Closed Brighton Vs Chelsea

[Kieran. 6,317]

Mata has played 5 matches in the last 2 months including 2 appearances as a substitute. He hasn't had time to go away for a long vacation, but it's not as if he's been playing non-stop. He played about 5 minutes at the Euros.

He's still been training and working out with the team non-stop.

[GhanaBoy 104]

cant believe Lampard takes our freekick surely someone else can. AVB was right to bench him last year , besides goals what does he bring to the table. He is not a #10 he is not a deep lying playmaker nor a box to box player anymore. Its just an English thing to glorify the english players more so than not. EX. Lampard Terry, Gerrard, and Rooney, some extent Wilshere, but in truth their counterparts are the important pieces to that giving team EX. Ballack, Cavalho. Xabi Alanso, and Christiano Ronaldo etc.. Now look at our midfield that is suppose to dominate Brighton it did not. And if my vision is correct they are no Barcelona. Everyone can see that Essien is past it yet here he is, Meireles is Mediocare, Lampard just in the team because if he does not play he complains, but more so he doesnt understand that the team no longer revolves around him. I feel sorry for Torres, such a midfield only works when you have a monster by the name Drogba, not your modern day striker that relies on service. I once said this revolution of our team is stuck half way. Our midfield is more concerning than that of the striker issue. Lampard and Co. need to take a step back or leave in order for Chelsea FC to move on. Our style is changing, unfortunately you cant teach an old dog new tricks.

P.S: Have you notice how when we sign a new player who is exciting and diffrent they eventually fall into the mandain patterns of slow passing and moving as the veterans...hmmmmm

P.S: what is di matteo's philosophy for the team because i seem to not recognize it, it seems like he tells the players to go out there and just play. Yet you can see Britton have a philosophy and a style at least.... ( at least AVB had a style of his own) How I which we had not won the Champions League and started EVERYTHING from scratch.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

He's still been training and working out with the team non-stop.

Yes, for sure, but training is different and not nearly as exhausting as playing in games. He deserves a break and he'll get one, but after that, he should be fine.

[bluezola 7]

People are right, the fact it's just pre season shouldn't take anything away from such poor performances. However, to put things in perspective Man City have lost a couple of games this pre season including against Oldham.

The biggest key thing is that given the players we have brought this summer, we should look to persevere with a 4-2-3-1 formation as Plan A, or some similar variant that gives us effectively four attacking options. Our defence on paper should be solid enough to give a good base for these four players to play with freedom. Man City themselves would be the best team to use as an example for this. The quartet of Nasri, Silva, Tevez and Aguero are given freedom to roam between themselves, making it difficult to pick up. When not in possession they are in position to press high up the field and have the intelligence to all revert back into a defensive position based on where they are on the pitch.

If this means we have to play a pivot then Ramires should play in it. He provides energy and drive. A player alongside him who can dictate the pace of the game and is more comfortable in possession such as Lampard or Mikel will allow us to bring the best out in Ramires. The pivot must be aware of defensive responsibilities but also too many fans are still taking a defensive mindset. We should be looking to be on the front foot. City play Toure and Barry, Madrid play Alonso and Khedira and United play Scholes and Carrick. None of the mentioned are what I would say specialist defensive midfielders.

Thirdly I worry about Terry in this new formation. We will be more susceptible to the counter, although this is expected taking a more attack minded philosophy, but it means Terry could be left exposed for his lack of pace more frequently. Without playing a high line like AVB, we cannot play too deep as it will leave too much space between the lines. I'm not for one minute saying he's not good enough and sell him, but I can see him from this season onwards transitioning from automatic first choice to a squad player. A possible suspension for the racism issue may be the start of Chelsea adapting without Terry at the back.

The 4-3-3 is far too rigid. It left us predictable by the end of it's span and it is all towards adapting to a 4-2-3-1. We showed how it can be utilised effectively in a defensive, counter attacking setup last season, and teams like Real Madrid show how devastating it can be in a more attacking mentality.

