10 Nov 2020 23:19:23
I think recent performances have illustrated that our midfield as currently constructed is best when set up as a 433 rather than a 4231. When we play like this we seem to be much quicker at advancing the ball through compartments when we break which gives the opponent far less time to get into their shape defensively. Additionally we've been much better at pressing high up the pitch which allows Kante to read the game and break counters high up the pitch before they start. Mount seems much more suited to a #8 role than a #10 and while havertz is better floating as a 10 he is still more than capable operating as an 8. One added benefit of this is we tend to be operating much higher up the pitch which gives opponents a longer distance to advance to reach our goal and our team more time to get back if countered on. I'm glad that frank has seemingly found a system that works for us and hopefully we can continue in this manner for some time.
11 Nov 2020 04:12:34
One player I think who could come back and play the box to box role in a 4-3-3 is Conor Gallagher. Very impressed with him so far for West Brom he’s been a shining light in a a struggling team. He’s got a good engine and very well built so he’ll definitely be able to hold his own. Gallagher is quite effective in the final third also. I know Kova had a decent game against Sheffield United but I just don’t honk he’ll do enough in that position long term.
11 Nov 2020 09:32:09
Ross Barkley has never been ‘ripper’ (for want of a better word) to play for Chelsea at any time in his career than now. He’s a completely different player at the moment (playing at Aston Villa) . He will bring something we have never seen (good) to the Chelsea midfield (4-3-3) if we bring him back into the team next season from Aston Villa. Please I strongly think that Chelsea shouldn’t sell Ross Barkley but incorporate him back into the next season. He’s got that maturity than all the players (Loftus Cheek, C. Gallagher etc. ) that we have out on loan, and I think he’s entering a new prime in his game from what I have seen from his exploits at Villa.
12 Nov 2020 12:08:13
Villa seem to be playing Barkley as almost an out and out striker with little tracking back demanded; not sure that would work at Chelsea.
12 Nov 2020 16:36:00
If Barkley is a striker, I wonder what Watkins or Grealish or Trezeguet play as? He (Barkley) is perfect playing as a no 8.
13 Nov 2020 13:04:46
No idea why we let him go. We have only Kovacic to cover mount and havertz. I never want to see Kante or Jorginho any further forward.