OneMoSalah

PSG and Unai Emery are two of the biggest frauds in football. Wow.

Luiz is playing the best football he's played for Chelsea yes but he is still rash (high tackle on Fellaini could of been a red, numerous attempts at trying to make interceptions he is never going to make going through the back of players picking up stupid bookings) and make the wrong decision (ridiculous attempt at whatever that was for Spurs goal). My concern was and still is, you can't teach an old dog new tricks, he's 29, he's already learned so much and will continue to be the same player he was 2 years ago although the system helps him and his concentration at times has been fantastic considering the train wreck he was under Villas-Boas... but Christensen is 21 or 22 with 2 seasons playing football that isn't at an academy level, still learning and can still be moulded in to whatever Conte wants to mould him in to. Luiz still has issues 1v1, definitely but playing as the middle defender in a back 3, he is seeing what's happening around him more, positioning himself to prevent or block crosses/cut backs/to win headers, to sweep up behind Azpi or Cahill rather than directly engaging opponents as much as he would in the other two positions. There's no doubt this system helps him, he is a good player, has been one of the best CBs in however many games so far this season too and I'm not saying he isn't but he's still got some problems which he had the first time he was here. Bonucci was one of the better CBs in Serie A before Juventus signed him. He was part of the second best defense statistically in Serie A the year before he moved to Juve (ironically enough he played with Inter Milan's Andrea Rannocchia) and eventually Conte ditched his 442 system to play all of Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini because he was more than good enough. I hope Luiz can still improve with Conte and this system and continue to remain concentrated in games but he's shown slight moments where you can see those faults. That's normal though we knew what we were selling and knew what we were buying but the 343 really has helped him along with Costa, Hazard, Moses and Matic rediscovering their form/contributing. If we went back to a 4 man defence you'd see these faults a bit more because he'd be more exposed. It probably would work with Christensen on the left but he's played in the middle for nearly 2 seasons now and he plays that role very well. He has experience in that middle central defender role, more than Luiz, albeit Luiz has been around for longer, I think he has looked a hell of a lot better there with Gladbach than when they've played him in a 4 man defence but that's just me. I still think we will end up with anther defender regardless of if Christensen comes back year. I also think Luiz wasn't Contes first or second choice option. Playing on on the right of Mochengladbachs back 3 right now.. weird

Honestly if we stick with 3 at the back he is the natural successor to David Luiz in that middle role out of all the players we have. He's not a poor defender either, the point was Luiz adds that fantastic long range passing from the defence where we can go from back to front with one pass as welll as his defensive skills which have been good so far since he's returned but there's still signs in there he's not completely changed. Christensen is a good defender, he will develop more physically before being in the first team here, he doesn't need to be a massive bulging unit of muscle to be a success, look at Carvalho, Cannavaro, Mascherano etc. smaller, slighter built players who played as CBs. Even then Christensen is like 6ft? Hardly small

Mourinho gets fined for doing stupid shit. He always does something and has been fined god knows how many times since he arrived in England. Same here, same at Inter, Real and United. Can't believe we've been charged although I'm not surprised, FA are trying to clamp everything down.

I think he has more experience than Luiz playing in a back 3 in all honesty. Sure Luiz has excelled but lets not deter from the fact Luiz still has his flaws (was evident in CL against top opposition for PSG over last few seasons) and always will albeit they have been masked with this system and his discipline at times, he's at an age where it's harder to change him unlike Christensen who is very much still learning. Also regarding the physicality, that's a thing that will come with Andreas getting older and filling out, its natural that he will need a bit of gym work to play regular in the PL (he might get a PL loan move first before being considered in the squad here) a lot of non British players now a days do need that regardless of which league they come from but I can't see that being an issue, German football is also physical as well as international football at times, so it's not that he will be too lightweight but just needing a bit of a top up. I agree regarding Luiz's passing being better than Christensens but as useful as it is, Christensen is also just as effective at coming into midfield to play although maybe not as expansive with his passing but that's not a major issue for me in all honesty, defenders are there to defend first, regardless of modern day football, you look at the Bonucci and sure he's a good passer but you wouldn't fancy taking him on 1v1, he's an amazing defender but with Luiz perhaps you would because he has got a mistake in him. It's not like Christensen shirkes away from coming out with the ball or playing risky passes too, we all know how comfortable he is on the ball from his time in the academy as well as his time in Germany playing in one of the most exciting teams in the league but it is right to say Luiz has a bit more in his locker on the ball. Also I can't see him playing Cahill's position, I just have a feeling we will go for Romagnoli or some other left footed alternative for that LCB role (Conte is definitely aware of him from his time with Italy and will know that he's played on the left of a back 3 for Italy under the new coach) which is somewhere we need to look at improving in the long term. Both Cahill and Luiz are not long term options in these two positions in a back 3, I really hope Zouma will be used on the right (think he's not quite got that composure like Bonucci, Luiz or Christensen have to be considered for the middle), Christensen in the middle and if we can sign Romagnoli, him (or someone else) on the left as long as Conte is still here and still in favour of 3 at the back. Long term that would be brilliant. I think the struggles we seen with Azpi as LB could eventually come to light with Cahill as a LCB too, Gary's not bad on the ball or with his left foot but he's always wanting to use his right which can close a passing option for him or slow the move down or whatever, as opposed if he opened his body up and used his left. But that's a common fault with a lot of different players in different positions in different teams.

