Chelsea Legend 11

Makes sense to play this lineup if we're not going with Cesc in the starting lineup. More creativity

This is gonna be SICK!!!!

Chelsea team v Everton: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry ©, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Cuadrado, Willian, Hazard; Remy

Oscar is dropped today! SICK LINEUP Chelsea team v Everton: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry ©, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Cuadrado, Willian, Hazard; Remy

I have no problem with stats, I use them all the time. What you will see him draw issue with is stats from video games. Joey Barton - 2.4 key passes David Silva - 2.3 key passes Eric Lamela 1.7 Oscar 1.5 Of the groups of names I've provided for you who would you rather have? Lionsden... Each and every day you make the most outlandish claims.

Facilitator - One who aids in the team ability to play their football. I think you're exaggerating greatly if you think he gives away the ball more often than not... If that were the case do you really think a manager like Jose would have Oscar in the team so much? Lets not get carried away with hyperbole here. Scores and Assists - Eriksen 9g 1a, Silva 7g 2a, Toure 7g 1a, Cazorla 6g 6a, Mata 5g 3a, Sterling 5g 5a... Need I say more? Counter - Would def say he needs to improve here, probably another reason why he doesn't play in some of the big games. Plug holes - I'm not sure you've been watching Oscar enough, he without question fills in the gaps in our shape. So what we've been able to conclude is he is very good at pressing high and winning tackles, meanwhile he is scoring and assisting right up there with some of the best attacking mids in the Prem... Man you guys make this so easy. I do not think Oscar is unrivalled in world football and I've already said I would like to see what Willian could do in the 10 since he works hard and also presses. He definitely has better technique and ball control... might be something to try. Pogba is ridiculous I want him badly, not because he is better at what Oscar does but because he will provide us with something more for years to come. We're talking about one of the best midfielders in the world who has world class talent, I would assuredly have no trouble with the Jose and the board if they decided to chase Pogba and sold Oscar.

I think this is pretty obvious, to me at least. His job is to be the facilitator, to plug holes in our shape, press high and effectively, score goals, provide assists, win tackles and help initiate our counter. When he does this effectively, Hazard has more freedom to do what he does best and Cesc is given more license to get forward. The reason he doesn't play in the big games is quite clear to me, we don't press high up the pitch, we usually sit deep and have a compact midfield. In these instances we have a midfield three of Cesc, Matic and Ramires with Ramires the guy who usually leaks out on the right with Willian or Hazard jumping in the middle when we counter. Ramires is a near perfect box to box midfielder if you ask me. If Jose was looking for a traditional number 10 (through balls, creativity, playmaker, goals, assists) then why did he let Mata leave or even DeBruyne for that matter? I don't want you to pretend to be a mind reader but please tell me why those two in particular(who by all accounts seem to be close to the prototypical 10) failed to make an impact in Jose's system?

So you think his tactical deployment is that of a traditional no.10? I don't. I think our playmakers or '10' is Hazard (not just because of his number) and Cesc to me those two fill the role of a traditional 10

Its easier to get stats from the middle of the pitch in my estimation. I think Jose said as much about Oscar vs Mata last year too when Redcunt was comparing their production from the year before. To play the ACM role for Chelsea you have to produce goals and Oscar has been pretty good at that, I think if Willian went in there he'd bag a few too.

If this debate is now about Willian's suitability in the ACM role I will admit to wanting to see that with Hazard on the left and Cuadrado on the right. I think if Cuadrado can learn the defensive aspects of the right flank that could be a deadly attacking 3. Having said that we paid 31m for Willian, he's in his prime and clearly has better technique. My problem with the Oscar gripe is no one seems willing to acknowledge what he does for the team and expect world class return for a guy we paid 19.35M for who isn't even in his prime years yet. Unrealistic in my opinion.

we're never gonna be able to know for sure until we put them right next to each other and have them race. When I watch clips of Firmino, the thing that sticks out most, besides the amount of times he gives the ball away, is his lack of pace. So what would be your deciding vote FM15 and FIFA? nah dude, its hard to come to a definitive conclusion but what do you trust, your eyes or a video game? This has become asinine anyways. If we're to ever get back on topic I think we need to focus on what Oscar does for the team that may or may not show up in the stats and really start to hone in on what his actual tactical assignment is for Jose. We won't know for sure but given what he is doing and the fact that he gets picked to play time and again it would lead one to believe he is executing his role pretty good for the team. So I'll start with you, what do you think Oscar is being asked to do for the team?

Pretty much everything you wrote culminates on this last piece right here and I think that's where some of his detractors have a hard time coming to grips with. They seem to think that because he's deployed as our ACM that his assignment is to be a playmaker or a traditional no.10. Our playmakers are Cesc Fabregas and Hazard obviously they are the guys given the most freedom to create.

