New CM? Or stick with Mikel and Lamps

[Stats 7,138]

How many of us think Mikel is one of the most underrated holding midfielders? I really rate him as a midfielder, his distribution is brilliant, holds the ball up well and breaks up play differently. When people looked at Mikel as a weak link, many of these views are enhanced by the media. But now his game has totally improved, hence why RDM chose him as his preferred holding mid in the team, whereas AVB seemed to lose interest. I thought he was excellent in the FA Cup final and Champiions League wins. If it wasnt for the media I am sure people would be talking about Mikel as one of the best in his positions

[Kojo 4,676]

Again, your comparing 38 year olds to a 34 year old. And once a week for Chelsea is about 35-40 games which is exactly what Lampard should be playing.. Lampard played 49 games last season and was effective. Nobody is saying that Lampard should play every single game. You keep arguing something that nobody is saying when originally you said that Lampard should be a squad player which you can't defend because it's a ludicrous assertion based not on performance or likely performance but just Lampard's age. And defensive midfield does do a lot of work, but it actually does less running than some positions. The way Lampard used to play, truly box to box on almost every play is much more tiring.

That's where you're wrong about everything though, did Henrique say that you can play as a CM?, NO HE NEVER!. He told me that i can play as a CM and we don't need any new players.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

disagree. fellaini, essien, mikel, meireles and romeu will all be CDM's. that means its just lamps (and josh) in the creative CM position. the schemer in the mid was our main problem last season. look at how pirlo's passes helped italy counter against spain. we do need a schemer in mid and if we don't get one, we will all be regretting it by december.

options -

1. Yohan Cabaye - history with hazard, deep lying, creative, good right foot, prem league experience

2. joao moutinho - portuguese modric although no experience in the prem league

3. nuri sahin ( as ss mentioned) - if added, he should be given time to develop and must be nothin more than a squad player

Is it necessary for a team to always have a deep-lying creative midfielder? Granted its a good option, but even one player playing further forward with vision can provide solutions to unlock defenses. Plus, I don't expect us to continue playing with a double pivot in midfield for the whole of next season.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

With all these playmaker who cant realy defend (Mata, Hazard, Marin, new RW), we need stronger CMs, not neccesary to creative, but just they need to pass well and defend. Attack has become more creative, but less defensive and midfield should be strenghten. We have Mata and Hazard, we dont need another deep lying playmaker, ala Modric, but just someone who can pass the ball well and defend (Schweini style).

Javi Martinez, Johan Cabaye or Witsel along with Mikel.

Or wait sometime for De Bruyne, we could play Lampard half of games (more important ones) , while other half to play Kevin. First wait to see him in preseason, then we should turn him into our new creative CM. He can pass, shot, dribble and eventualy, he will learn to defend (like Lamps, I am sure Bruyne can defend like Modric, but needs to evolve a bit).

[Mustafa 885]

Did you even watch Chelsea in the 2nd half of the season.............

Yep Yep infact i watched all of Chelsea's games this season ...

[English Freak 456]

Yep Yep infact i watched all of Chelsea's games this season ...

Then how can you say that Mikel is not looking reliable enough (referring to your first post on this topic)?

He played his role in the midfield without too much fuss under Di Matteo...and he's the best DM we have at the moment..considering Romeu is fairly young/still learning & Essien is past it.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

With all these playmaker who cant realy defend (Mata, Hazard, Marin, new RW), we need stronger CMs, not neccesary to creative, but just they need to pass well and defend. Attack has become more creative, but less defensive and midfield should be strenghten. We have Mata and Hazard, we dont need another deep lying playmaker, ala Modric, but just someone who can pass the ball well and defend (Schweini style).

Javi Martinez, Johan Cabaye or Witsel along with Mikel.

Or wait sometime for De Bruyne, we could play Lampard half of games (more important ones) , while other half to play Kevin. First wait to see him in preseason, then we should turn him into our new creative CM. He can pass, shot, dribble and eventualy, he will learn to defend (like Lamps, I am sure Bruyne can defend like Modric, but needs to evolve a bit).

Watching Netherlands vs Germany, I can see what you mean with Bastian.

Bastian is a good DM, but also creative, difference then Khedira.

Out of all those names you mention, it looks to me like Javi Martines is the closes that can fulfill this role.

