robsblubot

has anyone here played in front of a decent-sized crowd by chance? I remember my first time, amateur level, and it's simply incredible what happens to your mentality. Like legs suddenly operate at half strength, you question everything, miss 5-yard passes, simply run wrong. I'm sure you get used to it in time, but I also imagine what must be like for professional players, and then professional players at an elite club like Chelsea. It can't be a walk in the park, which is also a factor when we sign young players--physique being another.

Wasn't Bertrand playing left-winger in that game? I don't disagree, but then again I need to point out we are down to the 3rd option as left-winger who happens to be an attacking player who's been at the club for 8-9 months and has zero (0) goals. Not to mention that the defensive side of his game does not look really that much better. I have no doubt had Alonso still be in the roster and he'd be playing left-wing in every game. Perhaps switching positions with Chilwell occasionally, but just by the characteristics (not to mention experience and power).

yeah definitely Uruguayan football is always strong. Of course, 3rd in SA means not elite too. 😉

Has he not been playing in his natural position in the many minutes he has played for the club? I'm fairly sure he will start as soon as he shows any signs of improvement. I trust the club will spot these signs as soon as, and if, they ever appear. I don't see them, but they do watch him at training. We paid for Bakayoko. We paid for Luakaku. We even paid for Drinkwater.... so many others. They are all gone. Sometimes players aren't good enough at this level and there is only so much you can do about that. That's not even my main point tho, but rather calling using Chilwell in the wing "crazy;" that's not crazy and quite commonly done esp when lacking options for the position. LWB and Winger aren't that different positions esp when you consider an attacking LWB with good attacking numbers to prove. My point remains, the manager has the leverage, in my book, to opt for his only (heavily underperforming) winger, try someone else there (say Palmer), or stick with Chilwell esp in an away game. It's the manager's prerogative as to what he needs on that left wing to bring balance to the team. He may think that this away game is not the time to experiment, for example. And yes, considering Mudryk's abysmal attacking numbers, I'd consider him an experiment as well... tho I suspect it's the defensive side of his game that prevents him from getting more starts.

Unless that "young attacking winger" is freaking Mudryk. 😅 Suspect Chilwell has quite a few more goals (Mudryk has never scored for Chelsea) and assists than Mudryk any way you look at it. Mudryk's shot accuracy is at around 33% given he cannot even shoot on goal most of the time. I know folks here are very selective with stats.

Did not watch the game, but heard Caicedo had a strong game against Uruguay, which is reassuring. Uruguay isn't a top tier SA team, but evidently aren't pushovers either.

yup. Everyone we signed is a "project" including Jackson. Each has more or less potential, but that's the type of signing the club is after these days. Got to have blind faith in a leadership who hasn't earned it yet. I still think jackson can deliver, but he does have to hone his a game a bit as I've been saying elsewhere; what helped villareal may not help Chelsea in the PL. It's really a case of different requirements for the same job. There is also a point that these top scorer simply aren't available, so you've got to make some bets.

I don't know. Rice did very well in the WC late stages and against very strong opposition. The sample I have from Rice is much bigger than from Caicedo. Not to mention Caicedo looks really green to my eyes... miscontrolling the football is never nice for any player at this level, and he did that in 2 out of the 3 matches he played for us (one time leading to a goal and a loss). Yes, I know early days, but like I said, I was referring to "now." Let me put it his way: if I have a big game next weekend and I had to choose between the two players, I'd pick Rice every time. In time that may change, but right now, easy one.

Potential? maybe... yet to be seen at this level. Level of play right now? There should be no debate really.

Joao Palhinha is such a good player... super skillful. It's always nice when our rivals sign big names who turn out not being that great human beings. "Antony: Brazil drop Manchester United winger after abuse allegations" https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66713281 meanwhile Paqueta is being called to explain himself regarding the betting allegations.

That what you want, and I mostly agree. The question is what the club/owners want, and the feeling I have is that there is a disconnect around the goals between fans and club owners. Also, "wanting to come here" and "wanting to stay here" are factors the club can have a lot of influence in.

