Tiemoue Bakayoko

[the wes 7,212]

Strengths

Bakayoko is an imposing figure in midfield – and while he used to be slender in his youth, he's grown into an athlete of great physical prowess.

He's quick, reads the game well, makes a lot of interceptions and is stong in the tackle, while he can also build play with his quality passing and good dribbling skills. It's easy to see why comparisons with Toure abound.

Weaknesses

Bakayoko has been exceptional in the last few months, but he's been known to be inconsistent in the past and there's no guarantee that such problems are gone forever.

He can still lose concentration from time to time, and currently needs an experienced leader alongside him to shine, while there's also work to be done to improve his goalscoring record.

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/tiemoue-bakayoko-meet-monacos-midfield-general-being-squabbled-over-manchester-united-and#FmdUyk7BjR5ZXsUW.99

[DYC. 7,542]

If I had to pick to pick between Fabinho and Bakayoko, I'd always pick Fabinho. Bakayoko is the superior athlete and stronger in challenges, but technically and tactically Fabinho is without a doubt a class above Baka. When you see the both of them play, it's clear to see Fabinho finds playing football easier than Baka. And Fabinho is no slouch athletically either. Tall, strong, good engine, deceptively quick and effective in challenges.

If Fabinho is unavailable to Chelsea though, Baka is probably one of Chelsea's better options in the middle.

[Unionjack 7,531]

If Conye has decided he wants him then its good enough for me.

If anyone can tell if a CM is good enough to play with us then its Conte.All thays supposedly happened so far is personal terms are agreed. Summer is a long way off .

But seeing as ?I dont know very much at all about him, from what Ive read,seen,read your commenys he seems pretty good.

[the wes 7,212]

“[Bakayoko] is a fairly complete midfielder. He has an important athletic presence, impact, and is good at recovery. He scores decisive goals and is able to project himself.”

-Didier Deschamps; source: L’Equipe

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Wait, since when has Balague ever been right about anything?

Surely, if this means anything, it's that we can probably rule out signing Bakayoko since Balague says we're interested...

[Rekin 835]

Bakayoko is still young. Working with Conte might unearth some hidden depths. I think he is a great choice and will help us control the middle a lot more than we do now. 

Is he better than Kessie or Fabinho? It does not depend just on the player, but also on the role he needs to fulfill. Fabinho is clearly the more complete player, but Bakayoko is better physically. If the player is meant to protect the middle, run a lot and act mostly as a destroyer than Bakayoko is the better option. 

I doubt we have secured him yet though, but he would be a good player for us I believe. 

[Chelsea? 892]

44 minutes ago, Rekin said:

Bakayoko is still young. Working with Conte might unearth some hidden depths. I think he is a great choice and will help us control the middle a lot more than we do now. 

Is he better than Kessie or Fabinho? It does not depend just on the player, but also on the role he needs to fulfill. Fabinho is clearly the more complete player, but Bakayoko is better physically. If the player is meant to protect the middle, run a lot and act mostly as a destroyer than Bakayoko is the better option. 

I doubt we have secured him yet though, but he would be a good player for us I believe. 

Wonder why we aren't after Fabiano since everyone seems to think he's the better option. Maybe he's weak defensively?

[!Hazard! 3,394]

Is he really that much more promising than Chalobah? I'd rather give Nathaniel a proper chance (he hasn't put a foot wrong all season) as the more physical midfield option and instead invest the money on a new central midfielder in the mould of Modric, Verratti etc.

[Chelsea? 892]

2 minutes ago, !Hazard! said:

Is he really that much more promising than Chalobah? I'd rather give Nathaniel a proper chance (he hasn't put a foot wrong all season) as the more physical midfield option and instead invest the money on a new central midfielder in the mould of Modric, Verratti etc.

Matic is the only youth product we have on the team. I was surprised to find that he's had 7 assists this season. Bakayoko will only be for rotation. 

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

If it's true the club has agreed terms with him I for one think that 90% of the business is done. This is usually what Bayern does - tap players first then close the deal with the very first bid. Hard for clubs to keep hold on of their players once they've been unsettled. Not the fairest of things to do, but it happens in the modern days.

