manpe

I'd stick Barkley instead of Kova in this formation, he's more of a goal threat and probably a more natural nr. 10. But yes doubt we'll see it.

Morata keeps starting yet his tactical understanding is to stay offside and fall. Luiz keeps starting yet his tactical understanding in defence is.... CHO can't be worse.

I still wish he would try the 4-2-3-1 formation with Kante and Jorginho in double pivot against stronger teams. Kante goes too far up when we get hit by counters, so it's up to the Jorginhos, Luizes and Alonsos to track back against speedsters. We saw how that ended up yesterday with Son's goal. Some tactical flexibility needed or we get predictable (aka honeymoon period ends). Kante and Jorginho would still have the license to bomb forward, but more conservatively than in our current system.

Glad that name is sticking Overall, I wouldn't overreact over this game. We were bound to lose some time, our first loss came at the end of November - I would have bit your hands off if such a strong start was offered before the season began. It was Spurs away, anybody can be overplayed and lose there, it's not like they are pushovers and we are not steamrollers like City. We got that unbeaten monkey off our backs now, lessons hopefully learned and we get back on track against Fulham (shouldn't be too difficult). Season is still long ahead, we will see more losses like that, but it's important we get the points that are up for grabs and finish top 4. Currently we are on track of doing so, but the race will go down to the T I believe.

I think we have already topped our group? If so, then there is no need to play any regular players. Complete overhaul needed.

I don't know what he wanted to do with that 3rd goal. He didn't touch Son or the ball, the ball didn't go through his feet, he simply glided past him as if to say "here you go, a free passage for you". That was worse than him protecting his butt from getting hit by the ball. We need a new CB. Luiz and Christensen make me nervous. Luiz can play in games where we are dominant and expected to win, but against teams where we have to defend I don't want to see him. Sarri was targeting the right positions during the window (ST, CB), these remain our weaknesses.

Excellent! Any word on what his new salary is? EDIT: According to Goal it is £290k

And....? Is it not possible to update it?

Only one of GC or AC can leave, no way we'll let both go. This makes it more likely to be Gary.

Who was this Roman's mate? Zhirkov?

Our board tends to show irrational amount of patience towards expensive signings. Probably don't want to let their investments go to waste for a loss. EDIT: Just realized the guy is 24 already. Can't play the young card anymore, he should be hitting his peak soon. Lost cause. EDIT2: AC Milan Eyeing Cut-Price Deal for Chelsea Loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko After Recent Improvement in Form

Add Pedro to that. Was Robben our last real left-footed right-winger? Since him I remember we had there Joe Cole, Kalou, Quaresma, Anelka, Cuadrado - all right-footed. That's pretty much it or am I missing someone? Sturridge maybe, but he played makeshift RW a few times and was really a striker forced wide (just like Anelka, who did better there tbh). EDIT: Ah yes, Salah! The one that got away, I barely remember he was here.

70 mill? Lol fuck off.

Are you saying other elite players are flawless when it comes to decision making? Even Messi and Ronaldo make shit decisions sometimes. Or who do you have in mind when you are talking about elite players who always know what and when to do?

Because you haven't created one.

Tbh that would have possibly made it worse. He was spent and past it, there was not much he could offer us anymore unfortunately. Injuries had him done. He left at the right time (but Liverpool, yuck)... If I can forgive Lamps going to City, I can forgive Joe for thinking Liverpool is some safe haven for English players. 100% I admit these days I don't enjoy watching games as much as I did then. I would get hyped just seeing Lamps and Drogba play knowing they can produce something special at any time, I admired their playing styles. Out of our current crop the only player that comes close to giving that hyped up feeling is Hazard.

Also considering the price they paid for him, second highest ever, his behaviour shows lack of respect for their efforts.

This is why I want him as striker first and foremost. Don't think these things would be such a hindrance in that position, his main job would be to make runs behind and find the net. He'd also contribute well to our first line of pressing. It's not like our current crop is much better than him in these aspects anyway.

Still a competition though [emoji1787] Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

Does Karius vs. Mignolet count? Or Čech vs. Leno? Caballero vs. Bravo... It happens but it's rare and doesn't last long. Top GKs who know they can start for some other top teams will not warm the bench for long. Speaking about Cuntois, he was the one throwing fits when not playing, demanding to sack our GK coach and all. He was 100% going to leave if he wasn't gonna take over Cech shortly. He wants "competition" only when he is the automatic winner.

I would take him in a heartbeat to play striker if he took at least 50% pay cut lol... not gonna happen unfortunately. But the thought of Sanchez in the middle with Hazard and Pedro flanking him is great.

I hope it's gonna be a fine. Banning for 4 windows straight will ruin us completely, say bye bye to Hazard and co. with no replacements. It would force us to play youth, but doing that forcefully in such a way won't bring anything good imo. It will be very hard to recover from that to even our current level.

Was easily one of my favourite players. At that time it didn't feel out of place for me to place him in the same bracket with Lamps and JT, felt like a true blue. A shame he got so much stick in his later years with us. Sure he was past it and laden with injuries iirc, but always a model pro who loved the club and gave everything. Even after being long gone, he still gave us Hazard! Was one of the reasons I grew up appreciating Chelsea, because of players like him (and Duff, Robben, Lamps, JT, Drogba, Gudjohnsen). Was fun to watch that amazing team and ultimately grew loyal to the club (I'm still here aren't I ) . Still remember that amazing goal he scored in that title-winning game against United in 2006. It was so good I remember it like it was yesterday. Usually my memory is bad with stuff in so distant past, but this was special and one of my brightest memories from that era. Take a bow son! LEGEND!

You and me both sister. I'd rather see our yoof make mistakes and cost us games and learn from it, than a spent force do it and not learn anything but regress. Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

I would mind if he fell over and complained about everything. Hazard's replacement will never be as good overall, but at least be strong. I have my doubts about players coming straight from La Liga.