Joe Ay

Thought he was terrific today. Distributed the ball really and was tenacious in trying to win it back. Him and Kovacic were great today. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll give him the benefit of doubt. He’s still young and hopefully he knuckles down and keeps working hard at his game without thinking that he’s made it already. But it is worrying based on what we read in the press...his alleged wages, the demand for the 10 jersey... To be frank, he hasn’t shown anything so far to justify any of that. True he is a talent, and he’s shown glimpses of that in the few games he’s played, but it’s too early to gauge whether he has the potential to even be the next Sterling what more the next Hazard. We’ve seen too many instances of young players letting fame get to their head. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7378813/Chelsea-news-Callum-Hudson-Odoi-set-sign-stunning-new-five-year-52m-deal.html If true, that’s a pretty hefty sum for somebody still unproven. Puts even more pressure on him. Hopefully he fulfils his potential and doesn’t go the way of a Walcott. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think Jorginho has been good in recycling possession and moving the ball forward when the play is in our half of the pitch. He’s been average and borderline poor lately when play is concentrated in the opponent’s half. Also, I don’t think he was brought in by Sarri to a creator but more to set the team’s tempo and build-up. Don’t think he has the creativity or technique of a Pirlo, Xavi or Modric hence I think we should measure him against similar players like a Busquets (though he’s nowhere as good). He really needs a Hamsik-type midfielder to play alongside him to be truly effective. Right now having Kovacic/ Barkley there just makes our midfield look average and devoid of creativity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would like Sarri to try a 4-2-3-1 position against teams that sit back against us - with Jorginho and Kante in the pivot and Hazard in the 10 position behind a striker flanked by proper wingers who constantly interchange and make runs off the ball (think Pedro and Hudson-Odoi would be ideal for the role). Think it would play to Kante’s strengths and also allow Hazard to excel in the chief creator role. Right now the main problem I see in our midfield is that the left sided midfielder hardly contributes anything at all from an offensive standpoint - only Kante seems to be the one making forward runs and whilst he’s improved tremendously in that role, you can tell he’s not fully comfortable and doesn’t have the technique nor the precision to play the quick and accurate one-twos in tight positions. Kovacic and Barkley whenever they play hardly do anything at all further up the pitch. Having Kante and Jorginho in the pivot will give the security to free up the front 4 a bit more and allow Hazard to play to his strengths. Now to make this work we need a proper striker in the Costa mould. Whilst may not work against stronger teams, think it’s worth a shot against the Southamptons of the world that just want to sit back against us. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you believe the rumours, Coutinho may be looking for a move with Neymar heading back. Wishful thinking - but I think we should go for him if he’s available. Will add an attacking dimension to our midfield to ease our over-reliance on Hazard to create. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would like to see him in the Jorginho role. He’s comfortable with the ball and can play under pressure. That would free up his position to a more attack minded midfielder like Loftus-Cheek in the Hamsik role. Right now he doesn’t really offer much offensively and like Barkley, plays it way too safe. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hazard started the season so strongly but I must say he’s been pretty average in the last few games. Other than the assist to Willian in the last game, he’s been guilty of losing possession with too many dribbles and fancy flicks. He looks out of depth in the false 9 position as he doesn’t seem the type to make too many runs off the ball. We need a proper centre-forward ASAP, heck I’d even go for Troy Deeney to fill the role, a proper battering ram of a striker in the Diego Costa mould. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bring him home Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With Hazard out, and as the most senior member (in terms of years with Chelsea) in our attacking triumvirate, he needs to step up and show his quality for the next two weeks. We can't afford to drop points with the big City-Pool game this weekend. If results work for us, we could be in the mix right up to the game away to Pool.

If Mata wasn't the answer, and now the feel is that Oscar isn't too, who then in world football can fit Mourinho's vision of a Chelsea no. 10? He needs to be able to press high and constantly run, have pace, power, and aggression, and release the ball quickly and with incision...and must be equally adept at transitioning from attack to defence and vice versa...

He's been below par for a while now. I think Willian-Hazard-Schurrle should be our main attacking trio for the next few games.

On current form, Oscar needs to be benched. Really frustrating to watch him recently as he contributes little to our offensive game. I'd like to see Hazard as our no. 10 with Willian and Shurrle on the flanks for the next few games.

I'm of the view that Rami is a tremendous player for us if we're set up to play on the break, where his burning pace and stamina can exploit gaps in the defence and open up room for others. But against teams that sit back and deep, he doesn't really add much to our play as we need someone more controlled and composed. I think Rami is best suited to play in the big games where we let other teams take the initiative and while we play on the counter. Against the smaller teams like WHU or WBA, might be worth exploring playing Oscar in the pivot with Matic, having Hazard as CAM and having Schurrle / Salah on the wings with Willian.

