🇨🇲 Samuel Eto'o

[John1611 77]

Mark Lawrenson does have his ups and downs, but he is spot on in what he says here:

"Sammy Eto'o needs to adjust to the Premier League after arriving from Anzhi - if he can get back to the level he was before he went to Russia in 2011, then he can solve Chelsea's striking problems.

"At the moment, it doesn't look like he is the answer, but we should judge him after he has played 10 games."

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Honestly, I think that even great Drogba in his prime wouldnt be effective in current team right now.

Our creative players are overrated as hell, great individuals but they are fucked up as a whole team. No connection and stability.

[zolayes 14,489]

Mark Lawrenson does have his ups and downs, but he is spot on in what he says here:

"Sammy Eto'o needs to adjust to the Premier League after arriving from Anzhi - if he can get back to the level he was before he went to Russia in 2011, then he can solve Chelsea's striking problems.

"At the moment, it doesn't look like he is the answer, but we should judge him after he has played 10 games."

it does seem strange agreeing with that tosser but ..yes....

[Henrique 9,133]

Eto'o making a difference despite lack of goals Squawka stats uploaded on Eurosport regarding Eto'o. 9.8% of the time he's outside the box, Torres. No wonder he can't score.

Samuel Eto'o signed for Chelsea to add some experience, quality and goals to the side. He has started Chelsea's last three fixtures but during that time he has failed to find the back of the net.

Here's our assessment of the former Anzhi forward's first few games for Chelsea.

Statistical Analysis:

One point worth noting is that Samuel Eto'o has had more shots than the other Chelsea forwards, with eight shots in his two appearances for Chelsea, half of which were on target. Against Fulham he had two of these efforts, with a further effort blocked.

Fernando Torres on the other hand had his first shot on target of the season against Fulham, having had just two other attempts (both of which were off target). Despite the fact Torres has featured in four games so far, this shows how dismal his performances have been. Neither player has been prolific, but Eto'o is more effective, given that he has threatened more regularly.

From a tactical viewpoint, despite his age Eto'o is also trying to spin in behind defences and create an outlet for his side. He has won two out of four dribbles this season, which shows that he is trying to make things happen. Torres on the other hand (who has featured in two more games) has completed just one of four dribbles.

A glance at the players' Action-Area graphics confirms that Eto'o is the more effective striker. Eto'o is looking to operate in the most attacking portion of the pitch: the opposition box.

Samuel Eto'o Action Areas v Fulham

Spending 38.10% of the game in the penalty area as well as spending a total of 20% in the wide areas shows that is Eto'o is peeling off to get into space as well as running in behind. Even at 32, his movement is intelligent, even if his first touch and sharpness in front of goal haven't been good enough yet.

Torres on the other hand, is not as effective at this. Often playing with his back to goal and coming too deep to ever really impact on the game in front of goal. From his start versus Hull we can see this:

Fernando Torres Action Areas v Hull

Torres only spends 9.80% of the game in the penalty area, with most of his action coming outside the box, in the area we'd expect a No. 10 to play in. This is the crucial difference. By playing in more advanced areas, Eto'o is opening up space for his team-mates, rather than over-crowding the attacking midfield area (which is already crowded enough).

Conclusion

Eto'o hasn't been great, but he is still Chelsea's best option up front, given his experience, confidence and intelligence off the ball. By running the channels and trying to get in behind he is opening up space (or at least trying too) - something that Torres does not do well at all

Come on dude, come on. After Etoo started in the team he played 3 full games and has 0 goals and 0 assists. Torres has one goal and one assist. All those stats are useless, since he is not scoring goals and the team is not playing any better since the became a regular starter.

[Henrique 9,133]

Oh really?

After all your stupid support for Fernando Torres when he couldn't score a goal after 50 games you jump straight on Etos back when he can't score in 3 games?

Bloody typical.

Thats not the case. If you buy new guys, you expect him to add something different and to solve a problem the team has. Right now Etoo is NOT the answer, in fact he lost many chances against Everton. Yeah, Etoo played only 3 games this season, but Mourinho has been tough with his players (Luiz was left out after a bad game, Mata went out of favor after few matches playing out of position, Schurlle was dropped after his bad game against Everton), so I dont see any reason to Mourinho give Etoo this kind of credit.

I also dont know why fans should be lenient with Etoo, he is not a new face, he is not a player for the future. We all know that he is a quick solution, he wont be here next season. If he cant provide as soon as possible what the team needs, people must criticize him.

[Rapkun 668]

I didn't expect him to bang goals for us during his first games. He's a 32 y.o quick solution we signed from the russian league, this is like a whole different world to him. I suggest we give him more time before criticizing him for not scoring.

