We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
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That ain't gonna happen under Sarri. He ought to be given players that will suite is style of play. Off course we look like arsenal, toothless, bullied around. Neither of our regular midfielders are creative enough, which is why you find Hazard dropping deep
You need a top class attacking midfielder. Kovacic and Barkley are miles off that level.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by bloomike (U7734)
posted 27 minutes ago
We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
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I don't see what he can do with the present squad either. To me it appears many are past their shelf life or simply not good enough at this level.
Chelsea have lots of money, but getting that sort of player is another matter. There aren’t that many around that jump out at you. It seems to be a position where there are few players at the top of their game.
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 13 minutes ago
You need a top class attacking midfielder. Kovacic and Barkley are miles off that level.
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Hi Darren, alas I believe you are correct. I didn't know much about Kovacic when we bought him, so didn't know what to expect.
The Barkley signing had me in disbelief and hoping he would opt for Tottenham. He's always been touted as the bright young England hope, yet he was 24ish when we signed him- poor move by someone at the club!
I’ve never really rated Kovacic. He’s got technical ability, but doesn’t seem to have a big influence on matches when I’ve seen him. Certainly not an attacking mid, though. Lacks creativity and a goal threat, looks better as a deeper cm.
Not a fan of Barkley either. Lacks intelligence despite having some good attributes. Probably why he’s so inconsistent, makes the wrong decisions. I can understand why you signed him, cheap, homegrown and has some potential.
Shame for RLC he’s got injured. Looks more of a threat in that attacking position right now.
It is not proven yet whether Sarri can handle managing a big club like Chelsea.
Sarri-ball may work for small teams, but when you already have a ball possession of (64%), he have to find out how to break teams down.
The right side was average going forward. Azpi doesn’t have the speed to beat his man 1On1. His crossing was A1 last year but not otm. His short pass going to either Jorginho / Kante - but they both were not doing much with the ball. The right wingers have to do it all by themselves but they are no Hazard. Alonso is better technically and attacks well but his slow pace is something he can’t do much about. Sarri is being stubborn and angry as appeared in post interview but doesn't seem to have the creativity to handle/fix the situation. He should adapt to the situation.
Alonso has the worse cross rate out of any full back in top 5 leagues (198 players), he is no better than Azpi going forward. Please stop the myth he’s ‘good technically’ and ‘attacks well’.
Great, Napoli weren’t a small team in Serie A. They probably averaged more possession than that under Sarri. Difference is they had dangerous wingers and an attacking midfielder with creativity and a goal threat.
Kunta, it probably doesn’t help not having a striker in the box for a lot of the time. And Giroud, while good in the air, doesn’t move off the ball or attack it like Morata. I’d be interested to see the stats breakdown with Alonso for when Hazard, Morata and Giroud are in the team.
I don’t think you get enough players in the box either. Doesn’t seem to be the game for a lot of your playwrs. That doesn’t help any of your wide players/full backs even if their delivery isn’t good enough. Accurate crossers would still struggle if there isn’t anyone to aim for.
Kante is NOT a natural CDM.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 28 minutes ago
Great, Napoli weren’t a small team in Serie A. They probably averaged more possession than that under Sarri. Difference is they had dangerous wingers and an attacking midfielder with creativity and a goal threat.
Kunta, it probably doesn’t help not having a striker in the box for a lot of the time. And Giroud, while good in the air, doesn’t move off the ball or attack it like Morata. I’d be interested to see the stats breakdown with Alonso for when Hazard, Morata and Giroud are in the team.
I don’t think you get enough players in the box either. Doesn’t seem to be the game for a lot of your playwrs. That doesn’t help any of your wide players/full backs even if their delivery isn’t good enough. Accurate crossers would still struggle if there isn’t anyone to aim for.
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I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 5 minutes ago
The amount of times people in the punditry and supporting classes call Kante a DM drives my head in.
He was in a 4231 for France, a 442 for Leicester and was in a 343 for Chelsea before being in a 433.
This whole new attacking position crap is bollux. He actually has a more restricted role now than when he used to charge around the pitch.
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Kante produced arguably his two worst ever PL performances playing his "natural" position against Liverpool and Arsenal pre Conte switch and his strengths would be totally nullified as a CDM.
