23 Sep 2026 11:34:28
I remain reasonably confident that things will click into place under Alonso.
I think we need to patient with defensive issues, don't have much choice at the moment. I think Alonso needs to pick his best three (Acheampong, Lacroix and Colwill for me) and consistently start them, with mostly only one game a week we don't need to rotate. Colwill looks like a player who missed a whole season, but, I'm sure we'll see the same player we saw at the end of the season before and the following CWC.
Getting Caicedo back will help, but I don't see a regular midfield partner in this squad for him, not in the 3-4-3 system currently deployed. I like Barco and I'm bigger on James in midfield than most, but we need teams playing our double pivot to feel like they were playing against four players in there. Caicedo has an element of that but the others, whilst having their own qualities don't have that trait. Prime Kante would be good!
On James, I don't mind him in midfield, but I'd rather he played that RWB role, certainly over Neto or Gusto. But, if his hamstrings can't hold up to that, where does he fit in? RCB? I think Acheampong is the better option. Squad, rotational CM? Is that what he wants for his career? Controversial opinion on a great Chelsea player, but, if it isn't consistent mins at RB or RWB I don't know where his Chelsea career is.
Last point, Emegha needs to be good. I like Welbeck for 15-20mins here and there, but not for regular 70mins in Joao Pedro's absence. Emegha need to be a good deputy for Joao Pedro or, more to the point, we need Joao Pedro to stay fit.
23 Sep 2026 18:33:57
J, I enjoyed your post mate and I agree with your back three.
I think Palestra will be our first choice RWB. I can only see James playing in midfield. I would also like a midfield three. The problem then becomes we play a 532 or 352.
So, I personally prefer a 433. The manager has some big calls to make, it will be interesting.
23 Sep 2026 21:52:38
I too would like to see a back 4 Tom but I think the gaffer will stick with his beloved 3-4-2-1,
it will make or break him.
The midfield 2 has to be Caicedo and Henderson unless Lavia can finally step up.
The front 3 picks itself. Wingbacks have to be Pep and Palestra who were hand picked by the gaffer.
The back 3 will decide our season, Lacroix must start as must Josh for me. Hato wins over Colwill who has been really poor and in fairness Fofana has done ok. James, our skipper, looks like a bench player as it is so obvious that he can't play in midfield and has no legs as a wing back.