Nemanja Matic

[Pizy 18,877]

6 minutes ago, BlueLyon said:

While I agree we need to improve on this guy, he is still quite underrated here. 

He created more chances than Kante for example.

Should be kept as a squad option unless we sign two new central midfielders. We have tons of matches next season and he'll get plenty of game time even if he's not first choice.

Seling him and replacing his spot with Bakayoko leaves us in the same spot we're in now. We need more options in the middle of the pitch.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

1 minute ago, Pizy said:

Should be kept as a squad option unless we sign two new central midfielders. We have tons of matches next season and he'll get plenty of game time even if he's not first choice.

Seling him and replacing his spot with Bakayoko leaves us in the same spot we're in now. We need more options in the middle of the pitch.

Indeed. I was hoping for Tolisso, Matic, Cesc and Kante or Tolisso, Bakayoko, Cesc, Kante midfield options for next season. 

Unless we have something else under sleeve that nobody knows yet.

[Clockwork 1,794]

Think the only way you can convince Matic and Cesc to stay is if you play 3 man midfield regularly. That should ensure Matic, Kante, Bakayoko, and Cesc plenty of playing time.

[Johnnyeye 7,501]

8 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Think the only way you can convince Matic and Cesc to stay is if you play 3 man midfield regularly. That should ensure Matic, Kante, Bakayoko, and Cesc plenty of playing time.

seems plausible

[BlueLyon 9,359]

With Cesc being the only creative mid of the 4, I think he will play quite alot one way or the other, because he offers something else.

If Baka succeeds, Matic will become nothing but backup for rotation, equaly important to keep players fresh, but from Matic perspective, not the best position. 

Cesc will surely stay, but Matic might decide to leave.

Either way we will need at least 4 midfielders, the only question is who will be the 4th; Matic, Chalobah or someone else.

[Jase 43,479]

35 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Think the only way you can convince Matic and Cesc to stay is if you play 3 man midfield regularly. That should ensure Matic, Kante, Bakayoko, and Cesc plenty of playing time.

If we start playing 3-man midfield regularly, then we are going to get issues with the forward players.

[Pizy 18,877]

15 minutes ago, BlueLyon said:

With Cesc being the only creative mid of the 4, I think he will play quite alot one way or the other, because he offers something else.

If Baka succeeds, Matic will become nothing but backup for rotation, equaly important to keep players fresh, but from Matic perspective, not the best position. 

Cesc will surely stay, but Matic might decide to leave.

Either way we will need at least 4 midfielders, the only question is who will be the 4th; Matic, Chalobah or someone else.

In my ideal scenario we need 2 Cesc type CM's whilst signing Bakayoko, keeping Matic, and obviously Kante. Signing a midfielder who can offer what Fabregas does should be priority number 1. If he were unavailable or out of form we have zero creativity in midfield and we'd be right back to getting dominated in midfield by the top sides like we did last season.

I can't imagine, for instance, lining up against Bayern/Madird/Barca/Juve etc with a midfield 2 of Kante/Baka or Kante/Matic again. They'd all run rings around us and they'd have zero vision or ideas. Nevermind the likes of Spuds/City/United in the PL.

I think we absolutely must play with 3 in the middle this season. No more 3-4-3 as the primary formation.

[Clockwork 1,794]

3 minutes ago, Jason said:

If we start playing 3-man midfield regularly, then we are going to get issues with the forward players.

That is correct if we are assuming 3-5-2 is the alternative. 

[Last Sicarius 610]

44 minutes ago, Jason said:

If we start playing 3-man midfield regularly, then we are going to get issues with the forward players.

Or we switch to 4-3-3

[Jase 43,479]

10 minutes ago, Last Sicarius said:

Or we switch to 4-3-3

If we are changing back to a back 4, we need 2 new CBs because Luiz and Cahill just don't work in a two.

[Last Sicarius 610]

Just now, Jason said:

If we are changing back to a back 4, we need 2 new CBs because Luiz and Cahill just don't work in a two.

Well we have Christensen and one of Luiz/Cahill can play with him. In this situation we need a LB asap. and we can play

Baka-Fabs
Kante
Chalo on bench and Matic would be perfect on bench too but i dont think he will choose it. One more man in middle.

[TheWiz 109]

11 hours ago, Iggy Doonican said:

 One thing your love for Matic you're taking the piss right ?

I don't love the Guy. What is it with this Love Thing? I simply admire the way he plays.

I'm taking the piss no more and no less than People, who admire the likes of overrated Players like Zidane an Ballack ore great Players like Messi, LeTiss and Maradona.

[TheWiz 109]

I wonder, what some of you guys are dreaming of ...

Bakayoko on the Pitch, while Matic sits on the Bench?

Unbelievable ...

There is nothing Bakayoko can offer that Matic can't offer with just 70%-80% of his Capabilities ...

 

I do understand Conte's Love for less creative, but constantly running Players who tear themselves apart on the Pitch.

We need those Workers - That's where Kante's and Bakayokos Value comes from.

But we need the Football Brains as well. The ones who are capable of reading the Game and marshall the Center of the Pitch, creating Balance between Offense and Defense.

That's why Matic is one of the Cornerstones of the Team(s) that won us 2 EPL Titles.

A silent Heartbeat, although he was misused positionally I believe..

TBS, I don't mind bringing in Bakayoko ... But with a coherent Plan to dominate Midfield ... Not just willy-nilly and of course not with Matic on the Bench. Thats ridiculous.

If we bring in Bayoko ... I'd go like this ...

Kante ---------- Bakayoko

-----------Matic---------------

---- Pedro----Hazard------

----------Costa---------------

Whil I do agree (to some extent) that Bakayoko is equal to Matic when it comes to defensive Duties (Bakayoko played French League and not EPL), it is pretty obvious that, when it comes to Offense and Creativity, Bakayoko can't carry Matic's Waterbottle.

That's because Bakayoko lacks Matic's natural Vision and Creativity. He predicts Space and Situations before they occur.

Matic / Bakayoko Comparison

Games Played	35	32
Minutes Played	2697	2219
Win %	77%	75%
Goals	1	2
Assists	7	1
Fouls Conceded	33	51
Fouls Won	25	53
Tackles	51	70
Blocks	9	3
Interceptions	50	56
Clearances	46	53
Duels Won	143	242
Duel Success	51.8	59.2
Passes	1865	1369
Passes Successful	1636	1193
Passing Accuracy	87.7	87.1
Yellow Cards	4	2
Red Cards	0	1

 

 

 

[mccg 1,528]

Utd sniffing around him , fun off Jose 

[Last Sicarius 610]

Well i hope Juve gonna get him finally. I dont think he would take bench player role. +40mln and lets go.