Sideshow Luiz

Not going to happen. Madrid aren't stupid. Hazard isn't stupid. There's no way that Madrid could possibly think that we would see once our window was closed.

Yeah. He's not match fit yet. I did think he looked a little rounder than I remembered, and he didn't have his usual burst (and still completed 6 dribbles). That will come. A couple of weeks from now, he'll be back.

This system requires (especially in the early days) tactical awareness. He's still got that. He's in the right place, before the ball gets there.

GET IN!! Nice finish

Oh, he's irreplaceable. But, it wouldn't really matter who we had if that was the criteria (IMO). For me, I see RLC as a B2B midfielder if he can work on his defence. He's already got the attacking instincts.

Yeah. I'm actually thinking that when Kovacic is up and running, that RLC could see a bunch of time in the other midfield spot (Kante). We'll see.

It worries me more from an overall tactical point of view. I'd hoped that he's be a bit sharper about that. Still, long season to go. I still think he's going to be important for us.

He's not coming short for the ball. When Jorginho is marked in the build up, he needs to drop deep to make himself available for a pass from the CBs

I am happy. What's wrong with pointing out that it's a flattering scoreline? I'm not calling for anyone to be canned or that it won't come around eventually.

That is the definition of a flattering scoreline.

Hop step incomming

We absolutely need a 2nd. We are going to concede (at least 1).

OMG!! So late

Especially when it's 2v1 at the end. They got in their own way on the last one

Nice assist from Willian!!!!

How the fuck was that a foul on Barkley?

We're currently suffering with the ball. So, that's progress at least.

Agreed. This is why I think that Willian is starting. If the game is a bit fragmented, which it will be. He's someone who can get something out of nothing. (though I'm shocked that Moses is on the bench instead of CHO).

Yup. We're playing at speed 2 or 3. Will be 6 or 7 before we're looking good.

I thought that CHO was the only one that was nailed down (exaggeration: Jorginho, Rudiger, Azpi, Morata). I figured his on-appearance against Lyon meant that he was being rested for this. He's arguably been the best and most consistent performer throughout pre-season.

I'm not sure how popular this site is outside of North America, but they have some pretty good articles (and the only American football articles I'll read) Why Álvaro Morata, Mesut Özil, and Paul Pogba Are Better Than You Think Meet the five most intriguing players ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League season https://www.theringer.com/soccer/2018/8/10/17672154/premier-league-preview-alvaro-morata-mesut-ozil-paul-pogba-players-to-watch

Courtois confirms that he blows himself Courtois: due to my height, I can reach places other goalkeepers cannot https://sportblitzz.com/2018/08/10/courtois-due-to-my-height-i-can-reach-places-other-goalkeepers-cannot/

I suppose I should have stated that pulling it out of your ass is not a viable long term strategy. The buy option, or lack there-of has been discussed. So, if Madrid had plain refused to include an option, then what? Don't do it? Because you're not getting 100% of what you want, you just say no to the whole thing? Go out and buy 2 40M "good enough" players instead (that we'll "upgrade" next season)? Unless we are claiming resources are unlimited, which does not seem to be the case. There is also a theory going around that the details of a purchase agreement and the nature of it's existence has been kept quiet because Madrid didn't want to let other clubs know that they were a midfielder short and needed to get a new one. This theory was making it's rounds on Reddit yesterday, and would normally be classified under wishful thinking. But with Madrid buying Thiago and Kovacic making that post, it seems to be gaining some traction.