Pivot is the issue?!?

[The Mak 4,459]

I agree about 4-3-3. It just makes more sense for the players we have at the moment.

It's funny, when AVB was here, he was hell bent on playing 4-3-3, even though we didn't have the players for it. And now we're hell bent on playing 4-2-3-1 and, once again, don't have the players for it, especially in the pivot.

It'd just make more sense for next season to go with 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1:

CDM: Mikel/Romeu/New CDM/DLP + Chalobah/Josh/Aké
CM: Ramires/Oscar/KDB/Lamps (maybe) + Josh
CAM: Oscar/Mata/Hazard/KDB/Lamps
Wingers: Mata/Hazard/Moses/New Winger + Piazon

(I say + because those players will most likely go out on loan)

[Korea 734]

We should start realise that one or two of Oscar, Mata, Hazard, Kdb wont suceed here. Simply. Everyone is best when given free role and that is only one place in team (maybr two). Either Kdb or Oscar will have to play in CM in order to suceed. Mata and Hazard will always be wingers, but Mata is best in free role.

Having

Song(upgrade on Rambo)-Mikel-Kdb(free flowing CM)

Mata(free flowing winger)-striker-Hazard(dribbler)

In system 4:3:3 is best option. Only requires 1 new player, wont harm development of Oscar and kdb, will give control in midfield. Eventualy we need to think of who that striker will be and buy another class CB to replace Terry.

Song-Mikel-Kdb(Oscar)

Mata-Lukaku/Cavani-Hazard

Whooaaa!

In the long term, I can see one of the three amigos leaving Chelsea... Most likely, its going to be either Hazard or Oscar...

[BlueLyon 9,359]

In the long term, I can see one of the three amigos leaving Chelsea... Most likely, its going to be either Hazard or Oscar...

Well I would say either Oscar or Kdb because of lack of playtime or Hazard because of going to spain-rm or barca. But hey, we never sold players recently if they were in top form. I would hate to see Hazard leave once he reaches his potential.

[Korea 734]

Well I would say either Oscar or Kdb because of lack of playtime or Hazard because of going to spain-rm or barca. But hey, we never sold players recently if they were in top form. I would hate to see Hazard leave once he reaches his potential.

MATA: I think due to his age, he will leave, only if he regresses like Torres. (What top team can he go realistically now or near future?)

HAZARD: BARCA not a good fit for him... BARCA presses like animals, especially their wingers (VILLA DONT LIKE!).. Unless, he can overtake Messi as the false number 9, I really don't see him going... Also, where we he go on RM, unless, your stating that Ronaldo leaves in the near future and they don't sign Bale as his replacement...

OSCAR: To be honest, I think he has the best peak out of the three... Usually, people with speed, peak early since their athletic attributes decline with age, however, I don't think Oscar uses his speed or physical attributes...SO, his best is yet to come

KDB: Never seen him play, so NC..

[Korea 734]

Because Song isnt typical DM, he is more of box to box player with all from long/short passing, vision, strenght, tackles, interceptions. While Mikel alone isnt fastest, Song would cover up for him.

And with Song and Mikel, Kdb would have very open role as he would focus on attack more.

Alternative to Song would be Witsel.

I remember when Arsenal sold Song, all their posters stated how much of a defensive liability Song was to them... I did not watch many Arsenal games last year, so I have no clue..

[Joker10 946]

MATA: I think due to his age, he will leave, only if he regresses like Torres. (What top team can he go realistically now or near future?)

HAZARD: BARCA not a good fit for him... BARCA presses like animals, especially their wingers (VILLA DONT LIKE!).. Unless, he can overtake Messi as the false number 9, I really don't see him going... Also, where we he go on RM, unless, your stating that Ronaldo leaves in the near future...

OSCAR: To be honest, I think he has the best peak out of the three... Usually, people with speed, peak early since their athletic attributes decline with age, however, I don't think Oscar uses his speed or physical attributes...

KDB: Never seen him play, so NC..

Real Madrid??

I actually could see Real Madrid bidding for him, next summer or maybe even this summer depending on what happens with Ronaldo. With Mata being former Castilla player he would undoubtedly be a popular signing among the supporters.

