Eden Hazard

[laeth 527]

Off topic, but just looked up Torres on Who Scored and this made me laugh:

"Strengths: Player has no significant strengths". Haha!

http://www.whoscored.com/Players/4056/

Anyways, as you were .

[Thor 2,457]

Essien is long gone mate. He will probable be sold/let go in the summer. And I don't see Ramires playing a central role in 4-2-3-1 because he can't pass for his life.

Mata on the wing has proven to be disastrous, especially defensively. He simple does not have the pace to play on the wing. So what I would expect if we sign Hulk is:

Lampard-Mikel

Hulk-Mata-Hazard

Torres

Hazard is better than Mata, and you want him in the middle of the ground being the main creative role. In my opinion Mata did better on the wings. He seemed to get pushed off the ball in the middle of the ground, where as on the wings he had more room to move. Particularly against Manchester City. He was a non factor in both games almost with the amount of times he got pushed off the ball playing the 10 role behind the striker.

[Madmax 9,219]

Maybe something like this - (as things stand) -

Ramires -- Mikel -- Lampard

--- Hazard --- Mata ---

--- Torres ---

• There's room for some flexibility there while getting all our most important players in the side.
  
• Hazard and Mata can pretty much roam in the attacking band. In any case playmaking is a role, not a position.
  
• There is fluidity in the front 3.
  
• Ramires can break down the right while offering additional cover against a potent attacker on that flank, thus covering for the two luxury players ahead of him.
  
• Mikel and Lampard can continue the feature of their partnership towards the end of this season when if one ventured forward to close down opponent in possession or to join the attack, the other stands off/ stays back.
  

[Sheva. 5,373]

That would be exactly my team also, Madmax.

Which is why i think we need Witsel or Moutinho to rotate with Lampard and Ramires.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Hazard is better than Mata, and you want him in the middle of the ground being the main creative role. In my opinion Mata did better on the wings. He seemed to get pushed off the ball in the middle of the ground, where as on the wings he had more room to move. Particularly against Manchester City. He was a non factor in both games almost with the amount of times he got pushed off the ball playing the 10 role behind the striker.

I completely disagree. First, I'm as happy about the Hazard signing as any other Chelsea fan, but we are yet to see how good he really is. Just because he was excellent at Lille does not mean that he will replicate this form here. As for Mata, whenever he was deployed on the left, he ended up playing a more central position leaving the opposition RB to roam as he wishes. On the counter, Mata on the left always passes back because he does not have the pace to beat any fullback.

[Superblue 6,372]

Hazard is better than Mata, and you want him in the middle of the ground being the main creative role. In my opinion Mata did better on the wings. He seemed to get pushed off the ball in the middle of the ground, where as on the wings he had more room to move. Particularly against Manchester City. He was a non factor in both games almost with the amount of times he got pushed off the ball playing the 10 role behind the striker.

Two things to consider however. Firstly Hazard is a much more explosive, dribbling type player than Mata, and I believe those attributes are better served when playing outside where you can isolate a full back and stretch teams.

Secondly, Mata was clearly our one creative outlet last season. Any team with a brain could see that if they stopped Mata they could stop a lot that was good with our play and the chances we could create. Robbie put him in the middle to try and get him on the ball more in the hope to create more chances but in turn in meant less space for him to operate in, particularly if teams 'focused' on him. However the semi against Spurs was proof of what he can do in the middle when given time and space - he destroyed them. IMO he will have more space next season because teams cannot focus on just him when he is being flanked by Hulk (hopefully) and Hazard, who themselves will create problems if not given the necessary attention.

Exciting times ahead me thinks!

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

idk what the team wit hazard will bee next season but as long as studge is playing backup ST or winger i want him hear happy! ramires to be included in startin XI never seen one play so good then let fall through cracks. and lastly mata in cam, not on wings with that i presume our team is 433.

Torres

hazard--- hulk

mata

mikel ramires

cole ----- jt--- luiz------ivan

atleast evdryone is acounted for and is playin in ideal position.

mata and hazard can swap during game. ramires is givin task of being b2b midfielder where although he may not play killer long ball, can win balls and offer great numbers going forward. will back track and not have SOLE responsibility of defense. if this is where he's played his best why change that??

gettin back to hazard however, i like him being our nani, or cr7 or whomever u wana compare him to. runnin at fullbacks all day with trickey and ability to beat man 1v1 will FINALLY give us that much needed help goin forward. no more malouda holding ball waiting for cole to over lap so he miss him on the pass or simply bass it back. no more one foot, one trick, one idea of the lw. if we sign hulk, better allround rw that CAN defend and also score, something kalou just simply couldnt do. torres has cast around him that is more technically skilled than before and can thread the needle.

hazard givin his time to develop and settle in will hit stride although not at fast as we seem to be suggesting. learning language too, will be tough but hey who the hell cares he's got time on his hands.

