30 Jun 2019 08:53:35
Ed001, thoughts on Kurt Zouma from an analysis point of view?
{Ed001's Note - I have added him to the list for a player profile but a quick overview is good defender but lacks ability on the ball. Good pace, but his injuries have robbed him a little of his acceleration.}
30 Jun 2019 11:06:38
Is he good enough for a top 6 club?
{Ed001's Note - it is all about partnerships, so put him alongside a player such as Luiz or Ampadu and yes he would do fine. He is a bit like Rudiger, on his own or alongside another like him, he is not good enough, but give him the right partner and he is.}
30 Jun 2019 12:44:25
Thanks Ed. If I am not wrong about my deductions, you rate Chelsea's defenders in the following order:
Luiz
Ampadu
Christensen
Rudiger
Zouma
Tomori
Clarke-Salter.
{Ed001's Note - no I like the old school defenders like Rudiger and Zouma myself, but it is just that they need a ball player alongside them to get the most from them. Like I said it is about partnerships, I think Kante is the best midfielder in the world, but even he needs the right players alongside him to get the most from him. Balance is everything in football. If you have lots of people winning the ball back but no one with the ability to create you are in as much trouble as if you have 11 strollers who want to just strut around looking good.}
30 Jun 2019 15:08:26
Ah, I see. Thanks for the insight, Ed.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}
30 Jun 2019 16:43:51
Who do you see as being the ideal partner alongside Kante going into next season?
Personally I think he and Kovacic could develop into a very capable pair. But I'd also like to see us playing with two out of Loftus-Cheek, Barkely and Mount against teams more likely to sit back. Not sure of I see much of a place for Jorginho under Lampard.
30 Jun 2019 23:33:44
Kovacic was only bought because of lack of options. He's average like Barkley. Hope lamps can get more out of the pair.
01 Jul 2019 12:42:06
Cfcwales, i think Kovacic is above average, he's a good player if not Chelsea wouldn't have paid £40.5m for a player that they have got the opportunity to see his ability (so if Kovacic was average like you said, I am sure the club could have said NO) . I am sure you keep judging him. Sure we all know by now that Chelsea is no stupid money bag.
01 Jul 2019 13:45:49
I meant to say you keep on judging as a number 10 but it's very obvious that he's better in a deeper midfield role (and running with the ball from box to box) .
01 Jul 2019 15:11:03
To answer the question about who is the ideal partner for Kante I would suggest someone who is disciplined defensively and able to break up play allowing Kante freedom to cover the field defensively while also being able to distribute the ball from deep. Matic was great next to him in Conte’s first season but nowadays I would suggest a player like Rodri but I really think that Ampadu could become this player.
01 Jul 2019 15:45:46
I think Matic is still my best midfield partner for Kante. I really hoped that combination (of Kante and Matic) played together in Europe the next season.