Strike

https://theathletic.com/3046668/2022/01/03/romelu-lukakus-interview-the-fallout-the-meetings-with-tuchel-the-future/ Excerpt - As one source explained to The Athletic: “I was speaking to one of the players and asked him if anyone was sticking up for Lukaku. He said no. None of them can believe he’s done it.” Noticeably Tuchel appears to have the backing of the squad for how he dealt with Lukaku. He decided to confer with five or six senior players before making a final decision to omit Lukaku from the Liverpool game. It is believed that Jorginho, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger were among those consulted. Asked why he felt the need to discuss it with squad members, he replied: “I don’t take decisions in the office or around my thoughts. I take decisions for the team and I listen to them. I hear their opinion, what they think and then I make my decisions once I hear them out. It is their club, their team and it is not a personal thing from me to decide only on my thoughts. “We have a squad who we protect, which is strong in belief and behaviours. We want a clearer understanding of the situation and take a decision on a bigger foundation.”

Nothing really. Just as the headline suggested - fans are on Tuchel's side. Recaps his touchline antics from the Liverpool game.

No choice but to continue playing him but I really wish LWB is addressed ASAP

Mendy will be a big miss. Great performance again - only had that 1 shaky game vs West Ham. Otherwise he's been good.

Had to be dropped. It's all about what's next from Lukaku. He has to work hard to find a place here and not continue talking about the system and Inter

Yes, this is the first stretch under Tuchel and he's been good in this period. On Sunday, coming back from COVID he won a penalty, got an assist and was the one playing Lukaku through in the game vs Villa. His finishing like every other attacker on our team, is poor, and is not a natural goalscorer.

Has not played regularly, has had to fill in wingback positions. At 21, he is well worth investing in. His performances have been better than Werner, Ziyech, Pulisic, even Havertz this season.

Yes, I agree. Time to be bullish and not consider how Chilwell feels when he's back fit. When Chilwell comes back eventually, he has to earn his place.

Lamptey was good again vs Chelsea. That Marc Cucurella fella looks really composed on the ball. Brighton really have a team full of players comfortable on the ball except the CBs

Way too early.

There is a big difference. We are looking to bridge that gap to the top 2. We wont get there overnight.

Didnt even get 30 mins without Alonso

Lamptey could even play as a winger

I'd be good with a comfortable 2nd/3rd finish. We look competitive over knockout games so another European run looks possible. But we need to make more progress about addressing our issues in attack in the league.

I think experimenting with Maatsen was okay if he was backup to Chilwell. We need a serious upgrade on Alonso to become first choice now. No choice but to go into the market.

City often commits 6-7 players forward - they leave behind only the two CBs and the DM - which is risky because the press could be broken but we need to start taking the risk especially in the league. Even Liverpool play a similar overcommitting approach The caveat here is we don't have the quality, unpredictability of Liverpool or City in attack. But if we were to try something it would be to add a creative player sacrificing one of the CBs.

Hope Digne is not the start and end of the list of available options. Theo, Lucas Hernandez, or young players who could improve - Maehle, Angelino should be approached. Alonso needs replacing when Chilwell is fit anyway. This is a good chance to bring in a second quality LB/LWB

Why is Dest a serious LB option? Didn't know he played this position

Matt Law is saying the sign on fee is making the package for Rudi closer to 300-400k pw We're not matching the wages RM is offering either

Heard RM wages are better but not crazy wages. Sign on fee is the difference

There are 3 goals from the sitting midfielders this season and its a pattern from last season too. They are primarily defensive players than creative players. We dont have the attacking quality of our title rivals but I feel that we dominate possession, territory like a top team now and can add another creative player to help the attack. Our overall xG, shots, shots on goal is closer to Arsenal than it is to City, Liverpool. I find that cautious because we dominate possession, territory much more than Arsenal do. Burnley and Everton were games we were on top and should have won though. You're right that chance conversion was the bigger issue in those games.

The back 3 + 2 DMs + 2 wing backs feels too cautious for games like Burnley or Everton at home and yees - the players suited to a back 4 question is a worry - Alonso, Christensen, T Silva too don't seem like good fits. But Tuchel did have a summer to address this.

Nope. Chalobah has comfortably outplayed Chris at RCB this season. Chris is better suited to the central role.