OneMoSalah

That's good but again, Everton are a solid enough team. I think we've always had mixed results against Everton, we go through spells of beating them for fun then really struggling. Hopefully we beat them again but Bernard, Sigurdsson, Gomes all offer a threat of sorts (good in 1v1s - can score goals from anywhere - capable of playing passes through the lines), Coleman and Digne give good delivery from outwide. Silva has got them on a decent run the now too. Be a tough one based on recent performances too, been phases in recent matches where we have lacked intensity and purpose with our play - which is understandable because it was inevitable some teams would set up really well against us (thought Palace did well with their shape and frustrated us) - but on the day if we play with an intensity and purpose in the final third we can easily score 3 4 or 5 goals. Let's see how it goes..Kovacic and Pedro on from the start hopefully.

Perhaps but we don't play with a 10. We dont play with "free 8s" either like City do with the Silvas or De Bruyne. He could maybe do that role in this team but I doubt it would happen. Maybe he could play as a striker? But it would be risky.

Good to see his move paid off, winning a trophy.. oh wait he could of been doing that here. Anyway he was a bit better than average, was a good move for us to get rid of him. Pity his career sort of slowed down after that first 2 seasons where there was mixed performances, there was something there although we only seen in fits and spurts, doubt he'd ever make it as a number 10 at a top team which we were aspiring to be, his stats weren't consistent enough for that.

Salah is a wide forward. Firmino a central striker (who was converted from a 10), Ronaldo was a wide forward at Real (now best to think of him as a 9 at Juventus I would say), Benzema a striker. Yes they may play more advanced the wide forwards as opposed to the 9s in those teams but when you consider their goal scoring records it's not hard to see why. But it doesn't/didn't make them strikers... Don't see what the fuss is about, when I'm comparing Morata or Giroud I'm comparing them to number 9s in other teams, Kane, Firmino, Lacazette, Aubamayang, Gabriel Jesus, Aguero etc, not Salah, Mane, Son, Sterling, Sane... in the past Hazard has been playing as a left winger and the most advanced player in a lot of our games but hardly makes him a number 9 either did it? Playing more advanced based on average positions or heat maps or whatever means fuck all. If a full backs got a high average position it doesn't make him a winger or a number 10 does it? Or if a CB has a higher average position it doesn't make him a CM??? And Morata gets the most chances in our team? Seriously? I think its fair to say there's a bigger spread than your making out. Alot of the play is through our wide players coming inside, trying to play through the middle rather than going outside and looking to cross early, where Morata would get more chances (or even Giroud look at that goal tonight for instance, these guys are good in the air, in the penalty box). Morata has much much more involvement coming to the ball, affecting the game than affecting the game by running in behind centre backs etc but a lot of that's due to the fact the team plays through Hazard and Willian, always short into feet looking for little combinations. I reckon Morata touches the ball the least amount of times for an outfield player in our team (probably least amount of times in the box on average out of a lot of the big teams too - again reckon it's the teams willingness to look for Hazard or Willian first), I'd be surprised If Kepa isn't close sometimes too. Regarding chances/shots etc: Morata in the PL averages 2.6 shots per game, Hazard averages 2.7 shots per game, Willian averages 1.6 shots per game, Pedro averages 2 shots per game. Hazard has 7 goals, Morata 4, Pedro 4 and Willian 2. Now the averages doesn't mean a lot but shows that the spread is still varied across the team, tying to find stats for the amounts of shots each player has had because I reckon Hazard and Willian have had more than Morata this season in the PL. Also there's bound to be some info on clear cut chances as well but can't be arsed looking. Doubt there's too much of a difference again. With Ronaldo mentioned just thought I'd say he is just too good. A freak. 400 + career goals at league level. Still not Messi either. Really got to appreciste these guys because we might see nobody better in our life times.

If we can spend 71m on a GK surely a fee around the 60-65m mark for Kovacic if he makes the right indications to his agent and Madrid is more than enough, I think we could get him for less bur Madrid fancy him as Modric's successor. Wouldn't be too much in my eyes. Even Kepa has been good and looks every bit worth what we paid. If the players perform fees are irrelevant. Should seriously consider it though, RLC and Barkley have improved but none of them have the class Kova has for me. He's still got plenty room to grow too.

Never seen the game but seen Betis play last weekend, they are some team, scored a cracker of a goal with Lo Celso involved as well. A lot of potential there with the players and their coach. Also imagine if they retained Fabian Ruiz what a player he is, now at Napoli, absolute baller.

