Kenedy

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Call me crazy but I actually liked the move to LB. It could turn out to be a stroke of genius or a complete & utter failure but for at least he's trying something new for once. A proper attacking fullback can impact games almost as much as wingers. Dani Alves, Alaba, Lahm, Marcelo, Maicon, Ashley Cole etc were all invaluable to their respective teams and the majority of them didn't even begin their careers at fullback.

I'm not not fully convinced by Kenedy as a winger. He lacks the close control, ball retention and passing abilities of Eden, Pedro & Willian at this stage of his career. You look at his strongest attributes pace, strength, workrate and maybe fullback would be the best position for him to play. His one-footedness & previously mentioned deficiencies would be less of a problem in that role. I mean at least he's getting game-time.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Łukasz Piszczek was playing as a striker by the age of 24. Then he was one of the best full-backs in the world. Just a food for thoughts.

[iseah100 5,612]

So what? Are they gonna convert this poor guy to a fullback?

[Magic Lamps 11,653]

Call me crazy but I actually liked the move to LB. It could turn out to be a stroke of genius or a complete & utter failure but for at least he's trying something new for once. A proper attacking fullback can impact games almost as much as wingers. Dani Alves, Alaba, Lahm, Marcelo, Maicon, Ashley Cole etc were all invaluable to their respective teams and the majority of them didn't even begin their careers at fullback.

I'm not not fully convinced by Kenedy as a winger. He lacks the close control, ball retention and passing abilities of Eden, Pedro & Willian at this stage of his career. You look at his strongest attributes pace, strength, workrate and maybe fullback would be the best position for him to play. His one-footedness & previously mentioned deficiencies would be less of a problem in that role. I mean at least he's getting game-time.

Maybe you are right in your conclusion that he might be better off as a fullback but I can't really retrace all the premises of your reasoning. How is he one-footed? Yesterday he shifted the ball on his weaker foot several times to gain an advantage and pulled off decent crosses/shots. Also the commentator said he was two-footed. I did not really see how strength is a major asset of his either. slightly below average in that regard irc, got bounced off the ball easily be Mulumbu on a few occasions. Then I would like to know how you obtained information abot Pedro & Willian's passing when they were 19. IMO his main attributes are dribbling, pace, shooting and workrate. However I agree with you that his lack of close control makes him an oddjob for attacking positions. Reminds me of myself. I also started of as an attacker with decent shooting, finishing, pace, size and strength but horrible technical side of the game. So I got gradually shifted backwards ending up at RB.

[DYC. 7,542]

Łukasz Piszczek was playing as a striker by the age of 24. Then he was one of the best full-backs in the world. Just a food for thoughts.

Alba was a winger. Moved to LB after a two years in the first team I think. Now he's Barcelona's and Spain's fullback and a key player.

Don't understand some of the reactions. This is nothing new or innovative. It happens all the time. Never thought Mourinho would make such a move though. He likes a different type of fullback.

Agree with Gilvorak. Fullbacks can be very influential. I'm so tired of these technique-less defenders, lacking any true attacking nous or poise on the ball. Not to mention the lack of pace Chelsea have had for years in the backline.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Probably the most attacking fullback setup we've had since Iva-Cole...

In smaller games like that at Norwich it's a stroke of genius.

[lucio 5,418]

Call me crazy but I actually liked the move to LB. It could turn out to be a stroke of genius or a complete & utter failure but for at least he's trying something new for once. A proper attacking fullback can impact games almost as much as wingers. Dani Alves, Alaba, Lahm, Marcelo, Maicon, Ashley Cole etc were all invaluable to their respective teams and the majority of them didn't even begin their careers at fullback.

I'm not not fully convinced by Kenedy as a winger. He lacks the close control, ball retention and passing abilities of Eden, Pedro & Willian at this stage of his career. You look at his strongest attributes pace, strength, workrate and maybe fullback would be the best position for him to play. His one-footedness & previously mentioned deficiencies would be less of a problem in that role. I mean at least he's getting game-time.

i would agree, if pedro was impressing me

[MefiX19 1,092]

If we need super attacking fullbacks we can play him as RB and Baba at LB

[Gilvorak 3,734]

i would agree, if pedro was impressing me

Pedro hasn't been great but he does the basics well at least. I just liked the fact there was fluidity in attack for once and no broken down plays on that left hand side. This discussion is irrelevant anyway, this experiment won't last long.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Call me crazy but I actually liked the move to LB. It could turn out to be a stroke of genius or a complete & utter failure but for at least he's trying something new for once. A proper attacking fullback can impact games almost as much as wingers. Dani Alves, Alaba, Lahm, Marcelo, Maicon, Ashley Cole etc were all invaluable to their respective teams and the majority of them didn't even begin their careers at fullback.

I'm not not fully convinced by Kenedy as a winger. He lacks the close control, ball retention and passing abilities of Eden, Pedro & Willian at this stage of his career. You look at his strongest attributes pace, strength, workrate and maybe fullback would be the best position for him to play. His one-footedness & previously mentioned deficiencies would be less of a problem in that role. I mean at least he's getting game-time.

Exactly this. He provided so much width and attacking play that I've not seen from ivanovic or azpi for a long time. And he has the speed and energy of a proper full-back. He did better than baba imo.

I'm not against him playing there against smaller teams. He put some crosses into the box (which costa missed) and added to the wide play of our team. Barcelona, bayern and madrid use even more attack minded players who can cross like alba, Alaba and marcelo so why can't we have ours.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Tbh, the only thing that worries me about Kenedy playing LB is what's gonna happen with Baba. With the money spent on him you'd expect him to start over a winger at LB, especially since Baba himself is more known for his offense than his defense.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Alba was a winger. Moved to LB after a two years in the first team I think. Now he's Barcelona's and Spain's fullback and a key player.

Don't understand some of the reactions. This is nothing new or innovative. It happens all the time. Never thought Mourinho would make such a move though. He likes a different type of fullback.

Agree with Gilvorak. Fullbacks can be very influential. I'm so tired of these technique-less defenders, lacking any true attacking nous or poise on the ball. Not to mention the lack of pace Chelsea have had for years in the backline.

Yeah, I'm on the Kenedy to LB train as well. If he learns the role he could be a gem there.

[Tomo 21,733]

Yeah, I'm on the Kenedy to LB train as well. If he learns the role he could be a gem there.

He just needs to work on his defensive side because despite his promising debut against Palace he was one of the players responsible for Wards winner.

Attacking wise from left back he already has the ability, in fact from the limited time I've watched him he looks like a (not as good) Alves going forward, great from left back but average as a winger.

[the wes 7,212]

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Can't wait to see how this boy develops.

[the wes 7,212]

Hope he starts against sunderland

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Hope he starts against sunderland

Oh, he won't. Neither will Ruben. You can bet your sweet bollocks none of them will see the light of game time any time soon.

[Special Juan 27,424]

Oh, he won't. Neither will Ruben. You can bet your sweet bollocks none of them will see the light of game time any time soon.

It will be another bullet from the Mourinho gun....."You got us in this mess so you can sort it" Hence the usual suspects start