*side note

our subs: studge, lamps, romeu, marko, kdb, azpili, cahill, bertrand.

essien, mierles, bosingwa, kalou-gone!

maybe though we sign one more cm just cuz were chelsea and in this rebuilding pahse weather we need it or not.

i hope it is moutinho, from wat i've heard great all round, though suspect dembele, or fellaini.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Cant leave out super frank...

Cech

Ivan/RB we may sign Cahill Terry Cole

Ramires Lamps

Hulk Mata Hazard

Torres

Such an amazing team cant wait for the season to start. If we dont get Hulk then marin or play mikel holding and move ram up.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Cech

Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole

Mikel - Lamps

Ramires - Mata - Hazard

Torres

Hilario

Ferrari - Hutch - Cahill - Bertrand

Romeu - Essien

Marin - Meireles - Malouda

Sturridge

Looking at that first and second team. I'd say we need a RB, so we can have a capable backup for Ivan so he can rest and be available to provide cover for CB if needed.

I think deep mids and attacking mids are fine too. Maybe add an inexpensive versatile player like Dembele so he can provide competition for all 5 midfield positions, don't think we need to go crazy for Modric. Lamps, Mata and Hazard on the same team is more than enough creativity.

Striker is fine with Torres and Sturridge.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Cant leave out super frank...

Cech

Ivan/RB we may sign Cahill Terry Cole

Ramires Lamps

Hulk Mata Hazard

Torres

Such an amazing team cant wait for the season to start. If we dont get Hulk then marin or play mikel holding and move ram up.

Frank will no longer play as many games as we think. It's long season, and my proposed team is one that will be used week win week out. Lamps for big games and injury cover. Everyone will play 7 competitions guys, and at 33 does he really command starting XI? Nah, he will be our scopes and nothing is wrong with that.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

As long Frank can regulary play along Mikel, we dont need new CM, but once he will be too old, we shouldnt rely on Ramires, he has not enough creativity, Modric type should come...

[Dec 33]

We have 51 games in the season at least and with injuries forbidding we will need at least 2 players in each position then versatile players all around. I believe a DR is needed at least but Frank is now 34 and not going to play 20 games in the season as he struggled to play 26 this year and showed major signs of fatigue in parts. I don't believe Essien is the type of player anymore so someone to replace him is in desperate need though I'd love to be able to say "Essien will be like his old self again", yet it won't happen.

Providing we get Hulk we will need at least a RB to cover Ivanovic/play against backs to the wall opposition to get as many players forward as possible, a versatile defender in order to cover for a player in case he is injured. I also believe we need a CDM as I don't think Mikel is very reliable at times and can be either good on his day or very bad and cost us, Martinez springs to mind due to his ability to play in the defence too and to continue the Spanish contingent we are having.

Then we need a box to box player in replace of Essien as I know you say Ramires cannot pass nor be creative but really I can see Mata dropping into an advanced position of space in front of the two CMs to get the ball and make the chances so all Ramires will have to do is get the ball, dribble it (in which he is good at) and do a simple pass to Mata or Hazard.

The attack seems fine to me though as with Hulk we will have a versatile set and providing Ramires and Dembele (potentially) can play there we won't need cover in which was lacking this year.

[hazardous 7]

Player of the Year in England, season 2012-2013: Eden Hazard!

[Chelsea? 892]

If pep gets the job 433 might be our best option.

Mikel

Ramirez - Mata

RW toress-,eden

I don't think inieata is that good a defender but he still survived in the middle 3. So maybe

433 might work

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

As for Mata, whenever he was deployed on the left, he ended up playing a more central position leaving the opposition RB to roam as he wishes. On the counter, Mata on the left always passes back because he does not have the pace to beat any fullback.

Two things to consider however. Firstly Hazard is a much more explosive, dribbling type player than Mata, and I believe those attributes are better served when playing outside where you can isolate a full back and stretch teams.

Secondly, Mata was clearly our one creative outlet last season. Any team with a brain could see that if they stopped Mata they could stop a lot that was good with our play and the chances we could create. Robbie put him in the middle to try and get him on the ball more in the hope to create more chances but in turn in meant less space for him to operate in, particularly if teams 'focused' on him. However the semi against Spurs was proof of what he can do in the middle when given time and space - he destroyed them. IMO he will have more space next season because teams cannot focus on just him when he is being flanked by Hulk (hopefully) and Hazard, who themselves will create problems if not given the necessary attention.

Exciting times ahead me thinks!

Exactly what they said.

[Kezza 1,965]

This guys the man!

[mannyfreshh 164]

This guys the man!

. Fuck yeah

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

^^ great post is that you kezza?? Don't try Nd hide it by saying "this man" Lmao!