Willian

[DYC. 7,542]

I think our inability to maintain possession is a bigger problem than you suggest. Against City we couldn't maintain possession, on the counter attack or even against 10 men. Against Liverpool after taking the lead, we were awfully sloppy. In yesterday's game Cesc must have been dispossessed at least 2-3 times in the second half and that didn't come from him trying a risky pass but rather from not coping well in tight spaces.

In games where the play becomes stretched, Matic becomes very, very sloppy as we saw against Sunderland. In fact the entire team's passing tends to go to **** when we can't break a small team down away from home or when we've taken the lead away to a big team. My point is that while Oscar/Willian are probably the biggest culprits, the team as a whole needs to maintain possession a lot better when under pressure.

Mourinho does not create teams to maintain possession and tire the opponent with quick and precise passing. That's not how he sets his teams up, especially in big games, he does not buy the players suited for such a game. If you don't that, you can't play that kind of football. So it's not an 'inability', it's a choice. Don't expect it to change.

[DYC. 7,542]

As for Willian, he's a 'team player'. He's like Duff back in the day or a more recent example, Pedro for Barca (before Suarez arrived). When you're winning, it's all good. When you're not winning, things suddenly become a lot darker.

I personally don't think he'll get better and that's okay, he's a useful player. I don't think Mou is expecting (much) more from him than he is providing right now. Next summer we'll see whether Mourinho wants an upgrade.

And Oscar is without a doubt the better player. 2013/2014 is over, let it go. He's enjoying a fine season.

[zolayes 14,489]

I maintain what I have said earlier ,, Willian wins back more balls than he gives away .

he is a ball winner in the mould of Wisey ,, look at the pressing he does ,, he never gives the opposition time on the ball ..

he does the dirty work brilliantly

[Dion 2,476]

Some people in this forum are weird. I mean, you see people saying every single attacking AM we have is bad compared to others all over the world. Some say our defenders are bad, some say Cesc doesn't hold a candle to the best CMs in the world and still here we are, comfortably sitting at the top of the table. Also last season we were fighting for the top spots even though we had some of our key players in REALLY bad form (Oscar) or injured for a few games (Hazard) and freaking Torres leading the line. Either we are lucky as fuck or our local rivals have it really bad then, especially because we beat pretty much every strong contender for the title consistently. Or maybe it's the Mourinho effect, but whooops, I've seen some here who think he sucks/is overrated too. And many of our players haven't even reached their peak years too, so I guess it's definitely divine providence after all.

I must admit I haven't been able to watch every single match this season but even in the worst match I've followed (Sunderland IMO) I thought we were still somewhat decent considering everything. There are still tweaks to be made (Sunderland could have used more width to stretch their defense for example) and some players can still do better (Hazard's and Willian's finishing, Oscar's creativity) that's for sure, but I definitely see significant improvement from pretty much everyone if we compare their performances right now to last season or the beginning of this one. How can people be so negative when everything has been going so well for us is baffling.

[The Chels 2,502]

Mourinho does not create teams to maintain possession and tire the opponent with quick and precise passing. That's not how he sets his teams up, especially in big games, he does not buy the players suited for such a game. If you don't that, you can't play that kind of football. So it's not an 'inability', it's a choice. Don't expect it to change.

I don't suggest we dominate possession as I know that will never be Jose's way in the big games, but with the possession we do have I'd like us not to misplace passes left, right and centre gifting the ball back sloppily. I don't think I'm asking for too much in wanting us to properly counter-attack rather than be a shambles with the ball.

[DYC. 7,542]

Some people in this forum are weird. I mean, you see people saying every single attacking AM we have is bad compared to others all over the world. Some say our defenders are bad, some say Cesc doesn't hold a candle to the best CMs in the world and still here we are, comfortably sitting at the top of the table. Also last season we were fighting for the top spots even though we had some of our key players in REALLY bad form (Oscar) or injured for a few games (Hazard) and freaking Torres leading the line. Either we are lucky as fuck or our local rivals have it really bad then, especially because we beat pretty much every strong contender for the title consistently. Or maybe it's the Mourinho effect, but whooops, I've seen some here who think he sucks/is overrated too. And many of our players haven't even reached their peak years too, so I guess it's definitely divine providence after all.

