Well that wasn't the best performance we've had. It felt to me like the second Mount went off we just reverted to type and started to play a slower sideways passing style game. I'd didn't help that Pedro looked so poor when coming on. Just proves how important mount is to our play even this early on Into his first team career. Fingers crossed he can be fit for Sunday. I just want to give a special mention to jorginho, I'd say along with mount and Emerson he has been consistently a top performer so far . What most impressed me yesterday was his attitude, I think he's got to be a front runner for the captaincy long term. When Mount was down and close to tears, jorginho was the first over there to support him. He's always there for the other players, around the 65 minute mark, azpilicueta and zouma we're playing themselves into trouble at the back, he was straight over to receive the ball even when not in a great position himself to play us out of trouble. Even with the penalty, It was clear barkley wasn't giving it up (whether you believe he's the number one penalty taker or not) instead of sulking like Willian he shook his hand, supported him and wished him luck. Since Frank has taken the shackles off and given him more licence to actually play abit he has kicked on from his end of season for to really dictate games in the right way for us. I can't wait to see the partnership him and kante can make when back fit. I don't feel like 5 at the back is the way forward but until Emerson is back it looks like we're stuck with it. What did everybody else make of the game?
posted on 18/9/19
As a neutral watching i can confirm Jorginho is reeking of schite.
posted on 18/9/19
It's all good and well smashing 5 past cannon fodder teams like Wolves every week in a poor league. Chelsea is clearly not CL group stage level. I would rather see their CL spot go to more capable teams like from the Czech or Austrian leagues. Their teams can at least handle themselves at this level.
posted on 18/9/19
Op paragraphs are your friend...
posted on 18/9/19
Does nobody see we have no midfield? 2 sitting players and 3 forwards and a big gap in the middle of the park. Willian/Mount/Pedro are support forwards - it's a counter attack shape but means we are exposed as soon as we lose the ball meaning we let more goals in.
posted on 18/9/19
I don't feel like 5 at the back is the way forward but until Emerson is back it looks like we're stuck with it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It's a system we can use/have the capacity in the squad to use, so it makes sense to have as an option + with Alonso in the team we don't really have a choice.
It's a system (any variety of it) that never seems to translate to the Champions League. Even the masters of it, e.g. Conte, can't get it to work in this competition.
posted on 18/9/19
Always impressed with how much Jorginho talks to other players around him and tries to drive them on. Lamps said he's just like that in training as well.
posted on 18/9/19
When I emphasise about players having the quickness of thought and decisiveness to execute the right decisions at crucial moments being important...
Azpi, Alonso, Barkley, and especially Willian (who has had a special knack of missing the final pass, over the years) are the epitome of players bereft of speed of thought and decisiveness at crucial moments, in attacking third.
Very costly in matches at this level, where it is vital that you convert your chances.
Holding us back as a team and detriment to our performances and results going forward.
Them being reduced/limited to squad player capacity when the key players return, is a must.
They are all that is wrong in this team.
posted on 18/9/19
OP, I think your comments about Jorginho are very insightful. Whether you think he had his best game yesterday or not (I didn't actually see the game so I can't comment on that) I do believe that he has a really strong character, and would be an excellent choice as captain. It's not always the best players that make the best captains - for captain you want someone who can lead through his strength of character and personality. And I do believe Jorginho has those characteristics. Last season, for instance, when he was being absolutely pilloried (embarrassingly so) by certain groups of fans, he stood up and came back stronger. Some players could have wilted under that kind of pressure - but he never shies away from pressure. He is definitely a leader on the field.
That's not to say he is the best central midfield player we could ask for. I think in ability he is head and shoulders above most players in the team (including Kovacic), but there is no doubt that he is lacking in physical strength and speed. He and Kante together would be a very talented duo, but are they physically strong enough to compete in a real premier league physical battle? I'm not so sure.
posted on 18/9/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/9/19
comment by HB Fash (U21935)
posted 15 hours, 22 minutes ago
As a neutral watching i can confirm Jorginho is reeking of schite.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This