Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea

[Flippedoutpunk 2]

This is what will likely happen

. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. Mikel

. . . . . . . .. . . . Ramires. . . . . .. . Lampard

. . . . . . . . Anelka/Kalou. . . . Torres. . . Malouda

This is what I wish and would love to see

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Romeu

. . . . . . . . . . . Miereles. . . . . . . .. .Josh. . . . .

. . .. . . .. Sturidge. . . .Lukaku/Anelka.. . . Mata

agreed

[Hysteria 159]

This is what will likely happen

. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. Mikel

. . . . . . . .. . . . Ramires. . . . . .. . Lampard

. . . . . . . . Anelka/Kalou. . . . Torres. . . Malouda

Im gonna get crazy if we play with this formation again and i agree with your formation, i hope to see something like that too.

[SeB 1,281]

He isn't really a deep lying playmaker, Harry put him there last season in order to accommodate Van der Vaart. In his earlier seasons at Spurs you'd often see him playing just beyond the opposition's midfield line, but not exactly 'in the hole' if you know what I mean. He'd have someone like a Huddlestone/Jenas/Palacios holding behind him when Harry played 4-4-2. But last season he switched to 4-4-1-1 to fit VDV into the side so Modric was pushed back.

But you're right about there being room for both Modric and Mata in the same side. Mata is always mobile and moving into the channels as well as the centre while Modric stays central primarily (can play wide if asked to) so their roles can co-exist.

For me Modric is not decisive enough in the last tier in terms of goals and assist even if his pass are sharp, incisive and he does not miss a lot. I like his way to fluidize the play with his passing, his vertical passes are very good and he is far better when he has the game in front of him. He is not that good in a support role higher on the pitch, that's why he did struggle when he arrived.

So I agree, Mata and Modric can play in the same team

[DYC. 7,542]

This is what will likely happen

. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. Mikel

. . . . . . . .. . . . Ramires. . . . . .. . Lampard

. . . . . . . . Anelka/Kalou. . . . Torres. . . Malouda

This is what I wish and would love to see

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Romeu

. . . . . . . . . . . Miereles. . . . . . . .. .Josh. . . . .

. . .. . . .. Sturidge. . . .Lukaku/Anelka.. . . Mata

It's risky though, playing three midfielders who have never played with each other, in a away game against a tough side as well.

And I have a question for those who say Romeu should start, what is that based on? He has played just one league game at the highest level in his career so I'm interested. Or is it just for the sake of starting a new player?

[SeB 1,281]

And I have a question for those who say Romeu should start, what is that based on? He has played just one league game at the highest level in his career so I'm interested. Or is it just for the sake of starting a new player?

That's what I said in Romeu's topic:

I'm looking forward to see him play in front of the defence, Mikel is not the best there anymore now because it seems like if he was given new instructions by Villas Boas, to go forward more often, not stopping his runs when he arrives in front of the wall middle of the pitch line and making himself available higher on the pitch.

Because of Lampard's new role which appears to be below on the pitch (because Mikel is not always behind him and between the 2 CBs) and Mikel's new intructions, our midfield is called into question and lacks of stability (it's normal when you try different roles for the players) so I really think that Romeu can be a more than credible solution in that midfield to bring a kind of stability

[lionsden 4,689]

It's risky though, playing three midfielders who have never played with each other, in a away game against a tough side as well.

Yes but Mikel, Lampard and Ramires have been playing together for a while yet they still show poor cohesion and incisiveness week in week out. It wouldn't hurt to deviate from a norm that, quite frankly, has been unimpressive. We have been advocating for a change in our slow and predictable style of play and I believe Miereles and Josh are better suited to the pass and move style of football.. . . Lampard and Mikel are too slow and seem to lack the flexibility to adapt to a new style of play while Ramires's passing ability falls below the required standard.

And I have a question for those who say Romeu should start, what is that based on? He has played just one league game at the highest level in his career so I'm interested. Or is it just for the sake of starting a new player?

