21. Ben Chilwell

[Vesper 29,144]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

And him playing there is major reason why he wanted to leave Atletico. He wants to play in MF. 

 

big difference between a Tuchel bombing LWB and a Simeone grinder LB role

he is deffo worth a try there

[Clockwork 1,794]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

And him playing there is major reason why he wanted to leave Atletico. He wants to play in MF. 

Also dont know why suddenly no one trusts Alonso... Our record under TT with him is great... Last season but also this season. Not to mention under Conte, title in first season, TOTY in 2nd season.

With Alonso in 2021 under TT we beat: Atletico x2, Spurs x2, Arsenal, City, Everton, Palace, Villa... I mentioned these 9 games where we conceded  just 1 goal (Chris mistake against City). And many more...

Just in August he was nominated for PL POTM... 

 

He stinks against any team that presses high and under pressure. Absolutely no composure. He also doesn’t have the physical capability to press at the level of Chilly. With him it hurts our chances to retain the CL and win the PL. Alonso is the type of player that will have 1 Or 2 decent matches, but will get much worse game after game.

if Saul wants to play he better accept that role, because Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, and RLC are miles better.

[Vesper 29,144]

On 24/11/2021 at 16:20, milka said:

 We Have Marcos Alonso   and Azpilicueta who can play also  LWB ,  so we dont need to recall Emerson . 

Azpi at LWB is capitualation

I say NO NO NO to recalling Emerson

recall Maatsen perhaps (and Maatsen has had a decent growth spurt and is now up to around 5 feet 8 inched tall, so not a dwarf anymore)

 

or use Saul there plus Alonso

AC Milan will never sell the only truly great left-footed LB out there who is even remotely available (Theo) in January

Spinnazzola (one of only two great right footed LB's along with Cancelo) is too much of risk to buy in January, as he is still not close to being fully recovered from that Achilles rupture, look how long it took CHO and RLC to fully recover (way over a year for each, especially RLC)

only other option I would be ok with exploring is Borna Sosa

 

Edited November 26, 2021 by Vesper

[Vesper 29,144]

one other recall option

Levi Colwill

left footed CB who also plays LB (deffo not a regular at LB though)

great size (1.87m) and pacey

 

 

Why Levi Colwill is Chelsea's next big thing

https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2021/09/why-levi-colwill-is-chelseas-next-big-thing

This summer has seen a mass exodus of Chelsea academy graduates from the club.

Valentino Livramento, Lewis Bate, Dynel Simeu and Myles Peart-Harris have all left the club on permanent deals, as have Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham, while the likes of Faustino Anjorin and Armando Broja have departed on loan moves.

Another player who has gone out on loan this season is Levi Colwill. The 18-year-old has joined Huddersfield Town on loan for the 2021/22 season, in a move similar to the one the aforementioned Tomori made to Derby County in 2018/19. He is rated extremely highly amongst the Chelsea set-up, but who is he?

What position does Levi Colwill play play?

Colwill is a central defender by trade. He is capable of playing in a back four or a back three, and features on the left-hand side due to his favoured left peg.

He can also fill in at left-back if needed.

How good is Levi Colwill?

Both Tomori and Marc Guehi left the club permanently this summer, with Chelsea happy to let the pair leave, in part thanks to the emergence of Colwill.

Xavier Mbuyamba is also a young defender in the academy, signed from Barcelona, and has begun training with the first-team which is a sign of how highly the Blues rate him. However, Colwill is arguably the player Chelsea hold in highest regard in the academy.

Recently called up to the England U21 squad, having been promoted from the U18s, Colwill has hit the ground running for Huddersfield in the Championship, and has well and truly taken to senior football like a duck to water. He's played every minute of the Terriers' league campaign so far, helping them pick up a crucial victory over Sheffield United by scoring a 94th minute winner in front of the travelling away fans.

Not only that, but he's been assured when defending, and has certainly deserved the recognition from the England set-up.

Colwill is simply outstanding. Watching even a highlight reel shows the talent he has, and the fact he stands out playing senior football at 18 testifies to this.

A left-footed centre-back, Colwill's body positioning is excellent on the ball, and by playing on the left of a centre-back pairing, he opens the pitch up. Many teams use two, or even three, right-footed centre-backs, and this sometimes limits the passing lanes and possibilities for playing out the back.

Colwill's strong left-foot negates that issue, and it allows Huddersfield to build through the thirds easily on the left-hand side of the pitch. His vision is truly exceptional for a defender, and he frequently breaks the lines with his passes. Of course, these risky passes don't always come off, but his immense technical prowess means he rarely gives the ball away.

