Well here's my view;
Mata has been good creatively in the past few seasons, but he can improve defensively.
Oscar is good both defensively and at attacking.
I think it's a good decision that Mourinho has taken to stick with a player who can do both tasks at 75 percent than one who does one at 85 and the other at 62.
At least till the latter significantly improves on his 62. Will not be good in the short term but in the long run, will really help the team.
If Mata refuses to work on his 62, however, then we might just have to let him go. Even the best players in the world are always striving to improve.
Messi and Rooney some years back were terrible at free kicks and set pieces. They have both put in the work and learnt it. Same with Lampard before 2009 when he learnt headers, chips and blind passes.
I believe if Mata puts in the work and improves his 62, then he'll dislodge Oscar from the team once more. That's assuming Oscar hasn't pushed his two 75s even further up by then.
In summary, in the long run, I think this will turn out to be an excellent decision. Now, lets go out there and support our football club.
KTBFFH!!!!
My take - Mata, Oscar and Mourinho
posted on 21/9/13
Jesus christ, go away for a couple hours and this article has blown up...good to see. But I agree with this....
comment by Stuck With The Name Biggish (U7916) posted 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
We played some good stuff last year with 3 amigos much better than the dross this year.
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In too short periods of a game though, too many times we were overun in midfield and this is what he is trying to change...........most of our good stuff last year was individual brilliance, not great team football..
Look how poor we were agst Benfica, people have short memories if they think we were good last season
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We were poor last year and the year before finished the lowest we have for nearly 2 decades.
Mata kept us afloat and probably would be now. The other guys need to step up aswell as poking holes in matas defensive abilities.
AS for a CM pairing of Ramires and Oscar, I dont know if it would be too lightweight but anyone can be better than mikel against toure etc. Worth a try IMO.
Frank as much as he is loved by chelsea fans is too slow to get close to the opposition and the opposition can get on him so quick...see basle this week. We need to try something else.
Again 4-4-1-1
with Oscar deep and Mata just ahead, with willian and schrulle on the wings and ramires we have people who are not afraid to get stuck in.
posted on 21/9/13
Big Kev needs a game too
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yea, I think with the crowd of players in the three amigos position, Kev should get some game time in the double pivot. I won't be surprised if he doesn't play though. there's a slight bit of pressure and Jose always reverts to his tested and trusted generals in times of pressure.
posted on 21/9/13
lampard cant start again can he surely? HE looks so leggy
posted on 21/9/13
AS for a CM pairing of Ramires and Oscar, I dont know if it would be too lightweight but anyone can be better than mikel against toure etc. Worth a try IMO.
Frank as much as he is loved by chelsea fans is too slow to get close to the opposition and the opposition can get on him so quick...see basle this week. We need to try something else.
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i agree completely with the second part. the first part however, I do not. Toure and Garcia or fellaini and Carrick will totally eat up a midfield three of mata, oscar and ramires in size and physical dominance. We MIGHT survive with that if they had a very good understanding of each other and had the crisp passing and movement of Barcelona. but we all know they do not and never might.
This is why that formation is a total No-No for me. ramires can't completely control the ball talk more of passing crisply.
posted on 21/9/13
lampard cant start again can he surely? HE looks so leggy
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I'd be so disappointed in Mou if Lamps did start again
posted on 21/9/13
Izuta who would you have challenge toure and garcia for us then?
Lampards too slow and weak in big games and who else do we have? mikel is too slow and weak and genuinely not up to it in big games although he can keep the ball at times but I really cant trust him.
posted on 21/9/13
Izuta who would you have challenge toure and garcia for us then?
Lampards too slow and weak in big games and who else do we have? mikel is too slow and weak and genuinely not up to it in big games although he can keep the ball at times but I really cant trust him.
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Funny enough, I'd actually trust MVG and Ramires since Mikel could be a bit hit and miss at times.
however, I'd rather we stick to our 4231 and play on our strength and wealth of players who can play in between the lines or return to 433 ONLY AFTER purchasing a quality striker. Then Ramires can play the box to box role which he seems suited for and we can have enough numbers to combat any physicality from others.
posted on 21/9/13
IMO, i think we should go with Eto'o. He hasn't exactly set the league alight
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Erm have i missed something with Eto, did he join us a year ago and i missed it or has he just played one PL game for us this season?
posted on 21/9/13
Erm have i missed something with Eto, did he join us a year ago and i missed it or has he just played one PL game for us this season?
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True, he's not been here long enough to make an impression. I fear he's been away from 'top' football for quite a while and with his age might find it difficult to adapt to the league as he would have if he was younger.
posted on 21/9/13
That was my fear when we signed him, but actually having seen him in the two games so far i feel more optimistic as his movement is good