West Ham 0-3 Chelsea

[robsblubot 3,595]

5 hours ago, cosmicway said:

Bournemouth are better than the hammers.

not sure.
Bournemouth looked pretty bad -- it's unfair to analyze a single game because part of it was us causing them problems, but these small clubs have a huge problem with depth. Their subs in the second half were lesser footballers and it showed.

I think WHU are less likely to have to fight relegation even if having a poor season, for ex.

[Fulham Broadway 17,317]

All depends which Chelsea turns up - we have the firepower and quality to score 6 - but if the cohesion isnt there, if theres nothing but pretty passing round the box, then we're likely to get fucked by Antonio, Bowen et al on the break

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

Everyone knows what their game plan is. Everyone back and try to hit us on the counter. Lets see if Maresca can do something about breaking them down.

[TheHulk 2,457]

We will win 4-1 with Enzo and Sancho to score.

[MoroccanBlue 5,382]

Judging from our performances this season, and what West Ham did to us last season, they will 100% be sitting back and trying to carve us open through the middle on the counter. 

Really wish Lavia was fit for this one as I don't trust Enzo here. If West Ham score first it's over. 

[Vesper 30,185]

On 18/09/2024 at 15:28, cosmicway said:

Bournemouth are better than the hammers.

West Ham are better, and it is not even close

 
Alphonse Areola 
Jean-Clair Todibo 
Max Kilman  
Konstantinos Mavropanos 
Emerson 
Aaron Wan-Bissaka    
Vladimír Coufal   
Edson Álvarez 
Tomas Soucek 
Guido Rodríguez 
Carlos Soler  
Lucas Paquetá  
Mohammed Kudus  
Crysencio Summerville 
Jarrod Bowen  
Luis Guilherme 
Niclas Füllkrug   
Michail Antonio  
Danny Ings 

[Mário César 1,274]

lavia is fit?

[Vesper 30,185]

hoping for

Sanchez

Colwill

Fofana

CuCu

Gusto

Caicedo

Lavia

Cole

Sancho

Madueke

Nico

[Mhsc 1,097]

Interesting Maresca very clear in his press conference - although some times he may play players in different positions for individual games, his view is very clear on the players and where they play for him, he wants 2 players per position and he sees it like this:

RW = Pedro + Noni

LW = Sancho + Mudryk

Attacking midfielder = Cole + Felix

9 = Jackson + Nkunku

 

[mkh 591]

Enzo Maresca on Reece James: "Unfortunately we don’t have an idea [when James will be back] at the moment. In terms of injuries in the past, we always hope we can find the right solution."

[nyikolajevics 2,700]

Enzo Maresca confirmed at his pre-West Ham press conference that both Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are fit for the weekend.

‘In terms of players who aren’t available, Malo is still out and Reece is still out.'

 

So, let' pretend Lavia doesn't exist. Perhaps in two weeks Maresca will tell "he is very close, might return after the international break".

 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

 

[NikkiCFC 8,324]

22 hours ago, Vesper said:

hoping for

Sanchez

Colwill

Fofana

CuCu

Gusto

Caicedo

Lavia

Cole

Sancho

Madueke

Nico

No Lavia and Gusto. 

[Vesper 30,185]

55 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

No Lavia and Gusto. 

ffs

😪

[Vesper 30,185]

2 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Kudus and Bowen versus Disaster

🤬

[Pizy 18,917]

Did anyone even ask about Lavia? I don’t see any quotes about his availability. How tf can these journalists not even ask?

If he plays I think I’ll be somewhat confident. If not I can see Michael Antonio wreaking absolute havoc on our entire defense. Without that screen in front of them helping and also helping the other midfielders I think we’re really struggling in this one.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

If he is fit enough I would try Chilwell at LB and Cucu at right back. If he inverts anyway it’s not a disadvantage to have his strong foot on the inside . Same time Noni has to track back a lot obviously 

[robsblubot 3,595]

15 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

If he is fit enough I would try Chilwell at LB and Cucu at right back. If he inverts anyway it’s not a disadvantage to have his strong foot on the inside . Same time Noni has to track back a lot obviously 

yeah better option than Disasi.

