Nemanja Matic

[Fernando 6,585]

Mikel best game ever for Chelsea was champions League final.

After that he hasn't been that great.

Thank God we got matic.

[Rekin 835]

If/when MVG returns to form after his injury I think he would be the best partner to Matic.
Considering that Matic is excellent in the defense yet offers plenty to the offensive I wonder if we would not benefit more from a creator next to him, or at the very least a player more skilled higher up in the pitch.

Do not get me wrong, Ramires is excellent at what he does but he is lacking in some areas. So far he was very important because he offered a combination of both attack and defense (which no other player in the team did), but now that Matic can do the same thing basically, I would be curious to see how it would look with a player allowed to roam forward more (and being better at it). MVG might not be that player until the 2015/16 season, but I think it would be a very interesting experiment. Something similar to Matic - Modric, it would offer steel in the back and silky passing to the attackers.

Anyway, I am very happy about having him in the team, it is in itself a huge upgrade. It is just that we should never stop trying to improve, the next step might be to find the best partnership in the middle (in which I consider Matic to be the first name [i realise this is premature after one game, but Im going after what I have seen so far]).
I am not for buying player after player, so we should try to solve this internally first (still, it is quite sexy to imagine someone like Modric or Gundogan next to him. The best name would be Yaya but Im not even going to go there).

[The only place to be 11,313]

Maybe because he's the guy in direct competition with Matic for a place in the XI?

But...but...but....a gender

Of course he's going to be compared to the player who he is closest to in the squad in terms of style and who he will be competing with for a spot. Oscar has been endlessly compared to Mata as well. It's what fans do.

Hope to see Matic build on his debut. He looked good but a few passes were a bit sloppy and I expect him to start against West Ham as well.

[bababoom 4,478]

The way he pressed in the midfield was fucking great, in the first half there was a stage where Stoke couldn't get out of their own half, our whole team was pressing high like crazy, Matic was a big part of that.

Lampard also played further up the pitch, which is a plus, but i honestly cant wait for Matic-Ramires... it's going to be unbelievable. I think we're going to see the team pressing higher and more frequently, with the inclusion of Matic it seems like we can do it without being exposed. This is why Jose didn't fancy Mata, forget that not tracking back bullshit (which the pundits still say by the way..), Mata can track back, but he struggles to press high up the pitch. It's all about that high pressing, Willian/Schurrle/Salah , Hazard and Oscar can do that.

Watch this Mourinho post Fulham Interview, this is what he wants. (Minute 3:25)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ51HzMSz4Q

[The only place to be 11,313]

This is why Jose didn't fancy Mata, forget that not tracking back bullshit (which the pundits still say by the way..), Mata can track back, but he struggles to press high up the pitch. It's all about that high pressing, Willian/Schurrle/Salah , Hazard and Oscar and can do that.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

The way he pressed in the midfield was fucking great, in the first half there was a stage where Stoke couldn't get out of their own half, our whole team was pressing high like crazy, Matic was a big part of that.

Lampard also played further up the pitch, which is a plus, but i honestly cant wait for Matic-Ramires... it's going to be unbelievable. I think we're going to see the team pressing higher and more frequently, with the inclusion of Matic it seems like we can do it without being exposed. This is why Jose didn't fancy Mata, forget that not tracking back bullshit (which the pundits still say by the way..), Mata can track back, but he struggles to press high up the pitch. It's all about that high pressing, Willian/Schurrle/Salah , Hazard and Oscar can do that.

Watch this Mourinho post Fulham Interview, this is what he wants. (Minute 3:25)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ51HzMSz4Q

This^^

Mourinho doesn't want to turn our attackers to center backs as the media assume, he wants them pressing high constantly which causes pressure on the opposition while keeping our defense safe.

[The Chels 2,502]

Video on his touches that I found although it doesn't have any sound. His passing was arguably a little erratic at times but I think it was likely due to nerves and the fact that he's always looking to play a forward pass, which is very refreshing to see. Some of his passes later on in the game were excellent - the one to Oscar before Schurrle hit the crossbar and the one to Ramires for the penalty incident, in particular. Indeed as the game progressed he settled into it very well and was a very composed presence that gave assurance to the midfield and as such more liberty to the forward players (as did Stoke's lack of attacking imagination, in fairness). Imagine how deadly the pivot could be with a world class DLP next to him! I don't feel Ramires cuts it personally, because for all his athleticisim, he's just not good enough technically.

