06 Feb 2018 21:46:46
Ed1 what are your thoughts on Baka mate. He had 1 good season last year amd ended up at chelsea as a result. We all have stated our opinions on here. Do you think he is a 1 season wonder that played out of his skin last year in the french league or do you think he has the potential to overcome this horrendous form. He doesn't look like a premier league midfielder. Yesterdays 30 min cameo should have been an eye opener for Conte. Drinkwater isn't a saint but could do better.
I do want the board to do the right thing here and back the manager for the first time in their history. Its not fair on the fans on how poorly the players have performed. It can't be all Conte because earlier this season the team were firing. For this to work and the board to back Conte he needs to go rogue and really play the youth like Ampadu and Odoi who will play for him.
{Ed001's Note - I think firstly he is suffering due to the fans being on his back from the moment he arrived. A large portion never wanted him in the first place, and that has shown in their reaction to his every mistake, which then made him fearful of making mistakes and so make more mistakes. His confidence is shot and, unless there is a change in manager to a different type, a more arm round the shoulder type who will restore that confidence, it is probably best for all concerned if he moves on.
Sadly, in my opinion, as he is not a one season wonder. He is an excellent driving midfielder in the mould of Doucoure, who makes a hell of a lot of mistakes too but is still an excellent player. All players make mistakes, but the mistakes he makes were always positive ones, in that he would always give away the ball trying to get it forward, trying to do something positive. However the change in system has not suited him or the rest of the team for that matter. Bakoyoko is pace and workrate with driving runs from midfield, but he is not getting any space in there to make runs as you play with an extra man in there this season where he wants to run, rather than behind him to give him freedom. It reminds me of when Kante first joined and you were struggling and so was he and Matic, because Conte had them in the wrong positions. Bakayoko would be at his best playing the way Conte's Juve had Vidal and Pogba working, in front of a deep lying playmaker to give them a bit more freedom to roam, and wide forwards in front to create space for them to drive forward.
He is like all players, if you don't play them in a way that suits their strengths, than you are not going to see the best of them.}
07 Feb 2018 08:22:32
Thanks Ed 001 for a very thoughtful response. Speaks to possibility that Conte not himself giving enough thought to what has gone wrong though and adjust selections, tactics, positions accordingly - but if Conte stays, and wouldn't CFC supporters love to have some managerial stability, he will surely have to v soon or will certainly be gone as will and chances of CFC in top 4.
{Ed001's Note - I don't understand it, to be honest, as Conte knows what worked for him before, so why is he looking to fix what is not broken by changing the system?}
07 Feb 2018 10:36:19
Ed1 thank you for explaining this to us. Very good insight into Baka's struggles. Hopefully this can be resolved. I think we have all forgotten how good he was last year given his recent form.
I agree with you that it is strange why Conte is trying to fix something that never was broken. It almost feels like he has decided to play more negative football to combat the situation. Maybe if he plays more positevely then Chelsea perhaps starts on the front foot in games.
{Ed001's Note - agreed, but it does seem to be his mindsight to concentrate on defence first.}
07 Feb 2018 11:40:32
I think that mindsight is contributing towards the recent poor form. That win at Athletico Madrid seems an age ago especially given that Chelsea played offensively I felt.
07 Feb 2018 13:09:31
if played in right position i think he will be a great player.
08 Feb 2018 00:50:22
He seems to be lacking so much confidence because at the moment he doesn't look like a footballer. Hopefully a rest should do him good. He literally gets ruined all over social media, internet and YouTube and i am sure all of this has affected him massively. He no longer bothers to colour his hair and that was a hobby of his before. Embarrased to do so i imagine.