Have to agree with your point about 4- 3 - 3 being too rigid. It's been 7 seasons since we started using that formation, yet we have failed to adapt it in any way. Our front 3 should have been more fluid with 2 of our 3 midfield players being more creative as opposed to be just solid. The top teams have adapted their systems to counter our play which is why I say we haven't moved on. We should be looking to play 4- 2- 3- 1 now, especially with the creative players that we have. RDM needs to ensure that the front 4 do play with a fluidity and freedom that allows them to interchange. That front 4 should consist of anyone from Torres, Mata, Hazard, Marin, Sturridge and Oscar. These players are all comfortable on the ball and each has the ability to beat a players with pace to create openings. I would set an attacking training program around these players creating attacking situations and being given the license to roam across the front line. I can see why RA was keen on Pep and RDM needs to utilise the wealth of creativity he has.

The 2 defensive positions should contain a defensively astute hardworking ball winner and a deep lying creative passer. Anyone from Romeu, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, Oscar and McEachran. The latter 2 are the most creative deep lying players who if played they would get plenty of time on the ball especially as teams tend to drop off against us when the ball is on the half-way line.These 2 players would dictate our play both with speed and creativity.

Our games are being lost as we really are too rigid. You only need to watch Barcelona and Man City to see what happens when attacking players have the freedom to roam into space when in the opposition half.

I haven't mentioned Super Frank as I believe his role would be essential in the big important games and in games where we needed a lot less attacking intent but a counter attacking role.

[bluephoenix 1,131]

the only person who can bring the best out of the highly paid players: Jose Mourinho !!

[warnie_666 1,081]

Mata has played 5 matches in the last 2 months including 2 appearances as a substitute. He hasn't had time to go away for a long vacation, but it's not as if he's been playing non-stop. He played about 5 minutes at the Euros.

Doesnt matter. He needs a break from the game. It is important to come into the season with a fresh mind and relaxed

[milka 3,393]

3:1 , 3

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

This game was proof, we need s.o. to take us to the next level, a world class striker, midfielder or best right winger. Everything we produced on the right flank were pathetic crosses from iva or ramires, whereas our left flank was inexistent as a.cole and hazard had more fun crowding the middle.

[communicate 2,703]

I did not watch the game but based on what I read in this forum, the problem is our midfield again.

We have that problem since last season, nothing change. Our midfield cannot play when they are asked to boss the game.

[communicate 2,703]

This game was proof, we need s.o. to take us to the next level, a world class striker, midfielder or best right winger. Everything we produced on the right flank were pathetic crosses from iva or ramires, whereas our left flank was inexistent as a.cole and hazard had more fun crowding the middle.

That's too much too ask. What we need is one passer in midfield to replace lampard

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

That's too much too ask. What we need is one passer in midfield to replace lampard

dude, u unfo misunderstood me. We need one of RW, CM or ST. If i were manager, I would buy 5 or 6 players, an expereinced, solid back-up keeper, a regista and/or a proper defensive midfielder, a Right winger, a Striker and a right back.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

One reason our play was so uninspired and regressive today certainly rests in our familiar lineup.

Our first eleven barring Hazard were all players from last year, critically missing the 26 assists of Mata. Your not going to face the problem of lacking creativity and inspiration when you have Mata, Oscar and Hazard behind Torres. Lampard and Mikel at the pivot will be extremely important next season and must be defensively sound so the likes of Oscar, Mata and Hazard can thrust forward at defenses with a greater peace of mind.

[diskoviolente 425]

dude, u unfo misunderstood me. We need one of RW, CM or ST. If i were manager, I would buy 5 or 6 players, an expereinced, solid back-up keeper, a regista and/or a proper defensive midfielder, a Right winger, a Striker and a right back.

In real life, being a manager is not like playing FIFA12 though, mate.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

In real life, being a manager is not like playing FIFA12 though, mate.

