I half agree. I actually think Willian was our biggest threat last night. We had enough possession and made chances to win the game but the most frustrating thing was Azpilicueta. He cannot play any role which is attacking as his ball skills are not good enough. He can't beat players, his crossing is awful and he is a liability defending if making up ground running backwards. It took an absolute age for Lampard to change Pedro to right wing-back, something which he should have done at half time.

The other thing that was noticeable is that we play with no midfield - basically 3 attackers and 3 defenders, 2 holding players and wingbacks. We were anonymous in midfield - it's a good way to set up away from home for counter-attack but when they had the ball, they were in front of our goal very very quickly.

The other thing that I can't understand is Barkley taking the penalty. He had just come on and was cold. Even had he been on - you've got Willian, Pedro, Jorginho all technically better than him. I have no problem with Barkley - but he should not be taking penalties.

Willian must still think it's last season. He doesn't look like he's bought into the team ethic that Lamps wants to play. Yesterday he hardly involved Tammy at all which is criminal when you look at the form that Tammy is in right now.

The sooner we play a team that doesn't involve either Willian or Pedro the better as far as I'm concerned.

And this team is so ready for Reece James. Everyone will be talking about this player by the end of the season even if few outside of Chelsea have even heard of him yet.

Surprised to see the second article in succession advocating for Jorginho to be captain. That would've made sense when Sarri was manager, he was Sarri's brain/unofficial captain on the pitch anyway last season, but now he's just a squad option. Once Kante comes back he'll be in competition with Kovacic to partner him.

I'd put it on Christensen. The captaincy these days is more of a symbolic thing, so given the nature of our approach this year who better than the most experienced academy graduate in the ranks? The guy who JT personally endorsed as his successor? There's also the issue that with Luiz gone he really needs to step up now, become the player we all know he can/should be, giving him the armband might be the vote of confidence he needs.

Lille will be facing a changed opposition, on second matchday onwards.
Team to play against Lille away should/will be a very different dynamic, younger vibrant well-rounded dimensional side. Devoid of tunnel vision.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 29 minutes ago
Surprised to see the second article in succession advocating for Jorginho to be captain. That would've made sense when Sarri was manager, he was Sarri's brain/unofficial captain on the pitch anyway last season, but now he's just a squad option. Once Kante comes back he'll be in competition with Kovacic to partner him.

I'd put it on Christensen. The captaincy these days is more of a symbolic thing, so given the nature of our approach this year who better than the most experienced academy graduate in the ranks? The guy who JT personally endorsed as his successor? There's also the issue that with Luiz gone he really needs to step up now, become the player we all know he can/should be, giving him the armband might be the vote of confidence he needs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Only a personal POV but I would never give it to Christensen in a month of Sundays, very talented footballer but I always get the impression he's scared of his own shadow.

We haven't seen him in our 1st team yet but having watched James regularly over the last 2/3 years, I see him as Captain in waiting.

If his development continues in the same upward trend that it has over the last few seasons, he'd be my dark horse to be the team Captain by next season.

despite the negatives of last night AC and Tomori were very good indeed

Jorginho is way more deserving of the captaincy than Christensen. Having said that I think it's fairly clear that Rudi will be team captain as soon as Reece James displaces Azpi.

So much hate for Willian, I don't get it.

Thought he was pretty good yesterday and vs Wolves. I'm glad Lampard doesn't see it the way some of you guys do about Willian.

We would have won the game if he plated a simple pass

comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 28 minutes ago
So much hate for Willian, I don't get it.

Thought he was pretty good yesterday and vs Wolves. I'm glad Lampard doesn't see it the way some of you guys do about Willian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I never understand this "I don't get the hate of...............", statement that people often come out with.

I mean, hate is such a strong word for someone who's expressing concern over the form of a player.

I didn't see last night's game so can't comment but thought he was decent against Wolves. However going on his cameo performance v Leicester and some pretty nondescript performances last season, I can't really argue with anyone who brings his form into question!

