Eddie Newton on Premiere League Today

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Eddie was a guest on “Premiere League Today” on PLTV this afternoon and some of the things he said were very interesting. Far from RDM’s secretive approach, Newton was perhaps a bit too honest. And while I’m sure not many in the club would appreciate his honesty on live TV, I think this one interview gave us fans more insight on the team than Robbie would ever reveal. So here are some of the points that I found to be intriguing:

1) He was asked about the situation with Malouda. And this was a mistake on Eddie’s part in my honest opinion. He answered and I quote: “Malouda’s problem is with the club. Robbie and I tried to talk with Florent with the respect he deserves for all he has done for Chelsea….but it was a situation that just got over our heads.”

2) Eddie was asked if he knew from training that Hazard was going to be this good and he answered: “Quite the opposite”. He went on to say that Eden was someone who didn’t do much in training. I guess this confirms the stories we read before we signed him that he doesn’t like training.

3) When asked about Lamps, he said that at his age he won’t be starting all the matches and that he knows it. He said that Frank is his own biggest critic, so he is not someone you criticize; on the contrary, at his age, he is someone you should hold back.

4) During the show, he was asked to put on the screen what he thought was Chelsea’s starting XI. First he stressed that our formation is going to be 4-2-3-1 and then he chose:

Cech

Iva – Luiz –Terry – Cole

Mikel – Lamps

Ramires – Hazard – Mata

Torres

Most interesting things to note would do be Luiz over Cahil, Mata on the wing while Hazard plays centrally and not the other way around. Though I would not read too much into that last point since the two would probably play interchangeably.

5) He was asked about that line-up and about Ramires’ playing position in particular. Eddie said: “I prefer Ramires on the wing (over CM) because I think he gives balance to the side”. I guess this proves that the manager sees Rambo as a winger and just a temporary solution on the wing.

6) Next question about the line-up was regarding Chelsea’s new signing Cesar Azpilicuetta, and what Eddie said was very interesting and a little alarming if I’m honest: “He (Cesar) was a signing to strengthen the squad…but when you have an established Right Back like Ivanovic you have to start him”. This obviously means that the Iva’s starting place is pretty much safe despite his recent form.

7) Another comment that I think Robbie would not have made was when Newton was asked whether we can play the season with only one striker. He answered with a rather annoyed tone: “It was the way the club wanted to go with.” He then added “Till January at least”. The way he said it, and it might just be me, it seemed he is convinced that Torres alone won’t suffice and by Jan, the club would realize they have made a mistake and sign another striker. He also said that they would play Daniel centrally.

8) Last, but not least, Eddie was asked about playing David Luiz in midfield and he said that it was not something that only the fans wanted and that he and Robbie had thought about it a lot. He said with the injuries, suspensions and exhaustion that are bound to happen during the season, we could see Luiz playing some games in midfield this season. I think this could be one of the ‘hidden’ reasons we’ve been searching for on why we let both Essien and Meireles go. (He also said a couple of times that Oscar could play in Lampards place in the current formation.)

As enlightening and insightful the preceding might have been, I think it best if we keep Eddie away from the microphone from now on.

[manpe 10,861]

Oh ffs, the most annoying part is that Ramires is viewed as a winger. I hope that's only Eddie's view, not Robbie's, but there's little to suggest that.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Oh ffs, the most annoying part is that Ramires is viewed as a winger. I hope that's only Eddie's view, not Robbie's, but there's little to suggest that.

That's the one I was disappointed with as well. I was hoping that Marin would take his place once fit. Ramires simply doesn't offer much on the attack if we're not playing on the counter.

Speaking of Marin, I just remembered something else that Eddie said when asked why Marko has not featured yet: "Marko has come to us with a problem (with injuries) and now it is the club's problem...it's such a shame for someone at his age. He got a kick from behind in training and his hamstring just got hurt and right at the start of the season as well." Judging by what Eddie said and by his tone, I don't think this a problem that will just go away or that he would be ready to face QPR, but I could be reading too much into that.

[Jase 43,479]

As mentioned in the 'Azpilicueta' thread, not quite happy with what Newton said about Ivanovic at the RB slot and him being almost undroppable despite his poor form. And looks like it was the club rather than RDM who made the decision to toss him into the youth team. Still not the right though IMO.

[dumps 284]

as mentioned, the most annoying part of this is the whole Ramires on the wing situation... which means it'll take a string of games of poor performances before he's dropped, which will ultimately mean he's dropped entirely and not even played at CM.

Luiz in midfield is interesting adn something we have all thought about, but i'll wait till i see it till I decide wether its good or bad!

The Formation thing is fine, but i hope if it starts to fail that we do see a change to maybe a 4-3-3.

very interesting though, is there an article on this or a video somewhere? I would be interested in seeing/reading the whole thing.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Oh ffs, the most annoying part is that Ramires is viewed as a winger. I hope that's only Eddie's view, not Robbie's, but there's little to suggest that.

Hope they change their minds before it costs us a big game. I FULLY BELIEVE IN RDM CAPABILITY !!!

[unclezillion 23]

If these reports are true it shows us all that the club is being run by idiots and or yes men

[CHOULO19 24,332]

very interesting though, is there an article on this or a video somewhere? I would be interested in seeing/reading the whole thing.

