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Thought he defended well this time around. I've come to think it's not really the lack of defending on Mata's part that bothers Jose. It's more to do with his lack of pace and quickness. He slows down play which seems to go directly against Jose's idea of what a team should do. Wonder whether he could be converted to a DLP/CM, an attacking one at that obviously. He wouldn't have the physicality for it, but the technique and vision would be abundant - similar to Modric for example. He can keep possession well, so it could work.

Right but perhaps the point here is that Mikel was key in making our defense line secure today. That whole idea of not letting your defenders exposed on one-on-ones against the attackers. Was the same defense line bad when we conceded 5 goals in two games, or were they too exposed then? To me we've been defending better and you gotta give credit to Mikel as well. Now, is that enough? It was today. I agree that it isn't going to be enough, especially in different circumstances, such as when he has to join the attack in possession. He is a very one-dimensional player no doubt.

old habits die hard... typical play in the Brazilian league when players go for the dive vs the finish. Hard to argue against it there, since the refs promote that behavior not only by giving the PKs but also by showing yellow and reds all the time. Something he has to work out of his system. As far as I am concerned he got us the 3 points against the saints today.

Agree with the first (good defensively), but not with the second point. His contribution in attack was pretty mediocre as usual. A particular ridiculous play was when he attempted a long ball to Torres - nowhere near the target.

True, but I usually like anything that makes me think even if for the wrong reasons.I was the who posted on the pre-match thread that luiz was the best option to replace Ramires - even had a discussion with bushman (as usual) about it. In Jose's current system with deep defense line, I actually think luiz's talent is wasted so far away from attack as a cb. Again, Jose's job not mine.

Interesting article with interesting points. The bit about leaving spaces behind was kinda expected though. DL was replacing Ramires, like some have pointed out in the comments section, and Ramires is hardly a player who sits nor is he a DM. Granted, Ramires has the pace (loads of it) to recover quickly once he/we lose possession, but that's not the case with Luiz. On the other hand, Luiz is a better passer than Ramires, so fair trade. Personally, I'm just happy Jose won't snub a valid strategy just because Benitez did it before. Now if you work in teh press, would you ever believe whatever comes out of his mouth in the future?

Yeah he was probably having difficult breathing after all that unusual running.. Is Mikel any quicker? But yes, Luiz's a pacey defender and a slow but tall midfielder. Just remember he's been on a defender training schedule like forever. This has been exactly my point all along: in a different system David would play very similarly as he did today, but from the back. However, in Mourinho's system, I do have my doubts whether Luiz can play as a CB. Accommodating Luiz (or cashing out on him) is Jose's problem, not mine.

yup thought we were running out of steam in the final 20 or so mins, specially luiz not used to all that movement. Perhaps Lampard absence was even more of an issue though.

If you have to bring a 16yo as a sub in the (what?) 70th minute of a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, you deserve to lose. I mean, as good as we were, that kid was completely out of his depth.

He did play and played well in my view. He created lots of problems and opportunities, such as when he tackled Mikel. Saying he did not play well is taking away from a great defensive performance when we had our CBs and FBs playing well and well-protected by all other players, even Willian tracking back often. Opposition was quality aside from the last 15min or so when their 16yo (smith?) was clearly not in the match.

The question is, was the clip enough to cause Suarez a problem, to make him fall to the ground the way he did? The answer is clearly no to me! It was a brain-dead idea by Eto'o, but still not a PK for me.

Difficult to vote for MotM today - too many players had great performances. We missed Lampard in the second half and that's why our performance wasn't as good. Mikel had a terrible, really terrible start, but then slowly got better and I thought he was pretty good in the final 20 minutes or so. Hopefully injuries are not too bad, because we are short (cover) in certain positions.

This (against pool) was the best I ever seen from Cahill; not only great tackles, but good anticipation and distribution. A bit of warning concerning that tackle on Suarez: many European or WC referees would have shown a straight red.

Dislike Webb's refereeing style - giving too many fouls (both sides) and showing too many yellows to our players only.

great interception by luiz which created a scoring opportunity. It was a good shot by Eto'o and a good stop by the GK - lucky one too.

