Chelsea Legend 11

including nationalist, neo-Nazi, white supremacist, anti-Islamic and racist groups.... But I digress.... If you know about it and still use it its your prerogative. Wasn't sure you knew. anyways so Martial is pretty talented!

not just that but hey... believe what you want.

educate yourself.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2017/05/08/pepe-the-frog-became-a-hate-symbol-now-hes-just-a-dead-hate-symbol/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8e0b86fae3fa

@Miki-Liki I'm not sure if you know but that avatar you have carries racist connotation.

Let's not forget this was Perth Glory... The guy still hasn't learned to stay on his feet and how to utilize his size! All he has to do in this system is play an effective deep lying forward role and he should get tap ins from cutback passes. He did have a couple nice link ups with Barkley and Pedro but overall he still misses a ton of chances and gets bossed. If we can find a replacement I'd be all for it but if that replacement is Higuain then it doesn't seem like smart business.

Cesc doesn't make "bursting runs" its never been his game. I was responding to your assertion that Kante moved the ball better than Cesc.

I'm not a fan. his movement and decision making is poor.

Not selling it.... This is my opinion and only time will tell what transpires. And I don't know where you've come up with the bolded section.

No. I'm quite sure and confident where N'Golo's strengths and weaknesses lie. I would say his strengths aren't as valuable in a team that plays a possession game. Not that they aren't useful but that he won't win player of the year in this system. His weaknesses which in my estimation are in the final 3rd of the pitch will be more on display in this system. If you think otherwise that's fine, but you have absolutely no evidence that he can excel in a b2b/shuttling role. He's rarely, if at all, has played in a system that allows him to showcase this side of his game. I'd be intrigued to see if Sarri can coax this aspect of his game but I'm not sure he possesses the ability to be a complete mid. If he does we are in a hell of a season!

Mateo Kovacic, Illarramendi, Tanguy NDombele, Sergi Roberto, Luka Milivojevic, Thiago Alcántara, Giovani Lo Celso, SMS

I’m not convinced but I’m more than willing to be proven wrong.

Why do you consider it to be doubt? I know exactly what Kante can add to a team, the question is whether what he does is enough to consider him an all around midfielder? Every role we’ve seen him in has been the same. He’s never been considered an all around mid.

I'd have to think on it a bit.

Then that is the difference, I don't believe Kante is the type of player who can get forward and effectively be involved. And Allan's game is more than goals, its assists, dribbling, breaking up play... He's an all around midfielder whereas as Kante is a specialist... so not the same as Kante. Yes, I would spend 100m on a striker or around that for a goal scoring winger then use the money from the sale of Morata or Willian to fund a B2B mid.

You mention Barca when we played almost entirely on the counter, I'm talking about playing with a faster pace with rhythm and continuity in attack. Again fine margins, b2b doesn't mean playing Cesc there which is where I see the midfield getting overrun. B2b means just that, someone adept at getting forward, being involved in the build up and also finishing off chances., while still being a force in the game out of possession. If we are to be a possession based team a true B2b is more valuable than a world class anchor... Jorginho is at the base of the midfield now, its a completely different way of playing football; one where certain aspects of the game take precedence over others.

Trust me I hear you, we are examining the finer margins of the game now. For me, Kante is more ball winner/anchor and Allan is more of a Box to box/shuttler type. Is there room for Kante in Sarri's system? undoubtedly. Will we get the best out of him in this system? I doubt it. He's okay in possession but not great at using the ball. I would like to see him at chelsea forever but if an offer came in for 100m, I can see the money used to address a bigger need in the club which is striker and RW. In this system Kante won't be a player of the year candidate, he'll likely be a nice piece but not as influential. I think a lesser box to box mid will have more influence in the game over a world class anchor.

Of course! But you don't see that every team he's played for play similar styles?

That's not what Allan is asked to do. But I think you should watch him play a bit more he's a very good midfielder.

Short passing isn't all that is required in this system. Its one touch technique, ability to make forward runs and score goals, vision and continuity in moves. I have no doubt Kante can clean up mistakes and also initiate a counter but I don't think we'll need him in that role as much... For the record I think Cesc is a back up in this system, I don't see him in the XI

Again I'm not so sure of that, how you use the ball in possession of it is much much important in this system than how you play without it. I pains me to say it but Kante is a standout in a certain brand of football but this particular brand, while he can still be effective, isn't going to win him player of the year again. He can be better than serviceable but I don't think he'll be elite.

I don't remember hearing any shouts for Ghoulam. I really think Emerson will be fine, he has all the tools to function correctly in this system

I'm in the minority but I'm not sure Kante is needed for this system, his best attributes won't be on display as much... As much as I'd hate to admit it I think we should sell him and use the money to fund a real influential RW.

Thought the first half was scintillating! Quick, accurate passing and loads of positive runs. STANDOUTS Jorginho - Total touches - 101 Completed passes - 98 Minutes played - 45 A pass every 27.55 seconds. Hudson-Odoi - assist and very good at creating chances off the dribble. I think he can stay with the club, 8 games isn't that much of a stretch. Pedro - Really think he's better suited for Sarri's system than Willian. Did well timing runs and get into dangerous areas. Barkley - Had loads of positive runs and had 4/5 great efforts to score. I don't imagine he will need that many to find the back of the net, he's usually a decent finisher. Luiz - Bossed it at the back, took control and won a bunch of possessions back. Bakayoko - Just looked a different player. Won a lot of balls, surged forward, created chances and looked adept when playing direct passes to feet... One to watch for sure. Emerson - Looked great down the left, excellent dribbling, great crosses, pace and composure NOT LOOKING GREAT Fabregas - I thought he was much better in the first half playing with Jorginho and not having to be the brain of the team. He was poor and ponderous when Jorginho came off. Morata - No change from last year... Very disappointing in the build up and not good at timing runs. Fell over so many times... Alonso - just ineffectual Musonda - Came on and looked no different to last year. Too casual in possession and dispossessed so easily.

not enough goalscorers