I must admit I haven't been able to watch every single match this season but even in the worst match I've followed (Sunderland IMO) I thought we were still somewhat decent considering everything. There are still tweaks to be made (Sunderland could have used more width to stretch their defense for example) and some players can still do better (Hazard's and Willian's finishing, Oscar's creativity) that's for sure, but I definitely see significant improvement from pretty much everyone if we compare their performances right now to last season or the beginning of this one. How can people be so negative when everything has been going so well for us is baffling.

The thing that kills me the most is that certain fans obviously dislike some Chelsea players? Are you serious? Maybe it's just me but it's damn near impossible for me to dislike anyone wearing that blue shirt.

[Dion 2,476]

The thing that kills me the most is that certain fans obviously dislike Chelsea players? Are you serious? Maybe it's just me but it's damn near impossible for me to dislike anyone wearing that blue shirt.

I thought so too, but then Torres happened. He made it so goddamn hard to like him.

[DYC. 7,542]

I don't suggest we dominate possession as I know that will never be Jose's way in the big games, but with the possession we do have I'd like us not to misplace passes left, right and centre gifting the ball back sloppily. I don't think I'm asking for too much in wanting us to properly counter-attack rather than be a shambles with the ball.

I will agree that the counter-attacking is not the best and there's definitely still room for improvement. Maybe the team still needs time. It's not that bad though, scoring goals hasn't exactly been a problem.

This team is not the fastest though, I think that plays a pretty big part in the quality of the counter-attacking. When the ball is won in deep areas, it takes quite a while for the players to get forward.

[DYC. 7,542]

I thought so too, but then Torres happened. He made it so goddamn hard to like him.

To be honest with you, I don't dislike him, let alone hate him. As a person, he seems pretty decent. Still doesn't change my opinion of him being an all-time great in the world of flops.

[Dion 2,476]

To be honest with you, I don't dislike him, let alone hate him. As a person, he seems pretty decent. Still doesn't change my opinion of him being an all-time great in the world of flops.

I see where you're coming from. He's always been a professional for us and it's not entirely his fault that he can't play better. But there was just something about the way he missed all those clear cut chances, something about his personality that I couldn't get myself to like, also his price tag didn't help, which is unfair because that's entirely not his fault but I can't say it doesn't affect my judgement. And that incident when he said there was a point he didn't care whether the team won or lost, sealed the deal for me. But even though I disliked him, I rarely ever (if ever, I can't remember doing it) would go to his thread and make a post full bash-mode or anything like that. The most I did and still do is joke about it. And when he did well I would come up and admit it. It didn't occur often but it happened a couple of times. IMO as much as you dislike a player, as a supporter you should never go full retard and say things like "he only runs around and does nothing", "crap player", "sell him". Or even worse, start an argument saying player X is crap but player Y is even crappier, wtf, are you really a fan? If you really must criticize, at least do it in a constructive manner.

But enough derailment. Torres is gone.

[The Chels 2,502]

I will agree that the counter-attacking is not the best and there's definitely still room for improvement. Maybe the team still needs time. It's not that bad though, scoring goals hasn't exactly been a problem.

This team is not the fastest though, I think that plays a pretty big part in the quality of the counter-attacking. When the ball is won in deep areas, it takes quite a while for the players to get forward.

The fact that we win the ball so deep is surely a big problem in itself though. Win the ball higher up the pitch and your chances of successfully countering are so much greater. In some big games like United/Pool away we did try to press high (half heartedly) but we also maintained a low defensive block, which meant there were big gaps in midfield when the press was easily overcome. In other games like City away we didn't press at all and instead kept a low block and very defensive shape, with which it was difficult to counter attack.

