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03 Aug 2015 02:47:23
Long time follower. but a rare poster. I'm not "overly" concerned with today's result. Would I have loved for a win, and Wenger to remain winless against Mourinhno. of course, but it wasn't 3 points lost in the table. We're still BPL champions, and although other squads have improved, I honestly believe that we're the squad to beat. With that said I do have a minor concern or two.

1. Costa's hamstring, and a lack of consistent cover. If Costa could make it through the season injury free, I wouldn't question us retaining the BPL in the least, but as of now his availability is questionable for the opener. I like Remy, but he's too inconsistent, and I don't trust him as our #1. more like a #3, and I say that with no malice. Absolutely loved Falcao pre-injury, but he's such a wild card, but I'm hoping for the best. Unsure if we should bring someone else in this window (or who for that matter) or just roll with what we got, although this all could be a blessing in disguise for Traore.

2. Hazard. and by no means at all am I saying that he needs to do more. He's double or tripled teamed every time he touches the ball. We need someone on the other wing that can be a great enough threat to keep teams somewhat honest and not be able to collapse on Hazard as much. I still have hopes for Cuadrado, and I'm loving the hunger that Moses has been showing. Again, I'm not saying spend big money on a name to be brought in, but I'm hoping that someone in the squad can step up enough to be a consistent enough threat to alleviate some of the pressure that's constantly on Hazard.

3. DM. love the Matic/Fabregas pairing. especially when Fabregas moves up behind the striker mid-game when we need to switch it up a bit. That said, I have minimal confidence when anyone else is next to Matic. I believe Oscar could do the job no problem, but he rarely gets a consistent run in the position. Mikel and Ramires have their days, but I'm not truly confident in them paired day in and day out with Matic. not to mention how we seem to lack any creativity with them in the position (hence me loving Oscar in that position). I won't even mention my thoughts on Matic getting injured. Overall, I think that we're just one DM away from being being completely sorted in that area, but again I have no clue of who I'd like bought in. I'd love to have Pogba paired with Matic, but again, that wouldn't address cover for Matic.

With all of that said, I'm still completely confident in our chances to retain the title. I honestly feel like Baba Rahman and Stones will be bought in, so I didn't feel the need to mention our lack of back four coverage. I would just feel more "comfortable" with cover for Matic and Costa (although I have a good feeling about Falcao). Regardless, cheers to all of you from Philadelphia USA. Look forward to the "friendly" with Fiorentina on Wednesday and opening against Swansea on Saturday!! KTBFFH!!

1.) 03 Aug 2015 07:18:24
Spot on, mate. Central midfield is a problem area right now. Witsel would be great in my view as he can both partner Matic (being the more attacking one), but he could also replace him and be the more defensive pivot player. He can also act as a holding midfielder in a 3 man midfield so he's very versatile.
Another player I like a lot is Granit Xhaka. Very good player IMO and I hope that because of the apparent good relations between the two clubs maybe something could be worked out in the future for him.

2.) 03 Aug 2015 10:32:03
Good post, edison (is your nickname 'Lighthouse?) - Costa's hamstring is a major worry - let's hope Falcao returns to his former glory. I agree that we need a right-sided player so that we attack from both wings (don't know what to read into Cuadrado's absence yesterday) - but a big help to Hazard would be a more attacking left-back (Rahman is hopefully the answer). We desperately need cover for Matic - just take a look at our results last season when he was out - still hearing that Cambiasso is being considered - but the problem is that Mikel refuses to move.

3.) 03 Aug 2015 11:14:02
Totally agree. My biggest concern with this team is definitely the lack of cm's. As you mentioned if, God forbid it, Matic were to get an injury, we would have a big problem. Most of the matches we lost last year, was when Matic wasn't playing. With that in mind I agree with Jackson on Witsel. I would love Witsel to join us, he would be a lot better alternative to Mikel or Ramires.

4.) 03 Aug 2015 13:07:24
I still like Mikel. He's limited in what he does, but defensively he brings a lot to the table. And he's also calm on the ball and brings experience. IMO Mikel is good cover.
Ramires on the other hand, I don't see what he adds to the team. I like him, don't get me wrong. But he's equally limited in what he does and just doesn't fit with the style our team is trying to implement. He runs like a maniac and gives his all, but he's the opposite of composed and can't pass or hold the ball under pressure. I told my brother last Wednesday that if Oscar started the Community Shield that Chelsea would win. But if Ramires started we wouldn't be able to take control of the game and we'd lose. Guess how disappointed I was to see Ramires starting in place of Oscar. I don't get why Mourinho doesn't play Oscar in the big games. Yesterday was the same as practically always. Oscar comes on and suddenly the play is more fluid and some actual attacks and chances are created and the team maintains pressure on the opposition. Oscar is hugely important.
I also don't get why Fabregas is untouchable. He's gone missing too often in big games and maybe Oscar should sometimes be preferred to him, especially in the number 10 role where Oscar is clearly so much better than Fab in our team.

Now it was only the CS so I'm not too worried, and I trust Mourinho completely. He obviously knows football a whole lot more than I do. But I sometimes find myself questioning his love for Ramires and apparent 'distrust' (if that's a word?) of Oscar in big games.
So up the Blues and Mourinho! On to bigger and better things after Fiorentina. Now that should also be a fun game considering the whole Salah affair and Fiorentina threatening to go to court etc. :-)

5.) 03 Aug 2015 16:18:12
All depends how Mourinho will decide to play tactically. Agree that we need one more CM. Witsel and Sissoko would be the most realistic option.
I am worried about our transfer activity. The club made to many mistakes in last two years. Of course there have been 3 fantastic signings, our selling was disaster.

6.) 03 Aug 2015 17:46:48
A good assessment Jackson. Always dangerous liking someone others don't and vice versa. Mikel is not a starting player, you bring him on when you want to close the game out because as you say, he is calm on the ball and very aware, his downside is his passing which is either very short or sideways. I was disappointed with Oscar not starting primarily because he has had his long break and we need to see if he has progressed after eighteen poor months so I was baffled why he didn't and equally frustrated to see Ramires who I have no time for and some of his tackling is so clumsy but for whatever reason Mourinho seems to like him. I am glad you raised Fabregas because on his day he is a world beater but we have to be dominating, if we are not he goes missing and that cannot be lost on Mourinho. This, 'he always fades after Christmas' is not acceptable for a player of his calibre. So far we have only officially bid for John Stones every other name including Rahman is paper speculation and another left back materialised this morning as of interest, Fouri Ghoulam of Napoli. Griezmann was quoted in the media also saying that Bayern Munich and Chelsea enquired with his agent regarding availability but he has received no offers himself, therefore the media are getting mileage out of us BUT I cannot believe we are not still talking to someone.

7.) 03 Aug 2015 18:42:50
Good point about Fabregas, Jackson. I thought the same last season - Fabregas seems untouchable even if he's having a mare (see January onwards). Jose just won't take him off - I feel sorry for Oscar who always seems to be the fall guy.

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