Nemanja Matic

[robsblubot 3,529]

I have to disagree with the majority here on blaming individuals when the team fails at some specific task such as defending.

As pointed out already by some, Matic had a good technical game: produced his usual tackles, pressurised opponents, but could not - alone - contain Everton. This happens a lot to midfielders and defenders: the sector gets exposed/overwhelmed and then players struggle because they literally cannot find the opponent - when they are about to apply the tackle ball the has moved.

We were wide open and that was a concern for Jose during and after the match. I thought William was very poor esp defending, while Fabregas was poor when defending... We really miss Oscar work rate and movement esp playing away from home.

[iseah100 5,612]

I get a warning for that. Absolutely pathetic. Apparently we are all adults on this site.

Certain members are not allowed to be argued with. You must agree with them. Some people are targeted moreso than others. Just ignore it, man.

[Special Juan 27,439]

Certain members are not allowed to be argued with. You must agree with them. Some people are targeted moreso than others. Just ignore it, man.

This has got nothing to do with who should, or shouldn't be argued with, nor does this have anything to do with you.

Please stay out of this as it really does not concern you in the slightest.

This is the final thing said on this in this thread because it's already going away from where it should be. Anymore off topic posts will be removed and warnings handed out.

[iseah100 5,612]

This has got nothing to do with who should, or shouldn't be argued with, nor does this have anything to do with you.

Please stay out of this as it really does not concern you in the slightest.

This is the final thing said on this in this thread because it's already going away from where it should be. Anymore off topic posts will be removed and warnings handed out.

[emoji55] [emoji52]

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

We just have to improve our ability to retain possession as a team. With Fabregas now in central midfield, we're clearly less solid. This team is definitely no longer built to soak pressure and play on the counter attack. At some point in that match, the ball possession was 75% Everton 25% Chelsea. That's simply not good enough for a team with a midfield such as ours. We need to be more confident in our quality when we play away from home and more patient in possession. When we allow the opposition to dominate possession like Everton did, it tends to make some individual players, the likes of Hazard and Fabregas especially, less effective.

Swansea will be a good test because they are one of the best possession based sides in the league. Bringing in Filipe Luis and Oscar for Ramires and Azpilicueta will be a good start.

[dee25 1,044]

Okay, so maybe I was extra harsh but it's a case of what I teach my kids: the higher the expectation the bigger the room for deception/disappointment. I'm one of his biggest fans, I wrote an article worshiping this guy the moment we signed him before he ever touched a ball for us and I stated then and I stand by those words even more now, that he's the midfielder we've been missing since Ballack left us and that he would bring us the stability we had in the 2005-07 seasons again because he's a beast.

So with expectations so high - because of him and because of what he offered - I may have been too harsh upon his 'poor' presentations to his own standards. It only proves how important he is to our system.

With their positioning and movement better drilled, I'm positive we'll improve our defensive system. We also need time for that to happen. I just want to make sure - again - that I only meant he had a bad first half, not that he's bad or should be replaced. We also need to find a way to fill the sometimes huge space between our defense and our midfield.

Also re-watching the match again with Dion yesterday we both noticed that sometimes we have too many of our players surrounding a zone of the pitch or opponent, leaving other areas/opponents with a lot of space. Some of Everton's most dangerous attacks and goals (particularly the second) comes from that positioning mistake. but it's early days and I'm not worried yet. Actually it's a wonder that our attack - with two new players (counting Cesc's contributions in the attack) has adapted and clicked so fast. The defense and the midfield are going through the normal rhythm. The important thing is try and do our best not to drop points and so far, so good. We have a good challenge coming Sept. 13th with Swansea and hopefully we'll continue to get three points. The team's chemistry, positioning and all the little adjustments needed to be done will come.

So apologies for jumping the shark (although he had a poor first half)

And thanks for the nice answers and debate.

Don't think there's any need to apologize at all, we should be dissecting, analyzing and critiquing Matic's performances simply because the degree to which he and the other 2 in midfield are able to perform their tasks and work as a unit will determine how much balance the team is able to achieve between attack and defence. We know where Cesc's limitations lie, we know that Ramires' technical ability is inconsistent (to put it nicely) and there's only so much running Oscar can do. So naturally a lot is riding on Matic (as our DM) to be the one that holds it together. To be a rock in midfield.

Anyway, definitely fascinated by the way Jose has been using Cesc, Matic and Oscar. It's such a progressive tactical step, which is what most on here have been wanting from Mourinho.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

LOL....

Anyway, Matic is adjusting to a new role this is no longer a pivot, looks more like an asymmetrical 4-2-3-1 where he's the only holder.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Finaly people start to realizing Oscar actualy IS important in our team despite he doesnt score one and assist another every game...

[Footballover 222]

Finaly people start to realizing Oscar actualy IS important in our team despite he doesnt score one and assist another every game...

Even though he didn't play in the exact same position, I honestly think Ramires replaced Oscar in the best way possible against Everton, or in other words - Oscar most probably couldn't have contributed more than him. And yeah, he even scored (and assisted!!!)...

If he keeps it up Oscar may well find himself on the bench in games of this manner.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Is it even possible to get a short and concise reply? Cant be bothered reading a wall of text.

