Alonso proved himself as a decent LWB and it was obvious he couldn't play at left back and Conte noticed this so changed the system.
I remember people saying he was one of the best left backs in the world at the time and if he had pace he would be! His crossing was brilliant compared to Moses who's crossing was average at best and Alonso seemed to score important goals and in a weird way did against United only last Sunday..
But let's make something clear, Sarri is the one who is insistent on playing 4 at the back and Alonso was good at LWB but we knew he wasnt good at LB. So who's the really problem here...
The answer to problems 2 & 3 doesn't even get on your bench -
Danny Drinkwater.
Alonso proved himself as a decent LWB and it was obvious he couldn't play at left back and Conte noticed this so changed the system.
I remember people saying he was one of the best left backs in the world at the time and if he had pace he would be! His crossing was brilliant compared to Moses who's crossing was average at best and Alonso seemed to score important goals and in a weird way did against United only last Sunday..
But let's make something clear, Sarri is the one who is insistent on playing 4 at the back and Alonso was good at LWB but we knew he wasnt good at LB. So who's the really problem here...
--------------------------------------------------------
Completely agree with that. Alonso's not a bad player in principle, he's just not a LB - doesn't have the defensive capabilities or the recovery pace. When you fail at Bolton & Sunderland as a LB then become a key player for Fiorentina as a LWB that tells you everything you need to know.
It was worth trying him as an inverted LB as Sarri was doing earlier this season, cos he does have the technical ability to influence play in the middle, but those weaknesses are just too much to compensate for. Sarri noticed, and credit to him for that, but reacted FAR too late, Emerson should've been in the team from December.
Still a lot of myths flying around about Alonso. He was never good at crossing at LWB nor was he a key player at Fiorenrtina. Alonso being at LWB doesn’t change the fact he’s a poor crosser, poor dribbler, slow and poor defensively, it just gives him more opportunities to goalhang. If we switched to 3 at the back he would still need replacing imminently as Conte wanted with Sandro.
Also Alonso was LB at Fiorentina.
Anyway unpopular opinions..
1) similar to OP, I find that some fans have this patronising view on Kante such that criticism of him (as in suggesting he had a below average game or has areas of his play he could improve on) is just laughed away or ignored. Great player but also yes he is not perfect at everything and sometimes in this position his limitations do show in some games/performances, like any other player.
2) RLC..I don’t think he will be good enough to be a key starting player for us. I like him and as of now he is first name on team sheet with other midfield options. But I think he looks fantastic off the bench and often more underwhelming when starting. If we ever get to City/Liverpool level, for example, I think he would be perfect for Gundogan/Henderson role as opposed to the key starting mid..allowing us to utilise him more as super sub.
3) Morata got too much hate. Was he good? No. Was he absolutely awful? Imo no, but most fans hyperbolised our striker position so much in first half of the season. About how having any half decent striker (such as Wilson or Mitrovic lol) would see us be closer to title contenders, and that no striker is better than Morata or Giroud. Our play especially around Winter time was soooo slow. Any striker struggles except the most clinical in the world. Morata, Giroud are not bad strikers, I am not surprised Morata is doing reasonably well at Atletico. Both manage roughly a 1 in 3 goal record with this dysfunctional side something I think 95% of ‘good’ strikers would. Morata has no future at Chelsea more due to mindset reasons but still people were so harsh. I think Higgy being no better as seen people hyperbolise less that this means all our strikers are awful and we just need someone half decent to complete the side, goes way deeper than that.
In peace
I remember a piece on Hazard (he is one of my fav players and I'm a utd fan). Think it was hoddle and someone else. Showed him to have all the skill but lacking a footballing brain. It was hard to argue against it tbh
BK hitting Arab in the gut with 2
No striker in this team with these players will consistently score goals because service to them is trash which is why costa was one of our best ever strikers because he still managed to score goals.
Higuain is a good player. ALOT better than Giroud and morata
RLC is and will be a key player for us for years to come. he will just get better and better once he has sorted out his back
Sarri is a good manager just needs time.
The board are the main problem with the club at present
we should use our transfer ban to immediately push the following into the first team with a view to developing with us as of next season
Mount
Tomori
Tammy
Reece james
Aina
Da silva ( criminally underrated )
this will also compliment CHO
all of the above represent better value than what is currently in the squad including Azpi for whom i think as been dreadful this season.
also and finally if someone says "he needs another loan in the premier league" you need to go sit in a dark room and think about things you are just rehashing the current wrong narrative from chelsea Fc about their loan system which isnt currently being used to blood player but to create revenue.