In Huddersfield's 4-0 win over Reading, Colwill completed a huge seven long balls, with his switch of play crucial to the first goal. A simple five-yard pass to a fellow defender is an option that many centre-backs take, look at Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey against West Ham, but Colwill often looks beyond the easy option, and it helps Huddersfield progress up the pitch far quicker.

Of course, this doesn't always work, but he'll improve with experience.

Colwill's ability on the ball is perhaps best shown by his tally of 1.2 dribbles per 90. Coming from centre-back that is almost unheard of, and ranks him third of all centre-backs in the division.

It's that drive from the backline that attracts attention to Colwill, and he often has the presence of mind to wait until the last moment, after sucking two or three players towards him, before releasing a pass which creates a pocket of space for his teammates.

This is something he regularly did for Chelsea's youth teams, and it's something he's continued with almost effortless ease in the Championship.

Colwill is a fairly front-footed defender, meaning he quite often opts to make a challenge rather than stall his opponent. This works most of the time, but as mentioned earlier, his defensive nous will only get better with age, and the few times he gets caught out of position will soon be rectified.

Speaking to Goal recently, Colwill revealed how close friend Jamal Musiala, and the success he has had, is pushing him to achieve his goals. He said: "We played for the same Sunday team [City Central FC], and we went up together for our Chelsea trial. We have just done everything together.

"We keep in touch still now and he is a good mate. It is amazing to see what he has achieved so far. It gives me goosebumps every time because I have been through everything he has been through, all that grind.

"To see what he has done now is inspiring and it shows me what is possible. If I keep working hard, I know I can achieve what he's done."

Colwill follows a fairly long line of Chelsea loanees to end up at Huddersfield, but he might well be the best of the lot. His central defensive partner Naby Sarr recently revealed in a press conference that "Colwill looks like he's been playing professionally for 10 years already, and he's only 18.

"He has everything to play for, he'll be a big player."

With 3.0 aerial wins per 90, Colwill ranks second in the Huddersfield squad, which shows he's more than prepared to do the dirty work in addition to his aesthetically-pleasing passes.

To fit seamlessly into a competitive senior team is no mean feat, but Colwill is proving week-in, week-out, why he is viewed as the next big thing to come out of Cobham, and why Chelsea were happy to let both Tomori and Guehi go.

He's still raw, of course, but the early signs are that Colwill is a special, special talent.

Still just 18, Colwill won't be trusted in the Chelsea first-team just yet, but Thomas Tuchel certainly holds him in high regard. With Jules Kounde on Chelsea's radar, added to the talent already available at centre-back, it may be a few years before Colwill is handed a starting berth at the club.

[SomethingSomething 17]

Chilly had his mental problems in the past, if it is indeed ACL I hope it wont affect him too much. Talking from experience, acls/meniscus tears are a bitch.

[chelsea_4_eva 1,163]

If it comes down to it, I think its worth a shot to give Saul a few goes at LWB.. I know he wants to play CM but how many times have we seen Chilly or Alonso in the box. Also our LB/LWB system is different to Atleticos

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

11 hours ago, Stats said:

The biggest compliment I can give him is that when he joined, I think there was a huge fanbase who was so against the signing. I was one of a few, I say gladly now who was delighted about the signing. He was ridiculed by a lot of people who thought it was waste of money and were angry money was not spent on Reguilon. Well he has proved a fantastic signing and has proved the majority wrong. He will be missed for sure!

I was worried about the signing because the LCFC fans did not believe in him and were delighted at the fee they received.

I have been worried about Ben's output in a Chelsea shirt because I've seen the same unproductive displays that we all have.

Just a matter of weeks ago there was discontent here, and among Chelsea's coaches, about how Chilly was contributing. For a while he was our backup so querying Ben's output has not been a fringe opinion.

For you, having always had a positive take on Ben, it is completely logical to see the current positive impression he is making as nothing more than what you expected all along. Fair enough. For more sceptical people like me however it will take sustained contributions to move us from where we have been to where you are. Personally, I need more evidence before I can conclude that it is Ben's basic quality which is making the system work and not the system which is making the most of Ben's recent, and therefore temporary, form.

Edited November 25, 2021 by OhForAGreavsie

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

6 hours ago, Vesper said:

one other recall option

Levi Colwill

left footed CB who also plays LB (deffo not a regular at LB though)

great size (1.87m) and pacey

 

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

17 hours ago, MoroccanBlue said:

We recalled Ake when forced to didn't we? 