[Jase 43,479]

Matic's heatmap against Stoke, if anyone is interested...

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Ivanovic: "Matic was my best mate the last time he was here. Now, for me, he is like my brother. It is a pleasure to have him here" #CFC

Couldn't resist!

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

He had a good debut.

Thought our midfield was a bit on the slow side though; you could see that in quick transitions, only the AMs and Eto were involved. Neither Lamps nor Matic joined them. * watched recording so could pay attention to those things.

Still rely heavily on Ramires to do the B2B thingy, or perhaps MVG once he'd back. Don't think Lamps has the legs for that any more.

Untrue. The ball was arriving to the AM and the two wingers quickly because of Matic's style of play. I thought the attacking play and transition was very good. Matic makes the play so much better and like has already been stated, it should have been 3,4,5-nil

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

Video on his touches that I found although it doesn't have any sound. His passing was arguably a little erratic at times but I think it was likely due to nerves and the fact that he's always looking to play a forward pass, which is very refreshing to see. Some of his passes later on in the game were excellent - the one to Oscar before Schurrle hit the crossbar and the one to Ramires for the penalty incident, in particular. Indeed as the game progressed he settled into it very well and was a very composed presence that gave assurance to the midfield and as such more liberty to the forward players (as did Stoke's lack of attacking imagination, in fairness). Imagine how deadly the pivot could be with a world class DLP next to him! I don't feel Ramires cuts it personally, because for all his athleticisim, he's just not good enough technically.

Or even a world-class midfield controller, a'la Gundogan, Modric or Fabregas. A lot of people seem to think Ramires' place in the future of this squad is certain, but I;m not one of those. Like you said, Ramires' technical quality (especially his passing and his composure in and around the box) is lacking a lot. It sometimes costs us goalscoring opportunities and breaks up promising play. This actually happens a lot and these are the two things stopping Ramires from being a genuine world-class midfielder.

[Blue Armour 4,439]

I liked Mourinho's description for Matic's left foot..."his left spoon"...very apt.

[Wolfe_21 21]

Spider Matic.

[HD3D 1,038]

It was only a matter of time before Mikel's name is mentioned. predictable.

It was also predictable you were going to complain about that too.

Are you happy about anything at all regarding Chelsea?

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Its amazing how fast people forget contribution of certain players. Suddenly half of members doesnt see Ramires in this team anymore and wants Gundogans and Pogbas to buy buy buy. Yes it would improve this team furtherly I guess. But do we need them? Atm NO. Ramires is fantasitc midfielder who is warrior, great in defence and can drive the ball forward. He might not be techicaly superior, but still has many qualites that perfectly suit Mou system. Why the hell you think Mou will replace him? Ramires was playing nearly every game, even when he was visibly tired, Mou played him. Why? Because its obvious that he is important to this team and Mourinho. If Mourinho would rate some fancy passing ahead of workrate, Mata wouldnt be sold and Oscar wouldnt be starter. And people say Rambo will be replaced with someone technicaly superior. I think Hazard-Oscar-Willian and Matic (who can distribute ball well) are enough for creativity of our attack. Ramires on the other hand, offers best workrate, stamina and fighting spirit there is. Plus his attacking qualities are underrated.

I remember just two months ago when Rambo played a couple of fantastic games and 'apparently' Real was interested. People here were jumping in sky how superb Ramires is etc etc. Suddenly we buy Matic who was extremely required tbh and now some got spoiled and want to replace Ramires with 'fancier' Pogba or Gundogan. The players you dont have are always more "appealing", they say...Ramires is perfectly fine and plays big role here, the day he becomes old and out of form is the day we need to buy Pogba (or whoever). But certainly not now.