Think Oscar has performed ok for us this season. However, fans expecting a traditional (i.e, flamboyant) Brazilian no. 10 or a Mata-type player will be disappointed. That was never his game from what I've seen of him at NT level and with us, Oscar is more of a fetch and carrier type player with the odd bits of skill and creativity. He plays a selfless role in keeping the play moving, allowing others like Hazard and Willian to shine. He reminds a bit of Zinho from Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team. Not too flashy, but plays a job. You need vertical players like him to rotate the ball in midfield and make the runs to open up play. I hope he can evolve into an Iniesta-type player, but he needs to improve his strength on the ball first and be more careful in retaining and distributing the ball. He still at times loses possession easily or makes the wrong pass. Reminds me of Hazard a little early this season when he kept squandering possession up the field. Hopefully Mourinho can iron this out of his game.

True shirt numbers are just shirt numbers. But sometimes it helps a player to be assigned special numbers like 7 or 10 to show how important they are to the club...like Rooney being assigned 10 from 8, Messi from 19, Ibra from 18 (PSG), etc. The number 10 has always had a certain aura and significance to it in the history of the game. No doubt it also helps to boost a player's ego and marketability as well. Perhaps Hazard can make 17 as famous as how Beckham made 23 or Cryuff made 14 famous in the world of football.

Messi used to play on the right wing. Now Hazard is no Messi but he shares a lot of his characteristics, good close control, dribbling ability and an eye for the pass. Could work.

If I'm not mistaken, he can change the number in the League, but has to use his old #17 for Champions League games. Lamela uses #11 in EPL games and #33 in the Europa League as he was registered as #33 first.

Mata belongs to those rare breed of footballers, a genuinely nice guy who loves the club. His history has showed that he's always had a steady head on his shoulders. No record of past indiscretions or embarrassing scandals like some of our own players. Nothing in his behaviour to suggest that he had an ego or an inflated sense of self worth either. What he's shown since his time here, and before in Valencia, is that he's an incredibly humble, down-to-earth, articulate and intelligent young man who's passionate about Chelsea, the fans and the city. My personal view is that he could've been a great leader for us. Some one who would not only lead by example on the pitch, but also off it. He might not be the best playmaker in the world, nor is he the most gifted athlete, but he had potential to be the brains and creative impetus behind an attacking possession football side that Jose has promised to deliver. I hope he doesn't leave. But it's the club and the Manager's call, and we should stand by it. But the club nor the Manager is never infallible and should be held accountable down the road. If Jose's instincts are right, and we finish the season with a few trophies and even maybe win the league (or at least get very close), then his and the club's decision would be vindicated. If the opposite happens, then one must really ask the logic of selling your best player for the past two seasons. Only time will tell.

With Mata leaving, should take over the no. 10 jersey next season...

Very professional performance from us. Spectacular score yet unspectacular play. We were clinical in punishing their mistakes and showed composure (Luiz's hoofing aside) in possession. Willian definitely MOTM for me. Is it just me or did anyone else think Oscar had a really poor game offensively. He kept losing possession and didn't make any attacking play of note throughout the game. Luckily we had Willian and Hazard, who both looked dangerous every time they had the ball. Oscar looks slightly jaded and lethargic, fading badly in the 2nd half. Time maybe for Schurrle or Mata?

Needs to do better. First was excusable (half-chance and being crowded out) but the second one...jeez that was a sitter. Needs to be more composed. Looks like the injury knocked him off his stride a little. Other than that, I thought his all-round play was good. Can't recall him losing the ball, won some good aerial duels, made direct incisive running and linked up pretty well. His body language when he was subbed wasn't very positive though. Hopefully he'll just knuckle down and keep working at it and not sulk.

Just give him the ball all the time! That's what Mou's new tactics should be. Seriously, think it was his best performance for us. We saw it in flashes last season, but the real Eden has finally arrived. Now keep it up!

I agree with most posters here. I think he's been ok in patches, but nothing close to when he hit his stride for us last season where he was unplayable at times. He's still young but will need to show more consistency and be more influential in games.

I think Jose has worked wonders for him, both mentality and bringing out the best in his game. Jose has always like direct players, and Torres fits the mould. The more quick, direct passes have also helped as it suits his style of play. He looks sharp and strong, and best of all, his body language has shown a remarked improvement. He still frustrates sometimes when he takes on too many players and loses the ball but he looks more like the Torres of Liverpool these days. He thinks he can beat anyone these days and often succeeds, unlike the last few seasons, when he ran at players unconvincingly only to lose out in terms of pace and strength. Loved the reception he received when he was substituted. You could tell that they all loved his application and attitude. Fans in the stadium haven't lost hope, and neither should we