Another one from me..
I think Abraham needs to go on loan to a team in the premier league next season. We need to see if he can cut it at premier league level.
We are a top 6 club and I'm sorry but why on earth do people think he can do it for us just because hes scored goals in the championship?
I think people completely underestimate the pressure and the level of talent you need to play as a striker for a top 6 team.
Would Abraham get a chance for Arsenal, City, Liverpool etc? Maybe.. but would he make it in the long term and be the answer we're looking for as our figurehead? I'm sorry but I really doubt it.
comment by Ronny Van lack of Banterous - It's only me!! (U5996)
posted 9 seconds ago
Another one from me..
I think Abraham needs to go on loan to a team in the premier league next season. We need to see if he can cut it at premier league level.
We are a top 6 club and I'm sorry but why on earth do people think he can do it for us just because hes scored goals in the championship?
I think people completely underestimate the pressure and the level of talent you need to play as a striker for a top 6 team.
Would Abraham get a chance for Arsenal, City, Liverpool etc? Maybe.. but would he make it in the long term and be the answer we're looking for as our figurehead? I'm sorry but I really doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
same was said about harry kane, just someone gave him a chance
ronny your opinion is unpopular to me
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 45 minutes ago
Also Alonso was LB at Fiorentina.
Anyway unpopular opinions..
1) similar to OP, I find that some fans have this patronising view on Kante such that criticism of him (as in suggesting he had a below average game or has areas of his play he could improve on) is just laughed away or ignored. Great player but also yes he is not perfect at everything and sometimes in this position his limitations do show in some games/performances, like any other player.
2) RLC..I don’t think he will be good enough to be a key starting player for us. I like him and as of now he is first name on team sheet with other midfield options. But I think he looks fantastic off the bench and often more underwhelming when starting. If we ever get to City/Liverpool level, for example, I think he would be perfect for Gundogan/Henderson role as opposed to the key starting mid..allowing us to utilise him more as super sub.
3) Morata got too much hate. Was he good? No. Was he absolutely awful? Imo no, but most fans hyperbolised our striker position so much in first half of the season. About how having any half decent striker (such as Wilson or Mitrovic lol) would see us be closer to title contenders, and that no striker is better than Morata or Giroud. Our play especially around Winter time was soooo slow. Any striker struggles except the most clinical in the world. Morata, Giroud are not bad strikers, I am not surprised Morata is doing reasonably well at Atletico. Both manage roughly a 1 in 3 goal record with this dysfunctional side something I think 95% of ‘good’ strikers would. Morata has no future at Chelsea more due to mindset reasons but still people were so harsh. I think Higgy being no better as seen people hyperbolise less that this means all our strikers are awful and we just need someone half decent to complete the side, goes way deeper than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some good unpopular opinions - so good I will include them to the OP!
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
Still a lot of myths flying around about Alonso. He was never good at crossing at LWB nor was he a key player at Fiorenrtina. Alonso being at LWB doesn’t change the fact he’s a poor crosser, poor dribbler, slow and poor defensively, it just gives him more opportunities to goalhang. If we switched to 3 at the back he would still need replacing imminently as Conte wanted with Sandro.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I disagree that he is poor defensively - yeah its arguable he is not great defensively for a LB, but for a LWB he is pretty good.
His biggest downside for me is that he is terrible once he is pressed, as he doesn't have the speed to transition, or the passing to evade tight situations.
comment by Jinja Ninja (U19849)
posted 55 minutes ago
In peace
I remember a piece on Hazard (he is one of my fav players and I'm a utd fan). Think it was hoddle and someone else. Showed him to have all the skill but lacking a footballing brain. It was hard to argue against it tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think he lacks a footballing brain - his vision and composure is one of the best!
I would actually say that it is his technique which is severely lacking in many areas. He doesn't seem really to strike the ball very well - so his passing, shooting and crossing is very limited.
BK loves a good Alonso bashing.
comment by ＴＬＬＬ (U4640)
posted 7 minutes ago
BK loves a good Alonso bashing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he's been banging on about him for years!
If no one else is gunna correct BS that he is/was good crosser or that he was a key player at LWB for Fiorentina then guess I gotta be that guy
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by NPE (U22020)
posted 4 minutes ago
1) I actually think Hazard's passing is pretty tremendous and has terrific vision.