[sleazyB 58]

Javi Martinez would be perfect.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Actually Xabi Alonso would be 'perfect'. However Martinez is the next best thing. He could become better even than Xabi down the track.

[Kostas 1,468]

I hate FIFA terminology. (Let it go on record that.)

[Strike 7,474]

Is it necessary for a team to always have a deep-lying creative midfielder? Granted its a good option, but even one player playing further forward with vision can provide solutions to unlock defenses. Plus, I don't expect us to continue playing with a double pivot in midfield for the whole of next season.

i am saying it in terms of chelsea. without a schemer, we would play like the dutch national team. 2 CDM's who almost never get forward. that way, the 4 attackers are left to do the job of attacking. even if the 4 are van persie, sneijder, robben, afellay, they are finding it tough to unlock defenses because denmark, etc will have numbers behind defending.

lampard doesnt have the legs to attack anymore and mikel doesn't cross the halfway line., mata will be forced to drop deeper if we play mikel and lampard leaving only 3 genuine attackers. this will make us run out of ideas in the final third. that's why we need a schemer in the middle.

as for continuing with the 4-2-3-1, i am not against it in big games but i hope we change our system vs the wigans and the west broms

[Hutcho 8,443]

i am saying it in terms of chelsea. without a schemer, we would play like the dutch national team. 2 CDM's who almost never get forward. that way, the 4 attackers are left to do the job of attacking. even if the 4 are van persie, sneijder, robben, afellay, they are finding it tough to unlock defenses because denmark, etc will have numbers behind defending.

lampard doesnt have the legs to attack anymore and mikel doesn't cross the halfway line., mata will be forced to drop deeper if we play mikel and lampard leaving only 3 genuine attackers. this will make us run out of ideas in the final third. that's why we need a schemer in the middle.

as for continuing with the 4-2-3-1, i am not against it in big games but i hope we change our system vs the wigans and the west broms

I dont think its fair to say lampard doesnt have the legs to attack anymore. Granted he is not gonna be able to do as much as he did 6 years ago... But i have been impressed with lampards work rate all season... And providing we rest him in the easier games then he can have a great role and do that for us for a couple more seasons. I think adding one more good flexible squad player to our midfield will be great but i dont see the need to go crazy spending huge as i think its quite a solid area, especially with the youth we are developing through. However saying that im definately not opposed to get modric for a reasonable price now Redknapp has left.

[Strike 7,474]

I dont think its fair to say lampard doesnt have the legs to attack anymore. Granted he is not gonna be able to do as much as he did 6 years ago... But i have been impressed with lampards work rate all season... And providing we rest him in the easier games then he can have a great role and do that for us for a couple more seasons. I think adding one more good flexible squad player to our midfield will be great but i dont see the need to go crazy spending huge as i think its quite a solid area, especially with the youth we are developing through. However saying that im definately not opposed to get modric for a reasonable price now Redknapp has left.

yes but what we need is an attacking option for mata or the DLP to pick out. having only 4 players attacking and 6 players back defending wont work. we have to be dynamic , so i hope we have cabaye and ramires in the CM positions. ramires can give us a good option in attack and has the pace and stamina to get back to defend. he will be our yaya toure

[Strike 7,474]

Actually Xabi Alonso would be 'perfect'. However Martinez is the next best thing. He could become better even than Xabi down the track.

Awaiting validation on this but i heard few spaniards saying he is more combative than creative?

[Blue Armour 4,436]

i am saying it in terms of chelsea. without a schemer, we would play like the dutch national team. 2 CDM's who almost never get forward. that way, the 4 attackers are left to do the job of attacking. even if the 4 are van persie, sneijder, robben, afellay, they are finding it tough to unlock defenses because denmark, etc will have numbers behind defending.

lampard doesnt have the legs to attack anymore and mikel doesn't cross the halfway line., mata will be forced to drop deeper if we play mikel and lampard leaving only 3 genuine attackers. this will make us run out of ideas in the final third. that's why we need a schemer in the middle.

as for continuing with the 4-2-3-1, i am not against it in big games but i hope we change our system vs the wigans and the west broms

I certainly won't complain if we do bring in another creative CM.

BUT, if Josh has a good preseason I hope the club takes a gamble and makes him understudy to Lampard. If this still fails, we switch to 4-3-3 and bring on an extra attacker..Like I said earlier, this deep lying playmaker is more crucial to the 4-2-3-1 formation.