Oscar

[Barbara 15,149]

Pretty sure he will play both. Notice how Jose deflected the question in Sky sports interview: "Do you see him as a deep midfielder or someone to play further forward?" He answers that he sees him as someone who thinks football faster than other footballers and that he has everything, etc.

I think we shouldn't judge Cesc based on the two pre-season games he played so far. He's very effective as #10 too, more effective than he showed in the last game. His decision-making in the final third is great and his finishing is one of the best in the team. We must keep in mind that he just began training and is still only gaining form. He's not match fit yet. So I'm not sure what the best position for him is. Perhaps Jose isn't sure too.

have been saying he's better at #8 since we signed him, not after 2 games.

It's simple really. I'd rate him 7.5 at #10, Oscar 7, Willian 7.5, Hazard 8. in the #8 I'd rate Cesc 9 and every other player there bellow 7. It's a non-brainer for me. I'm not saying he does a poor job or can't play #10, just that he isn't exceptionally better than the rest there and we have no one that compares to him on #8... Also playing as a #8 he goes up in the final third. Where has Lamps scored most of his goals (except penalties) from? Being a #8 won't prevent him from shooting or giving an assist from the final third... playing him as #10 limits him a lot in the through balls. With players like Costa and Schurrle to benefit from his quick and accurate through balls, we could be deadly

[Sheva. 5,373]

If Willian play RW and stay in the middle, it's simply because José asks him to do so. He gives more control in the middle, most teams plays 4-3-3 nowadays so all of our midfielders are marked by someone but when Willian comes central and his fullback doesn't follow him, we have a 4v3 in midfield and that gives us an advantage. All managers have a way to give their midfield an advantage, for example, Pep asks his fullback to come in centrally and his 9 to drop back,...

I agree, when it comes to big games. But against the lesser teams, Hazard, Oscar and Willian standing so close to each other has never helped.

No one makes runs and Ivanovic just keeps crossing to 1 striker in the box.

[bababoom 4,478]

I dont get why people constantly say Hazard' best position is in the middle, IMO it isn't. He's best on the left where he has space to run into.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Barbara, on 01 Aug 2014 - 9:46 PM, said:

have been saying he's better at #8 since we signed him, not after 2 games.

It's simple really. I'd rate him 7.5 at #10, Oscar 7, Willian 7.5, Hazard 8. in the #8 I'd rate Cesc 9 and every other player there bellow 7. It's a non-brainer for me. I'm not saying he does a poor job or can't play #10, just that he isn't exceptionally better than the rest there and we have no one that compares to him on #8... Also playing as a #8 he goes up in the final third. Where has Lamps scored most of his goals (except penalties) from? Being a #8 won't prevent him from shooting or giving an assist from the final third... playing him as #10 limits him a lot in the through balls. With players like Costa and Schurrle to benefit from his quick and accurate through balls, we could be deadly

I'd prefer Cesc as #8 too if his defensive workrate were better. I agree that he's by far better than our other midfielders when it comes to pass distribution, long balls and through balls. If he can improve defensively under Jose's tutelage and his defensive duties don't limit his creativity, it's a no-brainer for me too that he should play a DLP. If.

But still, in big games I don't expect Cesc to be in the pivot.

[Barbara 15,149]

I dont get why people constantly say Hazard' best position is in the middle, IMO it isn't. He's best on the left where he has space to run into.

He's out best player, and he plays almost as good in #10 as in the wing, so for me he's the best #10 simply based on that. He's better than the rest, sort of regardless if in the wing or middle.

As if he is better in the middle or in the wing, I've said a few times I'd need to see him playing #10 for a streak of time. Just because he works better like that in Belgium it doesn't mean he'd work better here. But I consider him a better #10 than the other options we have by default, as he is our best player and he can definitely play well there.

I like him a lot as a winger though. Would give him a 9 there. I only gave him an 8 in the #10 exactly because I haven't seen him playing there for us for a considerable amount of time, only for Belgium.

I'd prefer Cesc as #8 too if his defensive workrate were better. I agree that he's by far better than our other midfielders when it comes to pass distribution, long balls and through balls. If he can improve defensively under Jose's tutelage and his defensive duties don't limit his creativity, it's a no-brainer for me too that he should play a DLP.

But still, in big games I don't expect Cesc to be in the pivot.

imo he isn't that bad defensively. He's strong, he isn't easily shoved around. He can tackle - even if he doesn't do it as well and instinctively as Oscar for example, but with Matic a bit behind him and Oscar by his side or a bit higher, we don't need him to be an ace defending. There are other players balancing him out - despite not being even that bad to start with.