His passing was awful against City in all honesty, especially in the first half but at least he had Cesc next to him though, the onus isn't on him to be creative but this has been a concern of mines for a few weeks now, can we rely on Kante and Matic to break teams down if nobody else is able to? Fair enough Matic has 6 assists this year but hardly a playmaker and it's the same with Kante. West Brom up next, 10 men behind the ball... great stuff.

Wouldn't say he was woeful. In all honestly United are coming along offensively, the likes of Zlatan, Mkhitryian and Pogba are starting to click and when top players with their ability start to click they will cause teams issues. He will never play as good as he did for Juventus because Mourinho won't allow him that freedom unfortunately. Definitely not worth the money they paid but he's not been awful, United are a final ball off looking alright going forward or so the impression I got watching them against Everton was that, although they have defensive problems.

Maybe but I think he'd be better suited in that middle CB position, it's one he's very familiar with playing it with nearly every week with Mochengladbach, suits him down to the ground sweeping up and stepping out with the ball. Maybe he will replace Cahill next year but who knows, I don't think we'd have gone after Romagnoli if that was the case, left footed center back on the left side makes sense, round pegs in round holes and all.

I don't think it will be long before Messi plays Iniestas role. He's coming deeper and deeper in games to try link up when Iniesta doesn't play and honestly he's an excellent playmaker, so it looks like they already have their Iniesta replacement.

Wales used it at the Euros in every game and Mark Hughes is Welsh lol. In the last few seasons Liverpool, Watford, Manchester United among other teams have all used different variations of 3 man defence formations like 3-4-3/3-4-2-1/3-4-1-2/3-5-2. I don't think they've had as much success although I remember Liverpool having a great run of results with it under Brendan Rodgers at times. Even in Germany and sometimes Spain it is becoming more and more common. Unfortunately it's not something that is brand new but we seem to have a better grasp of it than those teams did.

We were lucky. If De Bruyne scored that chance we would of got beaten, no doubts about it, if that same chance is created 10 times he scores it 9 times. Also the shot Courtois saved, he would of probably scored that earlier in the season when he was in terrific form. Fair enough their goal was a lucky one but they really had earned that luck due to how they pinned us in, created opportunities to cross and how much possession they had in our half. If we went in at 0-0 we would of been fortunate and deservedly so they went in with the lead. We were clinical no doubt about it, 15 minutes changed the game for us, it was the same against Spurs just a 15-20 minute spell in the game where we had 2 chances and scored both but again we were lucky they didn't get the second goal because then it's a different proposition altogether. I wouldn't say we looked convincing enough defensively in those games, if Luiz didn't play v City we would of struggled because he bailed us out and against Spurs first half whole back 3 and both wing backs were awful in defensive actions. Its not a bad thing to be lucky in big games but I believe that these things will even out in the season eventually, I'd hate to see us go 2-0 down to a team like Spurs, Arsenal or City because we wouldn't come back from it. Also there will be moments where we won't be as clinical which we have seen plenty of in previous seasons. The whole lucky point was made regarding people saying/articles saying we had been magnificent, brilliant, etc more than anything, our counter attacks were lethal but still there is a huge amount to improve on based on two first halves of football against two top teams, Spurs and City because we won't get that luck every match in a season. De Bruyne was getting a huge amount of room in a position between Alonso and Hazard on the pitch and Navas and Sane had exposed our wing backs at times. This is a blueprint along with Spurs' pressing that could be copied and give us issues in the future, I still think we'd struggle against Liverpool or perhaps Arsenal with this system for instance, just because we are top of the league it means nothing yet as this team is still a work in progress and on another day it would of finished differently in both the Spurs and City games. I think people are getting too carried away, we've clicked sooner than City (who I still reckon are favourites) but I still think we might come undone with a few injuries and not getting that rub of the green like we've gotten in certain instances in games. The one thing that has impressed me though is Conte has seen the way games are going and has managed to change them like the game against Spurs and City. The difference in the first 45 minutes to the second 45 minutes is hugely noticeable but games can be done in the first 45 minutes (Arsenal for instance).

