23 Feb 2021 23:01:39
Thought several players relished the challenge tonight and playing highly tactical Euro knockout game and they included Jorginho and Christiansen and even Rudiger. But not really an obvious weak performance by any player though like Tom i got a bit nervy when Mendy had ball at his feet.
24 Feb 2021 06:23:22
I watched the game and I am happy that we won. Mount improving game by game and olly scoring the all important goal, Christensen defending like a world class defender, jorgi/ kova pivot keeping things ticking are the positives.
Things for improvement starts with azpi, jorgi, Alonso requiring replacement next season. They are slow and susceptible to being overrun with pace. Alonso in particular doesn't have pace to take on players and all our attack down the left side fizzes out. This adds pressure on werner and he tries one too many things and ends up losing the ball. Also our attacks are lopsided as we tend to move the ball from the right most of the time unless Alonso is in space on the left high up the pitch. For us to challenge on multiple front we can't rely on the current way of playing. we are too much reliant on individual brilliance to bail us out which is not a sustainable model. This is bcos our creativity is very limited. It's either cho or mount who is responsible to do something with the ball to create a chance. Werner/ olly/ tammy are not very much involved in chance creation. Puli/ ziyech are not in form and havertz is out mostly. Also our mf of kova/ kante/ jorgi are not creative. Jorgi attempts thro balls but 9/ 10 times overhit or mirubbish the ball. Kova for all his ball control and dribble doesn't have a clue near the opposition box either to create a pass or to shoot. Kante again can win balls high up but is not creative or effective to shoot. we need changes there to be effective in the opposition chance.
24 Feb 2021 07:32:03
Mendy touch was bad granted but it was poor back pass from Dave. Players need to use common sense instead of following instructions all the time and just clear it out. Hence Allison's two give away goals a few weeks back. We are taught this a youngsters " IF IN DOUBT CLEAR IT OUT".
24 Feb 2021 08:16:19
Also for the second leg both mason and jorgi are suspended. While mason can be replaced in theory with havertz, jorgi is going to be tricky. Kante and kova pairing is not going to work. So we need Billy to be paired with one of them. But will tt do it is a million dollar question.
24 Feb 2021 09:29:20
JBS . Like you Mendy makes me nervous. I’m not sure what we should do about the goalkeeper situation. What is clear is we don’t have a top class keeper which is usually required to win big trophies.
24 Feb 2021 09:44:33
No chance of TT throwing BG in - I think we've learned already that TT doesn't like to take chances.
Agree about having to replace Azpi (James), Alonso (Chilwell) and Jorgi next season - the midfield pivot is going to be the tough one - BG / Bate or buy in - Rice / Bissouma / Barella / Milinkovic-Savic / Kessie / Ndidi / Zakaria / Laimer / Dourado / Boubacar Kamara (I don't know if any of those are available or at what prices - I think Brighton may go down so Bissouma would be a good fit - personally, I'd go for Kessie, a tank in the Essien mould)?
As for creativity - many of the above are more creative that Jorgi or Kante - but I wonder what Chels are thinking about doing with RLC?
24 Feb 2021 09:47:24
Mount is playing so well he will be a miss for his energy and pressing just needs to work on his final ball in the final 3rd as do many others by the way
And jorgi will be missed for controlling the pace and dictating play
But I'm sure tuchel will have a plan how to combat this.
24 Feb 2021 09:54:33
I think ed002 said mendy won't be our 1st choice keeper long term he was bought as a 2nd keeper with kepa maybe going and someone like donnarumma if possible coming in.
24 Feb 2021 13:01:35
gg, I don't think there was ever or is any chance of Donnarama coming to Chels - like many, I'm guessing his agent was using possible Chels interest to increase his new contract.
24 Feb 2021 14:41:42
Agree mdw just an example sadly.