got similar treatment and that dickhead Florentino Perez famously said something about Makelele when he left Madrid to come here along the lines of he didnt offer anything, didnt score goals or assist either and would be easily forgotten. Although all these guys are different players in their own ways they all played at the base of midfield and their average positions over the course of games are probably 10 or 15 yards past the halfway line in the oppositions half when the teams have the ball and without it probably 10 yards in front of the CBs... The lack of goals and assists from midfield this season really should be pointed at Kovacic and Barkley. Both capable players with skillsets you would associate with more offensive minded midfielders but their output has been below par.

I think this is something he has improved a lot, despite maybe not playing as many minutes this season but could you imagine him playing that 2-0 game v City in the league in Decemver where we just sat deep and soaked it up? The likes of Willian and Pedro, despite their flaws, do this ever so well at times and although it isnt exactly what you would first consider when looking at attacking players it can help. Callum has improved on this a lot though, clear to see in that how often he gets back and helps Azpi. He started to drift inside a lot more yesterday too, I think Zola and Sarri instructed him to do so to get more involved in the game in the second half because West Ham were pretty comfortable with him. I hope he and Ruben both get rested for the next PL game. Think Sarri has to continue with this 11 in the PL.

Absolutely. I think as long as we secure CL football in whatever way, he will stay, its undoubtedly true that regardless of whoever was our manager right now we need to improve certain areas of the squad. Transfer ban complicates that indeed but I am sure there is news on the 11th regarding it.

It is a dangerous game also. Look at Spurs when they sold Bale, a lot of guys flopped. Same with Liverpool selling Suarez. I would hope we will do better but has to be seen. I honestly think Callum and Christian should be given a big chance next season and the money be invested, if we overturn our transfer ban, in a striker, another winger to compete with them 2 as I think one of Pedro or Willian will go, a LB and another offensive minded MF player because Kovacic and Barkley have disappointed and we could do with quality to compete with RLC who has probably moved ahead of Ross and Kova for that position. Sarri said he wants to sign Kovacic too and apparently there is a clause to sign him (hopefully to play more as a 6 or rotation for Kante as opposed to more advanced) as well as Higuain coming out saying he would like to stay I think those 2 will be signed 100% if it is possible.

Tbf I think its fair to assume some folk are sick of Sarri regardless of tactics, whatever else and even at the game, the amount of folk who boo'd when he subbed RLC summed it up. Id like to see him get next season and even the one after if he can have better results next year but I suppose some folk want him out and have done for months, which I would say is wrong but its been the tradition of the club to chuck managers when things havent gone well which is probably why a certain amount of fans think it wouldnt be the worst move because its been successful in the past. I put in a post up there why I believe it was always gonna be a tougher season, the early signs were there in the first 10 to 15 games regarding our attack and defense which has been ponderous and poor at times. There was a French guy on here years ago called Seb Chaupis who is a pundit and coach who wrote a very good article regarding what could derail our season, with some excellent points made regarding pressing, being exposed out wide, lack of rotation among other things. Fair to say some of things he mentioned have been features at somepoint this season. https://www.google.com/amp/s/weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/platform/amp/features/2018/10/10/17958730/chelsea-sarri-sarriball-analysis-attack-defence-issues-progress

Tbf its a odd quote because he says maybe he is the best in Europe before going on to say maybe he can be the best left back in the world. Surely it would be fair to assume the best LB in Europe is going to the be the LB in the world considering the higher standsrd of football, which is no disrespect to the other leagues but inevitably undeniable. Still regardless. Its an odd quote to make regarding Alonso. He started well but wouldnt say he was best in the PL at that phase yet alone the world.

Are people still annoyed hes not playing DM although hes never played as a DM? He maybe started slow but hes got used to that position now and I think hes shown he can cut it there. Hes never gonna score 10 goals a season but I think if he plays in his current role with RLC in the more advanced role and Jorginho, who has been good the last while too (whos unfortunately not getting a lot of praise), it could be a very good MF if Sarri goes with it from the start next season. Depends if he stays or is sacked though.

In all fairness what did you expect at the start of the season? A title challenge? With Morata upfront? With Willian a regular? With David Luiz playing CB? With Kovacic/Barkley playing attacking midfield? With Alonso playing LB? Under a manager whos style is totally different to any approach weve had in the last 5 years? Under a guy who has never actually won anything either. It is fair to say this season has been disappointint in some regards yes and last nights game was a decent team performance but individual talent won it for us more than a team effort, fair, but I think after the first 10 games under Sarri it was easy to see there was still huge amount of work needed to actually compete for the top 4, also when you take into account the mid season struggle we had as well as Arsenal, Spurs and Uniteds revivals so to speak (all 3 of them have got more regular goalscoring CFs like Kane, Aubamayang, Son, Lacazette, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku), it made it more awkward. The Arsenal game showed our defensive frailness and that was the third match of the season. The Newcastle game, the week after, was lucky in terms of an own goal to win it as we werent efficient enough in attack. We were too ponderous against West Ham in the 0-0 draw, week 6 or 7 of the season. Against United, 9th game, again ponderous at times after a decent enough first half and frail defensively. Then few weeks later 0-0 draw with Everton and a loss 3-1 to Spurs. Few weeks later lose to Wolves as well before beating City. The early signs were inevitably there, we were conceding big chances and were lucky not to concede more than we did in some games. Our start under Sarri was alright but hardly quite as good to be considered to automatically get top 4 in my opinion (even though it was put down to like 11 games unbeaten or whatever), especially considering how United were inevitably gonna change manager at some point meaning theyd get results like most big clubs do after a managerial change reinvigorating big players, Arsenal were always gonna improve as opposed to get worse than theyre start and Spurs are Spurs, who were somehow gonna be there or theres about as they usually are. I think a CF capable of 15-20 goals could have swung it a bit more for us but we didnt go for Higuain in the summer and hes clearly unfit and struggling just now, if we got him in the summer maybe hed have veen fitter maybe hed still have struggled though who knows. I suppose hoping hed come in, when severely unfit, having never played in this league, pinning high hopes on him in January was always going to be a huge risk. Also anyone who watched Napoli when Sarri first arrived will have seen how it took time, in a slower league, for him to implement his methods as well before they really clicked. I know the Klopp and Pep comparisons are also inevitablely wrong in some regard but its took Klopp like 3 years to turn Liverpool into actual title competitors and even Pep needed a full season and various signings in key areas (full back, GK, wide areas) before going on and winning PL last season. I still think if we somehow get good results at Liverpool and United (who havent been good since Solskjaer was actually appointed as manager on a full time basis) we will get the top 4, I hope we dont really prioritize the Europa over the top 4 but I would imagine we will, which is risky. Suppose for neutral fans outside of Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, United it will be interesting to see what happens in the next 5 or 6 games.

I dont see the club selling a GK we just paid 71m for signing on a 7 year contract in the summer for any price, yet alone 50m or whatever that stupid article says. The board have done some stupid shit but selling a 71m investment at a loss?

Good performance. Bit annoyed the fans bood Sarris decision to take him off when he got subbed off tbf. The guy played 70 minutes looked a bit leggy and Sarri has repeatedly stated he has to be carefully monitored regarding his back basically. Probably sensible actually.

Was quite embarrased when the fans boo'd Sarri when he took off RLC but honestly nothing surprises me anymore. Although he had said that fitness is his only problem in regards to making it as a top top player... Anyways, good team performance. Starting 11 was good, Higuain unlucky at times, looked a bit sharper although still needs to improve. Callum lost a lot of balls but again its to be expected hes not the finished article yet. Same 11 v Liverpool in the PL please.