Good to see one of our players get a winner v Liverpool but he is not a center half!!! Constantly let's balls bounce instead of dealing with them, first time it's cost a goal but he's done it countless times this year and also at times with Watford... if he's wanting to be a Center half he has to deal with those things in the air

I didn't see him get booked lol. He should be alright then. Still another day could of been worse. Yes Aguero came in OTT but still another day and another ref could of been a red. Or not seen and dealt with by the FA panel of wankers or whatever they go by now.

Aguero is lightening quick, no chance he wasn't making that ball.

His role in the end of the match scuffle could end up with him getting in trouble yet, along with Cesc so whether hes proper Chelsea or not it better not come back to bite us... but it's good to see this lad getting some minutes, always had talent and after a while away has a role as a squad player, I remember Ray Wilkins writing him off a few seasons ago.

Struggled a lot today but was there when he needed to be defensively. Good to see him do a job defensively in 2 huge games in a row.

Guardiola has brought City's football to another level but also the theatrics and a bit of nastiness when things aren't going there way, although Aguero has previous with Luiz. I think we were better in the second half in comparison to the first but we were lucky because Luiz should of been sent off and we also gave them 3 big chances (KdB should of scored that sitter), another day and they would of won, comfortably. Ive seen people say we were magnificent but we were very lucky first and foremost but most of all, clinical, although we played good together as a team. Fernandinho and Aguero are a disgrace, I wouldn't be surprised if one of Chalobah or Cesc gets some sort of action taken against them too though, more likely Fabregas due to raising his hand. Still 3 points without looking entirely convincing, like against Spurs, so cannot complain. For all the defending I did of Marcos Alonso against Spurs he really looked out of his depth today in all honesty, although so did Moses, Cahill and Azpi at times but that lifted pass/clearance into the channel for Hazard was brilliant and he's done that a few times now, almost seems telepathic at times.

Apparently there's talk of him maybe getting a new contract and playing higher up as a 8 as opposed to a 6. Don't think he's not good enough to be a squad player here, he's just not suited for the system as we don't play with a 6. I can't remember wher I seen the information but will try find link and post it. Think he should be looking to leave though for regular footvall, only really got back in to team due to poor performances last season which says it all considering he has sat on the bench most weeks this season.

He would be a great signing I think. Obviously like most fullbacks these days he's stronger offensively than defensively but he's a pretty decent defender too. Great crosser of the ball, takes a mean free kick as well... and takes penalties I think? In our 343 he would be excellent. He's mobile, strong, has good technical qualities.. would be a improvement on Marcos I think. I'm sure I read he would be available for a transfer next summer as he has a release clause that comes in to play then. Or maybe I'm wrong, sure I seen that somewhere. Might need to check.

They've improved massively on last year and considering both were linked with moves (both to Atletico/Courtous to Real) in the summer it would make sense seeing as now they look fully committed to the club in terms of performances.

"According to the sun" seriously? Oscar is a better player so replacing Oscar with an inferior player doesn't make sense. Also Leverkusen making him available for 17m? Not a chance, as soon as Chelsea is mentioned it's got to be about triple the price.

Played as a right wing back against Seville the other night and was apparently quite impressive, one to keep an eye on I think but Barcelona are also interested.

He looked decent for Fiorentina earlier when they had the ball v Inter with his passing but without it he along with the rest of the team were all over the place. He looks like he could be too slow for a Conte team in all honesty, like he is slower than Matic and probably as slow as Cesc. Borja Valero is the one guy we should be looking to sign from Fiorentina in my mind, although he is 30 odd and wants to retire there, he was brilliant in the second half when they had a man less and gave them something in the final third and also penetrative passes from deeper.

If we get stuck in our own half like against Spurs we will be fucked but when we get Moses and Alonso higher up the park our formation can cause them issues and especially against a team like City imo who have players who are prone to an error at the back (Stones, Bravo and although he's improved from last year, Otamendi). Really will be interesting do we go at them and press them high up or are we going to sit off? I hope we press them, especially considering those players at the back who will be ordered to play out as often as possible. Should be an interesting game regardless. City will have a lot of the ball at times and when you consider 4 or 5 of Toure, Gundogan, Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva and Aguero likely to be playing they don't need any gifts.

Few times against Spurs he looked like the Luiz we all knew from before. The goal we conceded was poor in more than one way to be honest but he sold himself and a few times he looked slightly distracted and was diving in for tackles he would never win (his booking for example) but he turned it around second half and his passing at times is brilliant, can take 3 or 4 players out the game at once, think his time at Paris along with Conte coaching him has had a good effect on him (also were seeing it with a few other players) , he's more mature now and hopefully he can keep getting better.