The midfield puzzle

[Ramox 246]

AS ive said everyone thought Deco would kill Iniesta and what happened?

We need depth, Modric won't play every game and in a few years he will be 30, Josh will be 23 and ready to dominate europe. If Modric's arrival does anything to Josh it will improve and enchance him not kill him.

Plus we can't rush him into a first team regular, how many players that are regulars at teens aint burnt out by the time their 29? look at Wilshere he is showing signs of possible burnout already. Robben, Owen, Van Persie other examples.

You persuaded me, or what... : ) And what do you think about Josh's feelings? He played well, but didnt got his chance, its not too good feeling, I think. Do you mind, it would be problem? 2-3-4 years too much. Oh fuck, just come on, close the transfer window, and we will see, what will happen. : ) If Modric or Moutinho won't come, this just an unnecessary conversation.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mikel and Remires cant play in the same midfield. I dont know what's all the hype about Remires's game today, like i said, he had some

good minutes after he scored, but before that he was inexistent in attack and even in defense. I just dont get this player, it seems that he

can do so much more but somehow he doesnt. You cant play with two midfielders that can barley help you on the attacking game.

I wish Remires was like young Essien, but he isnt. He needs to be way more dominant.

If Modric wont come, it will be a problem, but maybe Josh can help with it if he will get the chance. It will be hard with the midfield of

Lampard, Remires and Mikel. Lampard, beside he's not in his best form, cant work the attacking midfield alone, he never done it in Chelsea,

he allways had Ballcak or Essien next to him, Remires doesnt give the same quality. Not even close.

I honestly thought i was the only one that felt this way. Mikel and Ramires together

[lionsden 4,689]

This is the formation I'd love us to use more of this season...

AVB will never bench Lampard for Josh . so be prepared to see less of it this season and don't be suprised if he opts for Drogba or Malouda on the right wing instead of Sturridge on a consistent basis.

[termninja 5,290]

AVB will never bench Lampard for Josh . so be prepared to see less of it this season and don't be suprised if he opts for Drogba or Malouda on the right wing instead of Sturridge on a consistent basis.

He told you that?

[nadavTKL 1,787]

don't be suprised if he opts for Drogba or Malouda on the right wing instead of Sturridge on a consistent basis.

He started Kalou insted of Drogba, and he benched Malouda in the same game, so i cant see why he wouldnt start Sturridge.

I realy think Boas builds on Sturridge this season after he saw the pre-season games, I think thats why he brought a LW and not a RW.

[Blue Armour 4,467]

He started Kalou insted of Drogba, and he benched Malouda in the same game, so i cant see why he wouldnt start Sturridge.

I realy think Boas builds on Sturridge this season after he saw the pre-season games, I think thats why he brought a LW and not a RW.

Lol..Mata's more than an LW you know...He's equally comfortable on the right, and likes to drop back to midfield..

But yes I think Sturridge could be big part of his plans, if he scores regularly

[OneMoSalah 8,889]

He started Kalou insted of Drogba, and he benched Malouda in the same game, so i cant see why he wouldnt start Sturridge.

I realy think Boas builds on Sturridge this season after he saw the pre-season games, I think thats why he brought a LW and not a RW.

Tbh in all fairness Sturridge is not a winger so why would we play him out of position, wasting his ability, when at Bolton he was clearly more effective down the middle,

[lionsden 4,689]

He told you that?

It's hard to deny that AVB's team selection so far has been very questionable

When a fading 33 year old is preferred to Josh against one of the weaker teams in the league and Drogba, who had been poor in previous games, gets the nod ahead of Anelka, arguably our best performer in the WBA game. at RWF. my assertions can therefore be considered reasonable until AVB proves otherwise. No?

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Lol..Mata's more than an LW you know...He's equally comfortable on the right, and likes to drop back to midfield..

But yes I think Sturridge could be big part of his plans, if he scores regularly

I know, but in Chelsea he will probably play as an LW.

And i cant see how it made you laugh...

[Madmax 9,219]

This quote from Ferguson sums up all about Josh -

"I had a player once who said to me that Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo weren't good enough and he was not prepared to wait until they were good enough. But that's the trouble with potential. People don't identify potential. They're very poor at it. I've identified all my life the potential in young people. I know potential. I know how to develop and have faith in it. And young people surprise you when given the opportunity. That's what this club is all about."

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Tbh in all fairness Sturridge is not a winger so why would we play him out of position, wasting his ability, when at Bolton he was clearly more effective down the middle,

Im not 100% sure he's a winger either, but AVB played him this way in pre-season and he was our best player.

Ferguson quotes... dear god. Do we have any respect for ourselves or it all just gone?