Sure, but it's really not really something I like to spend my free time on. I think you are focusing too much on a number-Kova came from years playing for RM at the highest level. We knew exactly what we were getting from him, and we did get exactly that. Yeah Kova may have been more about not letting him go given the already overdone revamp ongoing. Giroud was a competent striker to have. Over 30 are fine too, as long as they are performing. I get that it's difficult, but we have paid professionals doing exactly that. I've been dealing with something at work for the past days--did little else--but that's where my focus and my expertise lie, and why I get paid doing that. We are down to name discussion, but I think it's a philosophy as stated in the video; the owners want what they want, and given the lack of regulation, are doing exactly what they want.

What would me researching and providing names accomplish? does it eventually get to Chelsea directors, so they will act on it? Even if that's clearly not their focus? which was the main point in the linked video. I have to believe that a billionaire club has the ability to sign a good player at a good point in his career. It's not really asking a whole lot is it? We did the same with Jorginho not long ago: hardly a WC player in my book. Kova, same. Our rivals do that, but we don't seem to be able to. I understand the Saudi situation, but that's just an additional challenge. There are hundreds of potential names; the trick is to find the right one.

Fair enough, but the point is that you don't need to sign experienced WC players, but good experienced players so that your younger players have the time, and support, to develop.

I don't think anyone is against signing promising young players, but the issue is *only* doing that. That makes us look like a smaller club (Lyon used to do this very well) and has never really worked. Young players need (a lot of) support and nurturing on and off the pitch. Having players who can be a reassuring presence in in-game situations is fundamental. At the very least, it can be the difference between building up confidence vs losing it. As a player you always turn to more experienced players esp in adversarial conditions, which for most of these young players, PL definitely qualifies.

good points indeed, many of which have been made here. Like his constant visits to the locker room and his inexperience with all things football.

Lewa's dive against osasuna was world class--almost Kane level. That's why I don't watch La Liga... no-touch football. (kinda right thread I guess)

Disagree about this usual focus on attack. It's disregarding a large number of variables including the contribution, or the lack thereof, from the rest of the team, including defense, in attack. Even conversion rate of your striker can be drastically affected by many many variables: streaks (confidence), how flustered the opposition defense is, how much effort the striker has to put in (how far from the goal/getting service)? Football is a team sport. Once you start individualizing merit and blame, then that's when big mistakes happen. Mudryk, Madueke not employable atm, which I agree with. Jackson also has no backup whatsoever atm, unless you consider yet another kid as an option.

nah just lost in translation I think. His system, as well as Pep's, demands the most from all players esp the attacking players. The defenders have to cover a lot more ground, and the attackers have to run relentlessly like Werner did. I've heard from an umber of players who say it's really difficult to adapt, and takes time. Some don't really adapt as they don't have the mentality for it, but time is a sure thing IMO. I'm one who thinks we'd be much stronger had these players stayed, at very least for strength in depth, but it is what it is; still, rooting against the career of 23-24yo who already play for big clubs is going to be a time-consuming affair. 😆

what a game! had everything eh

what a scrappy goal compared to all other opportunities in the game... they will get the 3 points all the same. Rice is >>>> Xhaka tho.

they will find an arm ahead

I think my point, and point made by the commentators, is that there is no way to tell whether the contact was enough to bring him down, or how much of it was intentional (from Kai), in which case the call on the pitch should have stood (same If it had been a no-pk). The issue, pointed out by many, is that VAR is becoming the defacto referee in matches. What a miss by sacko... incredibly poor finish.

stone-cold penalty any way you look at it. lol

No argument here. He wasn't good enough today... not only with the missed opportunities, but miscontrolling crosses into the box and not even being in the box to receive the pass at times. On the other hand, I think it's unfair to only use conversion rate to compare him with other strikers who have WAY more support in quality AND numbers. It can make a huge difference for a striker... what I'm saying is that better support DOES affect conversion rate. I mean look at our lineup today: the left was Chilwell and Enzo. I'm not even criticizing Poch as I'd not play Madueke and Mudryk either, but that's just not attacking enough to face weak opposition at home.