robsblubot

is is very sad we are talking about anything other than Timo's goals and performance. And someone has to tell Frank that Abraham does not have to play every game, esp considering Timo is twice the player.

You are right, but reckon that's not arteta's strategy. It's rather what he's been able to do so far with the players and time he's got. Pay attention to the final 10 minutes of the game against Southampton: one can say that zouma made important clearances, but all those clearances either led to a corner or the ball went right back to the opposition. I suspect the disagreement is about how poor on the ball zouma is. For me, he's one of the worst I've ever seen - definitely the worst at a top club. He's a Bakayoko in defense. Perhaps others don't see it that way. Just to clarify, I'm nowhere saying that Zouma is the sole responsible for the draw against Southampton. That's down to team shape and system, which is something Lampard does not seem to have a good grasp of.

Defending is the responsibility of the whole team (cliche but pretty obvious). And it's not like they've just lobbed the ball over our midfield, but rather played through our lines quite easily at times. With that out of the way, still can't believe nobody is talking about alonso... you know how slow he is?! Lost all his duels and remained a liability in defense during the whole game.

It's pretty crazy that folks don't Zouma being poor on the ball as a liability, because it is. He is clumsy when passing all by himself and losing possession in dangerous areas will always remain a risk whenever Zouma plays. Regarding the zouma in a top club discussion, he simply wouldn't play no fucking way. Maybe Tottenham if you call them a top club and that's only because of Joze direct style. This isn't about how good defensively, or winning aerial balls, but the strategy used for defending. City and Arteta use possession as the main! way to defend. So, passing is pretty high priority in their sides. Luiz, despite his many weaknesses, is a fantastic passer, so he fits that very well. Liverpool is not much different even if they employ a slightly more direct style at times. United would be a question mark, but personally I see their current crop of defenders at zouma's level, but bit better on the ball (anyone is). Could you ever see Zouma playing for Barcelona, Real, or Bayern? If not, then he is indeed a weakness and one we should think about dealing with at some point. It really boils down to our ambitions.

The more he does not play, the better he gets. It'd be smart for Southgate to give Grealish a run of games, esp a couple of tough ones, so he either delivers or doesn't. Either way people will get off his back. As a comparison, not really same player or even same position, but Mount is a starter for a top club. Grealish hasn't achieved that yet and may or may not ever reach that level. Reminder how much influence Barkley had (and will have I bet) at AV. It's also about team shape and formation: Mount gives you that 3rd CM work rate without the ball (even when playing in attack), which is so important in football. Watched Italy today: one of the worst italian sides I've seen. Verrati fooled me big time... still looking for something that he does to help his team.

While he definitely found his form in Italy - he looks a lot fitter too - his performance against Sevilla was reminiscent from United's days. He actually started the game well enough by finding space on the right, which led to the PK and goal; then his game dropped like a rock culminating in that bizarre own goal, which pretty much sealed the deal. Now, one can say that it was purely accidental, but I'd argue that it is something more likely to happen to players which lack skill; players who lack quickness and as consequence have a poor first touch. I'm torn regarding Lukaku. While I wish he had stayed and given a fair shot with us, I also have a hard time trusting players who lose form so easily (yes Eden too).

Yeah not sure starting for England means that much. England has got some good players for sure, but the midfield in particular is as far from the elite as it has ever been. (sorry) Have to be honest here and Rice does not look good enough on the ball. He also does not seem to be quick enough esp considering his young age. I can imagine him losing some pace and becoming a very limited player - prob even permanently moving to CB. Just hope that our scouts (and Frank) know what they are doing here.

Couldn't disagree more. For me Zouma does not belong in a club like chelsea. Can be used in certain situations, but not good enough as a starter (same as Abraham). It's not because he's a terrible defender, reckon he'd be excellent in a lot of PL clubs and some, but he's just a waste of space in a game like today. Against super weak opposition, like CP, his poor passing adds nothing. Against top opposition, they will stick a player on silva at all times and switch on and off applying pressure on zouma to regain possession. That leaves the odd away games, against teams who employ set pieces a lot. In any top club both CBs need to know what to do with the football and zouma simply does not - that can and will be exploited. Good game by all, but don't take too much from it - really poor opposition with heavy touches all over. BTW, looks like we finally have a goalkeeper.

Heh yeah. Good for TC clicks and nothing else, I'm afraid.

heh Lamptey has been running rings around everyone. Like I said before, if you play Alonso and expect him to not be beaten by speedy wingers/FBs, that's on you (the manager).

one is an apple, the other an orange. The only thing they have in common is that you'd wouldn't want either in your fruit salad. Regardless of where you stand, I feel that explaining today/yesterday's game via Alonso (vs Emerson or even Chilwell) is nothing but an over-simplification.

heh no particular reason... just feel it's time for a change. (not the first time either btw )

Could you please change my name to robsblubot? thank you.

