Nemanja Matic

[Jype 6,398]

Still think Matic is a great player and the main reason he's playing badly is cause he wants a move. Mourinho broke him and maybe it's best for everyone involved that he gets a change of scenery, just hope we can get a good enough fee for him. In 2016 transfer madness Matic, even given his bad form, should be worth £30M minimum. If the likes of Benteke and Bolasie get valued close to the 30M mark this year, Matic shouldn't go for any less cause it's not like Juve have many alternatives to go for.

Maybe get that Brazilian kid to replace Matic, or just give his spot to Chalobah if Conte trusts the lad.

[Leif 6,006]

An issue is, how many players too do want to leave but don't voice it? More than we know. For sure Hazard in my opinion.

Tis the result of (still) boring football. Unimaginative management. The stands not rocking enough. All these things come together and make a player feel depressed essentially, especially compared to past pastures. I mean honestly, the thrill of going far in European competition with Benfica, with their atmosphere, with their pre-match rituals & their constant attack-minded football, that far outweighs this feeling we create for our players of expectancy, 'You must go out and win all these things, and even then we won't show much gratitude.' There's always a sombre mood at this club, like the lid is on us and we're not letting the fireworks pop. Players want those fireworks. It's why so many leave Ligue 1 and why so many people don't watch it - because all the teams play like Chelsea, and 90% of the crowds sound like ours. (There's definitely enough technical quality in that league to enjoy, so it must be other factors we don't measure which push people away from it, like the ones I've suggested. These same things are pushing Matic away from us, imo.) Or maybe it just looks like we won't win another title until Matic is 30 and that's why.

I'm being harsh probably, but it is too often that i think 'How on earth is *this player* still here?' 'Why on earth would Ashley Cole want to come back as a scout?' 

My point is, we, or the management, created this situation and will continue to. Players lose their smiles when they come here, they just do. Not for the first month or 2, but the energy they had for whomever they played for before us certainly fades. Look at any player we have right now and compare their personality now to before joining us. Oscar, Hazard, Costa, Matic, perhaps even Azpilicueta. I'd put money on those guys being less happy here than they were before joining. That's too much of our XI. These players used to be ecstatic people. Courtois was obviously happier at Atletico Madrid too. Why? It wasn't like they were winning more titles. It must've been... all that shit i just said. It makes sense that the only people still content with our situation are Terry, blue through and through, Cahill, an idiot, Ivanovic, an idiot, Kante - a new signing, Fabregas a passive idiot, and then who knows about Willian. I doubt our youth are happy here too. So we probably have 10 happy players if we're pushing it.

[nyikolajevics 2,601]

37 minutes ago, Ryan Fong said:

Ship him out, get Maia.

Totally different type of players.. If we sell Matic wee need a defensive player like Maia.

[akgw13 867]

i really would like to keep matic as i think conte can get the best out of him. if he is determined to go minimum value needs to be 30 mill and if they do want to throw zaza in ill gladly take him. without zaza 35 in the current market and ill say enjoy your time in Italy

[It's too big 625]

He ain't getting any younger. He is what, late 20's now? He's already looking like he's on a decline and maybe the Italian league will suit him. I would prefer to bring in a younger, better version and/or keep Chalobah around to fight for a place in the first team also. I say the more centre mids the better for us. As much as everyone critiques Mikel, he's been a fantastic servant to the club, and most of all he loves playing for the club, so for me he is more important than Matic. 

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

I would be quite sad should he leave. Was one of my favourite players in the league winning campaign, and I'm certain he can find again his form. Shame.

[Blue Gino 377]

So Matic leaves but Mikel stays. Lol. At least Chalobah looks to be staying but I feel the coddling with long term servants like Iva and JT get, so too will Mikel and he'll knock Nathaniel down the pecking order. I don't get it. Why would Matic leave when the new manager has shown confidence in him unless the club getting Kante insulted him which is hilarious considering he struggled last season and has no excuse to complain he's the #1 guy.

[nono 791]

2 hours ago, Blue Gino said:

So Matic leaves but Mikel stays. Lol. At least Chalobah looks to be staying but I feel the coddling with long term servants like Iva and JT get, so too will Mikel and he'll knock Nathaniel down the pecking order. I don't get it. Why would Matic leave when the new manager has shown confidence in him unless the club getting Kante insulted him which is hilarious considering he struggled last season and has no excuse to complain he's the #1 guy.