2) Kante isn't a DM so your argument is irrelevant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) I didn't say his passing is not great, I criticised mostly his crossing, shooting and movement off the ball.
2) Again I'm not making an arguement about his position, I'm just questioning his status...
Also, NPE why not add your own unpopular opinion 😊
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 14 minutes ago
If no one else is gunna correct BS that he is/was good crosser or that he was a key player at LWB for Fiorentina then guess I gotta be that guy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you have been proven right over time tbh.
I actually rated Alonso extremely highly, but my opinion has changed over a season and a half of watching him
Unpopular and widely considered wrong opinions of mine regarding a former Chelsea Manager……………………
1st – I believe Ranieri’s best work at Chelsea was getting us to 4th Place in 02/03. I understand he finished 2nd the following season. But I look at the 2 contrasting pre-seasons. In Summer 02 he only signed De Lucas on loan. The club was on a different planet the following season.
2nd – I would happily (if Roman sold the club) welcome Ranieiri back to the club as a DoF. I think both internally and externally he had an eye for a player and he of course is a football man.
And one to really pee-off all other Chelsea Fans. I’d have Kenyon or Gourlay back as CEO in a heartbeat
comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 41 minutes ago
Also, NPE why not add your own unpopular opinion 😊
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Npe Is an unpopular opinion
i like it
1st – I believe Ranieri’s best work at Chelsea was getting us to 4th Place in 02/03. I understand he finished 2nd the following season. But I look at the 2 contrasting pre-seasons. In Summer 02 he only signed De Lucas on loan. The club was on a different planet the following season.
----------------------------------
Is that unpopular? Any one who followed his time here at Chelsea closely would the same.
Now this one i would imagine will be very unpopular, he (Ranieri) was bang average at best and poor at worst in the other three season's for us.
Sign in if you want to comment
Unpopular opinions!
Page 1 of 3
posted on 2/5/19
Alonso proved himself as a decent LWB and it was obvious he couldn't play at left back and Conte noticed this so changed the system.
I remember people saying he was one of the best left backs in the world at the time and if he had pace he would be! His crossing was brilliant compared to Moses who's crossing was average at best and Alonso seemed to score important goals and in a weird way did against United only last Sunday..
But let's make something clear, Sarri is the one who is insistent on playing 4 at the back and Alonso was good at LWB but we knew he wasnt good at LB. So who's the really problem here...
posted on 2/5/19
The answer to problems 2 & 3 doesn't even get on your bench -
Danny Drinkwater.
posted on 2/5/19
Alonso proved himself as a decent LWB and it was obvious he couldn't play at left back and Conte noticed this so changed the system.
I remember people saying he was one of the best left backs in the world at the time and if he had pace he would be! His crossing was brilliant compared to Moses who's crossing was average at best and Alonso seemed to score important goals and in a weird way did against United only last Sunday..
But let's make something clear, Sarri is the one who is insistent on playing 4 at the back and Alonso was good at LWB but we knew he wasnt good at LB. So who's the really problem here...
--------------------------------------------------------
Completely agree with that. Alonso's not a bad player in principle, he's just not a LB - doesn't have the defensive capabilities or the recovery pace. When you fail at Bolton & Sunderland as a LB then become a key player for Fiorentina as a LWB that tells you everything you need to know.
It was worth trying him as an inverted LB as Sarri was doing earlier this season, cos he does have the technical ability to influence play in the middle, but those weaknesses are just too much to compensate for. Sarri noticed, and credit to him for that, but reacted FAR too late, Emerson should've been in the team from December.
posted on 2/5/19
Still a lot of myths flying around about Alonso. He was never good at crossing at LWB nor was he a key player at Fiorenrtina. Alonso being at LWB doesn’t change the fact he’s a poor crosser, poor dribbler, slow and poor defensively, it just gives him more opportunities to goalhang. If we switched to 3 at the back he would still need replacing imminently as Conte wanted with Sandro.
posted on 2/5/19
Also Alonso was LB at Fiorentina.
Anyway unpopular opinions..
1) similar to OP, I find that some fans have this patronising view on Kante such that criticism of him (as in suggesting he had a below average game or has areas of his play he could improve on) is just laughed away or ignored. Great player but also yes he is not perfect at everything and sometimes in this position his limitations do show in some games/performances, like any other player.
