Nemanja Matic

[OneMoSalah 8,783]

I wish Matic was more involved in attack, take more shots etc, like Yaya, but I think its impossible here because we would be too open at back then because Cesc or Oscar cant cover him as holding midfielders...unless we get someone like Pogba, that would give Matic just bit more freedom.

We have a player like that when he plays, who is more involved in attack and does defensive work as well and his name is Ramires but he sits on the bench. For bigger games if we are to go for a more athletic, balanced and dynamic midfield, using Rami at the expense of Oscar (can't see us dropping Cesc in favor of Oscar to get Rami in the team tbh) is essential if we play say Man City where they have a very powerful midfield as well as a technical one.

But Matic is not a box to box midfielder who can do both things say as well as Ramires because quite frankly he's a 6 and his best attributes are probably reading the game, intercepting and tackling. He's a very multifunctional player though with a rounded skill set which makes him so good as he doesn't just tackle or always play it safe and pass sideways/backwards (like Daley Blind has done a lot of for United recently before his injury) he can dribble players while under pressure pretty well, he has a decent ping on him and sees things going forward be it passes inbetween the lines to Oscar/Hazard/Willian or long passes like the one for Salah in the Arsenal game but if he is given more freedom we lose that protection he gives us as he will then have more of an emphasis to go and play higher or play more as a box to box player when he normally sits a bit deeper than Cesc to sweep anything up and give the team a platform to build on.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Have a nice rest, Matic.

[mikeholiday 209]

He will be missed.

[iseah100 5,612]

Costa back, Matic out. FUCK.

[mikeholiday 209]

Could turn out good for Chelsea as Newcastle don't know how we wil line up. COULD

[ZOS 580]

it's very frightening how indispensable this guy is becoming to the squad ... Saturday will be interesting

[DoubleO 192]

this guy is such a monster in midfield... so many vital interceptions yesterday, like always. seriously think he's the best player in the world at the moment in his own category.

[blu35_army 551]

prepare the spider for boxing day.....

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I think we should cope just fine without him. We're lucky that the suspensions have been to players that, although key for the team, have backup players that are very similar to them. Now, Cesc on the other hand, I think we'll struggle without him.

[DavidEU 2,023]

I think we should cope just fine without him. We're lucky that the suspensions have been to players that, although key for the team, have backup players that are very similar to them. Now, Cesc on the other hand, I think we'll struggle without him.

Jose will be in his ear making sure he doesn't get booked this weekend, and then the exact opposite for the following weekend. He'll want Cesc suspended for Derby.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Jose will be in his ear making sure he doesn't get booked this weekend, and then the exact opposite for the following weekend. He'll want Cesc suspended for Derby.

Yeah, I'm confident that Cesc is very smart that way that he can most probably control when he will get the fifth card. Obviously before Derby would be ideal.

[dee25 1,044]

We'll probably manage without Matic only because Jose is probably one of the best managers when it comes to adapting to circumstances. But don't get it twisted, the defensive contributions of Matic vs that of Mikel is not even comparable in the slightest....in the slightest. Yeah Mikel will come in and do a decent enough job of staying in position and keeping the shape, but in terms of athleticism, physicality, tackling abilities - Mikel is a big drop off from Matic.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Contrary to the popular belief here, I actually think a Mikel - Cesc pivot would work well. Obviously JOM won't be able to provide the broad range of dynamics Matic does but I think it would actually work pretty well, even if Oscar still played his auxiliary number 10 role.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Contrary to the popular belief here, I actually think a Mikel - Cesc pivot would work well. Obviously JOM won't be able to provide the broad range of dynamics Matic does but I think it would actually work pretty well, even if Oscar still played his auxiliary number 10 role.

It would work well in controlling possession, but who is going to win the ball back?

To replace Matic, you'll have to play Mikel and Ramires together lol.

[The Skipper 20,593]

It would work well in controlling possession, but who is going to win the ball back?

To replace Matic, you'll have to play Mikel and Ramires together lol.

Hence why I said different dynamics. Of course Mikel won't replace Matic's functionality in the team.

Edit:

Just to follow up on that, essentially a Mikel - Cesc pivot would give the team a completely different look and feel. Yes, we won't have the complete midfield dominance (especially in winning the ball back) Matic provides, but it's still a pretty solid base. The team dynamics would automatically change into something more akin to what Barcelona ran a few years ago (obviously not as good though). I'm thinking something like Mikel (Busquets), Cesc (Xavi) and Oscar (Iniesta). If we had a possession first game plan, it would work well. Essentially we wouldn't have to win the ball back as much because having the ball is our protection.

[dee25 1,044]

Contrary to the popular belief here, I actually think a Mikel - Cesc pivot would work well. Obviously JOM won't be able to provide the broad range of dynamics Matic does but I think it would actually work pretty well, even if Oscar still played his auxiliary number 10 role.

Well "would work well" is dependent on the style of football we want the team to play. If the plan is to go to St James' Park, keep a low block and stay compact then sure a Mikel & Cesc pivot "would work well". But if the plan to play expansively, high intensity pressing, fluid movement, with Hazard, Oscar etc interchanging positions and Cesc joining in to support the attack then a Cesc and Mikel pivot wouldn't work in my opinion.

When Costa or Hazard or Oscar turnover possession, Matic's first thought is to win the ball back, and get us attacking straight away. Mikel's first thought is to hold his position and make sure there aren't gaps. There're benefits to both styles, but the downside to Mikel's style is that the attacking midfielders have to cover more ground and the team won't be able to pin the opposition back and apply heavy pressure. As it is, Terry and Cahill are not exactly proactive defenders, and we've already seen how that at times limits the team's pressing. With Mikel in front of them, I think the team will lack intensity.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

We won't miss Matic that much since we're going to be playing vs an Alan Pardew Newcastle team. They'll defend deep, let us have the ball and play on the counter. As long as Mikel holds his position and doesn't get involved with our attacks, I'll be fine.

[TheWiz 109]

Now we know who runs the Show.