[Kojo 4,676]

Thats not the case. If you buy new guys, you expect him to add something different and to solve a problem the team has. Right now Etoo is NOT the answer, in fact he lost many chances against Everton. Yeah, Etoo played only 3 games this season, but Mourinho has been tough with his players (Luiz was left out after a bad game, Mata went out of favor after few matches playing out of position, Schurlle was dropped after his bad game against Everton), so I dont see any reason to Mourinho give Etoo this kind of credit.

I also dont know why fans should be lenient with Etoo, he is not a new face, he is not a player for the future. We all know that he is a quick solution, he wont be here next season. If he cant provide as soon as possible what the team needs, people must criticize him.

I was one of the ones against signing Eto'o, but I'm also one of the ones who will show him support because now he is one of our players.

The guy I quoted was a Torres fanboy, for years he posted on here defending Torres making up so many excuses, then Eto'o doesn't score in 3 games and he's already making jokes about him.

We need to show Eto'o support even if we are very disappointed, it's a different signing compared to Torres, Torres has shown no heart or determination, we bought him for 50 million. Eto'o runs around all the time and actually wants to do something.

[Tomo 21,751]

Im guessing this thread is quiet because of the good game he had tonight.

If he can start scoring regularly he will be abigger asset this season than general opinion believes.

[didierforever 7,349]

someone rated him 1/10 in the post match thread.

i thought he was even better than just "decent", to be honest.

[The_Flash 1,144]

someone rated him 1/10 in the post match thread.

i thought he was even better than just "decent", to be honest.

That would be me. He was terrible, it's like we have a man down. He never looks like actually scoring, he constantly just misfired or hit the goalie, only got the 'goal' with help from the opposition. Lol.

Bad, we got him 5 years too late.

I hope he improves I always want people to do well but so far very poor.

[didierforever 7,349]

That would be me. He was terrible, it's like we have a man down. He never looks like actually scoring, he constantly just misfired or hit the goalie, only got the 'goal' with help from the opposition. Lol.

Bad, we got him 5 years too late.

I hope he improves I always want people to do well but so far very poor.

i seriously dont think so. also i dont wanna get into an argument cos i am too happy.

anyways i felt he was good. should have got a goal. good movement and workrate.

[zolayes 14,489]

we really need more ..but thought he was decent

[Rapkun 668]

He looked good, I wish he was faster though.

[Tomo 21,751]

That would be me. He was terrible, it's like we have a man down.

Sounds like every CFC game for Torres bar the last two.

[Barbara 15,149]

That would be me. He was terrible, it's like we have a man down. He never looks like actually scoring, he constantly just misfired or hit the goalie, only got the 'goal' with help from the opposition. Lol.

Bad, we got him 5 years too late.

I hope he improves I always want people to do well but so far very poor.

wow, I'm actually shocked to read it because I thought he was good. I could see someone saying he was at most decent or okay or even maybe bad, but terrible and rating him 1? way too harsh

I think he did very well and I'm starting to allow myself to be slightly more positive about the prospect of our strikers this season. they are clearly progressing and showing that with a bit more of sharpness and luck they can actually deliver it. notice the reluctance - which is entitled, but I guess I'm just too happy with us finally showing what I expect this team to deliver week in and out once Mourinho's new tactics are finally settled and consolidated

[The_Flash 1,144]

i seriously dont think so. also i dont wanna get into an argument cos i am too happy.

anyways i felt he was good. should have got a goal. good movement and workrate.

I want to be positive but he was terrible if he is our only striker I am VERY WORRIED!!!

I am not going to argue you, you think that, fine I disagree that fine too. Let's just be happy we won

[The_Flash 1,144]

WE WON !!!

[Blue Armour 4,439]

Happy with BOTH Eto'o and Torres so far this season...Hopefully the latter gets fit soon and both can start firing in the goals.

(It still feels surreal thinking about it...imagine someone told you 4 seasons ago, that we would have both Eto'o and Torres as a strike-force)

[zolayes 14,489]

Happy with BOTH Eto'o and Torres so far this season...Hopefully the latter gets fit soon and both can start firing in the goals.

(It still feels surreal thinking about it...imagine someone told you 4 seasons ago, that we would have both Eto'o and Torres as a strike-force)

a few years we dreamed about having Crespo and Shevchenko

[English Freak 456]

Happy with BOTH Eto'o and Torres so far this season...Hopefully the latter gets fit soon and both can start firing in the goals.

(It still feels surreal thinking about it...imagine someone told you 4 seasons ago, that we would have both Eto'o and Torres as a strike-force)

If we had the Torres and Eto'o of 2008/2009...now that would be a nice strikeforce....but both of them are past-it..possibly on the decline.