Oscar

[Jase 43,479]

maybe to others or to the team in general it isn't, but I think in Oscar's case it was a bomb ticking and waiting to blow in our faces. It's obvious he isn't the strongest guy around and not the most physical. The amount of matches he took part in nearly two years is ridiculous and it's taking its toll on him.

He needs a couple or three matches in a row without taking any part in the matches. Just like Terry had (although he did have a minor injury).

Eden himself doesn't look too far from getting burned out imo and Willian is still adapting as well as Schurrle - let alone Salah. If we don't protect Oscar now and when he's back, Eden, we'll risk highly losing one or both at the final sprint of the season. It's easily predictable and anyone who pays a little attention can see those things coming.

Agree that there should be a tad more rotation but not buying the excuse for others especially we have had good amount of rest days in between matches in last 1 3/4 months. If this was last season, then yeah. This season, no.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Messi too had too many games for 2 years straight and he's not the same again. That's why barcelona are not as good as before.

Oscar needs one or two weeks rest.

[The Skipper 20,609]

maybe to others or to the team in general it isn't, but I think in Oscar's case it was a bomb ticking and waiting to blow in our faces. It's obvious he isn't the strongest guy around and not the most physical. The amount of matches he took part in nearly two years is ridiculous and it's taking its toll on him.

He needs a couple or three matches in a row without taking any part in the matches. Just like Terry had (although he did have a minor injury).

Eden himself doesn't look too far from getting burned out imo and Willian is still adapting as well as Schurrle - let alone Salah. If we don't protect Oscar now and when he's back, Eden, we'll risk highly losing one or both at the final sprint of the season. It's easily predictable and anyone who pays a little attention can see those things coming.

The only reason I wish we kept one of Mata or KDB this season is exactly because of this - it was inevitable. Oscar's burn out was going to come sooner rather than later.

[bababoom 4,478]

If he's burnt out we should drop him, the last few months he's been awful, absolutely awful. He may work hard for the team, but i'm sorry, on current form we need more attacking wise, lately he has looked useless going forward.

I'm just being brutally honest, we cannot afford to have any more passengers... we're trying to win the league.

[Jase 43,479]

Messi too had too many games for 2 years straight and he's not the same again. That's why barcelona are not as good as before.

Oscar needs one or two weeks rest.

Oscar would have been OK by now if he only needed 1-2 weeks rest. Already had it in past few weeks. Agreed with Barbara's point. Think Oscar needs a more sustained period of rest but don't think that's gonna happen with crucial games coming thick and fast and this being the World Cup year is not helping either. Having so many much in recent years, think Oscar could do with a total shut out from football altogether for awhile. Will help to recover physically and mentally when you take a step back from something you have done too much sometimes but it ain't gonna happen and guess it will depend to how Mourinho manages him with rest here and there from matches.

And on Messi, think the problem with him was more of the fact Barcelona tried to rush him back from injuries and not giving him time to recover rather playing too much. He does play a lot yes but don't think that was the cause of the issue.

The only reason I wish we kept one of Mata or KDB this season is exactly because of this - it was inevitable. Oscar's burn out was going to come sooner rather than later.

Agree with the notion. It's still a mystery why Schurrle isn't getting more game time but in Salah's case, because he has to adapt and get familiar with the league, our playing style etc, we can't afford to risk playing just to do so in games where we practically have to win, every one of them. Hence, if anything, that was the one downside of selling Mata. Doesn't fit Mourinho's style ultimately yes but at least he had time and close enough to adapt and know what Mourinho wants in this system. Even he himself believed Mata would have played a big part had he stayed but that goes out of the window and now we have a slight problem with Salah.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Utterly terrible today, should have been subbed half an hour into the game. Not even defensively decent, like he often is. Hopefully he can recover now, because Hazard is being forced to play on his own too often.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

If he's burnt out we should drop him, the last few months he's been awful, absolutely awful. He may work hard for the team, but i'm sorry, on current form we need more attacking wise, lately he has looked useless going forward.

I'm just being brutally honest, we cannot afford to have any more passengers... we're trying to win the league.

