Nemanja Matic

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Conte: "It’s important to go into the head of the players to solve the problem. Nemanja is an important player for me and he knows it."

Conte: "Nemanja Matic was and IS a #Chelsea player."

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Thought he had an excellent second half, seemed confident with the ball at his feet and enjoyed his interaction with Hazard and Azpi. Well played after a shaky start, kick on now and you'll be back!

[Blue Armour 4,436]

Have a feeling...no, actually, am pretty sure that working alongside Kante is making it easier for him. Now he can rush into tackles and interceptions, knowing he has Kante behind him to clean up in case he fails.

Him and Kante together is like having a CB partnership in front of our actual CBs

[blu35_army 551]

we need "The Best Nemanja In town" coming back,,and you 70% prove it tonight. now,,get full of your confidence and skill like the winning season dude....

[MefiX19 1,092]

he deserves alot of credit for second goal, find Michy with Fabregas-esque long ball.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Played as expected, new manager syndrome is still quite fresh. But I guess when referees are booking Kante 3 minutes into the opening PL game, the Serbian offers much more protection. 

If we're going into the season with Ivanovic, Cahill and Terry as 3/4 default defenders then Kante and Matic will have to start, we become far too exposed. 

What I did like about our shape on the ball was how much more of a licence our fullbacks had with being allowed to go forward. Ivanovic is still a credible threat from the side, in the sense he can take defenders away from the real danger men (Willian for example). Kante's will to feed the ball wide played well into those tactics. 

If we are back to getting additional width from our fullbacks then Matic becomes more important in making sure our centre backs who remain back are protected.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Sorry but I did'nt get enough out of him to not want to try Chalobah instead. Preferably with N'Golo with Cescy behind in a 4-3-3

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I hope he'll shut a lot of mouths this season. I can't believe the amount of criticism he's gotten from Chelsea fans in a season were most of our players underperformed. You'll think a player like Matic will at least get the benefit of the doubt from some of his past performances. It wasn't that long ago he was arguably our 2nd best player behind Hazard. 

[Gilvorak 3,734]

He's fucking tragic. Should've been shipped to Juve while he still has any value.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Didn't Juve want him? Sell him before it's too late. Ship out Cuadrado and Matic to get some nice fund. No brainer.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

He's so clumsy on the ball, no right leg, no ball control, so slow, awful when asked to attack. You could see the difference between him and kante when kante was allowed to get forward. Matic should be the one sitting back, he has no ball control in tight spaces.  

[Jase 43,479]

1 minute ago, kellzfresh said:

He's so clumsy on the ball, no right leg, no ball control, so slow, awful when asked to attack. You could see the difference between him and kante when kante was allowed to get forward. Matic should be the one sitting back, he has no ball control in tight spaces.  

Watching him, Ivanovic and Cahill trying to play with the ball is a tragic sight. All 3 extremely awkward with the ball and have absolutely ZERO clue what to do with them.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

I can't believe I'm saying this: he is our Fellaini, the worse version :sigh:

[kellzfresh 7,229]

1 minute ago, Ryan Fong said:

I can't believe I'm saying this: he is our Fellaini, the worse version :sigh:

Exactly, he reminds me of Fellaini in attack. Maybe that's why Mourinho is playing him as well 

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

Absolute nothing player. Offers nothing going forward and nothing defensively. Often is caught chasing and hustling rather than snuffing out danger.

We badly need someone in the mold of Nainggolan. Even Thiago Maia would be a clear upgrade in that position.