In the big games I expect to see Ramires somewhere - or everywhere. It worked last year, so as frustrating it is to see him passing, I guess we won't fix what ain't broken. But then if Cesc is in better form than Oscar, I can see him playing #10 in those games, but even then he has to be much better than Oscar (Oscar needs to be the level of the last four months for us), otherwise Mourinho will also choose Oscar work-rate over Cesc creativity.

[bababoom 4,478]

I think Cesc is more effective in a deeper role (especially in our system) but he can play in the number 10 role better than anyone else in our squad. In his last few season for Arsenal he played further forward and he was unbelievable, scoring goals and racking up assists for fun.

[The Mak 4,459]

I would imagine Oscar will continue to be dropped for the truly big games and José to go with a 4-3-3 with Matic, Cesc and Ramires/MVG or a 4-2-3-1 with Cesc in the middle and Willian on the right. But if that continues to happen I don't see much of a point in keeping Oscar in all honesty...it's such a massive season for him. He really has to step-up, no more excuses please.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

He's out best player, and he plays almost as good in #10 as in the wing, so for me he's the best #10 simply based on that. He's better than the rest, sort of regardless if in the wing or middle.

As if he is better in the middle or in the wing, I've said a few times I'd need to see him playing #10 for a streak of time. Just because he works better like that in Belgium it doesn't mean he'd work better here. But I consider him a better #10 than the other options we have by default, as he is our best player and he can definitely play well there.

I like him a lot as a winger though. Would give him a 9 there. I only gave him an 8 in the #10 exactly because I haven't seen him playing there for us for a considerable amount of time, only for Belgium.

imo he isn't that bad defensively. He's strong, he isn't easily shoved around. He can tackle - even if he doesn't do it as well and instinctively as Oscar for example, but with Matic a bit behind him and Oscar by his side or a bit higher, we don't need him to be an ace defending. There are other players balancing him out - despite not being even that bad to start with.

In the big games I expect to see Ramires somewhere - or everywhere. It worked last year, so as frustrating it is to see him passing, I guess we won't fix what ain't broken. But then if Cesc is in better form than Oscar, I can see him playing #10 in those games, but even then he has to be much better than Oscar (Oscar needs to be the level of the last four months for us), otherwise Mourinho will also choose Oscar work-rate over Cesc creativity.

Yes, Cesc isn't that bad defensively, but he isn't that good either. Until I see more of him playing in the pivot, I'll reserve my judgement on this. I can see Jose playing Cesc over Oscar as #10 in big games. You underestimate Fabregas as #10. He's better than 7.5. He played great in his last season at Arsenal when he played a #10, making about 40 accurate through balls in 20-something starts.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I dont get why people constantly say Hazard' best position is in the middle, IMO it isn't. He's best on the left where he has space to run into.

I fucking love Hazard in the middle. I can't find the video of the away game vs Basel, but he was so brilliant there in that game.

He played a lot down the middle in the home game too, so here:

Shame he won't play there for Mourinho since he isn't the best defensively, but he would be so much better than Willian and Oscar offensively.

He ghosts past defenders like they aren't there, is creative, can start an attack out of nothing with his brilliant turns and all his little smart flicks *drools*

[Barbara 15,149]

Yes, Cesc isn't that bad defensively, but he isn't that good either. Until I see more of him playing in the pivot, I'll reserve my judgement on this. I can see Jose playing Cesc over Oscar as #10 in big games. You underestimate Fabregas as #10. He's better than 7.5. He played great in his last season at Arsenal when he played a #10, making about 40 accurate through balls in 20-something starts.

but our set up is completely different from Arsenal's, he wouldn't have half the freedom he had at Arsenal here and I'm not so sure with more things in his mind he'd be that effective. We just have to test him out there.

[Stats 7,142]

I think Cesc is more effective in a deeper role (especially in our system) but he can play in the number 10 role better than anyone else in our squad. In his last few season for Arsenal he played further forward and he was unbelievable, scoring goals and racking up assists for fun.

This. That is why sometimes I reckon we will see Fabregas play ina variety of positions and why I also think Ramires is still a key part of Mourinho's plans. In the final third, if we have Fabregas in a more advanced role he is one of the best players to have on the counter. Knowing how Mourinho plays effective counter-attacking football, when we counter with Fabregas on the ball we will see this method work excellently imo. Like what Real was like under Jose. Counter attack with their main no.10 Ozil who had Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria to pick from on the counter and they scored goals galore through this approach.

