Juan Mata

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

Of course he could be just talking bullshit and just wants to go back to the counter-attacking, compact team the last time he was here and he is just saying that he is trying to play possesion to appease some of the doubters for a little while. And judging by all the things he was harping on about during the summer (using young players, making Lukaku a big part of his squad et cetera), that could be a possibility.

[bushman 2,043]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

Well, possession football as I know it, Barca is an example is boring, but very effective against minnows. Providing you have got Messi to score. To play high up the pitch as you mentioned requires a striker who can convert the chances. Currently, none is seen at Chelsea. Defending in numbers, you say ? Do you mean park the bus, just like in the good old says ?

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

so pretty similar to Dortmund then? I loved watching Dortmund play last season i hope Jose can get us playing similar to them!

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

JUAN MATA has accepted Jose Mourinho's criticism.

"He is going to knuckle down and try harder," said a source close to Mata.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Of course he could be just talking bullshit and just wants to go back to the counter-attacking, compact team the last time he was here and he is just saying that he is trying to play possesion to appease some of the doubters for a little while. And judging by all the things he was harping on about during the summer (using young players, making Lukaku a big part of his squad et cetera), that could be a possibility.

But that's not what we've seen on the pitch. We have been keeping possession high up the field except against united and Bayern because our squad is still not ready to face them in midfield. But in all the other games we've dominated possession, we've put and kept pressure on opponents for the whole 90 minutes. In fact our main problem has been how to break down opponents in the final third and that come from the movement of the front four and it will take time. I have no reason to believe that Jose is lying, he has been honest in all his interviews to an extent that has never been matched by any of our previous managers.

Well, possession football as I know it, Barca is an example is boring, but very effective against minnows. Providing you have got Messi to score. To play high up the pitch as you mentioned requires a striker who can convert the chances. Currently, none is seen at Chelsea. Defending in numbers, you say ? Do you mean park the bus, just like in the good old says ?

It's not that black and white. You don't either play Barca or like Stoke. There is middle ground. Defending in numbers does not mean parking the bus, in fact we've rarely had to defend in our own box this season. Jose is trying to implement a philosophy that will stick with the team for years to come. It will take time before you start seeing it clearly on the pitch.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

so pretty similar to Dortmund then? I loved watching Dortmund play last season i hope Jose can get us playing similar to them!

But how long has Klop been with Dortmund to install that philosophy in the team? We don't seem to be willing to give Jose a couple of months to do just that.

[bushman 2,043]

But that's not what we've seen on the pitch. We have been keeping possession high up the field except against united and Bayern because our squad is still not ready to face them in midfield. But in all the other games we've dominated possession, we've put and kept pressure on opponents for the whole 90 minutes. In fact our main problem has been how to break down opponents in the final third and that come from the movement of the front four and it will take time. I have no reason to believe that Jose is lying, he has been honest in all his interviews to an extent that has never been matched by any of our previous managers.

It's not that black and white. You don't either play Barca or like Stoke. There is middle ground. Defending in numbers does not mean parking the bus, in fact we've rarely had to defend in our own box this season. Jose is trying to implement a philosophy that will stick with the team for years to come. It will take time before you start seeing it clearly on the pitch.

I like this. Jose is trying to implement a philosophy that will stick.....Well, if I see it, then I will applaud it. So far, I have seen a mediocre team that was fortunate on several occasions.

[zolayes 14,489]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

wasnt that what AVB wanted???

[CHOULO19 24,332]

wasnt that what AVB wanted???

It was. It's actually what the club has been wanting to do since 2011. The philosophy that Jose installed in 2004 stuck with the team and gave us some major success, but it has become out-dated. Of course, AVB's philosophy is different than what Jose is trying to do now. Plus the timing was wrong, he did have the right players, and he seemed unable to make changes to his system even when the flaws were glaringly obvious. Hopefully, Jose will have more luck.

I like this. Jose is trying to implement a philosophy that will stick.....Well, if I see it, then I will applaud it. So far, I have seen a mediocre team that was fortunate on several occasions.

Of course you still don't see it, it hardly been a month!

Anyway, we've moved way off topic. Apologies for that, guys.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

But that's not what we've seen on the pitch. We have been keeping possession high up the field except against united and Bayern because our squad is still not ready to face them in midfield. But in all the other games we've dominated possession, we've put and kept pressure on opponents for the whole 90 minutes. In fact our main problem has been how to break down opponents in the final third and that come from the movement of the front four and it will take time. I have no reason to believe that Jose is lying, he has been honest in all his interviews to an extent that has never been matched by any of our previous managers.

Of course you have a point, but that could be attributed that teams like Fulham basically play so deep and clearly just hope to get a draw that having more possesion is a certainty, but even then I felt that there was an air of being overly cautios (fullbacks not making overlapping runs, wingers not taking on there man etc). But then I look at the Manchester United where we played so rigidly and defensively even though this Man Utd team under Moyes is absolute clueless it baffles me what he was thinking.

Of course this all speculative and it will be a matter of time on what type of football we will be playing in the next few months

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Of course you have a point, but that could be attributed that teams like Fulham basically play so deep and clearly just hope to get a draw that having more possesion is a certainty, but even then I felt that there was an air of being overly cautios (fullbacks not making overlapping runs, wingers not taking on there man etc). But then I look at the Manchester United where we played so rigidly and defensively even though this Man Utd team under Moyes is absolute clueless it baffles me what he was thinking.

Of course this all speculative and it will be a matter of time on what type of football we will be playing in the next few months

The let's just wait and see and give the man some time to show us

[Jase 43,479]

How about we drop the conspiracy theories for once? I think the simple reason why we said no PSG and didn't sell him is because Jose wants to give him a chance to change his game and prove that he can fit in the current system.

Conspiracy?

It's a probable situation and only adding further valid reasoning to what Marcotti and TorontoChelsea have already mentioned. Not dismissing the simple case of Mourinho just want Mata to get better but am looking at the other side of the coin as well here.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Conspiracy?

It's a probable situation and only adding further valid reasoning to what Marcotti and TorontoChelsea have already mentioned. Not dismissing the simple case of Mourinho just want Mata to get better but am looking at the other side of the coin as well here.

So we were willing to destroy the form of one of the best players in the league last season just so we don't get bad publicity. Let's ignore the ethical side for a moment, don't you think the club is smart enough to realize that that defeats it's own purpose because benching Mata will only create ten times more bad publicity than selling him?

[Barbara 15,149]

How about we drop the conspiracy theories for once? I think the simple reason why we said no PSG and didn't sell him is because Jose wants to give him a chance to change his game and prove that he can fit in the current system.

that's asking too much, sweetie...

Until the day José doesn't have Mata as a starting eleven moaning, conspiracies, disapproval, lack of belief and support will be the common sense here. Mata FC all the way! And the worst part is that some people supporting those things are people I used to think were here for Chelsea. I'm too naïve I guess.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Of course, it's theories, but it is supported with what Jose has said several times in the media. He really has been trying to explain what he's doing. Basically what we're trying to do is play possession football high up the pitch with ball on the ground while still defending in numbers at the back.

wasnt that what AVB wanted???

Yes it was and I'm sure he would have stayed on if he didn't completely loose the dressing room. He forced Roman's hand really. His appointment clearly showed what Roman had in mind and showed that he was willing to be patient but it wasn't the results that got him fired.