Well in times of "revolution" and a "new era", u have to make changes. When Mou came in, we signed 10 players in Summer 2004. Fifa 04 had actually such a retarded transfer system, i never could bought that many players...

[Deanocfc 22]

Brighton did a 'Chelsea' of the end of last season on us and we couldn't break through. The tempo wasn't quick enough, there wasn't enough width with Hazard not playing like a left winger, and Ramires not having enough space to latch onto his customary over the top through ball. Torres looked disinterested (though his service was terrible) and it was a lifeless display.

With Mata, Sturridge and Oscar to come into the team things can only improve. If we up the tempo, have some quicker passing interchanges and create some more width the chances will come about. We needed this kind of test as it's similar to what happens when we play at home, but hopefully against City we'll be able to utilise the counter attack more. I predicted a slow start but it's far too early to get worried. Once we have the whole squad back and we find the best system I'm confident we'll be playing some attractive, attacking football.

But we definitely need another striker. I have faith this season for Torres but if he was to hit bad form or get injured. I can't see Sturridge or Lukaku being able to lead the line well enough against top half the table sides, or the better teams in Europe. From what I've seen of him, this Doumbia would be ideal. Not sure about Moses as a striker.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Embarrassing. all the media making laugh of us...

[Santiago. 1,500]

£230M team fielded, Loses 3-1. Enough said, no excuses.

Pathetic display. I had college tryouts so i didn't see the second half. Feel sorry for the fans that traveled to the game and actually thought they would be entertained by that garbage we produced. Many of you stated brilliant, these losses are not to be ignored, they are representing Chelsea FC, European Champions, and are making a fool of themselves to the whole world. I want hard work, passion, and good football to be displayed on a consistent basis but that is obviously to much to ask for the players we have out.

It is worrying, but i stand by my remark, judge them during the season.

-----------------Torres-------------

------Marin--------Hazard---------Mata

---------------Oscar-----Mikel------------

A.Cole-------------------------------Ivanovic

---------------J.Terry---Cahill--------------

----------------------Cech----------------------

That is our best option with the players we have. Luiz consistantly shows lack of composure and focus, Essien is past it, and Lampard cannot fill the pivot role to the way we want to produce. Ramires for rotation, Hopefully we get Moses/Hulk or Sahin and another Right back to then apply them to our style of play.

[Peace. 4,352]

I am not surprised by this awful performance, not at all. It was to be expected (though, obviously I didn't expect that scoreline).

Indeed, if you look at the team we fielded, it was exactly the same set of players from last year. Of course, at the exception of Hazard, but he is yet to be a very good player, and still needs time to gel with the team. So all in all, one can say we had the same team as last year with an out-of-form Mata.

Therefore, if you keep this in mind, it shouldn't be a surprise in the slightest that we are still playing a boring, uncreative and sterile football... Should it be ? Last season, whenever we were in possession, we didn't seem to know what to do with the ball, as if it was a bomb. We didn't have no penetration, no creativity, and we were only making side-way passes. Unless Roman picked up our players and brought the players to Lourdes, I do not see any reason for why we would have miraculously improved in the last few weeks. Hazard, despite the great potentiel he has, isn't the Messiah nor Messi.

The bottom line is that despite the fact we purchased technically gifted players (Hazard, Marin, Oscar), our metamorphosis will take time to happen. It is an error and a desillusion to expect us to play an attractive football right now. As I said in the Milan thread, Rome wasn't built in one day. We should get used to the idea of playing the same shit as last season for some weeks/months.

On a side note, I find it worrisome that as soon as we don't park the bus, we seem to revert back to the team we were under Andrès Villas-Boas in January. Food for thought...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

On a side note, I find it worrisome that as soon as we don't park the bus, we seem to revert back to the team we were under Andrès Villas-Boas in January. Food for thought...

I noticed that against Milan as well. The defensive line was too high and the CBs were too far apart. Not sure we should try to go back to that after last season's disaster.

[zolayes 14,489]

He's still been training and working out with the team non-stop.

then he should be fit