Can Chelsea play with a false #9 like Barcelona?

[risslight 3]

Oscar Ramires

Romeo

Xavi Iniesta

Busequc

Big difference

[BOSS 372]

I guess i was right starting this thread, there has been reports that Hazard is starting as a False #9 today vs Juve.

[BlueJewel 56]

What is the obsession with a false 9, Messi is a better 9 than most 9's in the world and scores a shit load of goals. Hazard is not a false 9, I remember how ineffective he was against England when he played that role in a friendly earlier this year. He's been many things at Chelsea but a finisher, he's not. Sturridge is a proven goals scorer and scored more league goals than Torres and Drogba combined last season, he more than deserves to have a shot a the 9 position.

[Sheva. 5,373]

What is the obsession with a false 9, Messi is a better 9 than most 9's in the world and scores a shit load of goals. Hazard is not a false 9, I remember how ineffective he was against England when he played that role in a friendly earlier this year. He's been many things at Chelsea but a finisher, he's not. Sturridge is a proven goals scorer and scored more league goals than Torres and Drogba combined last season, he more than deserves to have a shot a the 9 position.

Sturridge is 'reportedly' injured.

[BlueJewel 56]

I haven't read anywhere that Sturridge is injured but if he is then Moses would be a valid choice for the "9" position.

[mediator 2,026]

In that case, we should play a 4-3-3 like this one:

------- cech ------

azpi - ivan - cahill - cole

- rambo - mikel - oscar

- moses - hazard - mata

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oh man I am nervous

[LayZ 201]

Aren't we already playing with a false no. 9 in Torres?

I don't see the point of this thread,if we can play with Torres up front then we can play with any false/fake/pretentious/phony no. 9.....

[Chelsea? 892]

Barca don't play with a false 9, the have Messi! he might not stand around like a #9 but he's Messi; No other team can be successful in the long run playing that system.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Barca don't play with a false 9, the have Messi! he might not stand around like a #9 but he's Messi; No other team can be successful in the long run playing that system.

Agreed. We need a striker. Barcelona and Spain are the only ones who can play that system really well for many games on end while still winning most games.

[Grillinnap 129]

By false #9, I thought the TS meant to insult Alexis Sanchez.

[Ollie 4,400]

We already use a false number 9 every week.

[Rmpr 8,977]

I DREAM THE DAY I HEAR MY GRANDSON TALKING ABOUT HOW HE WANTS HIS TEAM TO PLAY LIKE CHELSEA ONCE DID!

FUCK BARCELONA!

I get very angry when people say we need to play like Barça. There are many ways to play great football without imitating the cunts. I dont want us playing with a flase #9, either because we already are and because I am more traditional. Brazil (70/82), Santos (60s), RM (60s), Ajax (70s), Flamengo (80s), Milan (90s), Palmeiras (96) and Chelsea (05-09) all made quite an impact and will be rembered without in any way conecting with Barcelona.

I want a quick, compact, lethal and creative team, not some passing bullshit without a proper finisher. I want a team that we can all relate to EPL and Chelsea.

Imagine a good manager putting together the likes of Hummels, JT, Cole, Vidal/De Rossi, Oscar, Hazard, Mata and Falcao/Cavani and transforming them into legend. It will stay on forever and we wouldnt have to listen to "Chelsea vs Barcelona" comparisons.

Yes, I want us to have the same historical reputation Pep Guardiola`s side have. I only want it to be our identidy, not someone else`s.

[Spike 12,049]

I DREAM THE DAY I HEAR MY GRANDSON TALKING ABOUT HOW HE WANTS HIS TEAM TO PLAY LIKE CHELSEA ONCE DID!

FUCK BARCELONA!

I get very angry when people say we need to play like Barça. There are many ways to play great football without imitating the cunts. I dont want us playing with a flase #9, either because we already are and because I am more traditional. Brazil (70/82), Santos (60s), RM (60s), Ajax (70s), Flamengo (80s), Milan (90s), Palmeiras (96) and Chelsea (05-09) all made quite an impact and will be rembered without in any way conecting with Barcelona.

I want a quick, compact, lethal and creative team, not some passing bullshit without a proper finisher. I want a team that we can all relate to EPL and Chelsea.

Imagine a good manager putting together the likes of Hummels, JT, Cole, Vidal/De Rossi, Oscar, Hazard, Mata and Falcao/Cavani and transforming them into legend. It will stay on forever and we wouldnt have to listen to "Chelsea vs Barcelona" comparisons.

Yes, I want us to have the same historical reputation Pep Guardiola`s side have. I only want it to be our identidy, not someone else`s.

Imitating Brasil '82 would be more than fantastic. They could do everything and anything. So much talant and flair...my god.

Here is a hypothetical team I would like to see, it might suck in real life but on paper...

[Rmpr 8,977]

I liked it, I just dont believe Rambo and Luiz are worthy of a dream team lineup. Subs though...

This is what I dream of:

[Spike 12,049]

I liked it, I just dont believe Rambo and Luiz are worthy of a dream team lineup. Subs though...

This is what I dream of:

While his technical skills leave a lot deisred, I believe when playing fast, direct and attacking football his mobility, pace and energy does major damage. On the counter just getting the ball to him a postion where he can sprint, should result in a goal everytime.

[EdenHazard 163]

The false-9 against Juve didn't exactly work wonders, But had we took our chances. We might not be criticizing it, more praising it. When Torres' came on vs Juventus, Although he didn't actually do much. He give our players someone to aim for in the box, Whereas when we had Hazard CF he tended more to go to the ball and support players meaning no-one in the box.

Given time and training, it could work wonders. Doubt it'll happen now though, Rafa will most likely go with Torres until January, Then i'm expecting another striker. So no reason really why we'll have to play a false 9 later on.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

The false-9 against Juve didn't exactly work wonders, But had we took our chances. We might not be criticizing it, more praising it. When Torres' came on vs Juventus, Although he didn't actually do much. He give our players someone to aim for in the box, Whereas when we had Hazard CF he tended more to go to the ball and support players meaning no-one in the box.

Given time and training, it could work wonders. Doubt it'll happen now though, Rafa will most likely go with Torres until January, Then i'm expecting another striker. So no reason really why we'll have to play a false 9 later on.

I remember the ball continuously being pumped up to Hazard... he did a bit of both, came short and went long despite not having much chance of winning the headers. We need another striker though, none of this false 9 bullshit, it doesn't work unless you have Messi.

[EdenHazard 163]

I remember the ball continuously being pumped up to Hazard... he did a bit of both, came short and went long despite not having much chance of winning the headers. We need another striker though, none of this false 9 bullshit, it doesn't work unless you have Messi.

Exactly, Had if not been Messi playing the CF in Barca's false-nine it wouldn't be as effective and as hyped as much. It would still be effective as they're a good passing team and would create room for anyone upfront. But look at Spain in the Euro's, They played a false-9 and somegames it would back-fire. Media and fans both attacked Del Bosque's decision to play a false 9.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Imitating Brasil '82 would be more than fantastic. They could do everything and anything. So much talant and flair...my god.

Here is a hypothetical team I would like to see, it might suck in real life but on paper...

There is nothing wrong with that formation or lineup so long as the attacking players track back and contribute defensively. Football has changed from 82" when players could pick a wing and stay there waiting for the football. But with the right movement and dynamism, any formation could work. The only problem is whether the players can actually perform the tasks that need performing, which is more about (individual) characteristics than formation.

I have my doubts about Hazard defending though.

To me the real question is whether it is possible to play with a striker and still employ, at the same time, all three very attacking minded Hazard, Mata, and Oscar.