I can get over fans overlooking that but pundits who are paid a Kings ransom due to their supposed football knowledge to get something so wrong is unbelievable.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 49 seconds ago
I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The key difference is they had 5 clever runners ahead of Jorginho, we only have 2 and 1 is still in the early stage of learning that position. Hazard, Willy and Kova all want ball to feet and to try and do it themselves.
That's why Higs should hopefully make a difference.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 53 seconds ago
Well most pundits are thick as mince, I never watch Bt sport until the kick off whistle, and the commentary live is so asinine I often mute it and play Radio 5 live over it instead.
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Tbh i think it's more agenda ridden than being stupid, like last Saturday Joe Cole in every way short of bluntly spelling it out was challenging Rio's constant negative vibes re Chelsea.
comment by DL11 (U21614)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 49 seconds ago
I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The key difference is they had 5 clever runners ahead of Jorginho, we only have 2 and 1 is still in the early stage of learning that position. Hazard, Willy and Kova all want ball to feet and to try and do it themselves.
That's why Higs should hopefully make a difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Like I said - I never saw them!
I'm not putting too much hope in Higuain though!
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 1 minute ago
As horrid as it sounds Hazard leaving will probably help Sarri provided he isnt sacked in March,
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We can make Hazard work but the key will be having players with excellent movement around him. Contary to popular belief i think Kova is an excellent player but we need another profile of player in his position.
There’s a lack of good movement off the ball, Brummie. Apart from the much maligned Morata. It will be interesting to see how Higuain fits in. He’s better off the ball than Giroud, not Morata, so should give you better options than him and Hazard, but he still wants the ball to feet, so it won’t solve all your problems in attack.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
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Midfield
Page 1 of 4
posted on 20/1/19
We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
-------------------------------------------------------------------
That ain't gonna happen under Sarri. He ought to be given players that will suite is style of play. Off course we look like arsenal, toothless, bullied around. Neither of our regular midfielders are creative enough, which is why you find Hazard dropping deep
posted on 20/1/19
You need a top class attacking midfielder. Kovacic and Barkley are miles off that level.
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
comment by bloomike (U7734)
posted 27 minutes ago
We have gone from warriors to playing tiki-taka Arsenal style, only much, much worse. The PL has accelerated beyond all that stuff and I want someone to instil a more direct style with proper wingers delivering to forwards who are actually in the penalty box looking for chances. More dynamism please! But no idea how our current coach can deliver
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't see what he can do with the present squad either. To me it appears many are past their shelf life or simply not good enough at this level.
posted on 20/1/19
Chelsea have lots of money, but getting that sort of player is another matter. There aren’t that many around that jump out at you. It seems to be a position where there are few players at the top of their game.
posted on 20/1/19
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 13 minutes ago
You need a top class attacking midfielder. Kovacic and Barkley are miles off that level.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Darren, alas I believe you are correct. I didn't know much about Kovacic when we bought him, so didn't know what to expect.
The Barkley signing had me in disbelief and hoping he would opt for Tottenham. He's always been touted as the bright young England hope, yet he was 24ish when we signed him- poor move by someone at the club!
posted on 20/1/19
I’ve never really rated Kovacic. He’s got technical ability, but doesn’t seem to have a big influence on matches when I’ve seen him. Certainly not an attacking mid, though. Lacks creativity and a goal threat, looks better as a deeper cm.
Not a fan of Barkley either. Lacks intelligence despite having some good attributes. Probably why he’s so inconsistent, makes the wrong decisions. I can understand why you signed him, cheap, homegrown and has some potential.
Shame for RLC he’s got injured. Looks more of a threat in that attacking position right now.
posted on 20/1/19
It is not proven yet whether Sarri can handle managing a big club like Chelsea.
Sarri-ball may work for small teams, but when you already have a ball possession of (64%), he have to find out how to break teams down.
