Jase

Why is selling Azpi even up for debate? He just signed a new contract!

Sure but relying exclusively on our full backs to create width is not the wisest of tactics, is it? The wingers have to do that as well, arguably more than the full backs, and while he isn't the most explosive of full backs, I don't think Azpi's attacking play is generally bad - though not perfect at it, he has gotten forward whenever we get our attacks right and he's got decent pace. If anything, it's his final pass that lets him down.

Not saying it's wrong to criticize Azpi this season because he did have a few poor games defensively earlier on in the season. But on a whole, he's been solid and reliable as always and yesterday's performance was certainly a reminder of that. Yet, those Sarri-bots want him out just because he's not an attacking fullback. It's like I said, people don't care about defending anymore ever since Sarri came in. It's all about Sarri-ball and nothing else.

Luiz essentially symbolizes Chelsea right now - horrendous in one game (e.g. against Spurs) and brilliant in the next (e.g. against City).

Source? Sounds like a fake quote...

He was much better in the second half, when we sat deep and focused on attacking down our right - presumably to target Delph at left back - but he was awful in the first half. Kept giving the ball away and was found wanting defensively on numerous occasions. Even got turned inside out easily by Sterling, which would have led to a goal if it weren't for Azpi blocking Sane's shot. His second half performance certainly highlights the issue with him - we had to "cancel" an attacking outlet just to cover his severe lack of pace/weakness. It worked yesterday given the tactics against City but surely, we can't keep persisting with this if Sarri is to achieve his brand of dynamic, attacking football?

Fans jumping on Azpi's back since Sarri came in is like that kid who ditches the old toy when he/she gets a new one. After Sarri came in, it seems all people care about is going forward and nothing defensively. You're definitely right in saying he's underrated and underappreciated. People have gotten so used to his consistency that they have taken him for granted.

Seems like it was set long, long time ago. Have changed it to unlimited.

Isn't there a B-list which we can use players from? If Sarri is wise, he'll put out a XI like this... Caballero Zappacosta Cahill Christensen Emerson Fabregas Barkley Loftus-Cheek Hudson-Odoi Willian Giroud Could maybe throw in Ampadu for someone in there. But guess what I was trying to say in the previous post is that Sarri might unexpectedly play someone like Kante, Kepa etc. It's already not ideal that some other players would have to travel to Hungary just to fill up the bench...

Get the suspicious feeling that Sarri will take a few first team players to Hungary as he's not going to play the kids all of a sudden.

Hungary...

MOL Vidi FC 2-2 Chelsea PRE/POST-MATCH DISCUSSION, LIVE CHAT AND ANALYSIS 2018/19 Europa League Group Stage Matchday 6 13th December, Thursday, 2018 MOL Aréna Sóstó 17:55 Kick Off (UK time)

Said this before the game today and certainly delivered it! My captain.

Can't believe people have been getting on his back this season. HE WAS IMMENSE AGAINST CITY!

But you could argue that they worked as a unit in Sarri's system. Right now, our system still has holes and because we have very few dangerous players going forward, teams can afford to man-mark Jorginho, Hazard etc while almost leaving others free because they know they won't cause problems. Do agree that Jorginho needs to improve though and also worth remembering that this is his first season in English football.

While Jorginho is key to Sarri's system, he had players at Napoli to still make things work in that midfield when Jorginho is being marked (besides, he can't be playing at 100% every game anyway). We don't here.

Hard to when we decided to play on the defensive today and besides, going for more direct passing was more effective than short passing.

1. Lost to mid-table Wolves on Wednesday and then beat the champions Man City on Saturday. I love you, Chelsea but YOU ARE FUCKING WEIRD! 2. Okay, I'll admit that I expected a bad/heavy defeat for us but as it turned out, we actually played well, even in the first half. We were chasing shadows for long periods, granted, but we restricted them to very, very few chances and in the second half, we were like a team transformed. Whatever Sarri said at HT worked and speaking of Sarri, kudos to him for today's result. Maybe made some dodgy decisions in the team selection but he got the players to perform what he wanted or at least what we needed to get a result. 3. Only shit thing is...we've helped put Liverpool at the top of the table. UGH!

So, Sarri is willing to sacrifice more cohesive attacking play for set pieces which we may not get a lot in games? Our attacking set pieces are crap and we have looked suspect at defending set pieces at times, even with Alonso in the team! Are we really that desperate for his free kicks?! Did we really get the Sarri that we all saw at Napoli? Because this Sarri sounds a lot like Mourinho!

Jose, is that you?

Sacchi on Hazard... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6468609/Arrigo-Sacchi-Pep-Guardiola-Maurizio-Sarri-like-teachers.html