***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I went back and rewatched it, we were really only bad for a 20 min spell in the first half. I think we just got tired and couldn’t high press like we wanted too. Once they broke the press they opened us up with PEA running in behind. We adjusted but got caught out on the flanks when Alonso went inside. 2nd half we controlled the game again like we did in the first 20mins.

I like Kante in his new role better Alt. He (Kante) can’t set the tempo like Jorginho can. That first 20mins or so he was involved in everything and played 2-3 balls over the top to Kante and Ross that we really should have gotten a good look at goal from.

Arsenal missed a ton of chances but tbh, so did we. Considering we’re not even a month into our new manager and only 2-3 weeks with our top players I’m not too concerned. Match fitness + adjusting to the new system will come. Just need to find the balance and keep the tempo/rhythm up. I would like to see AC in for Luiz but there aren’t many CBs in the world capable of playing the passes Luiz does. Rudi isn’t bad at it though.

Also, how smooth is Kovacic on the ball. If you turned to a non HD channel you would almost think it’s Eden going back to his 17 kit, minus about 10lbs though lol.

Decent test against a hungry Newcastle team this Sunday. Luckily Kenedy won’t be there to kick out at anyone.


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[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

This position for Kante is probably his best and most natural. He's a roaming ball winner essentially, but in the last 2 seasons he has really elevated other areas of his game.

Jorginho is fine as the deepest mid, it's mostly just the system that needs more time. It requires the back 4 and our midfield to be on the same page all the time, and of course right now it won't be like that so quickly.

We didn't even have our best player, and they fielded their full strength squad. If Hazard is fit and starting I very much doubt they even make a comeback, as it is far more likely we'd have been up by more than 2 before their first goal.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

This position for Kante is probably his best and most natural. He's a roaming ball winner essentially, but in the last 2 seasons he has really elevated other areas of his game.

Jorginho is fine as the deepest mid, it's mostly just the system that needs more time. It requires the back 4 and our midfield to be on the same page all the time, and of course right now it won't be like that so quickly.

We didn't even have our best player, and they fielded their full strength squad. If Hazard is fit and starting I very much doubt they even make a comeback, as it is far more likely we'd have been up by more than 2 before their first goal.

I don't think that was a full-strength side for us. It was closer than you were to full strength, but I don't think Torreira will be on the bench, I don't think Monreal is the preferred starter, and I've a feeling once the transfer rumors/new contract speculation settles down, Ramsey will start instead of Iwobi, probably out wide.

However if Hazard goes 90', we easily lose by more than 1.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I don't think that was a full-strength side for us. It was closer than you were to full strength, but I don't think Torreira will be on the bench, I don't think Monreal is the preferred starter, and I've a feeling once the transfer rumors/new contract speculation settles down, Ramsey will start instead of Iwobi, probably out wide.

However if Hazard goes 90', we easily lose by more than 1.

The reverse fixture is definitely going to be much tastier for both teams.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Jorginho is actually not a bad defender either. Yeah he has limited pace but he’s put in a few good tackles already and the ball gets out of his feet fast.


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[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Wondering what the status on Christensen is.

I sort of feel like Luiz and Alonso being on the same side is just too much defensive instability. Swapping Rudiger and Luiz would probably work, but I don’t see why Christensen over Luiz wouldn’t ALSO work.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Jorginho is more of a deep play making midfielder and Kante is a legendary ball winning midfielder. His role now pushes him out of there more forward with more of a box to box midfielder duties. This gives us more creativity but may decrease the interceptions and tackles he provides. Instead of roaming that area looking for the ball and winning the ball back, he is now more out of position to do that. Attacking wise we are better, defensively we may lose a little.

We will see how it goes, obviously these are tactics that can be easily adjusted as the match changes so I'm not worried.


EDIT:


Either way, at the end of the day we're much better as attackers won't be going past Cesc in the midfield like he's a light pole.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

With Kovacic I don't think Kante will have to press forward so heavily all the time.

Imo his current role is closer to his Leicester role, but you are right that he definitely gets forward more than ever. Will be interesting to see if his role changes at all once Kovacic starts playing every game.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Kovacic can realistically play all three roles which is good for everyone except RLC. His movement at times is very Jorginho-like in that he’ll pass it and immediately find the space for a return pass/outlet. He can drive forward with the ball at his feet like Eden/Ross and he can cover ground like Kante. I’ve been a fan of his since Inter, he was just unlucky at Real and for Croatia in that he’s behind literally the two best non-ball winning middies in the world plus Rakitic for county.

I do see your point Alt, we’re kind of splitting the field when it comes to Kante as opposed to letting him be a roaming destroyer like years past. I think our current shape benefits the club more because in that old midfield of 2, it would leave Cesc exposed and ultimately us overrun. Now we have Jorginho sitting deep and a more athletic side middie (RLC, Barkley, Kova) on the other side who can then split the field again. Plus I like Kante up high pressing backline defenders who aren’t as good on the ball. Takeaways there gets us in on goal fast.

I’m excited at this project but you guys know I was all-in on Sarri.


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[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

So do you guys think they will start speculating on Sarri's upcoming sacking AFTER we lose on Sunday or do you reckon they will get a head start and get the ball rolling the day before?

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

So do you guys think they will start speculating on Sarri's upcoming sacking AFTER we lose on Sunday or do you reckon they will get a head start and get the ball rolling the day before?

LOL...

I just want to see Sarri bust out the cigar when we're playing Mourinho and we're up!

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Looked like he really needed that cigar yesterday and he did it... lol... there's pictures floating of him sneaking in a smoke.

Anyways, what a grind it out game yesterday. Paul Tierney in the first half yesterday was a PES referee as he had a few chances to give United cards but made up for it in the second half. Watching Hazard get abused is irritating but it's gonna continue to happen as it did last season.

Not much from Morata yesterday, he did have a few chances I thought but his touches were disappointing. This game was more of a Giroud type game anyway.

As far as the penalty, probably shouldn't have been one but Schar did raise his leg which made it seem worse than it was. However, glad karma hit Yeldin hard there after that elbow to Giroud (still not sure how linesman missed that). Luiz on that goal though, oh dear. I love Luiz but I'm ready to get someone else in there.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

^ Yeah how the linesman missed that elbow, I'll never know.

And I think Newcastle might need a new crossbar after Rudiger's rocket of a shot.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

^ Yeah how the linesman missed that elbow, I'll never know.

And I think Newcastle might need a new crossbar after Rudiger's rocket of a shot.

That would have been an awesome goal and I think everyone needed that as well as it woke everyone watching up.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Of course I am biased but I just don't see how that penalty is controversial.

Getting a touch on the ball doesn't mean you can take the man out. Not to mention, the most important part that only a few pundits seemed to focus on, was the fact that the ball wasn't cleared at all. The defender DID get a touch on the ball, and it basically stayed right in Alonso's path and he wouldn't have even really had to re-adjust to take the shot.

If the ball had gotten poked away and THEN Alonso gets taken out, that's perfectly fine, but imo the fact that Alonso retains complete possession of the ball is why it really shouldn't be that controversial of a penalty. The trailing leg/scissor motion of the defender gets Alonso as he is about to shoot and there you have it.