BlueLyon

This. I dont get people who say good, but limited players (who are also hard workers) should be replaced eventually with more versatile and attacking. Azpi, Zouma to name a few. Trophies are won by teams and if you ever played football, hard working team players are key for that. You need few individual quality too, but not everyone from CB to fullback to striker.

Funny how things go in football. He is arguably playing some of best football in his career, yet he is out from brazil squad; probably for good. I dont mind it tho, that way he can be always rested and cant suffer injuries playing internationals. And if I know him enough, he will try to play best as possible to impress Tite to get back in nt.

City got great player in Gabriel Jesus. I can see him become one of leagues best quick. Brazil on other hand could dominate football soon again. They got some realy good players in Neymar, Coutinho, Jesus and Gabigol. Not to mention Marquinhos, Wendell, Fabinho, Casemiro etc. And Tite seems to be perfect coach for them.

I told you guys you have hyped him too much after first games... But he didnt play much at all to prove himself, so I dont see why this negativity either.

40-50m

(there are exceptions sure). Obviously CL is goal all players want, and if you miss out for one year, its no problem. And we played there pretty much all the time in past decade, so in our case, its not if they want to join us since we dont play in CL this year, but if they want to join us at all.

How so? He was real player wasnt he? And Atletico already signed Vrsaljko

What you compared is size of the club. Chelsea is bigger than Leicester and thats why they would pick us. If you compare big club with CL and big club without, then the player would definately want to join big club with CL. And pretty much all top players want top clubs (there are exceptions sure). Obviously CL is goal all players want, and if you miss out for one year, its no problem. And we played there pretty much all the time in past decade, so in our case, its not if they want to join us since we dont play in CL this year, but if they want to join us at all.

Too bad there is more chance Mikel becomes team captain than us signing Verratti or Koke. But we will keep on dreaming.

Nah Cesc is liability off the ball and when under pressure. We cant afford that in midfield because it influences other players play. And Conte knows it.

While everyone talks about wingbacks, I think one, perhaps most important thing he did was defence; when we have the ball. i remember, just few weeks ago, we looked absolutely rubbish at the back. Hoofing the ball, couldnt make a pass. Now look at that difference. Defenders pass between the lines, organize attacks, all three, even Cahill look extremely calm on ball and know exactly who to and when to pass. I saw that back at Juve and then Italy, and I couldnt believe Conte will do that with current players, but he still did it. While sometimes this passing in defence can hurt you big time if one little mistake is made, it helps alot to organize the team and control the game. And the way each complements another, hiding the weaknesses. Just wonderful stuff from Conte. That said, I actualy wish we concede a goal. Its nice to keep the clean sheets, but all these games without goal can lead to more pressure and also; if too much time passes, once we concede, we might not know how to respond really. Obviously, I hope the goal we concede will be unimportant, after we take 2or3 goal advantage in game already.

No football for two weeks...so whats your team of season so far? I would go with -----------------Lloris------------------ Azpi-Kos-Alderweireld-Rose --------Kante-Henderson-------- ---Coutinho------------Hazard--- ------------Costa-Aguero----------- I could pick Kdb, Van Dijk too, but I find no space.

I see plenty of these kind of posts, that when we grow further, Dave will have to be replaced because he is "limited". Well fuck me, I dont know what games people watch because apart from a mistake every few games which is perfectly normal for all world class defenders, Dave is sublime. But sure. He is a defender. And as far I know people today want defenders to do rabonas and 3 mile perfect passes. If they cant do that, they are not good enough for top side. Who wants to defend anyways right? Damn Pep is a good coach, but since his ballplaying defenders bullshit, everyone wants defenders to be everything but defenders. Azpi is a fucking world class defender and almost a legend and no way he is going to be replaced. Be it on RB or RCB, he will play.

If we continue with current formation, I guess we will need creative midfielder next to Kante. But also one who can track and tackle. Like Verratti. But good luck getting him. However, if we buy world class RW, then we can probably play with two b2b in middle like Kante and Radja, because that front 3 would be killer. Unless we go with 5:3:(2/1:1) and play Kante-Verratti-Radja. But I realy dont like that formation. Because then we lose both wingers and we would need two creative wingbacks of high quality aswell, which is right now impossible. Besides, I love formations with proper wingers, so I hope we keep play 3:4:3. IMO longterm we will need deep playmaker, so I hope we throw EVERYTHING at Verratti. Kante-Verratti might be short, but as long we have three CBs behind them I see absolutely not problem. And on ground, they are both brilliant on and off the ball.