I like Willy,he's a good player and an ideal bench man to have, but, I am beginning to question his enthusiasm and wholeheartedness, he does act very nonchalant at times.
It could maybe should, be his last season with us.

comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 2 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Tablighi Jamaat (U15973)
posted 28 minutes ago
So much hate for Willian, I don't get it.

Thought he was pretty good yesterday and vs Wolves. I'm glad Lampard doesn't see it the way some of you guys do about Willian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I never understand this "I don't get the hate of...............", statement that people often come out with.

I mean, hate is such a strong word for someone who's expressing concern over the form of a player.

I didn't see last night's game so can't comment but thought he was decent against Wolves. However going on his cameo performance v Leicester and some pretty nondescript performances last season, I can't really argue with anyone who brings his form into question!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed...I dislike this saying as well...also too many people obsessed with "the press"

comment by HarlequinHebdo (U16981)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
I like Willy,he's a good player and an ideal bench man to have, but, I am beginning to question his enthusiasm and wholeheartedness, he does act very nonchalant at times.
It could maybe should, be his last season with us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd say so. Been a good servant but he doesn't seem to quite fit what Lamps is trying to do at the moment. Cho and Mount could/should be our starting wide players when everyone is fit anyway.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 7 hours, 18 minutes ago
Surprised to see the second article in succession advocating for Jorginho to be captain. That would've made sense when Sarri was manager, he was Sarri's brain/unofficial captain on the pitch anyway last season, but now he's just a squad option. Once Kante comes back he'll be in competition with Kovacic to partner him.

I'd put it on Christensen. The captaincy these days is more of a symbolic thing, so given the nature of our approach this year who better than the most experienced academy graduate in the ranks? The guy who JT personally endorsed as his successor? There's also the issue that with Luiz gone he really needs to step up now, become the player we all know he can/should be, giving him the armband might be the vote of confidence he needs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It seems to be the latest in vogue idea and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head why I don’t buy into it as much as others. Everyone fit he’s not (or at least, in my opinion, shouldn’t be) a guaranteed starter. And as mentioned on the other thread I don’t get why people are criticising Azpilicueta for doing nothing in that situation when Jorginho also did nothing.

I agree a left field but viable choice would be to give it to a youngster. Maybe not Christensen - but Mount or James I think would be considered.

well obviously Rudi is the skipper elect...anything else is just missing the obvious

Christensen is not a leader of men. If anything, he has the ability to be a great player, but his one glaring weakness is his lack of confidence, which is exactly the quality you need as captain. He may or may not end up being a regular starter for Chelsea (my personal opinion is not), but he is absolutely not captain material. That's not an insult to him - most people do not have that type of character.

Rudiger and Jorginho both do seem to have that strength of character to be our next captain. Again, that is not an endorsement of them as players (although I do think they are both excellent) - but they are definitely leaders, which a team full of youngsters probably needs.

That's not a bad shout regarding Reece James as a future captain, although I can't say I really know enough about him yet to judge. He seems like a very confident young man though - so I have a lot of hope for him.

Reece James has previously captained youth teams and I believe captained Wigan last season

comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 43 minutes ago
Reece James has previously captained youth teams and I believe captained Wigan last season
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes he did - and for a 19 year old on loan from another team that is quite incredible. He could well be long-term captain material.

Christaniesen is the least captain. Get rid of him, the two diiiicks and Barkely. Utter dross.

Zoomer, Willy and Pedrito can fack off too.

Kepa needs to pull his trousers up and the least said about Apollo and Azpi the better.

Good job Jumbo's not in charge - we wouldn't have a squad left!

And I didn't even know we had a Greek god in the team!

Yeah...who's Apollo

Alonso maybe? Meant to write Appallo (like Alonso but appalling).

My best guess.

comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 20 minutes ago
Alonso maybe? Meant to write Appallo (like Alonso but appalling).

My best guess.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, he's nearly as bad as that Zuessacosta isn't he!

Willian should be captain.

soccer?lol.

comment by soccerlol (U7650)
posted 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
Willian should be captain.

soccer?lol.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
his drive, fighting spirit & urge to track back won you over did it...