Jase

When we think about it, it's really stupid that we didn't make a keeper signing much earlier in the window. We kept focusing on signing attacking players when the keeper problem was arguably bigger than anything else. Have started the season and we've still got the same keepers and it nearly cost us on Monday. Could easily happen again on Sunday.

Was just thinking a bit and it seems like managers struggle to make the most out of Loftus-Cheek or have problems fitting him in. Conte saw and used him as a striker. Sarri used him as a midfielder in a midfield three. Lampard talked about him being an option as No.10. And IIRC, Hodgson used him as a wide player when he was on loan at Crystal Palace.

The numbers are one thing but I want to see him produce consistent quality in the final third. Right now, it feels as though he's just working/playing hard but not working/playing smart.

Mount has more of an instinct to shoot than Willian...sure, but how many times we saw last season that he would shoot from ridiculous angles or positions for example? My point about Mount-Willian is that they both work hard and can't be accused for the lack of effort but they become absolutely useless in the final third, when you need them to produce consistent quality. And no, showing the odd flashes here and there doesn't count.

Oh really? Mount can't be accused for the lack of effort but he becomes absolute braindead in the final third, just like Willian. Runs into blind alleys, makes poor decisions with the ball etc.

Lampard said it was just due to tiredness.

Only 3/3 it seems... https://www.transfermarkt.com/christian-pulisic/elfmetertore/spieler/315779

Barnsley have beaten Boro 2-0 tonight. So, we'll face Barnsley next midweek.

On a random note, I wonder if Werner is the second choice penalty taker in the team...

Well, we go to West Brom next weekend. Anyone fancy Ivanovic scoring from set pieces?

TBF, Brighton started their pre-season much earlier, played some games, did not have many players away on INT duty and I think did not have players in quarantine.

Doesn't Mendy have to quarantine for 2 weeks? Or is there some sort of sporting exemption that we can get here?

Seems like United are targeting Bale with Sancho looking unlikely. Spurs also interested.

Fair enough if Grealish feels at home at Villa and wants to stay there for a long time. Otherwise, this could easily turn out to be another Zaha situation down the road.

Have signed for West Brom. One year deal.

Werner on his debut at Brighton... https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/09/15/werner-on-his-first-experience-of-english-football-and-delight-a

The more I see Mount, the more I feel like he's gonna become the next Willian in the team.

Rotating the players is fine, especially when needed. But when he starts to chop and change it for the sake of it or play players out of position (like yesterday), then there is where the problems may start. One can only hope he knows what he's doing and not just someone who talks a big game without knowing how to back it up...

It's early days but I fear with all the options that we have this season, Lampard will overthink things and start to tinker around too much with the system and player selection (yesterday's match was a good example of that). Really hope he will settle on a fixed system soon and play the players in their best position and not put square pegs in round holes. It is one thing wanting the team to be adaptable and flexible, it is another to tinker too much for the sake of it. Consistency is needed if we want to have success. Even Guardiola - except when he is playing in Europe - who has a reputation of changing things too much has always largely kept the same system, player selection etc domestically. Or look at Klopp at Liverpool. Consistent system, consistent team selection and they have reaped the rewards massively over the last 2-3 seasons.