Ake was a proven PL pro. Maatsen has only played in the cc. Albeit decent he has hardly set the world alight. 

[Vesper 29,144]

18 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

Ake was a proven PL pro. Maatsen has only played in the cc. Albeit decent he has hardly set the world alight. 

do you think we should move in January for Borna Sosa?

Stuttgart are shit and going nowhere

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

11 hours ago, Vesper said:

Azpi at LWC is capitualation

I say NO NO NO to recalling Emerson

recall Maatsen perhaps (and Maatsen has had a decent growth spurt and is now up to around 5 feet 8 inched tall, so not a dwarf anymore)

 

or use Saul there plus Alonso

AC Milan will never sell the only truly great left-footed LB out there who is even remotely available (Theo) in January

Spinnazzola (one of only two great right footed LB's along with Cancelo) is too much of risk to buy in January, as he is still not close to being fully recovered from that Achilles rupture, look how long it took CHO and RLC to fully recover (way over a year for each, especially RLC)

only other option I would be ok with exploring is Borna Sosa

 

I know Borna sosa. He is a quite similar to Alonso. He is decent in the air, gets forward a lot and has a good eye for a pass and esp crosses. also a good free kick taker. He is not very strong in spite of his height and also not exactly fast (not as slow as alonso tho and moves the ball at a higher pace, can even dribble a bit). Arguably a slightly better crosser than Alonso as well but  not quite the same level technically overall. He would not add anything new which is why i would give him a pass. Not a bad player tho. Just don't think he is the level required. I read Villa are in for him which would suit him better. Maybe if he made another step in his developmnt there he could be a long term candidate.

Edited November 25, 2021 by Magic Lamps

[Vesper 29,144]

12 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

I know Borna sosa. He is a quite similar to Alonso. He is decent in the air, gets forward a lot and has a good eye for a pass and esp crosses. also a good free kick taker. He is not very strong in spite of his height and also not exactly fast (not as slow as alonso tho and moves the ball at a higher pace, can even dribble a bit). Arguably a slightly better crosser than Alonso as well but  not quite the same level technically overall. He would not add anything new which is why i would give him a pass. Not a bad player tho. Just don't think he is the level required. I read Villa are in for him which would suit him better. Maybe if he made another step in his developmnt there he could be a long term candidate.

yes, he is like an Alonso clone but pacier

what about another LB I have floated in the past? Ramy Bensebaini

we are really running gout of options here

after Theo the drop is insane in terms of actually available ones, and like I said, zero chance Theo leaves AC Milan in Jabauary

 

here is a wild card I would like your opinion on too, and another Bundesliga (ex Bundesliga in this case), player

Abdou Diallo

I think he would be potentially a great but, BUT, will PSG sell him in January?

I think they MIGHT (for high price) as they have FOUR 'starting quality' (for most teams for sure) left backs on their roster

Nuno Mendes      
Abdou Diallo 
Juan Bernat   
Layvin Kurzawa  

 

Diallo is also VERY experienced (more so in a way) as a CB

again great size (1.87m) pace and obviously is left footed

 

 

 

[Magic Lamps 11,677]

22 hours ago, Vesper said:

yes, he is like an Alonso clone but pacier

what about another LB I have floated in the past? Ramy Bensebaini

we are really running gout of options here

after Theo the drop is insane in terms of actually available ones, and like I said, zero chance Theo leaves AC Milan in Jabauary

 

here is a wild card I would like your opinion on too, and another Bundesliga (ex Bundesliga in this case), player

Abdou Diallo

I think he would be potentially a great but, BUT, will PSG sell him in January?

I think they MIGHT (for high price) as they have FOUR 'starting quality' (for most teams for sure) left backs on their roster

Nuno Mendes      
Abdou Diallo 
Juan Bernat   
Layvin Kurzawa  

 

Diallo is also VERY experienced (more so in a way) as a CB

again great size (1.87m) pace and obviously is left footed

 

 

 

Bensebaini has impressed me recently. I was not a fan of his over the years but he has been near pefect in the matches I scouted him in this season (Dortmund and Bayern twice). Was absolutely instrumental in all of them. Especially his finish for the goal that effectively kicked Bayern out of the cup was exquisitely taken and he got into good positions all game. Admittedly he is also not very fast but still quicker than alonso. My  concern is his terrible injury record in the past 2 years (also suffered from bad Covid infection). Nothing too bad otherwise but a concerning accumulation of different muscle injuries and kept him out for quite some important games