Noni was poor tracking back in the last match. Many of their best moments was when the ball was taken from Noni and their #19 Kluivert made diagonal runs towards the center of attack. Neto wasn't much better in D either, so that needs work. That kind of performance against a better team would result in a loss.

I'm not expecting Sancho to replicate his performance tbh; coming on vs starting a match can be very different.

Edited September 20, 2024 by robsblubot

[Vesper 30,185]

Maresca can drop Disasi & unleash “magnificent” Chelsea star in a new role

https://www.footballfancast.com/maresca-must-drop-disasi-unleash-Chelsea-star-moises-caicedo-in-a-new-role/

Chelsea have averaged 59.4% so far this season (the sixth highest in the league), scoring eight goals in their opening four games, only bettered by Manchester City’s 11 goals.

Six of those goals came against Wolves in their second game, with Noni Madueke scoring a hat-trick, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson also grabbing one, while João Félix also got on the scoresheet on his return to Chelsea blue.

However, they have also conceded five goals in the opening four games, still showing signs of defensive vulnerability, something Maresca will need to work on further if Chelsea want to solidify a spot in the top four.

As such, a change in the backline could be warranted this weekend for the trip to face London rivals, West Ham United.

Axel Disasi's game in numbers vs Bournemouth

In Chelsea's most recent game away at AFC Bournemouth, Axel Disasi was hooked after 62 minutes, having lost both of his two duels as well as losing possession nine times playing in an unnatural right-back position.

The Frenchman showed a lack of composure on the ball, often booting it long instead of getting it down, and looking to play out from the back.

Disasi made 44 appearances for the Blues last season in all competitions, scoring three goals, contributing to ten clean sheets, and totalling 3,690 minutes played. Eight of those appearances came as a right-back (filling in for Reece James and Malo Gusto when injured), whilst the other 35 appearances were in his natural central defence role.

The 26-year-old lacks the recovery pace and ball manipulation qualities to play at right-back, especially in a system like Maresca's, which requires him to circulate possession under pressure, looking to break the lines and find passes into the midfielders.

 

With this being said, Chelsea have the perfect solution to their James and Gusto injuries, which can avoid putting Disasi in this unnatural position, and it comes in a creative form.

Chelsea's unorthodox solution at right-back

Described as "magnificent" by Jacek Kulig, Chelsea's all-round midfielder, Moises Caicedo, has many strings to his bow, one of them being the ability to fill in at right-back. This is something the Ecuadorian did on three occasions for Brighton during the 2022/23 campaign, inverting from right-back into midfield for Roberto De Zerbi's side.

This would allow Chelsea to continue inverting their right-side fullback (as they had with Gusto), keeping the team dynamic familiar. Caicedo has all the required qualities, including ball retention, passing ability, and recovery speed, allowing him to get back into shape from the inverted role.

Caicedo adds progressive passing when inverting into midfield, the ability to take the ball in tight areas and play through the lines under pressure. But he also offers defensive security, making 3.42 tackles per 90, and 2.11 interceptions per 90, showing his willingness to get his hands dirty.

By playing Caicedo in this role, it will allow Chelsea to field another midfielder/attacker, with the Ecuador midfielder inverting centrally alongside Enzo Fernandez for example, potentially allowing for the inclusion of Christopher Nkunku as an advanced number eight.

While it remains to be seen if Maresca will actually adopt this approach on Saturday, this tactical tweak is certainly something to consider for the clash at the London Stadium.

 

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

On 19/09/2024 at 20:14, Vesper said:

hoping for

Sanchez

Colwill

Fofana

CuCu

Gusto

Caicedo

Lavia

Cole

Sancho

Madueke

Nico

I'd like, thought doubt it's possible:

Sanchez

Gusto Tosin Colwell Cucurella

Lavia Caicedo

Cool Cole Felix Sancho

Nkunku