2) RLC..I don’t think he will be good enough to be a key starting player for us. I like him and as of now he is first name on team sheet with other midfield options. But I think he looks fantastic off the bench and often more underwhelming when starting. If we ever get to City/Liverpool level, for example, I think he would be perfect for Gundogan/Henderson role as opposed to the key starting mid..allowing us to utilise him more as super sub.
3) Morata got too much hate. Was he good? No. Was he absolutely awful? Imo no, but most fans hyperbolised our striker position so much in first half of the season. About how having any half decent striker (such as Wilson or Mitrovic lol) would see us be closer to title contenders, and that no striker is better than Morata or Giroud. Our play especially around Winter time was soooo slow. Any striker struggles except the most clinical in the world. Morata, Giroud are not bad strikers, I am not surprised Morata is doing reasonably well at Atletico. Both manage roughly a 1 in 3 goal record with this dysfunctional side something I think 95% of ‘good’ strikers would. Morata has no future at Chelsea more due to mindset reasons but still people were so harsh. I think Higgy being no better as seen people hyperbolise less that this means all our strikers are awful and we just need someone half decent to complete the side, goes way deeper than that.
posted on 2/5/19
In peace
I remember a piece on Hazard (he is one of my fav players and I'm a utd fan). Think it was hoddle and someone else. Showed him to have all the skill but lacking a footballing brain. It was hard to argue against it tbh
posted on 2/5/19
BK hitting Arab in the gut with 2
posted on 2/5/19
No striker in this team with these players will consistently score goals because service to them is trash which is why costa was one of our best ever strikers because he still managed to score goals.
Higuain is a good player. ALOT better than Giroud and morata
RLC is and will be a key player for us for years to come. he will just get better and better once he has sorted out his back
Sarri is a good manager just needs time.
The board are the main problem with the club at present
we should use our transfer ban to immediately push the following into the first team with a view to developing with us as of next season
Mount
Tomori
Tammy
Reece james
Aina
Da silva ( criminally underrated )
this will also compliment CHO
all of the above represent better value than what is currently in the squad including Azpi for whom i think as been dreadful this season.
also and finally if someone says "he needs another loan in the premier league" you need to go sit in a dark room and think about things you are just rehashing the current wrong narrative from chelsea Fc about their loan system which isnt currently being used to blood player but to create revenue.
posted on 2/5/19
Another one from me..
I think Abraham needs to go on loan to a team in the premier league next season. We need to see if he can cut it at premier league level.
We are a top 6 club and I'm sorry but why on earth do people think he can do it for us just because hes scored goals in the championship?
I think people completely underestimate the pressure and the level of talent you need to play as a striker for a top 6 team.
Would Abraham get a chance for Arsenal, City, Liverpool etc? Maybe.. but would he make it in the long term and be the answer we're looking for as our figurehead? I'm sorry but I really doubt it.
posted on 2/5/19
comment by Ronny Van lack of Banterous - It's only me!! (U5996)
posted 9 seconds ago
Another one from me..
I think Abraham needs to go on loan to a team in the premier league next season. We need to see if he can cut it at premier league level.
We are a top 6 club and I'm sorry but why on earth do people think he can do it for us just because hes scored goals in the championship?
I think people completely underestimate the pressure and the level of talent you need to play as a striker for a top 6 team.
Would Abraham get a chance for Arsenal, City, Liverpool etc? Maybe.. but would he make it in the long term and be the answer we're looking for as our figurehead? I'm sorry but I really doubt it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
same was said about harry kane, just someone gave him a chance
posted on 2/5/19
ronny your opinion is unpopular to me
posted on 2/5/19
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 45 minutes ago
Also Alonso was LB at Fiorentina.
Anyway unpopular opinions..
1) similar to OP, I find that some fans have this patronising view on Kante such that criticism of him (as in suggesting he had a below average game or has areas of his play he could improve on) is just laughed away or ignored. Great player but also yes he is not perfect at everything and sometimes in this position his limitations do show in some games/performances, like any other player.
2) RLC..I don’t think he will be good enough to be a key starting player for us. I like him and as of now he is first name on team sheet with other midfield options. But I think he looks fantastic off the bench and often more underwhelming when starting. If we ever get to City/Liverpool level, for example, I think he would be perfect for Gundogan/Henderson role as opposed to the key starting mid..allowing us to utilise him more as super sub.