[mediator 2,026]

Witsel is certainly not DM as he goes forward oftenly. He is CM with qualities of tackling and passing, dribbling.

Also Oscar and Kdb are NOT CMs. At least they are not good enough at tackling.

Witsel plays as DM for the national team and he is fuckin' world class there, i would say he is the better asset togheter with kompany.

As nb 6, i can't find someone better. As deeplying playmaker, he is just more than good. But as DM, he's got everything, pace, strenght, great passing range and so on. In fact he is a younger De Rossi

If i had to choice between him and Fellaini as DM (only) i would choice Witsel anyday of the week. He was first nb 10, after winger, then CM and when he became DM with benfica, him became world class.

PS: sorry for ma bad english, i understand almost everything but when i have to write, omg i'm like a virgin

[Korea 734]

Real Madrid??

I actually could see Real Madrid bidding for him, next summer or maybe even this summer depending on what happens with Ronaldo. With Mata being former Castilla player he would undoubtedly be a popular signing among the supporters.

Unless Ozil leaves (rumor to go to Bayern) and Kaka has really truly regressed, why would RM want Mata?

[mediator 2,026]

KDB can also play as a winger.He may not be the fastest but he has the skills,world class crossing ability and ability to score goals.

If we are going to sign Mourinho back, i can't see KDB playing as a winger tbh.

You can really compare him with xabi alonso from real.

Yes he is skilled, but the only place he could be world class is as regista into our pivot with a damn great DM. Other than that, just as (really decent) sub, a bit like oscar now as right winger.

I can see him only in the lampard role. (he is better suited in 4-3-3 btw)

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

One other issue I forgot to mention is the need for a system change. (from a new manager with his own ideas). We talk about getting new strikers in which we will and we need but the system we play now makes it almost impossible for a striker to succeed. This is the third straight season where we aren't likely to have a striker top 11 or so goals. That's not just Torres. It's Anelka, Drogba, and Ba. Sure, some of this is Torres' awfulness, but some of it is that we play a system where strikers aren't able to succeed. I think for the long-term success of a club, it's important that this changes.

[Joker10 946]

Unless Ozil leaves (rumor to go to Bayern) and Kaka has really truly regressed, why would RM want Mata?

Ozil to Bayern??? there is a actually a rumor like that? Don't see that happening with Kroos at his position, and plus the fact Kroos has the ability to play at CM, and would better fit Pep 4-3-3. Personally i prefer Kroos over Ozil, he is much more consistent anyway.

Why would RM want Mata? Take your pick, why wouldn't they want him if he was available.

Also If Mourinho is gone in the end of the season, i don't think Di Maria place will be safe. Since he was always a preferred Mourinho signing.

[MHL 47 378]

Why would RM want Mata? Take your pick, why wouldn't they want him if he was available.

Also If Mourinho is gone in the end of the season, i don't think Di Maria place will be safe. Since he was always a preferred Mourinho signing.

Which team wouldn't want Mata and Hazard - Both top, top quality players that would enhance any team in the world.

Flip side is say Jose does leave Real, who might be tempted to leave with him. It wouldn't be like at Porto when he left there for us as Real Madrid have far more allure, not to mention the top money they earn there. However one or two of the non-Spanosh players might leave. I'd take Di Maria in a heartbeat, there are some aspects of his game that annoy/irritate but he's like Robben was at Robben's prime but pacier with more goals.

As for this 'pivot' stuff, what we lack is a Makelele, we've not replaced him, Essien was being groomed in my opinion but had too many injuries but generally lacked the discipline (except those two games where he popped little Stevie into his pocket and wouldn't let him out until playtime had finished). Mikel lacks concentration and the sense of danger needed. We need a terrier in midfield to protect the centre-halves and retrieve the ball. I'd love to tell you who, but I'm struggling to find one who's the right age and fit for us.There's no one in the PL, maybe in the Italian league but the really good Italians rarely leave Italy to come to England and when they do they're either towards the end of their careers or they end up not settling and leaving.