OneMoSalah

Not to defend Lukaku here but I do think you tend to see that sort of intensity in pre match drills much more often because usually throughout the week (granted there are no mid week games), the majority of teams will train at a pretty high intensity, then come the game day those sort of drills and exercises are just a warm up and to get a touch of the ball before kick off.

Even if that’s how your argument is based, there are still plenty of players we signed who are easily much much worse signings than Lukaku. Morata not working out was a bit gut wrenching after getting rid of Costa (although his career panned out badly after leaving here), AM looked like he potentially could have had everything you would want in a top modern day CF but turns out he was really only good at scoring with his head and he lacked any sort of personality and top player mentality .

Worst Chelsea signing ever? Hmm. A very bad fit yes but worst ever? I think if you look into it hard enough you’ll realise we have signed much much worse. We’ve not had much luck with CFs though now Lukaku looks a bad fit, Morata was a bad fit, Shevchenko was a bad fit….

He would be daft to go to Newcastle. Absolutely insane. I mean honestly imagine Hazard being coached by Eddie Howe and trying to play little cute 1-2’s with Chris Wood. It would be ridiculous. Plus he’d end up playing in the championship next year. I think a return to Lille at some point may be his best course of action because he is nowhere near the standsrd for Madrid or us.

And play him ahead of who? Have you seen Kovacic play the last few games no? He has very very good since the Liverpool game. Yesterday he wasn’t quite as good but that can happen against a team like City. Then Kante when he’s even at 75% in these sort of games, is essential.

No offence but someone has to say it, what an absolute crock of shite. ‘That line up is the line up of a manager who wants to get fired?’ Jesus Christ. Look at the injuries we’ve got, Andreas was also missing through COVID so Sarr had to play and then look at the inconsistencies/underperforming players in attack we have. The team was basically as strong as it could of been whatever way you look at it. You’d think he put the under 23s out going off your reaction/comment.

Still think its more than likely too soon for him personally, particularly as a first team player and even more so considering Gerrard’s youth record at Rangers which is non existent barring Nathan Patterson who just joined Everton this month and a GK who he needed due to COVID/injuries. I also have reservations that the interest is purely Gerrard driven also despite the talk because this move was definitely mooted in the summer IIRC alongside a few other clubs sniffing about (some papers said us and Liverpool then and now but whether that is true or not, I’m really not so sure). I think there was a trial at Man United as well as at Villa too also so its probably more of a club driven move. Just hope it works out for him, obviously 17 years old there is still a lot of time but if he were able to kick on and become an international footballer in 3/4/5 years, it would be great as younger CBs is something we lack in the Scotland NT.

I could understand the issue if we got beaten by some relegation fodder team but it was Man City today and it doesn’t really change anything we didn’t already know as in they will win the league and are miles ahead of us and Liverpool. Why is it always just before or just always after big games depending on predicted result/the actual result people seem to kick up a fuss and question Tuchel? Not saying its solely down to you as everyone is entitled to their own opinion but there is a pattern, it happens almost every big game before or after. A Tuchel assessment would be a bit extreme considering we are defending European champions, won the Super Cup, just got to another cup final on Wednesday and still have the Club World Cup and FA Cup games too. I mean what more do people want? We could finish the season 2nd or 3rd with potentially 3 trophies at least. Also we are comfortably much better than everyone else bar Liverpool and City so I wouldn’t expect it to come to being dragged into a top 4 race. Also this ‘cup manager’ notion is a bit silly when you look at it because we have more or less been more of a cup team now for the best part of 10 or 11 years. League Cups, FA Cups, CLs, ELs - all cup competitions. Not in a derogatory way obviously as trophies are trophies but we have won 2 PL titles in the last 10 years after the 3 in 6 years prior to 2010 under Jose and Carlo.

Hes still only 22 years old though and thats probably going to buy him a bit more patience alongside his obvious talent and the fact he’s probably had many better games than the likes of Timo, Hakim and Pulisic since he arrived last summer. No doubt TT and he himself should rightfully demand more in terms of goals and assists but I still really don’t think he’s cut out in the long run to be a CF. And thats why I felt it was 100% necessary to sign a number 9 this summer because for all the play, running the channels and being involved outside the box, he doesn’t have the numbers or strikers instincts to be a top teams number 9. False 9 or not. He is wildly inconsistent which is infuriating but when he is playing as a false 9, he seems to struggle scoring goals and I think that is because he really lacks the predatory instincts in and around the box from crosses/cut backs/saves etc that all good strikers seem to have. He doesn’t seem to anticipate where the ball might go/land and just seems lacking in that part.

Horrendous today. Absolutely pathetic. Has to do better even if its his type of game or not.

Have to agree on Havertz but again, Tuchel’s repeatedly mentioning precision and how the forwards/attacking midfielders need to show up more. This is why I personally believe Ziyech, Timo and even Pulisic are players who really need to be looked at and the question asked are they really up to it? For what we want to achieve? Pulisic only ever seems to come to life v Liverpool and well I can count on one hand the amount of good games Timo and Hakim have had this season.