What we need now is striker who is deadly finisher and has good defensive contribution, and LB who will replace Cole. Thats about it when comes to URGENT. Then we need CB who will replace Terry eventualy. Plus we have plenty of backup in Ginkel, Romeu, Lukaku, Thorgan, RLC, Chalobah, Courtois, Piazon,...why the f should we spend money on CM ala Gundogan when we need to invest in top striker, who is extremely expensive nowdays (40-70mio) and would make our team nearly best in the world.

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

This^^

Mourinho doesn't want to turn our attackers to center backs as the media assume, he wants them pressing high constantly which causes pressure on the opposition while keeping our defense safe.

The blitzing handed out by Dortmund to Mourinho's Madrid in the CL semi's must have left an indelible mark on Jose. His plan for Chelsea mirrors that of Dortmund. The only difference is that we have (and even more so with our CF next season) better players to take it to a new level.

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

Its amazing how fast people forget contribution of certain players. Suddenly half of members doesnt see Ramires in this team anymore and wants Gundogans and Pogbas to buy buy buy. Yes it would improve this team furtherly I guess. But do we need them? Atm NO. Ramires is fantasitc midfielder who is warrior, great in defence and can drive the ball forward. He might not be techicaly superior, but still has many qualites that perfectly suit Mou system. Why the hell you think Mou will replace him? Ramires was playing nearly every game, even when he was visibly tired, Mou played him. Why? Because its obvious that he is important to this team and Mourinho. If Mourinho would rate some fancy passing ahead of workrate, Mata would be sold and Oscar wouldnt be starter. And people say Rambo will be replaced with someone technicaly superior. I think Hazard-Oscar-Willian and Matic (who can distribute ball well) are enough for creativity of our attack. Ramires on the other hand, offers best workrate, stamina and fighting spirit there is. Plus his attacking qualities are underrated.

I remember just two months ago when Rambo played a couple of fantastic games and 'apparently' Real was interested. People here were jumping in sky how superb Ramires is etc etc. Suddenly we buy Matic who was extremely required tbh and now some got spoiled and want to replace Ramires with 'fancier' Pogba or Gundogan. The players you dont have are always more "appealing", they say...Ramires is perfectly fine and plays big role here, the day he becomes old and out of form is the day we need to buy Pogba (or whoever). But certainly not now.

What we need now is striker who is deadly finisher and has good defensive contribution, and LB who will replace Cole. Thats about it when comes to URGENT. Then we need CB who will replace Terry eventualy. Plus we have plenty of backup in Ginkel, Romeu, Lukaku, Thorgan, RLC, Chalobah, Courtois, Piazon,...why the f should we spend money on CM ala Gundogan when we need to invest in top striker, who is extremely expensive nowdays (40-70mio) and would make our team nearly best in the world.

I hear you lad. No one is saying kick out Rambo. We are only pointing out his faults, which are further magnified by playing alongside such technically gifted players. Personally, I will like to see what van Ginkel brings to this team. An I also feel Ramires is going nowhere. Just has to improve his technique like everyone else.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

The blitzing handed out by Dortmund to Mourinho's Madrid in the CL semi's must have left an indelible mark on Jose. His plan for Chelsea mirrors that of Dortmund. The only difference is that we have (and even more so with our CF next season) better players to take it to a new level.

Mou always played with high pressure. It wasn't from dortmund. If you watched inter milan, it was the same. Under ancelloti, we broke the goals record in the league and we couldn't find a single goal against inter. Dortmund did it better on the day but Jose was always using that tactic.

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

Mou always played with high pressure. It wasn't from dortmund. If you watched inter milan, it was the same. Under ancelloti, we broke the goals record in the league and we couldn't find a single goal against inter. Dortmund did it better on the day but Jose was always using that tactic.

Hmmm, maybe against some opposition, but it's not really a footballing philosophy associated with Mourinho. Mourinho wants us to press up the pitch in every game like Dortmund does. Never saw his Madrid or Chelsea team do that.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Hmmm, maybe against some opposition, but it's not really a football philosophy associated with Mourinho.

Nah, his Inter and Real teams are known for their high pressing qualities. High press is just a facet of any philosophy, you could be a high pressing counter attacking team or a high pressing possession based one. There are variations.