robsblubot

perhaps the 200 coaches and scouts linked to the club did not think Tomori was good enough? Being a good player shouldn't be enough here tbf. Regarding Trevoh, make no mistake this is his shot at this level; same as it was for Tammy before. Full disclosure: I did think Tomori has potential to make it, esp his pace.

Hopefully not as hungry as he was at United 🤭

That's exactly what I'm unsure of. People don't like to hear it, but team management in football at this level can be a zero-sum game in itself, especially when you already got a strong side and a winner one at that. So, while it's easy to identify an obvious problem (again not all top clubs employ that player), it's less obvious to know how much you will lose by replacing one of the players who made the team strong in the first place. Like I said, we hope it's a net positive in the end, but I daresay we don't really know that at this time. This is a time we need to trust the club and Tuchel, since he seems to think it will be a net positive.

same 😆 TBF, it's not like he's not a proven goal scorer (esp if we take United aside), so my main concern was always around improving the team while maintaining what we have. And I wasn't (still aren't) sure Lukaku was the solution for that. All I can hope for is that however his presence changes the starting XI, that it's still a net positive in the end.

Super smart from tuchel to let it go into pks too so to end the penalties curse. 😉 Tuchel’s squad management seems to be spot on for the start of the season. He’s playing the most fit, which clearly gives us an edge considering how uneven it is typically at this time. kudos to the preseason prep because we have several players flying high at the moment. While perhaps not match fit just yet, they are all running like dogs.

Too soon to tell how much he can contribute, but he’s clearly physically a step above others atm so smart from tuchel to play him. A lot of uneven fitness levels atm so just play the most fit.

don't know why he's so happy. He will play a lot less next season (same for Pulisic). Many times the attack will be Mount, Lukaku, and Kai

Did not see anything special about his passing, but it could be nerves and the idea of only do simple passes as a result. Makes total sense as a replacement for Zouma, who thinks is better than he actually is and demands playing time-better squad player for sure.

pretty terrible PK by Kai He did not look confident at all.

Might be a good option if Zouma leaves.

Dead? We were flying high in the final stages of the CL and then the final. I clearly remember how worried Guardiola was with our running and pressing. We will get back on form soon enough.

we obviously need to let it go to pks and then win it.

you are right, I stand corrected. It's a decision because of the pandemic. The starting lineup and and the subs made still prove the point.

yes, the world is watching and will remember the winner forever... whatever. 🙄 It is clearly super important, so much so that it uses preseason substitution rules.

come on. Nobody is saying we don't want to win. Just let's not make it what it clearly isn't. Good opportunity to get players moving. Some of them are clearly lacking match fitness.

Number of subs is the same as a preseason game 🙂 Who won last season? and the season before? Nobody knows or cares.

I think our starting lineup disagrees. As well as the subs, btw. Too many subs too - even the rules are different.

Glorified pre-season game... giving all players some minutes.

I wasn't saying your criticism was unwarranted, just that it's very early and I hope they regain form along the season. Otherwise we will be in trouble. Agreed that Kai is improving nicely. Super classy footballer.

That's exactly the problem with bad passing at this level. Good teams, and Villareal is no more than a good team, will apply pressure to your backline until it breaks. Midfield and attack looks wasted and unfit atm. Hope fitness levels are better soon.

well deserved. They've been playing a lot better.

They've been poor but that's way too soon. some players look amazing preseason and can't keep form for long. Others, esp older players (looking at you Azpi) need a lot more time to regain match fitness. Long season, but we will need them to turn up again if we want to win anything Lukaku or not.

He's defending well, esp tackling, like Zouma does often (and Cahill did before). That's not enough at this level. His passing is simple, safe, and poor. We lose possession often with players like him and Zouma in the lineup and against better sides, that can be worse than poor defending because they can pin you back and overwhelm your defense line, like city does for ex. Need ball-playing defenders who can can pass if we want to keep playing with 3. Worried if we lose Andreas and/or silva for some time.

He's shaky but 2 fantastic saves in this game alone.

will never play at Chelsea. You can save this one and check with me later.