closed Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

[BlueLyon 9,359]

15 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Still one of the PL's best players last season. Many here act like he's utter garbage. Just support him, ffs. We can always take him off if he plays poorly.

Tbh he had his period when every free kick ended up in goal, but it soon stopped. Otherway he was very consistent and hardworking individual. That said he scored 5 goals in PL and 5 in CL. He was indeed very good in CL, but in PL, last season was nothing special. We were so poor, he stood out, but even in his best season he didnt get into double figures or saved our asses like Eden does often (or if you want Payet who plays in poor team).

Willian was never shit or poor, but his attacking record is awful compared to top wingers. 

That said, I never say he is shit, just nothing special. A hardworking winger who lacks finish. He can be realy useful if your team already has two or three "make-it-happen" individuals, but if he is the man to rely, he offers very little. Considering he scored left and right in those few months from free kicks, then nada, it says enough. 

The problem is that he can score stunner in top corner (was it watford?), but then in next 10 shots he hits, the ball goes straight at GK with no power. Very frustrating. 

But yes, he had family problems and when criticising him, that should be taken into account.

As for the game, come on Chels!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Diego finally gets his Yellow.

[Ledg 643]

So there it is. How many games did he survive without a yellow? 8-9?

[Kieran. 6,317]

Diego's first yellow in a couple months lol

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Fabregas deserves a run of games right now. 

[LeonDavis23 371]

Bournemouth just got a little christmas present, a thank you for 2 weeks ago

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

That was an odd booking.  Kante really should have been booked for breaking up a counter.  He got a warning.  Palace booked (righty) for blocking off Hazard from getting the ball on a 1-2.  Costa should have gotten a warning, Kante booked.

[zinctek 469]

so did Costa lovely boxing day off

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Willian is fucking useless. We play with 10.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Hazard the only one doing anything. Please feed him the ball

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Matic has resorted back to 2015/16 mediocrity. He's been appalling in this game. 

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Matic out Fabregas in please. Even Man United did a better job against Palace of controlling the game. We've had serious problems controlling games after the international break. Get Fabregas in. 

[Leif 6,006]

'Our players don't need rotated' they said. They're tired as fuck I said.

[Leif 6,006]

Hazard/Luiz coming back from niggles.

Costa's been mentally depleted for a few games now.

Alonso/Moses have never been asked to run as much in their career.

Willian is barely match-fit.

Kante & Matic have no excuses for being tired, and they're not, nor our 3 central defenders, though out of them I think Azpi might be the worst to mentally be worn down. Hopefully not, since he's potential captain material for me.

'Rotation is stupid' my arse, they're walking on spaghetti legs.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

We can't control the game in midfield. We're relying on Alonso to generate our attacks. That's the main problem I've seen in this game. Their keeper hasn't even made a save yet. Worrying. 

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

Just now, MrExcalibur100 said:

Matic out Fabregas in please. Even Man United did a better job against Palace of controlling the game. We've had serious problems controlling games after the international break. Get Fabregas in. 

I'd think Fabs for Willian.  Go 352.  Get Fabs a little protection in the middle and hopefully give him some time on the ball to find the pass.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

If Alosno wasn't so slow he would have been in.

 

We need both wing backs to have pace in this system.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Just now, Sideshow Luiz said:

I'd think Fabs for Willian.  Go 352.  Get Fabs a little protection in the middle and hopefully give him some time on the ball to find the pass.

3-5-2 yeah maybe. Willian is a completely redundant player at this point. 

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

Just now, MrExcalibur100 said:

3-5-2 yeah maybe. Willian is a completely redundant player at this point. 

Yeah.  At least Matic is winning the ball and getting himself in positions to receive a pass and keep possession.  I have to scan the  pitch to look for Willian to make sure he's still out there,

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

1 minute ago, Sideshow Luiz said:

Yeah.  At least Matic is winning the ball and getting himself in positions to receive a pass and keep possession.  I have to scan the  pitch to look for Willian to make sure he's still out there,

I dunno about that. Matic has been an abomination in this game. Can't make simple passes. Hopeless under any sort of pressure. Fabregas should be starting against teams like Palace. And in the summer we need to get rid of Matic.