Hope the same goes for Alexis Sanchez too. Heard Arsenal are ready to sell him and Ozil (rumour coming from a solid source - The Times), but would prefer to a foreign club. Maybe if Chelsea could unsettle him too, Arsenal would have no choice other than to sell him to his prefered destination.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

57 minutes ago, !Hazard! said:

Is he really that much more promising than Chalobah? I'd rather give Nathaniel a proper chance (he hasn't put a foot wrong all season) as the more physical midfield option and instead invest the money on a new central midfielder in the mould of Modric, Verratti etc.

You can't argue with the exposure that Bakayoko is getting. I also think that Chalobah is not worse but look how is he overtaken by RLC now. He has no way to get in place of Matic which is key for development of this team. I think if Bakayoko comes with big fee he displaces Matic almost immediately. And we should be okay with Bakayoko and Kante I realised, if we can get at least one attacking wingback and creative right forward. 

 

1 hour ago, Chelsea? said:

Matic is the only youth product we have on the team. I was surprised to find that he's had 7 assists this season. Bakayoko will only be for rotation. 

Bakayoko will eat Matic alive at least I hope. I also hope that Matic stays as he can be excellent squad option. 

[The Skipper 20,609]

6 hours ago, BlueLyon said:

IMO he is almost good to go as starter. I always thought we need a ball playing CM, but more I look the games, the more it seems we realy need a Matic improvement. Someone quicker, more agile and with better technique. While its true, Eden needs to get in middle to collect the ball a lot because Matic cant bring the ball further up, it makes sense to get someone who can dictate and spray the balls to our attackers. But at same time, Matic role as defender is crucial. It allows Kante to roam, it gives balance to our defense. A playmaker would ruin all that, so unless you know perfect Matic/Cesc combo player we can buy, then we simply cant afford to have playmaker in middle. Many say we dont realy need height and strenght, and while its true, small players can work, I saw enough of PL to know there is no way we would play two small guys in middle of pitch whole season. Even the likes of Dahoud, he aint small by no mean but seriously anyone believes he would fit next to Kante? Anyway, the solution as long we play with two men in middle is Matic improvement and Bakayoko is everything you need. Perhaps even stronger than Matic, certainly quicker, younger, more dynamic, at least as good defender and miles better dribbler. As long our middfield can get the ball forward (which Kante and Baka could), then we would be just fine if we have two brilliant wingers.

People also forget that football is not fifa. In real life its not easy to change even the side you play nevermind whole formation. Bakayoko always plays on left side to Fabinho, in two man midfield with two wingers and two fullbacks. The exact same position Matic plays here. Fact that he would even have French partner in Kante is probably great too.

 Yeah he makes simple passes most of the time, he prefers to dribble past opponents and then pass, rather make risky pass forward. Very raw passer. Sure he can pull great pass here and there, but so can Matic. If you look for Kroos, you will be dissapointed. If you look for Yaya or Vieira, then Bakayoko is the closest thing in years. His passing gets him down sometimes, because he gets the ball and then instead of passing forward, he just makes simple pass to nearest player, but his dribbling and ball control makes him great at pushing the ball forward without killing the tempo.

Its realy all about his role. If he gets free role to roam, his dribbling will be menance for any defense, if he gets the role like in city games when he has to stay deep, his passing will be the most basic.

I would be very happy with him. We need his type AND playmaker anyway, so by getting Baka, we cant lose realy.

Was just typing up a reply but after reading the thread and finding this there's no need. Spot on this. 

[The Skipper 20,609]

4 hours ago, CHOULO19 said:

Wait, since when has Balague ever been right about anything?

Surely, if this means anything, it's that we can probably rule out signing Bakayoko since Balague says we're interested...

L'Equipe are reporting it. 

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

4 hours ago, Chelsea? said:

Matic is the only youth product we have on the team. I was surprised to find that he's had 7 assists this season. Bakayoko will only be for rotation. 

Nemanja is not a Chelsea youth product.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

6 hours ago, The Skipper said:

L'Equipe are reporting it. 

Tbh, I just wanted to take a swipe at Balague. I've obviously no idea whether or not this is true.