Jase

Starting to wonder if Bakayoko has done something to upset Leif.

Just realized that was from 2015 but still. Wilkins is an idiot.

Sorry to say this but Ray Wilkins is a complete idiot!

Debatable. They were rubbish in the last 2 World Cups, getting knocked out in the group stage and winning just 1 match. Though bizarrely, they have done better in the last 2 Euros, reaching the final in 2012 and quarter finals in 2016.

Conte's reputation just got a big boost after Ventura's failure with Italy.

That is a valid point but at the same time, you also want to see what your striker is made of when he is not getting much support. Yes, Mourinho sets his team defensively but even if he does set them offensively, they are not going to dominate every game and supply Lukaku (or whoever) with tons of chances. There will be games where his team will be feeding off scraps and you need your striker to create something good going forward. MOTD did a minor analysis of Morata v Lukaku in that United game and you can definitely see where the latter is falling short.

FFS! Looks like Hazard picked up some minor knocks with Belgium.

He has hardly been playing every week and yet, he has been able to maintain his performance level. More concerned of any potential fatigue. The less he plays for the national team, the better it will be for us. We'll be playing every 3-4 days starting next weekend up till January.

Already taken off at HT. So that's a relief!

Just scored for Spain against Costa Rica. Collided with the keeper for the goal and looks alright. Not injured!

Good for us if he's not playing for Denmark.

Moses on Azpi. https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/victor-moses-cesar-azpilicueta-has-helped-me-the-most-at-chelsea-he-understands-me-a3688686.html

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/victor-moses-cesar-azpilicueta-has-helped-me-the-most-at-chelsea-he-understands-me-a3688686.html

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/3264917/alvaro-morata-enjoys-a-beer-on-walk-home-after-stamford-bridge-games What a lad.

http://www.espnfc.com/story/3263852/chelseas-eden-hazard-talks-up-zinedine-zidane-and-open-to-jose-mourinho-reunion He's at it again. Getting really sick and tired of his constant flirtation with Real Madrid.

It is Shaw's injury why I mentioned him as a perfect example of Mourinho's poor management of youth players. He's still a young player and he suffered a serious injury not too long ago. Instead of being nurtured back carefully, getting encouragement from the manager, what does Mourinho do? Publicly embarrass him and throw him under the bus after every time he plays. Is that really good management? No wonder Shaw has said he would love to play for Pochettino again. Mourinho only knows one way of managing players - which is through the media. Criticize them in the public and see how they react - if they react well, then they are in the team. if not, they're out regardless of whether they are actually talented or not. This method may work 10 years ago but it doesn't now. It may still work on certain players but in other situations, the classic arm around the shoulders approach is needed but he's clearly incapable of that. No wonder he's getting outshone by a number of high profile managers out there.

Apparently, Willian will captain Brazil for their upcoming friendly against Japan.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/07/roman-abramovich-preparing-guide-chelsea-choppy-waters-followingmichael/

To be fair, I think it'll depend on who Drinkwater comes on for. If he replaces Bakayoko or even Kante while Fabregas (and Hazard) remains on the pitch, then I don't think it'll be an issue. But if it's for Fabregas, like against United, then it may be one because we'll obviously invite pressure. Need Fabregas/Hazard out there to have some degree of control of matches.

Luke Shaw is a perfect example of Mourinho's poor management of young players. I'd even say that Mourinho hardly ever improves players - youth and senior - especially in the last 6-7 years. He may improve players from the mental aspect - even then, he tends to throw them under the bus when things go wrong - but not technical wise. Can hardly pinpoint a player that he has helped to add more 'weapons' into his game. It's always just the same kind of play coming from players under him.

I did and help or not, it's still important to play players in position to maximize their output. Which team in the world has perfect players with no weaknesses? It's all about finding a system that maximizes the players' talent and hide their weaknesses as much as possible, if not all. Has Bakayoko played in a 2-man midfield with Kante? Should work better than the common combo Bakayoko-Fabregas this season.

You are but there are factors as to why he hasn't done well so far, which you have been keen to insist. Lampard mostly did his best work in a 3-man midfield throughout his career. I remember Ancelotti played him at the top of his midfield diamond formation and it didn't work out well and he had to change back to 4-3-3 later. First you said it's cheap to compare Bakayoko and Lampard and then you acknowledged the point I was trying to make. I never made any comparison about the type of players they are/were but merely, using them as examples how they work best in a certain system.