Because Morata isn't Messi, Alonso isn't Roberto Carlos and apparently Kante and Azpi cannot play Sarri ball. It's ridiculous isn't it 😂 unbeaten in the PL, sitting second, basically through in Europe but some cunts will find something to moan about. Willian or Pedro could have scored 30 goals tonight between them and somebody would still be complaining as to why the fuck CHO isn't playing. For me, obscure European away games should just win the match by any means necessary. Play shit and win? Good job. Play good and win? Even better. I mean Mourinho was a diddy in his second spell here but we'd go to a lot better teams like Schalkes, Sportings or somebody, struggle and win like 3-0 get lauded s genius.... Sarri's gone to Belarus and we've won too despite playing poorly...

Tough game, Everton look decent enough, more of a threat than they were the previous season. Gylfi, Richardlison and Andre Gomes playing well.

Honestly hate to be awkward but isn't a central forward a striker? I know theres different types but that two phrases are one and all the same. Firminio has been playing as a CF since Klopp went to Liverpool no point disputing it. Honestly wouldn't say Morata played that poorly in some of those games the months before but it's typical of Chelsea fans to talk down their players, the same has been going on with Alonso, Kante and Azpi this season. Just be glad we don't have Torres upfront. If Morata was shit in August/September then don't know how bad Torres would have been. Also regarding Costa when he didn't score people were losing their minds... although he is undoubtedly missed because he can affect games without scoring by using his presence like you said. Morata is struggling because he prefers to run behind teams and there's no space because of teams playing with a low block. When we do get at teams we are constantly trying to playing through the middle, Ruud made an interesting point on MOTD, the service isn't always there, get the ball in the box sooner and the guy may get more chances. It's not the reason for everything but it's a factor along with his loss of form, confidence and injuries he had last season too. Still think there's a top player in there.

Doesn't fit 433, so don't see it happening. Sarri is pretty strict with his system.

End of the day he can keep digging this up, more people will remember Mourinho in 20 years than De Bruyne. Don't get this De Bruyne being considered in all time PL team carry on that was going on last season too... load of shite.

Think he showed last season he wasn't ready for the PL but in the championship this year he's picking up after a slow start. Maybe if he keeps going this season and brings his game on, another shot in the PL could be on the cards? Glad he didn't go Cardiff, physically his hold up play isn't all that, Warnocks teams play a lot of direct, long ball football and from what I remember Tammy was always better at running in behind.

Morata was shit in some games yes but Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero don't always perform 10/10 every week but they get goals in games and their fans don't say anything bad. Both are top top players but some times only really get involved by taking 7-10 shots a game (3/4s of them from absolutely ridiculous positions) or scoring a goal. Aguero and Kanes all round game is very good but still you don't see them rant and rave about it every week? Because they don't always deliver a 10/10 performance every week which people seem to think is 100% possible over the space of a 40 game season. Even Ronaldo and Messi play shit sometimes, but they'll play bad and score or play good and not score etc. Also that Lukaku comment, let's not forget half the forum probably wanted to resign him a few summer's ago, even the manager wanted to. I don't disagree that he's overrated perhaps and his technical skills aren't amazing but if hes scoring 20-30 goals a season with average technique, he's delivering something. Not a post directed at anybody in particular, a lot of this shit is on social media, but honestly it's quite ridiculous sometimes regarding Morata and other players here. Morata can play well not score get crucified for not scoring then score 4 in a row and get crucified only scoring by looks of it. The first 10 games of his Chelsea career people were probably saying he was one of the top 3 or 5 strikers in the PL... so it just shows how fickle people can be. I get an unbearable feeling that regardless of which player we sign or whatever, somebody will find some stupid reason to complain. You find a striker who plays 10/10 each week, always scores goals, always does everything every match he plays? Your not going to find anybody. Was the same with Costa, scored 20 goals a season but oh he is too physical and not technical enough... or he doesn't want to be here he woukd rather be in China so sell him etc... it's fucking ridiculous in all honestly not sure if these folk are actually fans of Chelsea or wind up merchants 😂 now it's Kantes turn as well it would seem, he can't play Sarri ball etc cause he cannot tackle someone else if our team has the ball, he can only play as a pure DM etc... never seen so much shite in all my life, the guy is a 2 time PL winner and world cup winner in an amazing French team if he could only tackle he wouldn't play for the French national team ffs 😂 and a lot of crap about Azpilicueta where there's some sort of assumption he's finished because he's had mixed performances after 2 years playing in a back 3... Jesus

Still can't believe this guy was regarded as a top DM who could do everything and basically regarded as the second coming of Yaya Toure 😂 I mean Matic had short comings but never seen a more hapless MF player for Chelsea in years. Lets hope his form doesnt go back to what it has been for the majority of the seaosn and Milan buy him off us.

