No.10 Role

[Stingray 9,441]

I remember when the Belgians fan base where telling us that KDB will take Oscar spot and all that.

Lmao. I don't think the Belgian fanbase said that really. In fact some that did say that weren't belgians at all. We, the belgian brigade (if there even is such a ridiculous thing) did say he 1) has great talent and 2) performs better in the NT than Hazard has done 3) is essentially a winger (although a LOT on here said he couldn't play on the right flank) and 4) hs the potential to play in the CM as well.

No worries mate - he will come good. He hasn't had much playtime but he has shown he can do it. It will happen. Let's just wait a bit before ejaculating so prematurely

[couris 232]

Jose is going to turn Mata into a DiMaria? LOL

[remains of the day 564]

Against Basel Oscar scored one, hit the crossbar and put Hazard through clear on goal. Against a team who defended deep, that's enough isn't it?

Mata makes us attack better, but I think that right now Oscar can make us the better team. He's carried this team at times this season both in attack and defensively. Until he stops doing that, he's the number 10.

Regardless of Oscar's potential to make us play better as a team, the reality is right now we're not playing well as a team at all. He took five shots against basel (the most out of our players) but only managed to create two mere chances. Although he scored the goal but it was Lampard who created the chance for him and who also created the most chances on the night. I rate Oscar, I do, but what I see is a player who despite being on reasonably good form and besides being given a lot of faith and opportunities by the manager, has failed to really make an impact on the team's performances or results. Again, I'm not saying with any certainty that Mata should play over Oscar, all I'm saying is that the team is struggling to create enough clear cut chances and they're struggling to execute penetrative passes in the final third. Considering this, my question is, is Oscar's contribution to the defensive organization of the team enough to warrant the drop in creativity that we wouldn't have if Mata were given a run of games? I understand playing Oscar over Mata against Bayern, Man utd etc. But should we really be sacrificing Mata's creativity for Oscar's defensive work rate against Basel at home?

[Mustafa 885]

he just said in one the interviews (better check the Mourinho thread) his plan is to play the two of them together (I assume as AM's, no pivot nonsense), but that he feels Mata isn't ready to start the matches. So I think his plan is to keep Mazacar, but he won't play them until Mata is fit - which should apply to Hazard too btw as Eden has been below par - as much or even more so than Mata and that is while playing at all possible minutes except today's last five. I support Mata being benched and proving his value, but I can't understand why the same doesn't apply to Hazard - quite the opposite the more he sucks, the more he plays it seem

I understand what your saying but how is Juan gonna get fitness and sharpness when he's not even in the squad ?? He needs to be playing games like Basel (h), Fulham (h) etc. These teams are inferior and we dont need to focus too much on the defensive aspect of the team when we have the ball 60-70% of the time

[Stingray 9,441]

Again, I'm not saying with any certainty that Mata should play over Oscar, all I'm saying is that the team is struggling to create enough clear cut chances and they're struggling to execute penetrative passes in the final third. Considering this, my question is, is Oscar's contribution to the defensive organization of the team enough to warrant the drop in creativity that we wouldn't have if Mata were given a run of games? I understand playing Oscar over Mata against Bayern, Man utd etc. But should we really be sacrificing Mata's creativity for Oscar's defensive work rate against Basel at home?

It is a very good point - but it i one Mourinhou apparantly answers by saying it is time for getting new paradigms in. Oscar adapted and Mata will (as will Hazard). He did explicitly pronounce his wish to play both - but in a system. So it is a choice of philosophy really. To be fair - we have been crying out loud for some identity and a football philosophy. It is not because it doesn't look pretty at the moment, it will be a cruel system that sacrifices a formidable creative AM such a s Mata, really.

I understand what your saying but how is Juan gonna get fitness and sharpness when he's not even in the squad ?? He needs to be playing games like Basel (h), Fulham (h) etc. These teams are inferior and we dont need to focus too much on the defensive aspect of the team when we have the ball 60-70% of the time

Now that is true. I suspect a little anxiety avoidance by Mourinho here. He has had a bit of bad feedback, and maybe prefers to have the team up and running first. I, myself, ask the question why there is no Mata or KDB for those games. But if you want to work in calmer waters with your unscrambled eggs, maybe we should have patience a bit. With tho I gladly add, I think that is a weakness display - you should be able to play Mata regularly to get him in form. Not because this is Mata FC but because a fit Mata is a superb long term Chelsea FC item.

