robsblubot

I get that, but you don't get a 70m player (Sandro) to sit on the bench right? so getting Sandro would have displaced Alonso and frankly he does not deserve it considering his motm performances (this and last season). I know they don't mean much around here - see Matic....

Not me. Count care less about Sandro. alonso has been one of our top performers and it would have been criminal to remove him from the starting XI at this time. striker, rwb (Moses has been inconsistent), and attacking mid. we have one striker. Make no mistake. Bats is a bet at this time.

The concern is also over the number of players, not just quality. how many strikers do we have? Is bats useful at this time?

If he really demands playing in cm, then no thanks!

Wijnaldum that was an impressive performance (vs arsenal)!

(Our best player) still needs to sign a new deal...

first thing any of those (or really any) manager would do, when taking over Arsenal, would be to spend big on at least one ball-winning midfielder: Matic, Baka, Kante, Cam It's such a glaring deficiency in their squad that makes one question Arsene's philosophy.

It's a crazy seller's market out there. Seems like the perfect time to invest on youngsters esp for squad depth.... I guess that ship has sailed at least until jan.

Yeah get Benteke which might actually help RLC

Yeah that's actually quite common: players develop, esp mental mentally, at their own time and it is obviously different depending on the player. However, youngsters in general do lack mentally and that's why you don't see many of them starting games at the same time in the pl (for any team).

Agree that a dm needs to control the tempo. I feel luiz actually did it hat beautifully especially in the second half with composure and smarty short passes mixed in with runs and long balls. we just can't ignore that we had not possession up the field here William and morata had only moments. You just can't control tempo without outlets to pass the ball to. When we play all defense counter attacking like today we will not have much of the ball no matter who plays. for luiz to play more in the midddle we'd have to change the system. 4 in the mid would do wonders for him and fabregas too btw!

Sorry to say but at this time it is better to play with 10 man on the field than play bats. I hope he breaks this cycle and improves, but thats something for him to do in practice sessions not on the pitch when we have to win. If it is difficult for Bats, imagine youngsters... That's why it is so difficult to give minutes to young players when you have to win games.

Great play considering the situation. just feel he's more of a Kante type of player than a fabregas and what we need is a player like fabregas with a bit more physique and athleticism. Someone like RLC apparently... a bit worried, not only about depth but also balance of the squad. competitive for the pl but not CL imo.

Back to normal (beast mode) against poor spurs...

Agreed ^^ wasteful in possession but better in the second against spurs. looks like he's lost a bit of pace and will struggle a bit more to beat players.

He's better in midfield. All his technique anticipation minus the mistakes.

you know... Neymar hasn't unpacked yet ... 😁

yeah this is a strange one. Isn't Christensen as "proven" as VVD and isn't VVD incredibly injury prone esp considering the asking price?! Chelsea need to learn to speak with the press and dismiss unfounded rumors. This club is so weird during the transfer window...

if that's true, then the management at the club is more incompetent than I thought. Coaches an even managers are temporary, but the club *must* have a long-term plan.

well they did sign fellaini and Herrera before, both of witch will be sitting on the bench for Matic. I honestly think our issue here is the definition of "impact." They already had Pogba, so they already have a younger and better Fabregas to pull the strings in the middle. What they needed was a physical presence with enough quality to contribute to the team. That's Matic all right. The impressive thing about Matic's performance wasn't really about Matic himself... Pogba had one of the best games since joining United and that's NOT a good sign.

In a situation like this, and for a club like Chelsea, I'd say making a statement and controlling players is far more important than money (because it can also lead to more money down the road). I say let him rot, which will teach a lesson to other players in the squad (don't think Costa can actually learn anything).

Hyperboles aside, Matic is a very good player. An important player in not one, but 2 PL wins. Perhaps it's personal preferences in the way of reason because I cannot possible agree with the notion that Matic is an only decent, or bad player, for example. Especially when all evidence (pick any one) points otherwise. Which bears the question: are we too nice to other top PL clubs (our opponents)? We keep selling them our good players, but I don't see any of their good players coming our way.

Nothing unexpected as we know he has goals in him. We wanted a more technical striker and we got him. The strange thing remains the fact Lukaku had no shot, no opportunity at chelsea. In a "proper" corporation, there would be a commission to investigate what happened there. What caused the loss of funds, because from a monetary perspective, it costed the club big time.

I'm not a big Willian fan but football does not take place in a vacuum. Looked like one of the few pulling his own weight today. funny how options are... Mata is one player I do not miss at all and have not been impressed by him at united.

You might as well affirm that this is going to the starting XI (or very close to it). You know, considering the squad situation.