Chelsea Legend 11

No you talked about two incidents... the goals... Anyways this is becoming boring. I'm elated we're finding a variety of ways to win games and that we're not just depending on solid defense. Balance is what's been our hallmark. We conceded two contentious goals and scored 4! this is a good thing, we're not gonna be perfect each and every time out.

You do realize that Crouch got an advantage because he was offside right? Its not what you've stated, its how. "Atrocious defending" An offside goal and a missed clearance is atrocious... LOL

That's a moot point! If the ref did their job there would be nothing to deal with. You guys are making a mountain out of a molehill. 13 wins straight, there are gonna be mistakes, nothing really to nitpick about here.

The first goal was offside...

first of all we were marking zonally and Cahill was the one who got beat. Secondly Alonso is 6'2" and good in the air. On the second goal Kante missed the chance to clear, it happens, nothing to pull a hissy fit about.

No actually you didn't... How would you have dealt with 35yr old Crouch?

I'd love to hear how you would've dealt with it.

Its like people look at stats and don't bother watching the game... Crouch is 6'6" Azpi is 5'10" it was clear that the game plan for Stoke was to expose the mismatch on our right side. They were winning everything in the air and made it hard to get out. We tried to smother them and get to the second ball but the ball doesn't always bounce your way. Their 1st goal was offside too.

No you're wrong. Nigeria didn't qualify for the tourney.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Are we still talking about the same Ruben Loftus-Cheek here??? The kid is 21! Fuck off with your high expectations and pressure. He has LOADS of time to figure it out...

The January window is about signing complimentary pieces to areas we are short. We are losing two midfielders in Mikel and Oscar, we need to find players to fill their spots on the roster. There isn't gonna be radical changes to a team that won as much as this team has. I'd be seriously surprised if we went out and bought any players who upon purchase, immediately takes someone out of the starting XI. If we buy someone and they end up starting over time its because they have given us more than the player we currently have in that spot. I say that to say this, the current team has proven to be extremely formidable and the chemistry is good so there is no need for radical changes. Cover at wingback and cover in central midfield is what we should be looking to add.

you're embarrassing yourself.

Found this on Youtube Bakayoko vs. PSG in which he was directly up against Marco Verratti. I can see why we are considering him based on this performance.... Very combative.

So who do you have in mind? Will any old world class player do?

Because we're short in numbers right now. We need a like for like right now we're playing for the title... Does that mean nothing to you? I think you need to watch Bakayoko a little closer he's better than Matic in terms of technique. And while he's not gonna wow you with his passing game he is very good at retaining possession and getting it out from his feet quickly. Definitely not Mikel....

Yes Essien and Yaya were world class midfielders I don't get the comparison? Bakayoko is likely gonna be a squad guy with a chance to replace Matic because the other things he does on the pitch are way better than Nemanja.

Exactly the type of squad player you acquire in January. He can cover both left and right back and push both Moses and Alonso to always be at their best. He seems adept at getting forward and possesses good speed and size. He also seems capable of crossing from the right. I watched both games against the Spurs again, at Wembley he played LB and in Monaco he played RB. He looked better attacking down the right flank against Rose then he did on the left taking on Walker. Perhaps it had more to do with him being in his natural position than the opposition on the day, he is right footed so was able to protect the ball better on the right side. One thing that is certain, if Conte and Emenalo did travel to Monaco on the 22nd to see Sidibe they did not go away disappointed! He was brilliant on the day, compact when in defensive positions(close to the CB) and very capable on counters(left Rose in his wake on a few occasions). He played narrow and direct in both boxes which is different from what you get from Moses who likes to dribble and stay wide. Victor is the better passer but Sidibe is the more willing passer.

There isn't one which is precisely why you don't lump up 60m or whatever it is unless you get exactly what you need. For what James offers there are cheaper options.

Why go after Bakayoko? Because he provides energy, technique and ball winning ability to a team that have thrived up until this point on these exact qualities. We're in for the title, if anything happens to either Kante or Matic we're screwed that loss/losses becomes marginal if we are able to acquire a like for like substitute in Bakayoko. Remember we're not just losing Mikel its also Oscar. No one we get in January is going to be an automatic starter, what we need are options should players form drop. We can address your want for a prime Vidal(if that even exists) in the Summer. And as far as his progress goes how does minimal playing time in a 4 month period stall a 22 yr olds career? If it doesn't work out he goes on loan next year to get more time. Its about challenging yourself at the highest level, that's when you begin to understand how far you need to go and how hard you need to work... Moses is a perfect example of this.

We need competition for places our squad in this formation is bare thin... Bakayoko looks like a squad player capable of giving Kante or Matic a break should their form drop.(And there has been evidence of Kante's form slipping slightly) We have a creative mid in Fabregas who barely plays, its clear to me Conte prefers energy and ball winning ability in the middle over creativity. A midfielder that can do both is rare and def not available in January. If we are linked with Sidibe is because we need competition for places and Moses or Alonso have no peer right now.

His work rate has to be WAY higher than Hazard's. We can't have two players in free roles

I'm focussed on both aspects since football is played at both ends and Conte has a system that he has successfully implemented here.

I'm not sure I agree with that. How effective is James pressing the ball? How effective is he at getting in behind a high line? Does he track back with any success at winning the ball? These are the characteristics our right sided FW need to possess, not just shooting ability from range.

Ya that must be it... Fly from Japan, after the World Club Cup all the way to Colombia just so he can secure a visitors Visa for Britain he could get in Britain. He's probably trying to rack up frequent flyer points...