They all need to leave apart from Chalobah. 

[Gilvorak 3,734]

I wish I was in charge of this club's transfers. Matic is a good player at times even great but he isn't top class because of his obvious weaknesses. I'd sell him to Juve and sign his replacement Paredes from Roma who's currently available.

 

 

 

Hazard Cesc/Oscar Kante Mahrez

Paredes

 

That midfield is easily attainable if we had the ambition of a big club. The obvious weak link would be Cesc/Oscar which we could replace the following season.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

The gift Allegri would like to have is Matic. Conte insists he is not for sale, but the player is trying to force his hand. (GdS) #CFC #Juve

Matic has reiterated that he wants to leave, because he wants a new experience and #Juventus is considered the ideal team with CL (GdS) #CFC

[nono 791]

If Juventus can give us a decent offer just sell him. Otherwise both him and Juventus can fuck off. By 'decent' I mean anything north of 20m pounds which I know is low for some but I don't really rate him anymore. Given how woeful he's been the team would improve with him on the bench.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

Sell. Woeful offensively and bang average defensively. He purely uses his size to defend and is a very reactive player who is always chasing rather than snuffing out the danger. Not to mention he has been regressing since that game against Burnley in our title winning campaign.

It's time we go for players who are not only good on the defensive side but also have a footballing brain and can at least do the basics such as first touch passes and protecting the ball under pressure. That's what made us so successful 10 years ago, great defensive players who also had a ton to offer on the technical side. It seems our board has tried to replicate those years but they have only bought players who are only big and strong. 

I haven't watched Thiago Maia but from what I've heard we need players like him. Good technically and defensively.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Reading this thread, I can't help but laugh at the fact that this time last year he was "the best defensive midfielder in the world"  

The reality of course is somewhere in the middle. He's a good but limited player who thrives in certain roles and systems. 

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

On 31 July 2016 at 6:48 PM, Jason said:

Why would Matic said what he said a few days ago about Conte giving him a special feeling if he had wanted to leave in the first place? Sounds like BS rumours from Di Marzio.

Did he say that in an interview with Chelsea TV? If he did, I'm afraid we can discount almost all of it. The in-house TV station regularly abuses our players by pointing a camera at them, shoving a microphone in their face, asking a banal question and expecting  them to find something informative, interesting, and remorselessly positive to say. It's excruciating watching at times. The channel is desperately in need of and new editor with a whole raft of new ideas.

Anyway, comments delivered on  that platform carry little weight I think.

[Special Juan 27,470]

 

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

42 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

 

Good. Matic is frustrating atm but I still hope that Conte's going to revive him. We forget how good he was between 2012-2014. Still remember when people were frustrated about him not being able to play in Chelsea midfield in 2014 Champions League knock-out stage and what difference he would make to our chances.

If he won't improve then we just sell him next year, it's as simple as that.

Still don't know what's got him, remember when he said he didn't celebrate goal against Sunderland because he has his reasons ? Weird.

[Jase 43,479]

4 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Did he say that in an interview with Chelsea TV? If he did, I'm afraid we can discount almost all of it. The in-house TV station regularly abuses our players by pointing a camera at them, shoving a microphone in their face, asking a banal question and expecting  them to find something informative, interesting, and remorselessly positive to say. It's excruciating watching at times. The channel is desperately in need of and new editor with a whole raft of new ideas.

Anyway, comments delivered on  that platform carry little weight I think.

Not 100% sure but don't think it was with Chelsea TV. In any case, here's what he said in full.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3714397/Nemanja-Matic-warms-Chelsea-stay-given-special-feeling-new-boss-Antonio-Conte.html

[robsblubot 3,546]

10 hours ago, CHOULO19 said:

Reading this thread, I can't help but laugh at the fact that this time last year he was "the best defensive midfielder in the world"  

The reality of course is somewhere in the middle. He's a good but limited player who thrives in certain roles and systems. 

Yes, it would indeed be somewhere in the middle if one values the options here and facts, equally.

I for one would gladly revise my opinions of certain players in the squad had they received a 20m+ offer from a club like juventus, but that's just me.