The balance between strong defence and strong counter-attack is still missing, which doesn't matter half as much in the PL as it does in the CL. Another reason for this is the poor decision making on the counter (I'm looking at you Willian).

[chelseafc9010 224]

The thing that kills me the most is that certain fans obviously dislike some Chelsea players? Are you serious? Maybe it's just me but it's damn near impossible for me to dislike anyone wearing that blue shirt.

Well we all can't be the super fans that will over do the 'I love everything about Chelsea' motive, clearly there are problems in the club like every club and people point it out instead of hiding away from it.

[DYC. 7,542]

I see where you're coming from. He's always been a professional for us and it's not entirely his fault that he can't play better. But there was just something about the way he missed all those clear cut chances, something about his personality that I couldn't get myself to like, also his price tag didn't help, which is unfair because that's entirely not his fault but I can't say it doesn't affect my judgement. And that incident when he said there was a point he didn't care whether the team won or lost, sealed the deal for me. But even though I disliked him, I rarely ever (if ever, I can't remember doing it) would go to his thread and make a post full bash-mode or anything like that. The most I did and still do is joke about it. And when he did well I would come up and admit it. It didn't occur often but it happened a couple of times. IMO as much as you dislike a player, as a supporter you should never go full retard and say things like "he only runs around and does nothing", "crap player", "sell him". Or even worse, start an argument saying player X is crap but player Y is even crappier, wtf, are you really a fan? If you really must criticize, at least do it in a constructive manner.

But enough derailment. Torres is gone.

That's the worst. Really annoys me.

The fact that we win the ball so deep is surely a big problem in itself though. Win the ball higher up the pitch and your chances of successfully countering are so much greater. In some big games like United/Pool away we did try to press high (half heartedly) but we also maintained a low defensive block, which meant there were big gaps in midfield when the press was easily overcome. In other games like City away we didn't press at all and instead kept a low block and very defensive shape, with which it was difficult to counter attack.

The balance between strong defence and strong counter-attack is still missing, which doesn't matter half as much in the PL as it does in the CL. Another reason for this is the poor decision making on the counter (I'm looking at you Willian).

I hear what you're saying. I've had similar feelings. But this is not a bad position to be in, widely rated as part of the 'big 4', with all that room for improvement.

I do agree with you on the CL. I really want a CL win but I don't think that's happening. You can't rule it out though.

[DYC. 7,542]

Well we all can't be the super fans that will over do the 'I love everything about Chelsea' motive, clearly there are problems in the club like every club and people point it out instead of hiding away from it.

Super fans? Haha I'm anything but that. I said it's impossible for me to dislike Chelsea players. I don't rate certain players but I can never dislike them. They play for Chelsea. Kalou for example drove me crazy but I can't help but like the guy.

[Cescy 40]

Do you want to compare the numbers of Oscar and other players in all the world?

I know Willian should improve, I said we should buy Reus, and even before the world cup I said I would like to have Sanchez here.

I just think it's really funny that the same people says that Oscar is increadible, are here saying that Willian needs to improve a lot, and needs to have more competition, when in reality since Willian arrived at CHelsea he was a lot more consistent and played better than Oscar and this season there is no great difference between the 2. On the other hand the only attacking player in Chelsea that doesn´t have direct competition in the squad is Oscar, not Willian.

If you check the numbers of CM or CAM, or wingers all over the world with the numbers of Oscar (and WIllian of course) you can see that he is far from increadible. And the same can be said about Hazard when compared to the best players in the world. It's the truth.

Oscar has contributed 3 goals and 4 assists in his last 10 premier league games. Numbers aren't everything and don't tell the whole story, but those are nice numbers and reflect some of the good progress he is making.

Oscar has as much competition for his position as Willian does. The #10 is Willian's better position and this season he played there against Man City and during the 1st half against Maribor (a).