This is why the signing of Fabregas benefits Hazard hugely. Opposition teams know there is more than one creative beast in our team and Fabregas is one of the best passers in Europe so on the counter I just imagine us having the likes of Hazard and Costa to pick from. Can see Fabregas playing the no.10 role or more advanced of a CM in a 4-3-3 formation quite a few times this season. Especially when we want to kill of games because as I was saying his decision making the in the final third is excellent.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

but our set up is completely different from Arsenal's, he wouldn't have half the freedom he had at Arsenal here and I'm not so sure with more things in his mind he'd be that effective. We just have to test him out there.

It's true that he didn't have defensive duties and played a free role when he played a #10 at Arsenal, but he played #10 in the same formation we use: 4-2-3-1.

But I'm inclined to think 4-3-3 with Cesc as the most advanced midfielder and MVG/Ramires + Matic would be the best: less responsibility defensively, more touches of the ball and more opportunities for defence-splitting long balls.

[The Chels 2,502]

imo he isn't that bad defensively. He's strong, he isn't easily shoved around. He can tackle - even if he doesn't do it as well and instinctively as Oscar for example, but with Matic a bit behind him and Oscar by his side or a bit higher, we don't need him to be an ace defending. There are other players balancing him out - despite not being even that bad to start with. In the big games I expect to see Ramires somewhere - or everywhere. It worked last year, so as frustrating it is to see him passing, I guess we won't fix what ain't broken. But then if Cesc is in better form than Oscar, I can see him playing #10 in those games, but even then he has to be much better than Oscar (Oscar needs to be the level of the last four months for us), otherwise Mourinho will also choose Oscar work-rate over Cesc creativity.

After many interviews without mentioning him, Mourinho's finally remembered about Ramires by the way

"We have Diego Costa, [Didier] Drogba and [Fernando] Torres; [Cesc] Fabregas and Ramires; this is a club that wants to be strong and have real possibilities to compete for trophies. We need competition in every place.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/328809.html#4pS9ViSwLHPqJJ68.99

He puts Fabregas and Ramires together which further suggests Fabregas' main position will be CM. But could the order in which he says it be significant? You'd think it would be Costa as first choice, Drogba second and Torres third. Perhaps Fabregas is therefore ahead of Ramires and both will be played in the big games.

[Korea 734]

4-3-3

Matic/romeu/mikel

Rambo/mvg-cesc

Oscar/salah-hazard/willian/schurrle

Costa/ft9/drogba

[Korea 734]

I dont get why people constantly say Hazard' best position is in the middle, IMO it isn't. He's best on the left where he has space to run into.

because zidane played in the middle, therefore hazard has too as well...

[Barbara 15,149]

After many interviews without mentioning him, Mourinho's finally remembered about Ramires by the way

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/328809.html#4pS9ViSwLHPqJJ68.99

He puts Fabregas and Ramires together which further suggests Fabregas' main position will be CM. But could the order in which he says it be significant? You'd think it would be Costa as first choice, Drogba second and Torres third. Perhaps Fabregas is therefore ahead of Ramires and both will be played in the big games.

I think his first plan will be to have Fabregas #8 and Oscar #10, one balancing out each other defensively and offensively. If Oscar continues to be in bad form, I think he'll try Willian before moving Cesc there.

There's absolutely no reason to play Ramires in around 70% of our matches in EPL and that's why I see Cesc playing in the pivot.

[Korea 734]

I think his first plan will be to have Fabregas #8 and Oscar #10, one balancing out each other defensively and offensively. If Oscar continues to be in bad form, I think he'll try Willian before moving Cesc there.

There's absolutely no reason to play Ramires in around 70% of our matches in EPL and that's why I see Cesc playing in the pivot.

Wait, so your saying rambo wont play 70 percent of the games?

[Barbara 15,149]

Wait, so your saying rambo wont play 70 percent of the games?

I'm saying there's no need, if Mourinho agrees is another completely different story.

But with Cesc in the team and all the praise he's been receiving from Mourinho, there's a possibility for that to come true and not only be my wishful thinking.

Cesc is the answer for the defensive, bus parked teams we struggled last year, one would think he'd replace Ramires, but maybe he could play in the AM

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

IMO this is a great 'problem' to have. We can debate whether Oscar/Cesc should be our #10, or even if 433 is better than 4231 (which i believe to be so), but finally, just finally we have options and good ones at that.

[Madmax 9,219]

IMO this is a great 'problem' to have. We can debate whether Oscar/Cesc should be our #10, or even if 433 is better than 4231 (which i believe to be so), but finally, just finally we have options and good ones at that.

Wasn't that long ago when everyone kept dying a little inside on posting probable lineups with Anelka as right winger. The squad is nearly unrecognisable.