I watched him alot during his porto days, then the season he was regular in real team, and colombia wc. By no means he is average, but that world cup was a oneoff and he didnt repeat that level. Before in porto, he was inconsistent but had fantastic potential. And at real, well he played alot and racked up plenty assists and few worldie goals. His individual quality was never problem. BUT to me he is not a team player. He is not contributing to the squad as winners do. He doesnt have that mentality. He is not the guy that will put his body on the line. He was playing decently in beggining of last season. Even scored two great goals in that one game. But he was shit overall. And he met the bench. In one year since, he didnt do anything to prove himself. And on other hand he didnt leave, because he wanted to be galactico instead of playing games. Fame got to him, he is more of playboy these days than a footballer. So if anyone else wants to pay 40m plus on him, be it. I rather see us throw that money to players that are actualy fighters like Verratti, etc. And you say James isnt playing because there are other players of world class quality? Hah. Real played trio of Modric, Kroos and Di Maria and won CL. Then they got rid of Di maria to make place for James. Stupid decision from the beggining. James was never the player of Di Maria quality. Anyway. James played for one year a lot, he made great stats, but his team did nothing. Then Real decided to shake things up, benching James. And they went to win CL again. Funny heh? Even Lucas Vazquez played more than James. Another thing, James was never realy good against any top side I saw him play. So yes, he is one overrated player if you ask me. I had same opinion about Cesc back then when we signed him and EVEN when he had like 20 assists, I still said the same that he isnt good enough. And I was right. I bet James would be the same story here judging by my instinct and hopefuly we steer clear. Back in summer we were linked with him, the ONLY reason I wanted him here was because I thought Eden needs players who he can link up better and James would do that. But now, few months later, I wouldnt do even that. There are plenty of players out there, cheaper or more expensive that are way better than James in team setup. I dont want that winny wannabe star here.

Well Pedro is not exactly world class, but on current form definately better. And James would cost what, 60m plus? He is one big overrated player. Dont say he sits on bench because there are world class players ahead. Kovacic is getting more play time. Real is not a problem. James is. And his attitude. He needs to get his shit together and work hard. Basicaly atm he is exactly like Cesc. Someone with great technique, but lacks all other aspects to the game. I wouldnt buy him for 40m. Heck, I rather invest that money for a player that is actualy capable of helping the team progress. And Pedro in prime played for one of greatest sides in football. James cant make it in this one, hence both times Real won CL, James was not important at all. You can talk about his skills all day. I see his play and he is poor team player. And thats what I value over skills and tricks. Because team players win you games and trophies.

Or when we signed that old garbage Makelele...

Would love Shaw and Martial tbh. Not so sure about Miki. Not because he is not good player, but he wouldnt realy fit in current system.

If they stay inury free, IMO it wont be such problem this year since we play once a week (there comes fa cup but if we maintain on top till january, we should definately put league as priorit and play others in cup games). Both Alonso and Moses have good stamina and both spent few years in PL, so they know the pace and rhytm of league. But if we play two games a week, thats demanding for wingback and only a matter of time before they get too tired.

Completely agree with rotation, but he was talking about replacing Moses, hinting he was not good enough. And with a player that gives Moses even more insult. Adama is nothing like Moses in defense. But obviously, we will definately need at two players on both sides for wingbacks. But if Moses and Alonso do very well till end of season, we should look for their backups, not replacements. One could be Kenedy, the other I have no idea.

Why you want to fix something thats not broken? Not every player in team needs to be flashy. Hard work can replace talent, but talent can never replace hard work.

The run when he saved a corner, that was typical Luiz. That passion and determination. He was always a great character, now he is becoming great defender too. Conte did great job at calming Luiz and Costa so far.

James is no upgrade at all. At least not in his current form. But maybe Conte could make him better. Anyway I would pick fast player for that RW whoever that might be. And all fair to Pedro, he was brilliant for past few games.

I think he is not bad at all. He might not be outstanding star, but he is definately a team player. IMO his work rate is underrated and he covers alot of ground, balancing the team. Put a fancy player instead of him and you get some tricks, but space that they wont cover. There is no coincidence that we play much better now with Alonso and Moses, two "average players" instead of fancy players.