Well I don't think he is burnt out at all. He is Just young. He is still inconsistant which is ok. All players sometimes drop in form for a bit and then regain it back and furthermore progress. That's why people say most players reach their prime by 26 or 27. All great players went through that phase. The lad is clearly talented and skilled and has huge potential more than what he has shown in the past. I think during times like these it is best to support the player as much as possible. I am sure that he is not currently happy and his self confidence might be shaking a bit. But I am confident the Mourinho will be stand behind his back and the rest of the squad. I am hoping fans do the same cause they remain the strongest confidence and motivational boost for any player.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

The entire team is knackered due to Jose's lack of rotation.

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

The entire team is knackered due to Jose's lack of rotation.

But when Lampard, Torres and Mikel are in the starting 11 everyone moans!

Salah isn't ready yet and I dunno what is up with Shurrle never being picked although, he's pretty average. Today's performance shows why Azpi starts ahead of Cole

Our bench is not that strong, it looked a lot better on paper when Mata was on it

[Stats 7,142]

We got a lot of money for Mata but ultimately making the decision to sell him in January may be difference in us winning the league or not. Oscar has not been playing well recently which I am sure is temporary as class is permanent but to take him out of the firing line, Mata would have been the perfect replacement. Yes, he has not suited Mourinho's style of play but he would of had to adjust and like Mourinho said before Mata left, he still had a big part to play this season and us leaving out Oscar for a bit and playing Mata would still give us a cutting edge and much more prominent threat going forward.

That is the predicament we leave ourselves in. We made a great business decision in selling Mata considering he was not getting starts however the fact we done it in January like stated now creates possible problems as apart from Hazard, going forward we look weak sometimes and we are just scathing through games recently and had we had Mata around I would not really view it as a problem if Oscar was not playing well as you have another no.10 who might not be as good tracking back but is much more of a threat creating chances and would of gradually adapted more to Mourinho's pressing style.

If Oscar is given a rest for a bit maybe it is best we go 4-3-3 or so which suits Ramires and Lamps more while you still have Hazard at LW doing what he does best.

[JDY 1,290]

I think he's had an up and down past few months, and I definitely wouldn't go along with the notion that he's been awful. Considering the way he started the season he was always going to drop off a bit.

[Barbara 15,149]

If he's burnt out we should drop him, the last few months he's been awful, absolutely awful. He may work hard for the team, but i'm sorry, on current form we need more attacking wise, lately he has looked useless going forward.

I'm just being brutally honest, we cannot afford to have any more passengers... we're trying to win the league.

He hasn't been awful the last few months. Don't know which team you've been watching, but definitely not Chelsea if you state such a thing.

He's had a few very poor matches recently, but they were still mixed with good ones and decent ones.

And, no, we are not trying to win the league, but we may win the league. The goal was never this and as the team progressed more than Mourinho maybe expected, or preferred to bet on, we're very much in the title race. This team isn't being built for this season, but if stronger teams such as City or more stable such as Arsenal won't win it, we gladly will.

We can agree to disagree though.

[communicate 2,703]

But when Lampard, Torres and Mikel are in the starting 11 everyone moans!

Salah isn't ready yet and I dunno what is up with Shurrle never being picked although, he's pretty average. Today's performance shows why Azpi starts ahead of Cole

Our bench is not that strong, it looked a lot better on paper when Mata was on it

If all three play at the same time everyone will complain but rotation is important

[Reddish-Blue 2,493]

He hasn't been awful the last few months. Don't know which team you've been watching, but definitely not Chelsea if you state such a thing.

He's had a few very poor matches recently, but they were still mixed with good ones and decent ones.

And, no, we are not trying to win the league, but we may win the league. The goal was never this and as the team progressed more than Mourinho maybe expected, or preferred to bet on, we're very much in the title race. This team isn't being built for this season, but if stronger teams such as City or more stable such as Arsenal won't win it, we gladly will.

We can agree to disagree though.

He has been pretty awful of recent times.

Now I wish we had kept hold of De Bruyne...to play the backup CAM role for the rest of this season. We could of sold him at the end of the season..rather than January

[Joe Ay 66]

On current form, Oscar needs to be benched. Really frustrating to watch him recently as he contributes little to our offensive game. I'd like to see Hazard as our no. 10 with Willian and Shurrle on the flanks for the next few games.