So 3 games with emerson = 3 games we've won on the trot conceding 1 goal? all good signs. Alonso is a great footballer but way too slow.

They do have very different qualities. When Alonso started playing for Chelsea I was worried about his lack of pace - particularly with Cahill behind him. But there are very few games that I can point to where he has been beaten for pace - probably because of his excellent positional sense.

On the other hand, Emerson has great speed and is a good weapon going forward with his crossing - although he is not nearly as big as Alonso, and so he is not as strong in the air. Alonso is also much more of a goal threat.

The deciding factor for me though, at least in the big games coming up, is that over the past couple of seasons I have been really impressed with Alonso's ability to stay calm under pressure. If he receives the ball on the wing and is challenged, he invariably controls the ball and keeps possession. Whereas I noticed that Emerson has coughed up possession a couple of times with wayward passing when he faced pressing from an opponent. I just think Alonso's experience would be helpful for the big games - particularly the cup final. Emerson is a decent player for the future though.

Alonso has improved massively defensively this season. A lot better at defending one on one. But as you said I really like the look of Emerson. Good on the ball, strong defensively and has pace which Alonso lacks.

I think Alonso has actually been pretty poor defensively. Bernado Silva's goal for city being a prime example of him switching off. he's a great outlet from goal kicks and a great free kick taker but offers not much else and restricts our width massively by always cutting in.

In addition to what most of you have said already, Alonso is playing with one foot, while Emerson doesn't have that restriction.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
They do have very different qualities. When Alonso started playing for Chelsea I was worried about his lack of pace - particularly with Cahill behind him. But there are very few games that I can point to where he has been beaten for pace - probably because of his excellent positional sense.

On the other hand, Emerson has great speed and is a good weapon going forward with his crossing - although he is not nearly as big as Alonso, and so he is not as strong in the air. Alonso is also much more of a goal threat.

The deciding factor for me though, at least in the big games coming up, is that over the past couple of seasons I have been really impressed with Alonso's ability to stay calm under pressure. If he receives the ball on the wing and is challenged, he invariably controls the ball and keeps possession. Whereas I noticed that Emerson has coughed up possession a couple of times with wayward passing when he faced pressing from an opponent. I just think Alonso's experience would be helpful for the big games - particularly the cup final. Emerson is a decent player for the future though.
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Disagree on Alonso defensively, many games where his positional sense (Southampton most recent, this was bordering on just being too lazy to track back as Dennis Wise pointed out) or speed (Son goal vs Tottenham) or touch (Newcastle opening goal few months ago) to say the least has let us down. I also don’t think he’s particularly strong in possession at all.

We are lucky to have both options

Emerson has been good, and is showing he is on the same sort of level as Alonso, however don't underestimate Alonso's contribution this season. He has 6 premier league goals in 31 games, which is a brilliant return for a fullback.

Also, nobody has been consistently good this season defensively. Even our best defender Azpi has had numerous performances where he has struggled, just like Cahill, Rudiger, Christensen and Alonso. I would in fact argue in terms of defensively solidarity, Moses would be the most consistent, but his awful delivery and sloppiness in possession has been a huge issue for our attack.

Alonso looks tired. Along with with Moses he plays the most physically demanding position, and has probably needed a rest.

Although, I'm split onto who to start against Liverpool, as Alonso is more experienced, and playing a relatively inexperienced wingback in a must win game away at Liverpool is a big gamble. However, tactically it would make more sense for Emerson, as we need pace to counter Liverpool's front three.

I said four months ago Emerson should have his chance...& we've been here before on players not getting a chance time & time again...fackin drives me up the wall..

he's been very tidy, very busy & can cross a ball...more please

comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
So far he has demonstrated, at the very least, he could be a solid squad player for us. I would like to see him be more adventurous in his passing and dribbling, however as we've seen with previous players who have been used sparingly, is that it takes game-time (or a new manager) for them to feel comfortable taking risks.
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where's the risk...he's comfortable on the ball & can play

Also...there's no fackin way Baka should be picked in front of him...irrespective of what position

Alonso ain’t the problem, Moses is. It’s great we have someone challenging Alonso, but that does’nt make him better. Alonso gets goals takes great free kicks and has improved. So now we have two decent enough LWBs and two absolutely useless RWBe

comment by RtM (U1097)
posted 5 hours, 15 minutes ago
In addition to what most of you have said already, Alonso is playing with one foot, while Emerson doesn't have that restriction.
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Play him RWB then and Alonso LWB. Just keep Moses off the pitch.

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 13 hours, 47 minutes ago
I said four months ago Emerson should have his chance...& we've been here before on players not getting a chance time & time again...fackin drives me up the wall..

he's been very tidy, very busy & can cross a ball...more please
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Is very worrying that it has to take a suspension or injury, no matter how the regulars are performing.

I'd prefer Emerson all day long, Alonso is a decent goal threat but his overall play isn't great.

Alonso shoots a lot but from open play doesn’t get any more goals than Moses since he’s joined us, free kicks is what is padding the goals up.

Actually amazing he's got the same amount in open play as moses considering he can't run, and the positions moses gets in.

But Alonso often goes centrally when we attack and shoots more than Moses.

If there are any serious buyers for Alonso I'd sell lets put it that way.

He looks decent, but he's no really a cut above Alonso's level so much as an alternative with flaws himself, which isn't necessarily what we needed for the position.

The question of our WB's being an issue might not be so prevalent next season if we have a new coach, but if we're playing three at the back next season it's still a problem on both sides. If we play with a back 4 going forward we're fine, Alonso & Emerson for LB, Azpl & Zappacosta for RB is perfectly acceptable

Kunta Kinte Kante Conte
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Loving the name Kunta