I'm not particularly bothered about Romeu starting the Sunderland game tbh, just thought we should give him some playing time

[DYC. 7,542]

Yes but Mikel, Lampard and Ramires have been playing together for a while yet they still show poor cohesion and incisiveness week in week out. It wouldn't hurt to deviate from a norm that, quite frankly, has been unimpressive. We have been advocating for a change in our slow and predictable style of play and I believe Miereles and Josh are better suited to the pass and move style of football.. . . Lampard and Mikel are too slow and seem to lack the flexibility to adapt to a new style of play while Ramires's passing ability falls below the required standard.

Yeah the Mikel-Ramires-Lampard midfield is terrible (European top standard) but I just wanted to point out that the lack of a good understanding in that midfield three (with the rest of the team as well) might end up backfiring us.

And I think Mikel's game would speed up if he had players in front of him who actually move.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

And I think Mikel's game would speed up if he had players in front of him who actually move.

I hear Meireles is an avid follower of the "pass-and-move" play.

Miracles do happen.

[magic weeds 446]

Yes but Mikel, Lampard and Ramires have been playing together for a while yet they still show poor cohesion and incisiveness week in week out. It wouldn't hurt to deviate from a norm that, quite frankly, has been unimpressive. We have been advocating for a change in our slow and predictable style of play and I believe Miereles and Josh are better suited to the pass and move style of football.. . . Lampard and Mikel are too slow and seem to lack the flexibility to adapt to a new style of play while Ramires's passing ability falls below the required standard.

I'm not particularly bothered about Romeu starting the Sunderland game tbh, just thought we should give him some playing time

Well, I dont think Josh will be ready for the Sunderland game. He just pulled out of the under 21 with a hamstring injury. Otherwise that line up is good. Brings more dynamism to the midfield. Who can replace Josh though?

[lionsden 4,689]

Yeah the Mikel-Ramires-Lampard midfield is terrible (European top standard) but I just wanted to point out that the lack of a good understanding in that midfield three (with the rest of the team as well) might end up backfiring us.

And I think Mikel's game would speed up if he had players in front of him who actually move.

I might back fire and it might not. we will have to wait and see

something just tells me the Miereles-Josh combination can't be as bad or any worse than Lampard-Ramires combo so far this season.

[lionsden 4,689]

Well, I dont think Josh will be ready for the Sunderland game. He just pulled out of the under 21 with a hamstring injury. Otherwise that line up is good. Brings more dynamism to the midfield. Who can replace Josh though?

I hope his injury is not too serious.

That's what happens when you send your most creative senior MF out on loan and also miss out on realistic and relatively less expensive alternatives like Pjanic,Jovetic,Borja valero et al

Instead we spent the whole summer chasing a lost cause (Modric) and another player that doesn't address our most pressing need (Perreira). Needless to say, we lost out on both target eventually.

[Kojo 4,676]

Is there news news on his injury?.

[magic weeds 446]

Is there news news on his injury?.

The club should confirm tomorrow..

[Kojo 4,676]

The club should confirm tomorrow..

Okay thanks!, lets hope it's not serious.

[herohero 0]

Lampard is doing so great!Although he is already 33!He still can do great jobs!

Welcome to see chelsea soccer jersey!http://www.gzsoccerjersey.com/

[Blue Armour 3,835]

Okay thanks!, lets hope it's not serious.

Not too serious thankfully.

Official Website

[Venkron The Blue 0]

I expect a 4-0 win out of this and Meireles to score on his debut. And i am sure the combination of Mata and Torres will rule the Sunderland half. Franky as always will play a beautiful game. GO CHELSEA! BLUE IS THE COLOUR

[Infected Mushroom 0]

Cech

Luiz Terry

Ivanovic Cole

Ramires Meireles

Lampard

Sturridge Mata

Torres

SUBS : Hilari Bosingwa Alex Romeu Malouda Anelka Drogba or lukaku

[Mart 29]

How can anyone wish for Romeu to start?? Haven't even seen the lad play 10 minutes in the PL yet. But I would love to shake things up and drop Lampard; see what difference it makes and hopefully bring him out of his coma.

[termninja 5,290]

I'm a bit afraid that Mata and Sturridge won't start because AVB may think that it's a big risk to play them together since they never played before, and Sturridge is everything but a experienced Chelsea player. Still, it would be really great to see them on the wings together.