Closed Chelsea v Shakhtar Donetsk

[Kezza 1,965]

And how did Barca end exactly for JT? Ah yes, sitting in the dressing room watching us make history, without him..

Anyways as I said, would prefer the CB pairing I said however we all know it'll be JT and Luiz.. Hope for the best - whenever Luiz gets a ton of criticism he seems to up his game.

What? So you letting a red card take away his fantastic effort he put in over the home leg and first half of the away leg?

Okay, I respect your opinion. I just believe our defense is more stable with JT on the pitch

[Tomo 21,736]

I am shocked how certain people overrate Luiz., to be honest it doesn't really surprise me, just put the blame on Mikel or Cahill when something goes wrong.

I think you have Luiz and Cahill mixed up.

[Danelka 209]

We faced Barca over two legs, where we beat them. In the first leg Luiz and Terry were immense.

I don't really know about that, Barca had shitloads of chances, and had like what, 3 woodworks in that match.

Not conceding doesn't necessarily mean our defense was good at that match.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Luiz didn't play a single minute against Barcelona, he was injured.

Yes - I was thinking about the Napoli game. Apologies.

[Kezza 1,965]

I don't really know about that, Barca had shitloads of chances, and had like what, 3 woodworks in that match.

Not conceding doesn't necessarily mean our defense was good at that match.

Our defense was amazing! You can't deny that.

Yeah, with a bit of luck we got through. But if someone loses focus for 1 second, its all over.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Barcelona's squad depth is crazy. They can afford to rest Messi.

At Chelsea, Hazard & Oscar are still adapting to English football and/or learning each others game...hence we'll see some mixed results without Mata.

To be fair Bacelona has a super depth for midfield and attack, but they dont even have a third center back. Our depth is way more balanced then theirs (I am not saying it is better).

[Henrique 9,133]

Barcelona's squad depth is crazy. They can afford to rest Messi.

At Chelsea, Hazard & Oscar are still adapting to English football and/or learning each others game...hence we'll see some mixed results without Mata.

Fair point.

[bababoom 4,478]

I think you have Luiz and Cahill mixed up.

Tell that to all the Luiz lovers on here who seem to think he's our best defender... it's fucking unbelievable.

Luiz makes mistake after mistake yet Henrique puts the blame on Cahill, right...

How can so many people on this forum be so blind, or bias for that matter?

If Luiz was a united player i guarantee all of you will be laughing at how poor he is.

That's all im going to say on this matter, sorry i don't have my blue tinted glasses on.

[Tomo 21,736]

Tell that to all the Luiz lovers on here who seem to think he's our best defender... it's fucking unbelievable.

Luiz makes mistake after mistake yet Henrique puts the blame on Cahill, right...

How can so many people on this forum be so blind, or bias for that matter?

If Luiz was a united player i guarantee all of you will be laughing at how poor he is.

That's all im going to say on this matter, sorry i don't have my blue tinted glasses on.

How many Luiz lovers is there? im probably one off his biggest (as you put it) "lovers" but i still realize he makes mistakes. There are also Luiz haters and some OTT one's at that.

Henrique isn't trying to put the blame on Cahill at-all, his points about Gazza have been very valid, but because Cahill is seemingly the latest cannot be criticized player we have no one has seemed to even entertain his (Henrique's) view. Cahill really does have his weaknesses but from reading some of the stuff on here i would think he is the new Ricardo Carvalho.

Luiz is not our best defender, but neither is Cahill, Terry is and by a country mile at that, the last few weeks have shown Terry is the player we need to wrap up in cotton wool and keep fit more than anyone, over Mata and even Cech.

Oh and i wouldn't laugh at him at United, Luiz looks like Maldini compared to Jones and Rafeal.

[Strike 7,289]

How many Luiz lovers is there? im probably one off his biggest (as you put it) "lovers" but i still realize he makes mistakes. There are also Luiz haters and some OTT one's at that.

Henrique isn't trying to put the blame on Cahill at-all, his points about Gazza have been very valid, but because Cahill is seemingly the latest cannot be criticized player we have no one has seemed to even entertain his (Henrique's) view. Cahill really does have his weaknesses but from reading some of the stuff on here i would think he is the new Ricardo Carvalho.

Luiz is not our best defender, but neither is Cahill, Terry is and by a country mile at that, the last few weeks have shown Terry is the player we need to wrap up in cotton wool and keep fit more than anyone, over Mata and even Cech.

Oh and i wouldn't laugh at him at United, Luiz looks like Maldini compared to Jones and Rafeal.

fair point. both aren't anywhere near the world's best and when they play together, our defence is very distorted. i would have loved to have had depth in the CB department this season, maybe a Kalas or a Bruma but for now, we should get through wiith this. Luiz faces the public hate because of his obvious mistakes but we as chelsea fans should read more into his game. he makes very nifty interceptions and breaks up play. but the fact remains, he has conceded more fouls and made less tackles this year than the other defenders.

cahill hasn't exactly been great but he has done well against newcastle (august), united (league cup) and swansea recently. his positioning has been suspect throughout his chelsea career although he was excellent against swansea but i think having Michu for a striker helped a lot there.

edit: No point pointing fingers at each other. luiz and cahill both aren't World class and that is an inconvenient fact

[DH1988 1,326]

Cheers for not turning it into a flamefest Kezza, it's just my opinion, albeit perhaps a sarcastic toned one, about our CBs and I don't think he is top boy anymore.

Saying that though one can always cast their minds back to when JT and Cahill played together, although not often, they were quite solid and striking a nice partnership up.

Luiz is just a must for European games it seems as managers use the reasoning that they want one of our centre backs to be able to 'play it out'. Not sure about that sometimes I think Luiz is thinking whether to try a step over and a rabona to clear the ball from our six yard box.

[DH1988 1,326]

Also agree with RDM that we really do need a perfect performance. I'd love to have this game wrapped up in 45 minutes then rest players for Liverpool but alas.. We support Chelsea and we'll make hard work of it no doubt!!

C'mon boys, just once..

[Tomo 21,736]

@Strike, Kalas and Bruma IMO will have the same problem's playing with Cahill and Luiz as the pair have had playing with each other. Signing player like Hummels would cause problems for that same reason.

If we are to lesser our reliance on JT we need some one in his mould, a Subotic type.

[robdog 2,084]

I was just reminiscing, this match v Shakhtar would be a DD match

[robdog 2,084]

Any idea when the press conference before the match is? Should be some time today.

Here you go mate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXdD1wTR_P8

ok its not the entire presser, but you can get the gist of it.

[cripji 16]

Honestly,my problem wit Louis all dis while is his decision makin.he makes vital interception dis munite,n losses d bal next.His disgustin Long balls leaeves me wonderin if dats a trainin groun plan..Cahil,Terry partnership is beta dan Louis and any of dem.

[Azpinator 2,325]

This is Luiz best season here so far.

Maybe it's the Atletico game, I don't know I just feel worried whenever he plays.

[Kezza 1,965]

Fuck yes! I love Europe nights!!!!