robsblubot

Not even mentioning how versatile Ramires is. Khedira plays as a center mid and that's about it. Ramires can do flank, RB, RW... Yes, he is a defensive RW, but that's what we may need in certain games, in certain circumstances. Managers love these versatile players.

He made no mistake. Scolari said after the game he was surprised either DL or Thiago did not put another one in themselves because of the quality of the crosses and passes Croatia was producing from the flanks. He even mentioned that the perfect cross is the one that goes between the goalie and the defender, and I have to agree. When you watch David Luiz now, you all still see him as if he were playing for us. He isn't! He's in a completely different system, in which our own CBs (Gary and terry) would have massive difficulties, because of either the extremely high defense line or the completely exposed flanks. Once again he was better than Thiago Silva, even though i thought they both played well.

Cech/Court Azpi/Iva Iva/Gary Iva/Terry Luis/Azpi Matic/Tiago Ramires/Fabregas Fabreagas/Oscar William/Andre William/Oscar Costa/? Plus further squad players who can be used sporadically. Plus the obvious swap of Oscar/Fabregas moving higher up and switching to a 4231.

I did not say Matic was not going to play a defensive role, just that he doesn't need to sit deep like Mikel. Who sits deep for City? Or Madrid? I reckon Matic is too good a player to tell him to sit deep as a defense protector, and he should have the freedom to move about and fight for the football up the pitch. Reckon playing a deep defense line already poses some challenges, so we need to have our midfield move up the pitch a bit, otherwise we will be sitting too deep. Or we will be too spread on the pitch, with players too far from each other, affecting pass completion and therefore possession.

Agreed. There is no reason to keep both Torres and Ba. I'd rather keep Ba over Torres, but Torres is unflushable, so that leaves Ba. What I'm terribly concerned about is that if we end up keeping both Torres and Ba, we will be 100% dependent on Costa's fitness. We already know Ba and Torres are insufficient. That's why I think either we give Lukaku a shot as a second striker, or we buy that player.

not bad, but I honestly think Matic's best position is a deep-lying CM, not DM. He's too good to sit so deep and we need to regain possession higher up the pitch - Matic can help with that too. But that's a technicality: just put them in the same line and I get your point.

I was at RFK watching the friendly against Roma and Lukaku was a handful. No, he's not a technically gifted player, but he's got so much pace and power that it makes up for it. Luiz, Hazard, and Lukaku really impressed me then.

and we dodged that one!

Didier takes time to meet fan in Sao Paulo: http://globoesporte.globo.com/sp/campinas-e-regiao/copa-do-mundo/noticia/2014/06/drogba-recebe-drogbinha-realiza-o-sonho-de-fa-baiano-e-ouve-promessa.html Can use translate, but it's essentially saying the charismatic player made his day and even held fan's baby who's named "Drogbinha" (little drogba).

a bit better but still a player (along his agent) who is fighting for a deal/pecking order. Perhaps this is just about that: signing a better deal after all he only has 2 year left on his contract. Here's the problem though: these players pay a lot of money to their agents so they don't have to antagonize the clubs, supporters, or coach, and yet all we hear is what lukaku wants or thinks. That's his agent's job.

so, do you have a better translation? I'd certainly take any from the Belgium around here over the tabloids. The problem is that Lukaku keeps on going - not like a one time thing. BTW, I rather have Lukaku than Ba and Torres, but think his constant exposure with the media might not help that. Let me emphasize that: I'd rather keep Lukaku than Ba AND Torres! Andre can cover for the 3rd.

Very interesting signing if done. Just very surprising Jose would go for a player like Fabreglass... I'm just using his nickname because that kinda explains his characteristics. Very technical in control, likes possession (Jose does not), cannot tackle, cannot fight 50/50s, can score, can short pass like no other, and can assist. Just not your typical Jose player. It would suggest a huge change in style. Which would make me concerned about the defense line.

he just can't help it... talking about the game is for the "pundits" (aka paid fans) and regular fans like us. The actual paid professionals in football act with their wallets, or rather their employer's wallet. The players should just play. Any information on his agent? Seems like he's not very keen on Lukaku playing for Chelsea.

Reckon Oscar is so valued by Jose precisely because he can do both: deep lying and CAM. In fact, that's key for the way Brazil play. Oscar is actually a CM in a CAM position. So, his hard work and tackling allow his team to regain the football higher up the pitch, which is essentially the easiest way to score; by catching your opponent's defense off guard. Scolari and Jose have always employed very similar tactics. Both don't value possession as much as other head coaches.

Fair enough, but I'd call him, "the exception." It's like saying very short strikers can be good in the air, just because Romario was good in the air.

LBs are too reliant on pace and players don't get any pacier as they age; so this guy is going to be fairly expensive at 19m.

it looks like Jose doesn't rate Lukaku, unfortunately. Torres and Ba while Lukaku goes on loan... it makes no fucking sense to me. ^^ yeah big question mark on contract... thought he had another 2 years left.

Dudes! He's 22! He's only not wearing #10 because coach wants to put more pressure on Neymar - that's really the only reason. (Oscar started as #10 for Brazil)

Have to confess I'm not a fan. He's got good technique, but he's also so very slow... No urgency in his game just like Mikel. Romeo has better range of passing than him though. Regardless, we can't really employ a DM week in and week out as our system really needs two rounded players in the center. Reckon Matic is as defensive as it's going to get, and I'd not call him a DM, but more of a deep lying/ball winning mid. Although not as slow as Mikel, Matic isn't the paciest of mids, so we need someone with some pace next to him. Ramires has the pace, but not the technique. OK maybe not pace, but mobility.

agreed. I thought the same of Modric though, but he's done well after moving deeper. Thing is, if the player has enough technique, he can make the football move quickly, like Modric does, then avoiding physical confrontations - well most of the time. Out of the CMs we are being linked with, Fabregas would have to be the least exciting.

that's a perfect succinct description of Ramires' game.

Any information on what the fuck happened?! Have we made an offer at all and he just took the better one? I'm not going to put this on the club until I know more. He certainly did not deserve anywhere near the deal he's had in the past (key player and all), but no offer would've been very harsh.

Good young player. If we wanted to improve over what we have immediately though, then I'd rather go for Diego Godin... Along with Ramos, best defenders in champions IMO.

There is no decision (official one) to be made. There is no need to talk with the player - despite his claims. He has two years left on his contract, so he will show up like any other player and play for the club. He wants assurances? There is no such a thing at a top club much less to a nobody like him; he's a good young prospect, nothing more. If later Chelsea decide to loan him out or sell him, that's a different discussion. If anything his constant and frank talks with the press can only hinder his feature at the club. He hasn't really been given a shot at Chelsea. I'm just concerned that Jose might grow tired of constantly hearing Lukaku's considerations on the press.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/03/jose-mourinho-chelsea-oscar-dip-form Tactics play a part too... Brazil plays with more possession and with way more players committing forward. For Chelsea, the attacking players often don't have much support. Oscar has to work harder when playing for CHelsea than for Brazil, which he has done like Jose says above. He just does not have the consistency just yet - plus nagging injuries played a part too. The dilemma for me is very different: I read on this forum a lot of folks requesting us to employ youngsters. Then some, even same folks, complain about the lack of consistency from our most promising young talent. Well, that's part of the package. Either we buy players who are ready (like Jose says: who don't need to improve), and then we will have a limit to the talent we can acquire (Messi will never come) or we try to build our own Messi.