3) Morata got too much hate. Was he good? No. Was he absolutely awful? Imo no, but most fans hyperbolised our striker position so much in first half of the season. About how having any half decent striker (such as Wilson or Mitrovic lol) would see us be closer to title contenders, and that no striker is better than Morata or Giroud. Our play especially around Winter time was soooo slow. Any striker struggles except the most clinical in the world. Morata, Giroud are not bad strikers, I am not surprised Morata is doing reasonably well at Atletico. Both manage roughly a 1 in 3 goal record with this dysfunctional side something I think 95% of ‘good’ strikers would. Morata has no future at Chelsea more due to mindset reasons but still people were so harsh. I think Higgy being no better as seen people hyperbolise less that this means all our strikers are awful and we just need someone half decent to complete the side, goes way deeper than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some good unpopular opinions - so good I will include them to the OP!
posted on 2/5/19
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
Still a lot of myths flying around about Alonso. He was never good at crossing at LWB nor was he a key player at Fiorenrtina. Alonso being at LWB doesn’t change the fact he’s a poor crosser, poor dribbler, slow and poor defensively, it just gives him more opportunities to goalhang. If we switched to 3 at the back he would still need replacing imminently as Conte wanted with Sandro.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I disagree that he is poor defensively - yeah its arguable he is not great defensively for a LB, but for a LWB he is pretty good.
His biggest downside for me is that he is terrible once he is pressed, as he doesn't have the speed to transition, or the passing to evade tight situations.
posted on 2/5/19
comment by Jinja Ninja (U19849)
posted 55 minutes ago
In peace
I remember a piece on Hazard (he is one of my fav players and I'm a utd fan). Think it was hoddle and someone else. Showed him to have all the skill but lacking a footballing brain. It was hard to argue against it tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think he lacks a footballing brain - his vision and composure is one of the best!
I would actually say that it is his technique which is severely lacking in many areas. He doesn't seem really to strike the ball very well - so his passing, shooting and crossing is very limited.
posted on 2/5/19
BK loves a good Alonso bashing.
posted on 2/5/19
comment by ＴＬＬＬ (U4640)
posted 7 minutes ago
BK loves a good Alonso bashing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he's been banging on about him for years!
posted on 2/5/19
If no one else is gunna correct BS that he is/was good crosser or that he was a key player at LWB for Fiorentina then guess I gotta be that guy
posted on 2/5/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 2/5/19
comment by NPE (U22020)
posted 4 minutes ago
1) I actually think Hazard's passing is pretty tremendous and has terrific vision.
2) Kante isn't a DM so your argument is irrelevant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) I didn't say his passing is not great, I criticised mostly his crossing, shooting and movement off the ball.
2) Again I'm not making an arguement about his position, I'm just questioning his status...
posted on 2/5/19
Also, NPE why not add your own unpopular opinion 😊
posted on 2/5/19
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 14 minutes ago
If no one else is gunna correct BS that he is/was good crosser or that he was a key player at LWB for Fiorentina then guess I gotta be that guy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you have been proven right over time tbh.
I actually rated Alonso extremely highly, but my opinion has changed over a season and a half of watching him
posted on 2/5/19
Unpopular and widely considered wrong opinions of mine regarding a former Chelsea Manager……………………
1st – I believe Ranieri’s best work at Chelsea was getting us to 4th Place in 02/03. I understand he finished 2nd the following season. But I look at the 2 contrasting pre-seasons. In Summer 02 he only signed De Lucas on loan. The club was on a different planet the following season.
2nd – I would happily (if Roman sold the club) welcome Ranieiri back to the club as a DoF. I think both internally and externally he had an eye for a player and he of course is a football man.
posted on 2/5/19
And one to really pee-off all other Chelsea Fans. I’d have Kenyon or Gourlay back as CEO in a heartbeat
posted on 2/5/19
comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 41 minutes ago
Also, NPE why not add your own unpopular opinion 😊
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Npe Is an unpopular opinion
i like it
posted on 2/5/19
1st – I believe Ranieri’s best work at Chelsea was getting us to 4th Place in 02/03. I understand he finished 2nd the following season. But I look at the 2 contrasting pre-seasons. In Summer 02 he only signed De Lucas on loan. The club was on a different planet the following season.
----------------------------------
Is that unpopular? Any one who followed his time here at Chelsea closely would the same.
Now this one i would imagine will be very unpopular, he (Ranieri) was bang average at best and poor at worst in the other three season's for us.
Page 1 of 3