Tbf I am surprised he played Rom today but personally, not that surprised he didn’t use Werner. If I am honest I was much actually more surprised he didn’t start Kai or Mason. He talked about lacking precision in attack, do you really think Werner is the guy to give us precision? In these bigger games? In fact are any of them ie. Timo, Ziyech, Pulisic, really consistent enough to deliver in these sort of games? I get the argument for Timo and his pace but other than that I don’t think Tuchel could of justified starting him today although again not playing Kai was a huge mistake for me. Lets be honest under TT, the attack hasn’t ever really looked hugely convincing on a consistent basis regardless of who plays. As alluded to above, are a majority of the attackers good/consistent enough? Do people really expect Ziyech, Werner etc to bring us up another level? Rom doesn’t suit these big games either, clearly.

Don’t think we will see him start v City if Havertz, Mount and Pulisic are fit or dare I say it, Timo, are all available. Just think the way we will look to capitalise on City’s weaknesses, it would be a better set up. Seriously have all but gave up on Timo though, his attitude and work rate is good, can’t knock him for that but just doesn’t strike me as having the minerals or quality to be a success here. Its been 18 months now, its been very start stop and ultimately he’s been very very mediocre. Rom has to seriously start doing something also because barring the good start, the Villa game and then that first leg v Spurs, again, he’s not offering very much. The interview also whilst its dealt with so to speak just piles the pressure on him if he doesn’t do the business.

Sincerely hope we don’t lose him to Bayern or Barca. Same with Rudiger, losing him would be a disaster. There aren’t that many good CBs out there, yet alone attainable ones so to say yeah OK you can just go for nothing, it would be criminal. I mean the lack of attainable top top CBs available is probably part of the reason the club signed Thiago Silva the other year as a shorter term option, although he’s proven time and time again he’s still as good as they come these days still. I mean Rudi really is as good as anybody right now in Europe and in his prime so to speak and well, Andreas is still coming to his best/prime years at 25 years old after re-establishing himself under Tuchel after 18 months where people were concerned for his future here. Maybe its just me but I think he is also emerging as someone who is being trusted more and more and looks like he is very capable of becoming a leadership figure in the dressing room. He leads by example playing at a consistently high level in the same way Azpilicueta did for instance over the years. Plus I still think he has another level to hit yet, despite having been one of the most consistent players in the last year or so in that position. If I am honest, I have to disagree. Bayern are normally very very shrewd when it comes to this thing so I am not surprised that they would be very happy on letting Sule go (considering the salary he’s demanding) and getting either Andreas or Rudi (or both) on a free, as both would be upgrades (Rudi significantly). I don’t think Ginter is necessarily a bad player either but again, if you were a top top club (never mind being a top top club who already have both Rudi and Andreas on their books) you would keep either both/one of them over signing MG 100/100 times. Or you’d think you would. On Kounde, I wasn’t overly convinced on him for the money Sevilla wanted last season and honestly, still not entirely convinced this season. If it were less than £68m, say £40-45m or so, I could see it making more sense but £68m, is he really that good? When I watch him, I just don’t see it as value for money although his age does contribute.

I don’t think 7 goals for Southampton is really amazing evidence to say he’s absolutely ready to play here. Its a step after his promising stint with Vitesse, clearly, but look also look at players like Ings, Watkins etc at Southampton and Villa (Ings at Villa has hugely struggled though), generally to be a CF for the top top teams you need to be someone who sticks out a lot every game and I wouldn’t say from what I’ve seen of Southampton this season that Broja is quite there yet. I have no doubts he’s a good prospect but he more than likely would of been a bench warmer/squad player this season and barring the injury crisis we had in attacking positions towards the back end of last year when Lukaku, Werner and Havertz were all in and out after Malmo IIRC, he would rarely have played (hence why TT and the club sanctioned his loan because it was the smart move). I think unless he explodes and is scoring every game/second game to the season finishes (even then I think it would take something obscene to not loan him again as young CFs generally need to play to develop), we may try and find him another loan again next season. At the same time, there is absolutely no need to rush Broja’s trajectory either, he’s only 20 and whilst he has impressed in Holland and is progressing under Hasenhuttl there are still questions as to how he would do in a bigger and better team who don’t necessarily play counter attacking football as Southampton generally tend to let teams pen them in and try expose them playing on the transition. Tuchel rates him which is as good an indicator that if he’s allowed to develop in the right way and TT is here, he will absolutely integrate him in to the squad but its just the whole Lukaku dividing opinion and not cutting it alongside the others not having the expected output which is accelerating the thought of him being “ready”. If Rom was banging them in and the other attackers were performing better it wouldn’t be an issue. I mean many (myself included) thought that Lukaku probably wasn’t ready after his two loan spells with WBA and Everton. Whilst it didn’t work out in the long run as it cost us 70 odd M after selling him and resigning him, I think at the time it wasn’t inaccurate to say that. Obviously different players but I don’t even think Broja is half at the level Rom was during that season at Everton.