Seriously just because you got a little mod badge next to your name doesnt mean you should nit pick every fucking post. It gets really tedious seeing you exercise your "power". Get a life.

Jesus Christ you're tedious. I don't think you've made yourself look like a big enough of an ignoramus in this thread, please keep trying.

Finaly people start to realizing Oscar actualy IS important in our team despite he doesnt score one and assist another every game...

Absolutely. It's what Oscar does off the ball as opposed to what he does with it that makes him such an invaluable player.

[Polo7 3,496]

Jesus Christ you're tedious. I don't think you've made yourself look like a big enough of an ignoramus in this thread, please keep trying.

Yet when I reply in the same way I get a warning. Bunch of children.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Yet when I reply in the same way I get a warning. Bunch of children.

I've had enough of your shit tbh.

[Polo7 3,496]

I've had enough of your shit tbh.

What a shame.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

What a shame.

You label the staff a "bunch of children" yet you couldn't act more childishly if you tried. Quite a shame as the occasional decent contribution you make gets overshadowed by your infectious ignorance.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Even though he didn't play in the exact same position, I honestly think Ramires replaced Oscar in the best way possible against Everton, or in other words - Oscar most probably couldn't have contributed more than him. And yeah, he even scored (and assisted!!!)...

If he keeps it up Oscar may well find himself on the bench in games of this manner.

You do realize our midfield was open wider than hooker's legs? Yeah Ramires did score and assist, but also left Matic alone xx times. His positioning was completely off every damn time Everton attacked. They controled tempo and possession etc. It was kind of game that happens once or twice a year, but Ramires was usual self. Sloppy most of time with moments of absolute brilliance.

[The Chels 2,502]

You do realize our midfield was open wider than hooker's legs? Yeah Ramires did score and assist, but also left Matic alone xx times. His positioning was completely off every damn time Everton attacked. They controled tempo and possession etc. It was kind of game that happens once or twice a year, but Ramires was usual self. Sloppy most of time with moments of absolute brilliance.

I genuinely facepalmed when Ramires ruined that good counter attack in the second half by passing to nobody (think it was aimed at Cesc).

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I genuinely facepalmed when Ramires ruined that good counter attack in the second half by passing to nobody (think it was aimed at Cesc).

Yeah, a simple pass to the side (dunno who was there waiting to recieve it) would probably lead to 1 on 1 situation. BUT mr. Ramires passed in wrong direction (directly into their defender) and not just that, he also added so little power every damn player 20m away would catch it...And he had like all the time and space in the world to make that simple pass...

But thats Ramires. Worst technique player of team and then he bangs a rocket or pass that even Xavi wouldnt in 100 tries...I think he has all the ability to do that, just simply not enough composed/intelligent to pull them regulary.

Generaly I actualy like Ramires, he adds speed, power, pulls ace out of nowhere, hardworking, but for the benefit of the team to perform good constantly and not fuck up every second attack because of Ramires, I think he should be benched. While he is valuable in certain aspects, I just dont feel comfortable when he is in lineup, we just dont control things as we should. Without him, we are little short on pace in midfield though. But defending wise, you might think we would be stronger with Ramires than Oscar, but its opposite. Unless we park bus, Oscar gives much more to defence, while Ramires doesnt even know where to place himself when opposition gets the ball. He probably goes to buy a kebab meanwhile and then comes back.

Everyone talks about Pogba or Vidal, but personaly I would replace him (eventualy) with Schneiderlin. Most underrated CM/DM/B2B in the world, or at least in prem IMO.

[The Chels 2,502]

Yeah, a simple pass to the side (dunno who was there waiting to recieve it) would probably lead to 1 on 1 situation. BUT mr. Ramires passed in wrong direction (directly into their defender) and not just that, he also added so little power every damn player 20m away would catch it...And he had like all the time and space in the world to make that simple pass...

But thats Ramires. Worst technique player of team and then he bangs a rocket or pass that even Xavi wouldnt in 100 tries...I think he has all the ability to do that, just simply not enough composed/intelligent to pull them regulary.

Generaly I actualy like Ramires, he adds speed, power, pulls ace out of nowhere, hardworking, but for the benefit of the team to perform good constantly and not fuck up every second attack because of Ramires, I think he should be benched. While he is valuable in certain aspects, I just dont feel comfortable when he is in lineup, we just dont control things as we should. Without him, we are little short on pace in midfield though. But defending wise, you might think we would be stronger with Ramires than Oscar, but its opposite. Unless we park bus, Oscar gives much more to defence, while Ramires doesnt even know where to place himself when opposition gets the ball. He probably goes to buy a kebab meanwhile and then comes back.

Everyone talks about Pogba or Vidal, but personaly I would replace him (eventualy) with Schneiderlin. Most underrated CM/DM/B2B in the world, or at least in prem IMO.

Yep I'd like to see how the Oscar-Matic-Fabregas trio works in big games. While Oscar isn't as athletic as Ramires, he's much more intelligent off-the-ball and obviously better on the ball (who isn't?). No point having Ramires if all he does with his athleticism and stamina is run around like a headless chicken.