Yeah was gonna say. As Vesper mentioned the Community Shield was a competitive game. We are unbeaten in the PL and European games.

Don't see why fans are looking and comparing owners net worth? Jesus this isn't like the transfer market where we are looking to sign a striker to replace one leaving 😂 I mean I have seen some ridiculous shit in my time on here but Roman is going nowhere and even if he was comparing owners net worth is just tedious because nobody is going to acquire the club unless they have a certain amount of money anyway....

Modric scores about 3 or 4 goals a season.... hardly a huge goalscorer but he's not that sort of midfielder. Kovacic isn't a goalscoring MF player either though but I wouldn't he surprised If he doesn't get a few before the seasons out. It would bring his level up yes but it hardly makes or breaks him as a player.

Ramos, Pique, Bonucci are all world class.... their teams have struggled but their individual qualities and successes are there to see. Ramos and Pique CB partners in greatest international team in the 2000s. Ramos a key part of a Madrid side who won 3 CLs. Pique part of arguably the greatest club side ever. Bonucci part of the best Juventus team theres been in years, who have won about 8 leagues in a row. These guys are some of the best about. Koulibaly is definitely a great CB too. Has no real weaknesses in all honesty and he can play too. John Terry had some moments when he played poor or when the team struggled but it didn't make him overrated either? Look at these guys consistencies over the last 10 years or so, the likes of Pique, Ramos, Bonucci have been brilliant. Can't dispute that. Glorified David Luiz's? Luiz isn't in the same ball park as any of those guys yes I agree but it would be an insult to call them guys glorified Luiz's....

I doubt they'd ever consider Sarri, he doesn't have that massive reputation that Perez would normally go for (not to disrespect him, he is a very well respected coach obviously but Madrid have had the likes of Mourinho, Ancelotti, Zidane etc, who were huge names) or a big amount of trophies which would be a paramount requirement at a club like Madrid. Don't know about Lopetegui either, a decent enough coach but he was 3rd or 4th choice apparently. I think they will continue to struggle while Perez is at the club, hes very much the guy who makes all the big decisions, transfers, managers, apparently he is insistent that Benzema is a regular etc because he was one of his signings or so people have felt.

Honestly I disagree, we don't have a like for like sub for Jorginho, Cesc is the only player in the squad who can play that role. Sure his legs arent what they were, hes never been the strongest or fastest anyway but technically he is still a good option in that role. Good experienced player to have in the squad and if hes willing to stay here and do that role again next season why not? Football is a squad game as much as anything these days. Also we have more pressing concerns in other places like upfront, central defence and out wide with Willian and Pedro's inconsistencies, they should be addressed first.

More ball watching today for the Palace goal, totally unaware of the runner behind him. Although he had good moments in the match all that is undone by one thing. Scary that somebody who is in his 30s can still get done by ballwatching so easily. It is a shame because it happens a lot and will cost us eventually.

I agree but the confidence he had to try and lob the keeper, surely can only be a good sign? He can do more but again its the mental side I think he struggles with but he is definitely on for 10-15 goals this season at least, I think he'll get a lot of chances this season, just with the change in playing style it will help him perhaps but still he should be aiming for 20-25 goals. So should Eden at least. Few other guys like Pedro and Willian should be after 10 at least too.

Watched highlights for Southampton-City match. How does Mark Hughes keep getting decent jobs? I cant believe a club like Southampton couldn't attract a better manager? Ruud on MOTD, as always a good insight but pity they've paired him up with Danny Murphy... jesus christ.

Perhaps but you could see today that nobody was completely sharp for the full 90 minutes in MF, we were sloppy. Ross has had 4 or 5 games on the bounce where hes been impressive, think we can let him off for misplacing a few passes, everybody had an off day in that regard.

Not going for Dzeko and Suarez instead of Torres was a huge mistake when Carlo was here. Suarez could have played as a wide forward instead of Kalou or Anelka in that team I think. Dzeko more suited to how we played also.