robsblubot

Why are we discussing David btw? After a month away he comes back, has a decent performance, we *only* concede once and he is not the one marking the scorer... After been conceding 3 goals a game, are we complaining about what exactly? THis talk about potential is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard... do you really think Barca and Bayer would buy Luiz for his potential?! They want him for his current ability! What he does on the pitch right now is what they want. They play total football, with technical players in every position, and not with stoic CB inside their own goal. puzzling thread...

Yeah he wasn't great, but I liked his work rate (participation), as well his movement. His finishing product was lacking, but he was one of the danger players for us. I'm not that crazy about William either - great shot, but his finishing product wasn't there either.

They were able to quickly transition from defense to attack, and Puncheon created lots of problems. However, every team seems to be able to to, even Fulham did. The trend is troubling.

true, but typical of players coming from injury. Actually believe he's going to start against Arsenal just because his defensive work actually.

Agree that he wasn't special, but hardly thought he would be after a month away. However, that's his job: he chases up the field - and gets occasionally nut-megged, but then Terry is supposed be in the second line and cover him like he did. This is far better defending than having both players on the same line for example, in which case if you beat one, you've beaten them both. Perhaps this style of defending is indeed unusual in England, but I've honestly seen this setup many times before...

yup, but it's not just with Luiz... it's a misunderstanding about defending. Ppl simplify the game and think defenders are responsible for things they really have no control over. A team like CP produced way too many difficult situations for our defense to deal with - really troubling.

double

Yet another mediocre performance by the team, but a good result nonetheless. Among the positives I'd name an improved performance by Essien; he's a far more technically refined played than Mikel. Essien is still far slower than he used to be and we do need a quicker player who can cover Ramires B2B runs, esp when the opposition manages to quickly make the transition from defense to attack. I thought David Luiz had a decent performance for a guy who hasn't played for a month; second game within a week. Did the chasing well which helped Terry cover behind him. Set-pieces are a problem atm and that's hardly the CBs really. Crosses are also coming in way to often and with quality, which can be really difficult to deal with. the CBs are running towards Cech and then the crosses come either in front, or behind them. Yes, we *only* conceded a goal this time but the opposition isn't strong enough to consider this an improvement. I honestly think Jose is right about Mata; he just doesn't do enough defensive work; as soon as Oscar came on, we were immediately a bit more solid there. Hate the commentator - can't remember his name - he was really frustrated that Jerome coldn't beat Luiz. He seemed to be rooting for CP real bad too. Torres did good in attack but was close to useless defending set-pieces. Azpi needs to do better at set-pieces too. We must improve a lot if we want to become contenders, because right now I'm afraid we aren't.

He's too slow to be an effective guardian of the back four. It takes too long for him to move to where he's needed. That's why IMO he plays better for Nigeria where he doesn't need to do that. however, I disagree and think he simply does not have the ability to do more. Mikel can't do what he hasn't done ... ever. I watch him for Nigeria, and aside from being the center of the team, I think he's also not good enough (for a team like Chelsea) even if he did what he does for them. Again, he's not a bad player, just not good enough to start for Chelsea. That's how I feel when I watch him play - nothing special. Players better than him as a DM/CM? There are too many to name... All our PL opponents have better options there - some a lot better.

yup... I used to come here for the discussion, but I just don't care... I just know I don't enjoy watching him play, because to me he doesn't do anything special on the pitch.

agreed. People call him target man here, which I agree would have been a good alternative if true, but he isn't that player. He's more of a poacher actually. He goes to the ground way too often for a guy of his build - really puzzling. Actually think Lukaku is physically stronger and better in the air than Ba. Ba is a decent player who can score goals, but he can't possibly be a starter for Chelsea (or Roma).

Besides, we kepp talking about Omeruo, but I haven't been able to to actually see a single good performance from the boy. Every time I watch him play he looks either completely out of his depth or picks up an injury and is subbed off early on.

The question ought to be who the youngsters have to screw to get a game at Chelsea?!

Ramires, Terry and Iva should not play. Too many games is just asking for trouble.

Interesting... yeah maybe he's gone too far on the caution side. In that position players are expected to pickup cards though - kinda unavoidable.

Agreed. Eto'o, Torres, and Ba out. (easier said than done) Top striker in with Lukaku as a backup/rotation. Between, Top Striker (Suarez), Lukaku and Andre we would be well served indeed.

Yup consistently lacks aggression. A profession foul would have done the trick too - but he rarely (if ever) fouls anyone. Have to agree with Phil too: Jose was not happy with whatever Mikel was or wasn't doing.

yup absolutely right. Those sides also keep the football very well, something we haven't been able to do.

Other controversial players we've talked about in the past, and shall not be named, do have certain say questionable antics, but once they get into the training ground, they give 100% in training - have not heard of them missing training for one reason or another. Now, the same can't be said about Balotelli. His lifestyle DOES affect his game. Agree with most here in that It would make no sense to go for him since we have Lukaku.

Hate when people lump a bunch of ideas, even things I specifically did not say/write and use to make a point. I won't go discuss points I did not make. Azpi played all his career as RB, so you think that after 5 games he's now as capable as a LF... wow! Listen to me.... John Terry is twice the player Gary is. David Luiz is twice the player Gary is. David Luiz and Terry are world class players and Gary isn't. It's actually quite simple; just pay attention to the transfer market. No opinion, just market valuation. Your point and of others was that the defense was more solid with Gary (fewer mistakes), even though David is the better overall player - any child can see that. Or are we now arguing who has better technique?! Well, our defense has been far from solid, so what the fuck is Gary *adding* to the squad? His Englishness?!

that's also part of the bundle... take it or sell him.

what a game! Lukaku pdid very well - impressed! Everton have been great and man Barkley! Love his style, his movement, dribbling, runs... he's quality!

I don't agree with that at all. I think our defensive problems have little to do with the CBs. That's my point actually. That Gary does not add solidity, so the best player should play instead. Regardless, with Gary or Luiz, our defensive system hasn't been good enough. Oscar absence has also played a part. Put any CB in there and we'd concede just the same. Again, I don't criticize Gary for his mistakes, but his lack of technique. It's not about playing better or worse. He plays exactly the same for Brazil, but his style works for Brazil and does not for Chelsea's esp under Jose's system. His style would certainly work for Barca who starts 5'10 Mascherano as a CB. Bayern's high possession system would be great for him too. I don't see Luiz playing much worse than say last season. That's how he plays take it or sell him.

Well Arsenal are the best team in the league and been playing a lot better than we have. We certainly don't deserve to be ahead of them at this point. They deserve their goal too. Everton played well in the first half, but Arsenal are clearly the better team in the second.

Wow great arguments... really don't know where to start... please try to spot ANY criticism on Cahill's play by English commentators or pundits... ever! It's like he's the best defenders in the world. Same reason it's unrealistic to expect Courtois to fight for his place; why would he if there is a lot of interest on him? I don't make the rules, but ignore the market all you want.