The right side was average going forward. Azpi doesn’t have the speed to beat his man 1On1. His crossing was A1 last year but not otm. His short pass going to either Jorginho / Kante - but they both were not doing much with the ball. The right wingers have to do it all by themselves but they are no Hazard. Alonso is better technically and attacks well but his slow pace is something he can’t do much about. Sarri is being stubborn and angry as appeared in post interview but doesn't seem to have the creativity to handle/fix the situation. He should adapt to the situation.
posted on 20/1/19
Alonso has the worse cross rate out of any full back in top 5 leagues (198 players), he is no better than Azpi going forward. Please stop the myth he’s ‘good technically’ and ‘attacks well’.
posted on 20/1/19
Great, Napoli weren’t a small team in Serie A. They probably averaged more possession than that under Sarri. Difference is they had dangerous wingers and an attacking midfielder with creativity and a goal threat.
Kunta, it probably doesn’t help not having a striker in the box for a lot of the time. And Giroud, while good in the air, doesn’t move off the ball or attack it like Morata. I’d be interested to see the stats breakdown with Alonso for when Hazard, Morata and Giroud are in the team.
I don’t think you get enough players in the box either. Doesn’t seem to be the game for a lot of your playwrs. That doesn’t help any of your wide players/full backs even if their delivery isn’t good enough. Accurate crossers would still struggle if there isn’t anyone to aim for.
posted on 20/1/19
Kante is NOT a natural CDM.
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 28 minutes ago
Great, Napoli weren’t a small team in Serie A. They probably averaged more possession than that under Sarri. Difference is they had dangerous wingers and an attacking midfielder with creativity and a goal threat.
Kunta, it probably doesn’t help not having a striker in the box for a lot of the time. And Giroud, while good in the air, doesn’t move off the ball or attack it like Morata. I’d be interested to see the stats breakdown with Alonso for when Hazard, Morata and Giroud are in the team.
I don’t think you get enough players in the box either. Doesn’t seem to be the game for a lot of your playwrs. That doesn’t help any of your wide players/full backs even if their delivery isn’t good enough. Accurate crossers would still struggle if there isn’t anyone to aim for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
posted on 20/1/19
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 5 minutes ago
The amount of times people in the punditry and supporting classes call Kante a DM drives my head in.
He was in a 4231 for France, a 442 for Leicester and was in a 343 for Chelsea before being in a 433.
This whole new attacking position crap is bollux. He actually has a more restricted role now than when he used to charge around the pitch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kante produced arguably his two worst ever PL performances playing his "natural" position against Liverpool and Arsenal pre Conte switch and his strengths would be totally nullified as a CDM.
I can get over fans overlooking that but pundits who are paid a Kings ransom due to their supposed football knowledge to get something so wrong is unbelievable.
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 49 seconds ago
I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The key difference is they had 5 clever runners ahead of Jorginho, we only have 2 and 1 is still in the early stage of learning that position. Hazard, Willy and Kova all want ball to feet and to try and do it themselves.
That's why Higs should hopefully make a difference.
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 53 seconds ago
Well most pundits are thick as mince, I never watch Bt sport until the kick off whistle, and the commentary live is so asinine I often mute it and play Radio 5 live over it instead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tbh i think it's more agenda ridden than being stupid, like last Saturday Joe Cole in every way short of bluntly spelling it out was challenging Rio's constant negative vibes re Chelsea.
posted on 20/1/19
comment by DL11 (U21614)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 49 seconds ago
I never actually saw his Napoli team Darren but I'm lead to believe that apart form being able to hold possession they were quick on the break as you say.
That's seems to be were we fall down, we can break quick enough but it all comes to a grinding halt at the edge of the opposition area - mainly because there is usually no one in the box!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The key difference is they had 5 clever runners ahead of Jorginho, we only have 2 and 1 is still in the early stage of learning that position. Hazard, Willy and Kova all want ball to feet and to try and do it themselves.
That's why Higs should hopefully make a difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Like I said - I never saw them!
I'm not putting too much hope in Higuain though!
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/1/19
comment by NPE IV (U22020)
posted 1 minute ago
As horrid as it sounds Hazard leaving will probably help Sarri provided he isnt sacked in March,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We can make Hazard work but the key will be having players with excellent movement around him. Contary to popular belief i think Kova is an excellent player but we need another profile of player in his position.
posted on 20/1/19
There’s a lack of good movement off the ball, Brummie. Apart from the much maligned Morata. It will be interesting to see how Higuain fits in. He’s better off the ball than Giroud, not Morata, so should give you better options than him and Hazard, but he still wants the ball to feet, so it won’t solve all your problems in attack.
posted on 20/1/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
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