[Mustafa 885]

Now that is true. I suspect a little anxiety avoidance by Mourinho here. He has had a bit of bad feedback, and maybe prefers to have the team up and running first. I, myself, ask the question why there is no Mata or KDB for those games. But if you want to work in calmer waters with your unscrambled eggs, maybe we should have patience a bit. With tho I gladly add, I think that is a weakness display - you should be able to play Mata regularly to get him in form. Not because this is Mata FC but because a fit Mata is a superb long term Chelsea FC item.

Exactly ! Not having Mata in the squad on even having him on the bench solves absolutely NOTHING ! If Jose wants him to develop into "his type of player" he needs to give him playing time... LOL its not like Mata is some horrible player that will cost us a game just by having him in the team. This is our Player of the Year for the past 2 seasons... I dont know why Mourinho isnt acknowledging that

[Stingray 9,441]

Exactly ! Not having Mata in the squad on even having him on the bench solves absolutely NOTHING ! If Jose wants him to develop into "his type of player" he needs to give him playing time... LOL its not like Mata is some horrible player that will cost us a game just by having him in the team. This is our Player of the Year for the past 2 seasons... I dont know why Mourinho isnt acknowledging that

That must be something we don't know, really. I think he wants to create what people call a 'burning platform' in Mata. a realisation he needs to change and he does it the hard way. It is his style real. I also think he is doing that to KDB. It is something I myself do when training people.

1: Get them to see there is a problem and create a burning platform

2: get them to see that they can be a solution to the problem if they change

3: get them motivated enough to work on it every day

4: Hope their natural talent is enough to warrant the change ....

We will see if he can do it.

[OneMoSalah 8,824]

I think if we are going to see Mata and Oscar in the same team, with Oscar as the number 10 and Mata RW, then Hazard will have to be sacrificed for Schurrle who is more of a willing runner for team balance along with Ramires playing on the right side of the pivot with Mikel on the left side of it.

Schurrle - Oscar - Mata

Mikel - Ramires

Mata will try and contribute defensively but won't be very useful so using Ramires' legs and energy on the right side of the pitch will help I'd say. Then it allows Oscar to come back and fill in for Ramires' if hes missed the tackle and out of position. Still prefer Mata as the #10 for his creativity but this could perhaps work.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Hazard in top form should not be sacrificed for anybody.

[meetdoscar 335]

Hazard in top form should not be sacrificed for anybody.

You must be belgian or a relative? Hehe

[Korea 734]

I think if we are going to see Mata and Oscar in the same team, with Oscar as the number 10 and Mata RW, then Hazard will have to be sacrificed for Schurrle who is more of a willing runner for team balance along with Ramires playing on the right side of the pivot with Mikel on the left side of it.

Schurrle - Oscar - Mata

Mikel - Ramires

Mata will try and contribute defensively but won't be very useful so using Ramires' legs and energy on the right side of the pitch will help I'd say. Then it allows Oscar to come back and fill in for Ramires' if hes missed the tackle and out of position. Still prefer Mata as the #10 for his creativity but this could perhaps work.

I don't see Mata on the team regardless. I really do think Willian was brought in to play/start rw for us and Schurrle to cover and provide depth to all 3 spots.

KDB on the other hand, I really don't know if he has a future here........

[ANDRECHO 432]

I don't see Mata on the team regardless. I really do think Willian was brought in to play/start rw for us and Schurrle to cover and provide depth to all 3 spots.

KDB on the other hand, I really don't know if he has a future here........

The competition are .

Willian vs Hazard

Schurrle vs De Bruyne

Oscar vs Mata ...

Kevin was man of the match vs hull , the next game start vs United , is too soon to say that Kevin don't have future here .

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

You must be belgian or a relative? Hehe

If everybody is in form Hazard is our best player IMO

[LDN Blue 7,903]

If everybody is in form Hazard is our best player IMO

That's yet to be proven.

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

That's yet to be proven.

That's why said in my opinion, I know a lot of people will disagree

[LDN Blue 7,903]

That's why said in my opinion, I know a lot of people will disagree

Ah sorry, didn't see that "IMO" :tophat:

[Korea 734]

If everybody is in form Hazard is our best player IMO

I disagree, if everyone was on form EL NINO would be our best player by far.

[Weckerz 3,781]

I don't see Mata on the team regardless. I really do think Willian was brought in to play/start rw for us and Schurrle to cover and provide depth to all 3 spots.

KDB on the other hand, I really don't know if he has a future here........

The majority were drooling over KDB in pre-season, this season he had 1 great game and 1 average game, has been on the bench 90% of the time since.

He is twice the player Schurrle is (people who disagree don't bother, you'll agree when you've actually seen him play a few months), but Jose likes certain players for his own reasons, so if this trend continues you may be right regarding his future here.