Great half! Thats football! We are playing very well. Best half I've seen from Cahill, like ever! Not only doing his usual blocks, but also anticipating and passing well. Lamps and David are doing very well there in the center of the pitch. Luiz little chip to Azpi for the second was great. Though reckon David won't be able to play 90m running like that - don't think his training routine involves running 10 miles... with sprints in between. Impressed with Willian also as I didn't know he could be so good defensively. Hazard is in great form and this is just about the same we've been seeing from him lately. It's a very difficult match - liverpool are a quality side and they need the result (at least a point) real bad. What a game!

conveniently ignored the CL bit didn't you?! You clearly don't have a clue about the technical aspects of the game and I won't bother either... kinda childish isn't it?

such a cheap goal to concede... fucks up any strategy

Yeah maybe because they now have a fit Coutinho too, so it's not just Suarez. The 343 wouldn't be by preferred formation, especially at home. I'd still stick DL in the midfield just to break things up. Curious to see what Jose will come up with... deep defense line for example? #1 Iva/Azpi Chill/Iva JT Cole Luiz Mikel Mata Oscar Hazard Shirley Luiz would be replacing Ramires and doing all thew running, with Mikel sitting. Mata and Oscar would exchange positions at will.

has anyone posted a 343 lineup yet? You know we've used it in the past and we don't have ramires... wouldn't surprise me.

Nope, I did not miss the point at all. I completely agree all these attributes are important. I completely disagree that Luiz lacks them; it's a matter of style... you cannot be assertive and use technique without incurring into some risk. Some here call it careless, I just call it playing his natural game. His performances for Brazil at conf cup and for Chelsea when he played injured and won the CL prove just that. I also completely disagree with the importance you put in the mental aspects when the game is essentially how one handles the football. It doesn't matter how strong mentally one is if he cannot execute the fantastic ideas his great mentality comes up with. Lucio's poor first touch creating a scoring opportunity - well taken by Owen. Technique failed Lucio... happens all the time in football. Brazil have won a WC with Ronaldinho (not to mention Barcelona), mentally the weakest player I've ever seen. I know, not a CB, but so ridiculously weak for top level competition that he should've been a failure. His fantastic technique kept him going and became an asset for Brazil and Barca. Rivaldo was another player who could only work in very specific circunstances. Lucio from the video above, won just one World Cup and a Champions League (with Jose) as a ball-playing defender making constant forward runs just like David Luiz does. Then we get into systems and how they can shield the deficiencies a particular player may have. So that his assets can be used. Now I look at the defenders you and others list here and they are all the same. The same type. Slow. Good in the air, tall and strong. I am the one who wants to mix and match; I always want to pair a composed/great in the air defender who covers, with a pacier more aggressive defender who chases. So they don't play in line! You guys are the ones who like playing the exactly same player in both CB positions - makes no sense to me. Look at England and then look at how Spain and Germany play and understand what a deep defense line does to a team. I grew up watching Frank DeBoer play for Ajax in a VERY high defense line. Fantastic team and fantastic defender. Would Frank DeBoer work in every system? Of course not! At least not as a defender (being 5"11' and very pacey). So my point is that we DO KNOW David Luiz CAN work in certain systems. If that's not the way we want to go as a club (still think Roman and Jose are not on the same page here), then yes we should go a different direction. So, is the point here that David Luiz is a bad player and he cannot work in ANY system? In any team or footballing school? Or is he not good in England because you play differently? Perhaps Chelsea's current system? If the former is your opinion, we should just pin this discussion for the WC and/or the time he is sold. Then we will see who is/was right.

Wow! All I can say is good luck to you and England, because you are going to need it. Now, I have an idea based on your requirements: Chelsea should be recruiting players directly from the military! I mean they would have most if not all the qualities you demand. Of course the minor problem there is that they won't be able to play football, but like you said, technique is not at the top of your priorities. You know we are discussing football here don't you? Not warfare... no heroics required... just to be able to kick a football. BTW, that's a pretty shitty CB list you got there... It's just a game.

you are right... technical ability does not matter at all - kicking the football is overrated in football... And yes, CBs, like the GK, are completely different beasts as they don't have to kick the football all all. you really do play a different game in England. We Brazilians are simple people indeed, because we rate/measure all the players who have to kick the football exactly the same way (that's why we have mostly shitty GKs): either you are good enough or well, go ahead and find a different profession. The abilities you rate the most, composure and physicality, are really auxiliary. That's why passing and first touch are considered fundamental skills.

can play football.

Nonsense - David is the new Mikel... Well, shouldn't you guys be out there trying to find out what happened to Phil?! you know, the real one, not the person who's been posting under his name lately.