[eldo 868]

FFS Josh is just 18. He should play to grow as a player, not to carry Chelsea on his shoulders.

[Madmax 9,219]

FFS Josh is just 18. He should play to grow as a player, not to carry Chelsea on his shoulders.

Is that directed at my post?

[eldo 868]

Is that directed at my post?

No. But I can comment on that

Josh was indentified as a potential, that's why he made his debut at 17. And we are developing him now.

When has Shrek become Utd's most important player?

But if I comment on that. Josh got his debut when he was 17

[Madmax 9,219]

No. But I can comment on that

Josh was indentified as a potential, that's why he made his debut at 17. And we are developing him now.

When has Shrek become Utd's most important player?

But if I comment on that. Josh got his debut when he was 17

Okay, going off topic, but still.

1. How are we developing Josh by sitting him on the bench? I don't think anyone has asked for him to completely replace Lampard, but surely you must agree that when Lampard underperforms in matches then it would make sense to introduce Josh during the latter stages.

2. We are not asking for Josh to be made 'the most important player' so the Rooney comparison makes no sense.

3. Handing a debut is all well and good, but once potential has been identified, you need to nurture it. Are we really doing that right now?

[eldo 868]

Okay, going off topic, but still.

1. How are we developing Josh by sitting him on the bench? I don't think anyone has asked for him to completely replace Lampard, but surely you must agree that when Lampard underperforms in matches then it would make sense to introduce Josh during the latter stages.

2. We are not asking for Josh to be made 'the most important player' so the Rooney comparison makes no sense.

3. Handing a debut is all well and good, but once potential has been identified, you need to nurture it. Are we really doing that right now?

It's only start of the season, third game actually.

Andre said that he will now start with rotation.

[Styles 9,790]

FFS Josh is just 18. He should play to grow as a player, not to carry Chelsea on his shoulders.

I agree but the sad thing is there is no player to bridge the gap between Lampard and McEachran. Lampard is just painful to watch now, he adds nothing unless there is a set-piece to take. Just wandering around slowly knocking the ball sideways. Even in todays chaos you wanted somebody to just get the ball and hold it and dictate the tempo for a bit but he was nowhere.

[BLionheart 516]

It's incredible what mata , silva and spanish players do , they pass , move , make themselves available and do on . that is why they are a great creative unit .

Our problem is not Lampard , it's Ramires-Mikel in the same midfield , 2 shy players in footballing terms , 2 players who will not always make themselves there for the pass , and that makes Lampard struggle.

You can see the improvement in frank's game once mata was introduced , The answer to our midfield is simple :

Mikel/Essien/Rami

Modric/Moutinho Lamps/Josh

I would love to watch a full game of ramires playing the DM role of mikel , i think he will be a lot better than Obi as he is much better defensively and offensively , May be Mikel is more assured and is a better passer but Ramires's drive and pace will make up for that .

[Tomo 21,751]

I think we are being a bit harsh on Andre with his team selections.

There is one reason he is playing Lamps and no its not because he is too scared to drop him its because none of our other CM have as much attacking instints bar Josh (who is too young to be carrying Chelsea, had we been in more comftable situations i would have bet my backside he would have got gametime) which is why Lamps has been playing. We cannot throw Josh into situations like drawing with 20 mins to go str8 off, we did it at Villa Park last season and he nearly lost the game for us (imagine how much that would have set him back).

He has dropped Drogba for 2 of the 3 matches, so that alone proves he is not scared to drop players as Drogba is probally the guy with the biggest ego, he dropped Malouda after a shite display at Stoke and he hauled Kalou off after half a hour and didn't even have him on the bench today so that surely says something?

Malouda had a poor game at Stoke and was dropped, Kalou was hauled off after half a hour, Alex had a poor game against WBA and was dropped the only reason Lamps has not been is because off the reason i gave above.

Andre has made changes between and during matches that (as much as i love Carlo) Carlo never seemed to do as much. Today Andre put Josh and Lukaku on the bench you could bet your bottom dollar Carlo would have put Yossi and Kalou there and put it to expierence. So i think the critism he is getting right now is extremely harsh to say the least. Remember Jose's opening premier league games? we were shite and grinding our results till mid October then we took off, don't be suprised to see something similar this time.

[warnie_666 1,081]

This quote from Ferguson sums up all about Josh -

"I had a player once who said to me that Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo weren't good enough and he was not prepared to wait until they were good enough. But that's the trouble with potential. People don't identify potential. They're very poor at it. I've identified all my life the potential in young people. I know potential. I know how to develop and have faith in it. And young people surprise you when given the opportunity. That's what this club is all about."

Was that Roy Keane? I remember this and that player quit the club over the transition phase when Fergie was playing "kids"