Nemanja Matic

[Hostedenis 556]

Don't get me wrong I love Matic but in my opinion the game he played today has been his worst for Chelsea. I'm sure he'll come good again and be the Matic we all know and love soon but today was just one mistake after the other, can't believe people aren't seeing that.

He made the foul that awarded them a penalty.

He took a yellow in the fifteenth or so minute of the game, meaning he had 75 more minutes to play on a yellow, dangerous!

He misplaced lots of passes and was bypassed on two occasions (usually no one gets past Nemanja)

He was covering Morrisson when he scored the header, should have done better.

And last but not least, he elbowed a player (can't remember which one) and at first I thought unintentional but in the replay you could clearly see he was looking at the man.

Don't get me wrong, I love Matic (actually considering putting his name on my next jersey - or Terry) but today he was aweful.

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

He has been pretty poor since the last few months of last season, not just this season... the same with Cesc but I think out of the two Matic was worse today, at least in phases Cesc gave us something going forward.

[termninja 5,290]

His form has been average for some time, but I feel he was exposed a lot because of Willian and Fabregas. He was the player who run the most miles also.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

No competition for him is also having its toll.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Would be class if he learnt how to play football again. He's been terrible for months now. Forget the 5-3 Tottenham game or the PSG match where he got schooled by Motta/Verratti this was easily his worst. Did his absolute best to throw away the game.

I think Despiado is spot on about lack of competition being the biggest factor in his poor form. When he returned here he had a point to prove, now he's rested on his laurels & has gotten too comfortable.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Yup he is realy poor atm. Or better say far from his best.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Yup he is realy poor atm. Or better say far from his best.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,067]

Yup he is realy poor atm. Or better say far from his best.

Agreed, and he has been for a long time, stretching back most, if not all, of the way to Christmas. A starting quality CM, able to give the side more balance would undoubtedly aid Nemanja's game. If we can find one before the window closes then that would be great but, if not, Matic will have to muddle on without the help. There is no one else.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

His real problem is everyone pressures his left-foot which forces him to go to his right side, but he has a terrible right foot which he never uses. That's why he's been passing back under any small pressure. Compared to when people didnt know... He needs to find a way to use his right foot to relieve some pressure off himself, because he can still dribble out of pressure but he can't do it when you cover his left side.

[LAM09 7,043]

He hasn't been at his best for a while, but a good partner alongside him would improve his level of performance.

[Madmax 9,219]

It just looks like Hannah Montana to me.

[didierforever 7,349]

Yup he is realy poor atm. Or better say far from his best.

no he is not. against city he was one of our best players. its cesc thats making him look bad.

any person trying to hold the mid alone will look poor. makelele had essien/ballack and lamps along with whom who were all brilliant in every aspect of the game. cesc is so poor defensively that its shocking...

[iseah100 5,612]

STAAAAAHHHPPP

[Amblève. 4,995]

It’s Not You, It’s My Tactics: Francis Coquelin and the Impossibility of the Defensive Midfielder

Good article about defensive midfielders. Matic gets a mention as his 3 league performances are being analysed - albeit not in-depth.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Is it really Matic who has been poor, or the fact he's doing two midfielders' defensive duties at the minute, as Cesc is that badly out of form? I'm inclined to think it is a combination of the both. Sure, he was certainly better in the first half of last season, but I believe his performances only truly "declined" because there was more pressure on him. Cesc has been quite lacklustre for quite some time and has started this season incredibly poorly. I have some sympathy with Matic and certainly think both he and the team would benefit from a transition to a midfield partnership of himself and Mikel.