Just my 2 copper pieces, We had one individual mistake in the first half, which was from Silva and not a whole lot you can do about that. Tammy's miss was pretty bad too, but nothing like losing possession as the last man. Alonso's bad header should not have led to a goal: we had 5 players behind the ball when the shot was taken. Lots of ball-watching players around the scorer. We had no intensity in the first half... too slow on the ball and on the press (Mount was the only one playing with any urgency). Adreas was also good the entire game and has been our best CB - really don't get the criticism on him as he is the most complete CB we have. Zouma is really terrible on the ball, which you could clearly see against pool's press, which is why it's going to be hard for zouma to play in Frank's "passing from the back" system. Now, none of that excuses the diabolical poor game Alonso had (at a technical level), helped by a Kovacic who was also poor - they should have kept the ball and failed miserable at that (part of defending!). On the defensive side, while it might be OK for folks here to be "surprised" by how slow and poor at defending alonso can be, that's not OK for any manager. When the manager plays Alonso, he needs to have contingencies around that and today we had the exact opposite of it with an old match unfit CB covering that side (corrected at the end of first half) - esp considering Reece is also not great in the back as well. So, the exposed defenders in an overly attacking-minding starting lineup was a gamble and entirely on frank. He almost killed the comeback too by his strange Giroud sub, could have come in for Tammy (squad player for me) instead of changing the shape of the team which was clicking with Odoi on fire. Odoi then had to move a bit back on the left, which diminished his influence in the final moments. Perhaps not fair to talk about the goalkeeping today, but we had three shots on goal in the first half and the three went in. Even if a gk is not expected to save those, a good one might have saved one of them. Willy was a bit slow coming out in my book, but it's hard to say... whatifs. It could be that the overly high defense line employed today was an attempt to keep the ball away from our goal.... hard to say.

Absolutely! I meant at the technical level, which he already appears close to lukaku. I still hope he surpasses him there too tho. in the mentality aspect, he’s about several light years ahead. Loses the football and chases the taker... great to see. His finishing today was really good! He probably wanted a cleaner first touch, but the way he adjusted his body was great.

CL gods actually. He tends to do well in that competition. tbf he wasn’t having a great game until that great finish.

You are very wrong. Should we invite some mods to clarify? It’s not up to you to decide who or which opinion is deserving of respect.

Not sure we have the players for a 3-cb system. Only player who benefits from it is Alonso. tammy has been good tho.

Alonso can and should make mistakes today - he’s not playing in defense. the problem with this system is James who’s a fb (and looks good at that) and does not join the middle. All 3 cb systems depend on the wb to join the middle. zouma in the back 3 is weird too. At least tomori and azpi are the ones carrying it forward.

You are a self-righteous piece of work aren’t you? learn how to respect other opinions without name calling or perhaps discussion forums aren’t for you. Don’t like them, ignore list is for that. Suspect I’ve seen quite a few more great players than you. I don’t hate Eden. Just think he’s not that special - seen a lot better! You don’t fucking know me. You don’t know what I like or dislike because I haven’t told you.

I think that’s mostly down to skill and close control, which he has in abundance. Sure, I guess that’s what you saw, and granted, it was certainly the case some times. I also saw a player who often held to the ball way too long only to get fouled, often a professional foul to stop the play. Luck usually works in small samples, not consistently over many years, or at least that’s what I’ve learned. He does a good job protecting himself from hard tackles. Pushed and shoved is part of the game. As are the many little fouls that stopped him many many times. The funny thing here is that I’m the only one who seem interested as the why his CL record is so so bad... not only his performances but his stats compared to PL. Of course if you go back some pages folks are on and on that he lacks the “killer instinct” which of course has nothing to do with determination...or does it? think we are going on in circles here. I’m just making the same reiterated points. Even tho I don’t mind these exchanges. what can I say... I’m really not a Fan of his game, his worth ethic, and especially not a fan of his mentality. I’ve watched many great players over many years and hazard is just not that impressive to me.

Thank you. That’s exactly what I was saying. Went to the ground way too easily protecting himself from hard fouls (well-known strategy). Which evidently worked, since he never got seriously injured and got his fat ass in Madrid, like he always wanted. Unfortunately, it often works for the opposition too, since it’s an easy way to stop his runs, and does not have to be hard fouls either. Never had the mentality nor the fitness to do otherwise, which is exactly why I think he’s not a match winner at CL level. Great player on a long championship, but that’s it for me.

Hmm no? and it hasn’t been “debunked.” It’s just your fucking opinion against mine. There is nothing else to it even if your delusion makes you feel all righteous. lololol lololol lolol sure sure you are right... you are the best buddy.

No man... he was fantastic in CL winning many Tough CL matches on his own only to be let down by the team... speaking of delusion... Think history will see eden more like I do. We shall see.

It is downright stupid to think hazard showed tremendous dedication and exposed himself often while here at Chelsea. the guy shows up fat... dedication has no on/off switch.