Hmmm. Missed the point completely. Its not like they will be first choice - only being mentioned as regulars due to Chilwells injury.

Kerr Smith is an interesting prospect but for the player, bar financially, it seems a daft move. He has only played 12 times for Dundee Utd in 2 seasons even though he is 17. Bit surprised though, as a Scot would of preferred to see him continue at Dundee Utd as Tam Courts the manager has been involved with their youth set up and has been the first team manager since the summer. Suppose money talks though but probably end up stuck in u18s/u23s football then get loaned out and sold off like the majority of them who perhaps leave too soon. Not even a regular at DU so it is a bit weird.

Tbf why do people make stupid comments like this? We already won the PL, CL, FA Cup, Super Cup and EL with Alonso and Emerson being members of the squad (although at different times). And anyway, its not like we are asking Alonso and Emerson to be our first choices for the long term but with Chilwells injury we may need them for a few months this season. Unless you’d rather we spunk unnecessary money on more than likely an overpriced player/someone surplus to requirements who clubs will know we are desperate for only to moan about it 6 months later when you realise the guy is just as shit as the others/a waste of money? I mean you’d think yous were playing FIFA at times regarding this whole Emerson/new LB arguments/conversation.

I don’t think how we played tonight v Spurs will be relevant. I really really doubt we will play as half arsed as we did over the tie also because its not a double legged cup game and it nots going to be 180 minutes. Like we seen v Liverpool (was literally only 10 or 11 days ago) after everyone was having their meltdowns/writing us off/saying they’d obliterate us/questioning how good we actually are because we drew v Brighton, Wolves, Everton… if you show up on the day and play with the personality, the ability and in the manner we did (we probably should have won), we will be fine. Previous performances necessarily mean nothing. Its about the performance on the day. Last season is as good an example of this as possible v City too (this season we got it wrong tactically). I mean does nobody remember the run up to the CL final? All worrying about City this, City that….. de Bruyne, Silva, Sterling bla bla bla up against player X, Y and Z etc. Then same with the league game and the FA cup semi’s… oh City will do this and this and this… we beat them 3 times. Probably playing better than we had done in games prior to playing them. Swear you mention City on here and some of you lot shit your drawers for the sakes of it 😂

I have to disagree. I would say the links to Rice and Tchouameni are well warranted and CG would more likely be coming in to take RLC, Saul and Barkleys minutes/place as opposed to being Kante’s backup/heir/whatever. I honestly don’t think Tuchel will view him as that because CG has a lot of facets to his game and he can maybe be the different option/profile of players in which many (myself included) felt that Saul would be when we signed him this summer (someone who could break into the box, score goals, third man runs whilst also contributing to the team defensively/without possession). In fact he probably has this sort of role at Palace because really McCarthy, Miliviojevic, Kouyate etc aren’t players who you would say contribute more in the opposition half. They really are more defensive minded. He necessarily is a box to box player but he undoubtedly has more freedom than the other 2 at Palace and that suits him. Whether he’s afforded that here is different but he will undoubtedly be an option in the 2 deeper positions than as one of the advanced positions off the CF too.

I’m not quite there yet (don’t think I will get to that concern either unless he nosedives horrifically) but I was concerned tonight. Him, Timo (basically given up expecting anything from him and will not shed a tear if we sold him in the summer) and Rom looked very out of sync with each other and were extremely quiet for the majority of the game. Mase is still streaky in terms of his goals and assists (although the corner tonight was his assist) but this season he has still bettered his output significantly compared to what it was by this time last season. Re Gallagher: I really don’t think Connor will simply just walk into our starting XI next season either or and even if he were to or was a player to come from the bench/rotation option, I don’t think it’ll be in the 10/attacking positions off the striker. He will likely start as 4th choice CM in a 2 if we stick with this shape, likely taking up the minutes Ruben and Saul have accumulated and go on from there if he impresses. It is one thing doing well for Palace…. another for us so I don’t think its quite as simple as him coming may result in us not buying a CM either because Saul wont stay and RLC and Ross need to go back more than likely (which is also heavily speculated by some on here).

We have been pretty poor since HT. The changes better bring a spark to us because we need it. Mount, Werner and Lukaku have been anonymous. As big a fan as I am of Mase, I think he’s made more fouls than attacking contributions.

Rudiger why why why…. The initial tackle was such a stupid challenge that he was never making in a million years and well the actual contact for the pen only occurs because he is stupid enough to make such a rash initial challenge. Ok no pen but still. Could have been.

Honestly, I don’t think its as easy to say its purely a 4-2-2-2. Look at us without the ball, we are set in a back 5 with Sarr as a 3rd CB then CHO at LWB and then with the ball it looks like it could either be a back 4 or a 3 depending on if Sarr or Azpi/both push up higher but I am sure its been similar the last few games, particularly the first leg also V Spurs.

If we get the first goal ties done. If we don’t its very much game on.