Chelsea Banter Archive January 25 2019

25 Jan 2019 16:35:08
Was at last night's game, thought it was a good performance - especially in the first half. Here's a few points I took from the game.

Chelsea need to ditch this one year contracts for over thirties rule. David Luiz is playing some excellent football at the moment and deserves a two year contract. Really wouldn't like to see him leave at the end of the season.

Emerson was dynamic, had great interchange with the players ahead of him and put some great balls into the box. Everything that Alonso isn't - should get a run of games in the Prem.

Jorginho was brilliant in the first half, completely dictating the game. His pen was absolute class too.

I don't blame Hudson-Odoi for looking at his options in Germany, especially when it's one of the biggest clubs in Europe who are very keen on him. It's not as if the players ahead of him are performing. Willian was woeful when he came on and Pedro was generally unimpressive. Sarri says that he is in the same position as them, I'd suggest he's a better option now.

Can't wait to see Higuain in this team, especially if Emerson plays more, and plays like he did last night. Got a feeling we'll get a very good season and a half from him.

Loftus-Cheek is back in training. Kante, Jorginho and him has to be the future midfield. Neither Barkley or Kovacic have managed to make the attacking role in the midfield their own - Loftus-Cheek has a real chance to do just that.

25 Jan 2019 17:16:34
Agree J. I was hesitant with Luiz playing in a two man CB to begin with but he's been great this season. His passing ability has helped a lot with our attacking play and we'd be foolish not to give him what he wants. Playing Odoi and Emerson with their abilities to take players on and cross the ball will help Higuain massively and hopefully Sarri plays them. No doubt if Higuain played last night we'd have scored a couple more goals. With RLC he's my preferred 3rd CM choice and hopefully he can work his way into the starting 11.

25 Jan 2019 17:59:24
I strongly support the one year for over thirty rule cos it clearly brings out the best in these older players. Give them more than one year a lot of them tend get their feet off the gas besides younger players should get more chance.

25 Jan 2019 18:06:33
I support that there should be exception in rare cases when the player in question is clearly exceptional; though in the case of David Luiz, I want the club to offer him a one year deal with another year based on his performance.

25 Jan 2019 23:08:06
Besides older players usually give their best when their contract is close to ending- I guess it makes them wanted the more by clubs. Sometimes you start asking yourself why this player haven't been playing this well all this while.

26 Jan 2019 03:50:51
I do not understand why we don’t put club options on the contracts, that way we can trigger extensions if viable. Man united had the option on De Geas contract and also mata, probably others.

26 Jan 2019 08:52:19
I don't know why we can't treat every situation on it merits, rather than a rule for every single player over 30.

25 Jan 2019 11:29:13
Lot in the UK media in last little while about Sarri commenting on his players's low motivation levels (against AFC) and Hazard 'not a leader'. Sarri much more complementary about motivation last night and saying Hazard is a 'wonderful' player but again said he tired in final quarter.

I've always thought that it's not a great idea for a manager to criticise own players in public, and particularly not singling out a player for individual criticism.

But what do others on here think? Worth doing cos it can get a good reaction, (perhaps did last night) or risking alienating 'wonderful' players and perhaps losing them?

25 Jan 2019 12:19:50
There are players who can’t handle criticism, also some managers struggle with criticism.

We only have to look at this site to see some posters react to critical comments.

When you have a team that’s full different personalities it becomes a minor gamble to tar everyone with the same comment but on a personal note I like to invite criticism. It can make you consider how people view you as as person and it brings about, in general, a healthy debate.

As long as criticism is constructive bring it on!

25 Jan 2019 16:19:09
Thanks TomB for this and I agree that criticism is part of life and to be actively welcomed if constructive. We should all be able to take it if so, but you're right that some responses on here suggest some find this harder than others.

But my question is not just about criticism in general but more about whether a manager should be criticising players in public/ through the media or would be better advised to do this in private i. e. in the dressing room or in one-on-ones with particular players.

25 Jan 2019 23:19:54
It's a managers job to get the players performing. Sometimes you give them the carrot, sometimes you give them the stick. As long as they recognise why they're getting the stick then there shouldn't be a problem.