For Diallo I remember him very well from his time at Dortmund. Was an absolute beast for them at CB and kept that fragile defence more or less intact, esp in that Favre season where they made quite a decent title challenge (2018/19).  He was much less impressive as left back, probably bc those absolute donkeys toprak and zagadou would then made a complete mess of everything in the middle. I expect him to look much better with decent cbs next to him. Not sure he is much of a wing back tho. Is a more conservative LB when employed there and not that adventurous. Has only played there for PSG bc Bernat is injured and Nuno mendes is still raw. Diallo is more similar to Azpi than Chilwell, his best position would probably be LCB. His pace and technical proficiency are sufficient for a LWB, he is just not much of an attacker mentally.  Doubt PSG would sell atm as they don't trust Kurzawa and Mendes yet.

Kurzawa is probably the player they would gift wrap for us but he appears to have attitude problems and I have not seen him play enough for ages (9mins this season and the 1300 mins last season were mostly vs shit opposition). He also is 29 by now. time flies.

Edited November 26, 2021 by Magic Lamps

[Vesper 29,144]

1 hour ago, Magic Lamps said:

Bensebaini has impressed me recently. I was not a fan of his over the years but he has been near pefect in the matches he saw of him this season (Dortmund and Bayern twice). Was absolutely instrumental in all of them. Especially. His finish for the goal that effectively kicked Bayern out of the cup was exquisitely taken and he got into good positions all game. Admittedly he is also not very fast but still quicker than alonso. My  concern is his terrible injury record in the past 2 years (also suffered from bad Covid infection). Nothing too bad otherwise only an accumulation of different muscle injuries and kept him out for quite some important games

For Diallo I remember him very well from his time at Dortmund. Was an absolute beast for them at CB and kept that fragile defence more or less intact, esp in that Favre season where they made quite a decent title challenge (2018/19).  He was much less impressive as left back, probably bc those absolute donkey toprak and zagadou would then made a complete mess of everything in the middle. I expect him to look much better with decent cbs next to him. Not sure he is much of a wing back tho. Is a more conservative LB when employed there and not that adventurous. Has only played there for PSG bc Bernat is injured and Nuno mendes is still raw. Diallo is more similar to Azpi than Chilwell, his best position would probably be LCB. His pace and technical proficiency are sufficient for a LWB, he is just not much of an attacker mentally.  Doubt PSG would sell atm as they don't trust Kurzawa and Mendes yet.

Kurzawa is probably the player they would gift wrap for us but he appears to have attitude problems and I have not seen him play enough for ages (9mins this season and the 1300 mins last season were mostly vs shit opposition). He also is 29 by now. time flies.

Mendes is the real deal, in 2, 3, 4 years he is going to easily be a top 5 LB on planet

well, it is looking like we roll with what we have and I REALLY think we should give Saul a test run at LWB, I think before we panic and recall the youngster Maatsen

I have a bit more faith in Alonso (surprisingly as I have bashed him on occasion over the years) than some on here, BUT (a huge but) he always runs out of steam when he is played game after game

 

we need to make a move in the summer for Theo (hard pull), Chiesa (hard pull., 2nd option would be Mikel Oyarzabal, 3rd probably Hirving Lozano), Maxence Lacroix (especially if Rudiger bounces, which looks around 70-75% likely atm) with Skriniar 2nd option (and a must IF AC bounces as well), Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Christopher Nkunku (Florian Wirtz 2nd option, Carlos Soler 3rd) Ridle Baku would be the best RWB option (and plays winger too) with Matty Cash as 2nd choice

dream down the road signings would be Jude Bellingham and Barella (hard pull, but he is as close to what Kante is as is out there)

as usual, many on my wish list are Serie A and hard to pull, but I only puck who I think are the best even remotely possible players

 

 

 

[Blues Forever 1,232]

 

[Superblue 6,372]

I guess we'll have a bit more clarity on the situation hopefully at Tuchel's presser today.

[Mário César 1,037]

3 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

I guess we'll have a bit more clarity on the situation hopefully at Tuchel's presser today.

What time is tuchel press?

[Jase 43,479]

Tuchel just said what Matt Law reported about Chilwell.

He has a partial injury on his ACL and will decide in 6 weeks if he needs to have surgery. 

Tuchel also said Chilwell has had a positive reaction to his first treatment.