James injured

D.A but don't you think that the fans were proved right to want Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi to actually play? Loftus-Cheek in particular was a revelation in the last couple of months of the season and gave us another dimension in midfield.
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That's not the point I was making, which was fans were getting restless about them far too quickly when it's quite possible Sarri would've introduced them into the setup when he did regardless of the pressure to do so.

RLC is more understandable cos we bought Bakayoko last season rather than giving him that spot. Though a separate discussion can be had about the merits that Palace loan had on him, I get the frustration where he's concerned a bit more. But CHO was a bit too intense, certain fans lacking the patience and faith to believe he'd get in eventually.

I will stress I don't blame fans for this. The club have created a culture that fans have a right to fear for the future of our young players (KDB & Salah is reason enough without really going in-depth), but at the same point it doesn't mean we shouldn't lose sight of the basics - i.e. unless your a Messi-like prodigy, as a young player you earn the spot.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 3 hours, 30 minutes ago
Superb

Interesting take on it. I'd argue it's the fans who advocate for the youth who lack the patience, wanting RLC & CHO rushed into the first team this season - out of fear (not logic) because of the club's prior history of instantaneous trophy seeking.

It's about striking a balance.
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I'd argue the opposite; it didn't take a genius to spot that Barkley and Kovcic in that position were not fit for purpose and RLC had shown at Palace, International level and Pre season with us, to be more than capable of added the extra drive and goal threat we needed from midfield.

CHO likewise showed in pre-season, in the early EL and FA/LC Cup games that he had the ability to play at a higher level, yet we had to endure the mid season mediocrity of Willian and Pedro.

It was a situation that was just crying out for a change of personnel, yet we had to listen to our manager repeating he needed to win matches now, apparently oblivious that we were failing in that objective anyway.

I also fully believe that had he injected young blood in sooner than he had, we wouldn't have witnessed the well documented discontent from the fans at certain games.

Having spoken to many match going fans the over riding source of displeasure was not so much the performances or results but the failure to react to them in the form of changing playing personnel. Most understand he hadn't got the strongest of squads to manipulate, with youth being the most obvious talent pool available.

Further more to that, had he been more proactive during that part of the season, I can't help feeling that the abuse would not have been anything like as vitriolic as it was and Sarri would not be so keen to leave for Juve as he appears to be now!

Some good points there Brummie. Have to say I agree with much of that.

comment by hounslows-finest (U6180)
posted 10 hours, 58 minutes ago
he's had a very good season at wigan

my son is mates with his brother

man utd and leicester have been tracking him
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Leicester wouldnt be a bad loan

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 5 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by hounslows-finest (U6180)
posted 10 hours, 58 minutes ago
he's had a very good season at wigan

my son is mates with his brother

man utd and leicester have been tracking him
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Leicester wouldnt be a bad loan
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I don't know if this is a young fans thing, that older fans don't get but I really don't get this clamour to continually loan our best young players out.

I can't understand why, given present circumstances we would want to loan, what is the best player from the academy to a club who, lets make no bones about it, will be one of our rivals this season, along with the likes of Wolves and Everton.

Are we really saying that the best option to back up to Dave should be loaned to Leicester? Do we really want Zappacosta to be his understudy?

If loaning James out yet again really is the best option for player and club, can someone explain what I'm not getting here?

I know one person who would be ecstatic with that arrangement - Brendan Rodgers!

CHO likewise showed in pre-season, in the early EL and FA/LC Cup games that he had the ability to play at a higher level, yet we had to endure the mid season mediocrity of Willian and Pedro.

It was a situation that was just crying out for a change of personnel, yet we had to listen to our manager repeating he needed to win matches now, apparently oblivious that we were failing in that objective anyway.

I also fully believe that had he injected young blood in sooner than he had, we wouldn't have witnessed the well documented discontent from the fans at certain games.

Having spoken to many match going fans the over riding source of displeasure was not so much the performances or results but the failure to react to them in the form of changing playing personnel. Most understand he hadn't got the strongest of squads to manipulate, with youth being the most obvious talent pool available.

Further more to that, had he been more proactive during that part of the season, I can't help feeling that the abuse would not have been anything like as vitriolic as it was and Sarri would not be so keen to leave for Juve as he appears to be now!
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Agree strongly with all of that (apart from Pedro being Mediocre). Well said Brummie!!

I won't be mourning the loss of Sarri myself.

69, I felt that we had to endure an awful lot of games were Pedro wouldn't produce to get a game were he put in a good showing. I like Pedro but he's far to inconsistent for my liking!

A little insight to what James injury means to us following the proposed sale of Aina to Torino!


https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/players/ola-aina-chelsea-reece-james-16411591

69, I felt that we had to endure an awful lot of games were Pedro wouldn't produce to get a game were he put in a good showing. I like Pedro but he's far to inconsistent for my liking!
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He's a really uplifting player. Wasn't blessed with the technical skill of his academy brothers at Barcelona but worked hard on getting the things he was good at (i.e. his football brain - movement, decisions, team responsibility, etc...) perfect. I love players like that, who make the most of what they have, and they tend to do very well for us.

I hope he finishes his career with us. Players like Pulisic & CHO, who have the skill but lack the smarts in some aspects, can learn so much from him.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 26 minutes ago
69, I felt that we had to endure an awful lot of games were Pedro wouldn't produce to get a game were he put in a good showing. I like Pedro but he's far to inconsistent for my liking!
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He's a really uplifting player. Wasn't blessed with the technical skill of his academy brothers at Barcelona but worked hard on getting the things he was good at (i.e. his football brain - movement, decisions, team responsibility, etc...) perfect. I love players like that, who make the most of what they have, and they tend to do very well for us.

I hope he finishes his career with us. Players like Pulisic & CHO, who have the skill but lack the smarts in some aspects, can learn so much from him.
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Don't get me wrong, I think he has a fantastic attitude but I just don't see him as a regular starter any longer. Great player to have on the bench!