But you can't use FM15 or FIFA as proof because clearly I've exposed why that theory is wrong. He would've been better off to just show me a clip where Firmino is running hard and point that out, similar to Oscar on our first goal against Villa.

I know I'm a dying breed and I acknowledge there are reasons why many don't share my opinion but I actually love our entire squad. Its the first time in a long time I can say that without hesitation. Brana is a beast, has warts but definitely fits with Chelsea FC like a glove to a hand

Thank you. I analyzed some data and it backs up what you saw. Firmino passes the ball on the same level as Phil Bardsley(73%). yes he is more pleasing on the eyes because he is a dribbler, but the overall quality of his game is so-so. If we swapped out Oscar for Firmino I really don't see how it improves our team greatly... That's the point I was trying to make. When you buy a player for 19m you are buying one with a few warts... simple, easy, to the point.

and he was purchased for £19.35M I would say we've gotten ridiculous return on the value.

I actually like it!

But how is he gonna rely on FM15 for unquantifiable stats but ignore them when there is something quantifiable to be analyzed? Are they only useful when we're left to guess? That is the most ridiculous stance I've heard in quite some time. And if its true that FM15 don't pluck stats from nowhere and can be relied on then this whole argument is coming apart at the seams, Oscar has better ratings than Firmino in a pretty much every category we've been analyzing and the ones where Firmino should be way better he's only slightly. I myself will acknowledge Oscar is without question a poor decision maker and hasn't really got great vision, yet he's much better than Firmino who apparently is a ridiculous passer(73%) and makes loads of incisive key passes.

Its not, that's the point, genius.... But don't they get their information from Opta, Squawka and WhoScored? Clearly it isn't since Firmino has more tackles yet has a significantly lower rating. I bet the next thing you're gonna tell me is you don't know how they've come to these conclusions, but clearly there is some anomaly thrown in. Oops I'm wrong, now you're only using the data provided when its CONVENIENT? Nice! So things like PACE where there isn't no raw data to analyze its best to go to FM15 but for TACKLES which is quantifiable by the very companies who compile the ratings for FM 15 is not reliable? Mattlock I think its time for a commercial break. EDIT: Forgot the CAPS!

SO glad you said that!

Its pretty elementary really, I don't need some video game to tell me what I can see for myself. but since you want to use video games as a reference http://i.imgur.com/oVl7S7M.jpg http://fmscreenshots.weebly.com/hoffenheim.html Its says here that Oscar is a 15 in dribbling and firmino is a 16... I would've thought Firmino was wayyyy better...I digress. Flair Oscar is a 16??? and Firmino is a 17??? Something must be wrong here.... tackling Oscar is a 14 and Firmino is a 10???? Are they not paying attention over there at FM15??? Agility they are equals??? Decision making Oscar is a 15 and Firmino is a 12???? But most astonishing of them all is Oscar is a 16 for vision and Firmino is a 14?? are these scores out of 20?? What about all of Firmino key passes? don't they account for that?? Doesn't look like Firmino is determined enough either, maybe thats why he's still at Hoffenheim.

I imagine its hard to grasp for those who don't play video games. And yes I know EA Sports' modo "if its in the game..." And no its not hard to base someone pace by pure observation. Case in point who is faster John Terry or Willian? Maybe my ability to judge a players pace by eye sight is much more acute to that of yours... nothing to be ashamed of, I'm sure FM and FIFA are good resources too.

This entire post is so poor... Brother I agree man lets just agree to disagree. I'm willing to side with Jose Mourinho and our board, we're 7pts clear, have scored tonnes of beautiful goals, are about to carry on in the Champions League... You've produced Firmino as a viable replacement for Oscar because you think he's more creative. You've based his speed on stats extracted from FIFA15 and FM15, that in of itself explains the level of conversation we're having. Yes Chelsea supporters Firmino is the answer to making a 1st place club more first placer!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11394248/Premier-League-must-agree-to-underwrite-fans-campaign-for-a-maximum-20-away-ticket.html

That is a crazy amount of money! But how much of it will actually go to the clubs'? Well according to Scudamore, 3 billion will go to the government in taxes! That is insane! £340m is supposed to go into youth development... lol. All that means is the clubs will have more resources to poach young talent around Europe earlier so they will qualify as homegrown. Also included in the package is the rights to broadcast games on Friday! Did Jose finally get his wish? This will greatly impact Champions League teams not only in the recovery department, but also in terms of tv revenue. One would have to assume the friday games would be reserved for the Champions league teams mainly... I wouldn't want to be trying to get around London on a Friday evening though!