ja1

Lukaku's loans were very good, much better than Boga's, Solanke's and McEachran's..

Chalobah was good, played some lovely balls and made important tackles edge of the box. Baker one of the quieter ones but in first half especially better than vs Sweden

Abraham showed some good hold up play and work rate that I've rarely seen from as young a striker, as him, I'm impressed.

Christensen has played in a back 3, no?

His dribbling reminds me of Moussa Sissoko, doubt his big and wayward touched in his dribbles will be that effective in the PL

He's no worse than Costa at any of this and we've done fine with Costa.

A classic stereotypical and outdated view on Lukaku's style. This is literally the description of Costa who's heading stats are pathetic despite his frame. Lukaku 3-4 years ago was the same, now he's a bonafide aerial threat. Everton use this / used to use this to their advantage with Deulofeu's and Bolasie's main assists usually crosses onto Lukaku's head.

I think he has this in his locker, he has a very powerful shot, and has also shown he is capable of placing shots on his right and left foot into the top corner from ~25 yards out. The goals from 11:58-12:15 show what I'm talking about, whoever he plays for over the coming seasons wouldn't be surprised to see him score more screamers.

Exactly the same happened with Piazon. One of my biggest gripes was him winning YPOTS in 11/12 I think when he was only eligible to play half the year and wasn't THAT good while Chalobah captained the youth team to the FAYC final and win. And it makes me wonder how far our more talented youth would have got if they were earmarked like Piazon and RLC were. For instance I wish Dujon Sterling as a back up to Moses (not bona fide back up, but in a position where he can make 10-15 appearances next season) could happen next season like RLC was promoted under Mourinho, but unlikely.

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2017/2/27/14746272/et-tu-luluFound this really good article comparing Lukaku and Costa statistically. Writer is neutral and goes in depth, quite interesting. It was done at end of February though, would have been nice to do it at end of season. take note of last few paragraphs in particular, which conveys how I feel about whole thing better than I could tbh..'In summary, both of these players seem similar with regard to their talents on the pitch. Costa's the more fierce one, Lukaku has the higher ceiling, both very talented, but both with their flaws''to expect him[Lukaku] to not further improve seems to be a naive or biased perspective, as most forwards improve during their prime years''Everyone's going to have their own 'perspective', but it's important to not let confirmation bias cloud your judgement, and to properly rate players looking objectively at their talents, their flaws, their abilities, their potentials. It's criminal, I think, to summarily dismiss Lukaku as not being capable of entering our side'

http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/185831-tammy-abraham-merged/& some v nice words from Bristol city fans

Funny how it was quiet after this article debunked a few of the myths and overreactions going on after one Lukaku match.

Boga goal against Granada, nice finish too and good movement

"He's not very dynamic, has a poor passing range, generally is quite clumsy and so not very adventurous." is also how I'd describe Matic?

This man is a black Matic, agree with sentiments saying he won't improve our XI, and will be more of a grey, cement signing like Oscar, Willian, Schurrle. He's not very dynamic, has a poor passing range, generally is quite clumsy and so not very adventurous. Ideally for the player next to Kante we need a lot of things - power, probably height, stamina. But we also need, in the most general of terms, someone who's good on the ball, who can carry it well and if he can't do that, then produce quick vertical long and short passes to our forwards. Bakayoko isn't this player. An underwhelming target for me.

I like how everyone ignored this car cash of a post

Recalled

Same manager who was in charge of Dons when Bamford and Baker were there, who both did well. Some on twitter are saying he'll be playing left wing to replace Lookman who's getting linked with a lot of clubs.

Palmer low-key doing pretty well so far in his debut season

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2678581-chelseas-charlie-colkett-a-thinking-mans-footballer-making-big-strides

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/12/4/13835868/nathaniel-chalobah-conte-chelsea-youthhttp://www.umaxit.com/index.php/columns/chelseas-nathaniel-chalobah-has-the-england-captaincy-in-his-future(ignore the hyperbolic title of second link, still a good and informed read)

Rugani doesn't get a lot of playing time at all but I guess the flip side of that is lesrnibg and training constantly with BBC.

I see him as = to Siggurdson right now, not only in style but potentially in the set up he needs to perform best in - with team built around him.

https://streamable.com/3egp finally starting games again and a nice assist for Perriera here. David Cartlidge ‏@davidjaca 3h3 hours agoJérémie Boga outstanding for Granada today. The player who has really took the game to Sevilla... #CFC