No sorry mate, I wrote that my self after watching the show.

Regarding Ramires, I think it is interesting that it is not the first time that someone said that his inclusion in the side brings balance to the team. If Robbie finds Ramires on the wing tactically important then he brings something to the side that we don't see. Despite being frustrating at times, I personally, for now will support Robbie's decision.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Don't think he's said anything we didn't know already. Apart from the idea of Luiz in midfield, i'm surprised they're actually considering it/he revealed it.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Regarding Ramires, I think it is interesting that it is not the first time that someone said that his inclusion in the side brings balance to the team. If Robbie finds Ramires on the wing tactically important then he brings something to the side that we don't see. Despite being frustrating at times, I personally, for now will support Robbie's decision.

I get why they like Ramires there. He played his best football there last season. Hazard and Mata are poor defensively and Ramires is good so he balances that out and Ivanovic loves to get forward so you need someone who can cover on that side so he balances that out as well but...he's off too a poor start and he really doesn't belong there. I won't go crazy if he starts the next few games (I think people generally massively overreact to a couple of poor performances) but I would like to see Moses worked in and then run away with the job. The problem is, there really is nowhere else for Ramires to play in this formation. The most interesting thing to me in this interview is the fact that they are going to keep the 4-2-3-1. I thought they would, but with jettisoning Meireles and Essien, a move to 4-3-3 was possible.

[RamiCFC9 258]

Whats with the balance crap really.You are either an offensive team or defensive one.You don't win games by fear but by courage, this same old Chelsea overly defensive crap must stop really.Playing Ramires at RW when you have Marin and Moses for fuk sake Robbie u are better then that, stop the coward shit.Look at Barca - back 4 + Busquets + keepr=6 defensive players.Chelsea recent team - back 4 + Mikel + Ramires + Bertrand FUKING EIGHT defensive players, kinda reminds me of Italian shit league, where they tend to attack with 3 ppl and other 8 sit in their fuking hole just to "protect" from counterattack, fuking ridiculous.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I get why they like Ramires there. He played his best football there last season. Hazard and Mata are poor defensively and Ramires is good so he balances that out and Ivanovic loves to get forward so you need someone who can cover on that side so he balances that out as well but...he's off too a poor start and he really doesn't belong there. I won't go crazy if he starts the next few games (I think people generally massively overreact to a couple of poor performances) but I would like to see Moses worked in and then run away with the job. The problem is, there really is nowhere else for Ramires to play in this formation. The most interesting thing to me in this interview is the fact that they are going to keep the 4-2-3-1. I thought they would, but with jettisoning Meireles and Essien, a move to 4-3-3 was possible.

Completely agree. I think the 'integration' of Moses will depend largely on our results though. If we are drawing at Loftus Road with 12-15mins to go, we are much more likely to see Sturridge than Victor.

Whats with the balance crap really.You are either an offensive team or defensive one.You don't win games by fear but by courage, this same old Chelsea overly defensive crap must stop really.Playing Ramires at RW when you have Marin and Moses for fuk sake Robbie u are better then that, stop the coward shit.Look at Barca - back 4 + Busquets + keepr=6 defensive players.Chelsea recent team - back 4 + Mikel + Ramires + Bertrand FUKING EIGHT defensive players, kinda reminds me of Italian shit league, where they tend to attack with 3 ppl and other 8 sit in their fuking hole just to "protect" from counterattack, fuking ridiculous.

You do realize it is no where near as simple as that. Each player on the field has a very complicated set of duties that cannot be simplified to 'Attack' and 'Defense'. We are a team that is known for our defensive style of play, we have adapted and relied on this style of play for a long time. Trying to get those players to play like Barcelona overnight is next to suicide, the AVB era proved that.

[Tomo 21,733]

I cringed reading that, far too frank from Eddie, not even Warnock is that straight to the point.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I cringed reading that, far too frank from Eddie, not even Warnock is that straight to the point.

Wait till tomorrow when the papers come out with all the exaggerated stories

[Term-X 7,891]

Ramires considered a winger, Ivanovic untouchable despite his form...

Oh dear, If this had come from RDM, Roman would be well within his rights to terminate his contract on the spot.

[Tomo 21,733]

Ramires considered a winger, Ivanovic untouchable despite his form...

Oh dear, If this had come from RDM, Roman would be well within his rights to terminate his contract on the spot.

Do you reckon Eddie got permission from Robbie to say all this, if not i can't see Robbie being too happy about it.

Another thing worth considering is some of the things said in this interview could be a bluff, i hope some parts of it are

[The Skipper 20,593]

I think people are overreacting a little.

Nowhere did EN say that Ivanovic wouldn't be dropped if he had shocker after shocker. It's only the start of the season, Azpilicueta still has to integrate into the squad. Just because EN said he was brought in as a squad player doesn't mean Ivanovic is untouchable.

[Term-X 7,891]

I think people are overreacting a little.

Nowhere did EN say that Ivanovic wouldn't be dropped if he had shocker after shocker. It's only the start of the season, Azpilicueta still has to integrate into the squad. Just because EN said he was brought in as a squad player doesn't mean Ivanovic is untouchable.

Conveniently missing out the part about Ramires I see..

Ivanovic has had 'shocker after shocker', and regardless of how integrated Azpi is, he couldn't do much worse.