Nemanja Matic

[The Skipper 20,593]

Yup, I agree, it's been overlooked because he's normally so good but Matic was a massive reason as to why we failed to control the game in the first half.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Started this season poorly imo but I think he's getting used to a more restricted role

[HarryCFC 23]

I've written an article on Nemanja, about his importance in the Chelsea team. Please read it and my other pieces out. Thanks!

http://blogchelseafc.cf

[Polo7 3,496]

Lots of loose passing and control but to be fair he didnt get much support. Thats why I dont think Fabregas and Matic would work next weekend against Everton. Ramires must start, maybe a 4-3-3.

[zolayes 14,489]

Arguably his worst performance in a Chelsea shirt in the first half vs Leicester, second half was normal Matic.

think that is fair comment

[DH1988 1,194]

Lots of loose passing and control but to be fair he didnt get much support. Thats why I dont think Fabregas and Matic would work next weekend against Everton. Ramires must start, maybe a 4-3-3.

Totally agree. I'd be shocked if Jose starts the same team or formation it's a recipe for disaster

[The Skipper 20,593]

Jose's not Wenger. Of course Ramires will start alongside Matic and Cesc.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Immense performance against Everton. What a thunderous shot!!

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Immense performance against Everton. What a thunderous shot!!

Defensively he wasn't exactly great, though. Made many mistakes. Pretty much everyone did, but he's a DM, he's supposed to be our rock in midfield. So far this season he hasn't been, regardless of who is his partner in the midfield. Very worrying.

[didierforever 7,349]

one of his poor matches.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Defensively he wasn't exactly great, though. Made many mistakes. Pretty much everyone did, but he's a DM, he's supposed to be our rock in midfield. So far this season he hasn't been, regardless of who is his partner in the midfield. Very worrying.

I thought it was Ramires that was the really poor one defensively. Matic wasn't exactly a rock though, so you're right. But no need to be worried about Nemanja.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

I thought it was Ramires that was the really poor one defensively. Matic wasn't exactly a rock though, so you're right. But no need to be worried about Nemanja.

Ramires was very poor defensively too, but with Matic it's been a tendency this season; that's why it worries me.

[kellzfresh 7,226]

His passing was surprisingly off today, good goal though

[The Skipper 20,593]

Immense performance against Everton. What a thunderous shot!!

Thought he was average tbf, until the latter stage of the second half when he did step it up.

[manpe 10,855]

He's still shaking off some rust. Remember it's been only 3 games, he looks like the type of player who needs time to get back to his best. The mistakes he's made look more like something that will get ironed out with more games. I'm not worried, he will be back to mr reliable in no time.

[Henrique 9,133]

Had a poor game untill the final 20 minutes, his goal and his assist was an example of a truly good DM midfielder is capable of.

[iseah100 5,612]

Got his first goal! So happy for him, needs to improve, he was amazing last season.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mourinho thinks he's our best player so far combined with Ivanovic - which is unfair and to be quite honest, not even true.

He had an average first half against Leicester, he was poor piss defending in the first half against Everton where I counted four times he gave the ball away under pressure, in our half, and initiated Everton attacks.

And then I thought, maybe we could sub him, but the option is Mikel and while I'm sure Mikel wouldn't make the same mistakes, he wouldn't have scored that goal either (although I would never say he would assist Costa with a back heel either, and well, he did it).

His natural substitute is Ramires - or could have been Marco (I wish it was Marco in all honesty), but the matches Ramires is playing, we're left with Mikel. So in the end it was good he played the 90 minutes not only because of the goal, but because when things got tough before the fifth and sixth goals, he actually stepped up.

He's one of the reasons our defense is conceding so much imo. He isn't protecting them as he did last season and we were a oil machine defensively last season because every guy played their part. He's not the only problem, but he's causing us a problem but helping to create the abyss between our midfield and defense - which is one of our major problems this start of season imo.