robsblubot

Perhaps one of the misconceptions with Oscar is that he lacks consistency - thought that myself at some point. I have a different opinion now: I think he is very consistent in that he typically performs much better against weaker sides and vanishes against tough opposition when he's been tightly marked. The same applies to other players who also seem to "only lack consistency" even though they've been at the club forever. Perhaps they are just not good enough? Oscar was expected to develop and that has not happened... for whatever reason. Yes there is a possibility that he becomes a better player at Juventus or elsewhere, but it may be a risk that we will have to take, because he's certainly not improving with us.

Ivanovic has been a sure starter with most if not all managers. Unfair to compare him with the legend. Yes Ivanovic is on decline, but reckon the club thinks he can still contribute given the right protection and strong pre-season (different from what we had this season).

I think he meant players who can actually start a PL match. Reckon we don't have many who can. exhibit A: last FA cup game.

Bonuses are usually not factored in wages. In fact, the most known players have other deals on the side which are also not in it. Wages are the base salary the player gets from the club. We do have squad players in the 75K a week, so hardly surprising.

oh absolutely, but the premise is that he wants to go. In which case, there is little the club can do. Worse possible outcome is that you force a stay, but fail to convince and motivate the player, so you end up losing both, the money and the player. These are the times the staff have to earn their pay.

well we can only hope we'd have funds, to add and replace a few players, without having to touch Hazard's sale money - assuming he does get sold. Otherwise we cannot possible replace him anyway. Seen this over and over again: sell a top player and get a few meh to replace him. BTW, they all want to go to Madrid. It has something to do with it being owned by a large bank.

If Hazard really wants to go, and the evidence seems to suggest that, then we should definitely cash in. Then we may need to sit on the cash for a season. Don't know if that would work with FFP or whether we'd care about it, but sit on the cash and wait for the right player at the right time to make the investment. The worst time to buy is when everyone and their mamas know you, the buyer, have money to spend.

1. Distinctly remember Matic and Luiz in midfield giving us the best record against the top sides ... ever? MOTM was a toss between him and Luiz... short memories around here. 2. Yes, you can compare players with different characteristics, but then you'd be comparing types not quality. Unless you value certain abilities, which would favor matic as what he does is quantifiable more valuable to sides than a pure defensive DM. Neymar can't play alone so he needs someone like Oscar next to him. 3. Disagree again here. That's just his label in the lineup. Sometimes he's the DM and sometimes he is a CM. He's definitely a CM when playing alongside Mikel for example. And more of a CM when next to Ramires. More a DM with Fabregas. Even Mikel isn't your typical DM type. 4. He played at a very high level since he joined us and was very consistent too. In my book he deserved every bit of praise he got; just as he deserves the criticism now along with most of the players.

get him on the cheap then? he is a good player and will be useful at the right price.

Are you discussing Matic or the forum perception of Matic? What does it have to do with him being considered one of the key players in our title winning season? One single great performance? Please go back and check his scores - he had several MOTM performances. When you compare Makele with Matic you lose me - they couldn't be any more different. Even Mikel, who can still be quite different, at least sits back, while Matic roams. Makele was a great destroyer, but also one of the most technically limited player I've seen in my life and would not like him in the team. The game has moved on. I honestly don't even see Matic as a DM. He's more like a DLP or CM which is what the modern game demands. Posts like this honestly surprise me because you complain about his characteristics as a player, while that is exactly what we bought! It's akin to buying Diego Costa and complaining why he is NOT scoring from headers. I am waiting for you to manage to put Mikel and Dynamism in the same sentence...

Well, I was not the one drawing definitive conclusions based on a single game and against glorious CP. Disagree. This is the time to experiment and give minutes to the young players whenever possible. If not, what is the job requirement for Hiddink? Not drop?! If so, that's the easiest job in the world! Take on a millionaire squad and make sure they play the bare minimum. I could do that too... not that I am qualified, but would be much cheaper. Play Matic and Ramires in CM or Mikel and Fabregas or Mikel Matic. Fabregas and Matic only against weak opposition at the bridge. The rest is Jose team down to ivanovic. Tactics?! Just let Terry do that on the pitch... Missed opportunity...

Will quote bein sports: nobody cares about Chelsea anymore specially with a tampon manager (tampon is mine :)). We can't get top 4 and are nowhere near CL contenders. btw who said I did not enjoy it?! But this is mourinhos squad down to ivanovic. Is he good enough now? I am thinking ahead and rehashing ideas and players isn't the way to go.

Please loan him so he can actually play and improve on the areas that need improving. If he can't get minutes when we are winning by 3...

Do not ignore the quality of the opposition. this was weak opposition. They have been on a good run, but they are A poor side who will go back down the standings soon enough.

Of course fabregas should play better with Mikel! Fabregas is terrible at defending so the mere fact that Mikey's stays deep and focus on that area helps balance the midfield. Being far more rounded and making runs forward leave the other CM with defensive duties. That's pretty much like all top clubs play: two rounded cms. will this work against stronger opposition? No. neither fabregas, much less Mikel belong there.

There is no such debate as the transfer market puts them in completely different tiers. Same with Oscar, but apparently juve is a small club around here. Mikel was good today - playing against week opposition but away from home. He was under no pressure when in possession, and kept playing deep in uncontested areas. He did defend well for change though. If mikel were able to do more, over the many years he's been at the club, and against better opposition, Matic wouldn't even be on the squad! what Matic does on the pitch is far more difficult than what Mikel does. That's why Matic is priced in the 25m+ range and Mikel 10m-. (The difference may actually be much greater)

Needs to be sold so we can get someone who actually plays.

wow we are in really bad shape when we say Europe and people understand Europa League....

I'm actually very curious to know how he would fare in Europe. Type and quality of defending. Refereeing... Obviously that won't happen at Everton so even if he likes his life there he must know he's gotta move to truly test himself.

Willian has had a good patch of good form, which began towards the end of last season, but I don't forget the first part of the season when Willian was pulling an Oscar.They are both industrious players with little creativity and produce little upfront. At their best, Oscar was actually better, but it's been so long we don't remember. They are also not exactly at the same stage in their careers. Not surprising Willian is the more composed (like you said).

All he has to to is work on his free kicks - aside from that Willian and Oscar are very similar and people seem to love Willian around here.

Only one of these players played at the highest level for long stretches of time (for us and previous club) and yet he gets put in the same bucket as others who have never showed and consistency at same high level in their entire careers. * not my opinion only: go back to winning season and check ratings/stats pundits. I know which players will turn good again once we get the teamwork is back... the ones who were good once.

agreed. Mikel isn't loyal - he is unambitious. Or perhaps he is very ambitious about money ONLY! Perhaps he and his agent know he cannot do better, and/or he and his family, are comfortable with life in London, who knows?! Players are NOT loyal to their clubs! Just like people are not loyal to companies/business they work for. because being loyal to a company or club would be fucking STUPID and I hope he and his agent are smarter than that. Companies and clubs are NOT loyal to players and professionals. The point, however, is whether we can have a fit replacement at the moment (bought or young) or we have other areas that demand more immediate attention. I also ^^ tend to believe our expensive coaching staff on whether RLC is ready or not.

The point is to get someone better and/or younger - perhaps RLC to play more.If that's not possible - financially or RLC turns not that great or too green - then yes keep him. He's on a 75k a week though which makes it a lot of money per minute play.

let me put it this way: even if we remained playing like shit, we would still climb up the table just because of Courtois. He seems to be back - what a performance against United!