Chelsea Banter Archive April 11 2018

11 Apr 2018 19:12:08
Alright Ed I was just wondering what your opinion was on the Lazio midfielder Milinkovic-Savic? I haven't seen him play but he's meant to be very highly rated.

{Ed001's Note - fantastic midfielder, bit like a Matic at his best but better. He is more of an attacking mid, because he is so skilled, but he can play the holding role or a normal centre mid role as well. One of the best centre mids in the game right now.}

11 Apr 2018 20:02:54
From what I’ve heard he would be good for any team. Maybe if Vidal is injury prone we should go for him? But now we’re out of the top four it’s unlikely. He sounds pretty much the ideal partner for Kante.

{Ed001's Note - I would agree, he is an excellent player. I think Vidal is just worn out to be honest. He has played so much football for Juve, Bayern and Chile in recent years and returned very quickly, probably too quickly, after a number of knee injuries.}

12 Apr 2018 08:31:29
I think midfielders like him are what we truly lack here Ed. All our other midfielders are too one dimensional I. e Drinkwater, Bakayoko and Cesc. We haven’t had good all round mids since Ballack, Essien and Super Frank. Players like Milinkovic-Savic and someone like Kovacic who could be available either side of Kante would make our midfield dominant again. Or even Loftus-Cheek? He just needs gametime in the centre. Whether SMS would join us is another matter. There’s not many quality all round centre mids around at present. Verratti and Nainggolan spring to mind but I couldn’t see either joining us.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure about Loftus-Cheek, Hodgson doesn't trust him centrally because he is too lazy.}

12 Apr 2018 09:53:49
We cannot possibly go down the Vidal route, it will be no progress at all. With Kante our only forward thinking midfielder an area which has been our weak spot with the likes of Savic and Kovacic, players well suited to the EPL, we could get from defence to attack quickly and at pace with skill something we sadly lack. We all love Alonso as he has exceeded expectations but he is sooooo slow, Bayakoko is not a footballer and with Drinkwater not getting any long term game time we have to assume he will not cut it either, so Hazard and Willian have to track back looking for the ball and invariably face a wall of defenders but the time they try an mount an attack. I am certain Loftus-Cheek will be sold; talented but lazy.

11 Apr 2018 08:36:54
Ed1 how are you doing mate. Hope you are all good.

What are your thoughts on who you think will become Chelsea's new manager or does Conte stay? Also in your opinion who do you think Is a good fit for Chelsea. Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I expect Conte to leave. He has done everything he can to ensure he does. I was thinking it would be Tuchel, though I am not convinced he is a good fit, however it does seem likely he will, bizarrely, be going to PSG. Not sure why on earth they have brought in a manager who struggled to deal with egos at Dortmund to run a club composed of egos!

It does seem more likely to be someone like Allegri, someone a bit more laidback than Conte and who will be happy to work with the club on transfers, rather than publicly bicker with it. As a short term replacement, he is about as good as it gets, as the players will love the change he will bring. He will be like a nice refresher. However, long term I don't think there is a good fit with this set of players. You have the same issue as Leicester, imo, players that think they are bigger than the club. Until you rectify that, there will only ever be short term solutions, then they will want a change.}

11 Apr 2018 13:34:57
Thanks for your reply ed1, it is always appreciated.

It doesn't seem promising for us with Allegri in charge, personally I would love Chelsea to change their style of football and be more offensive with a high press going forward. With Allegri it feels like it will be more of the same in that we will take the game to weaker oppositions and play on the counter against the better oppositions. This has been the blueprint permanently since 2012 or so.

{Ed001's Note - welcome and yes it would be similar but Allegri has shown more tactical nous than Conte in his career so it should be a step forward at least.}

11 Apr 2018 14:07:51
Going by what ed said it would be Allegri for now and once ego’s have moved on a manager like Jardim would be good going forward, Sarri of Napoli rumours went quiet.

{Ed001's Note - that is opinion mate. Just to make that clear.}

11 Apr 2018 15:25:54
Oh yeah I was summing you and agreeing lol don’t want idiots handing out abuse when Brendan Rogers takes over hey lol.

{Ed001's Note - god yes. Thankfully I think I can rule him out of the running, though he would jump at the chance. Well out of the running this summer anyway....}

11 Apr 2018 15:34:47
Well insight rumour or guarantee we appreciate you guys input,

{Ed001's Note - cheers Matt. I appreciate that.}

11 Apr 2018 18:22:35
Why is the wold so cool on Emre?

He was the bright thing two seasons back, and PSG is a difficult place to keep happy.

Good in Europe.
Manages what he's given.
Works well with director of sport.
Pragmatic football.
Likes a youngster.

I'm not saying he's my number one choice, but seems to me Chelsea should be considering him when the inevitable happens at Chelsea and PSG.

11 Apr 2018 06:15:47
Presuming next year we keep all our players, next year we play a back 4, play Willian in a midfield 3 and buy a new right back and a new left footed right winger. Kante and Fabregas/ Drinkwater can cover the fullbacks overlapping runs.

Courtois
Florenzi Christensen Rudiger Alonso
Fabregas Kante
Willian
Bailey Icardi Hazard

The transfers we have made this year have been failures and we need to make improvements next season. Missing out on Lukaku has cost us and I feel he would have been fantastic for us.

11 Apr 2018 08:31:38
That teams dreadful mate no offence. The front three would be quality though. Alonso is too slow as a wing back never mind a full back. Fabregas is finished for me in England he’d be better off in Italy where it’s slower. Kante needs a box to box partner who can do both. Someone like Vidal, Milinkovic-Savic or Loftus-Cheek. And where is our best defender in Azpi? He’s our only real leader and you want to drop him? Comical. Courtois should go too.

{Ed001's Note - you know Vidal (I am assuming you mean Arturo of Bayern) is really struggling with his persistent knee problems and is not as good as he was? From what I have seen of him, he is not up to the rigours of the Prem any more. Shame because he was incredible.}

11 Apr 2018 08:34:06
My team would be:

Oblak/ Allison

Azpi Christensen Rudiger Emerson

Loftus-Cheek Kante Vidal

Bailey Batman/ Morata Hazard

Subs:

Willy, Zouma, Alonso, Luiz, Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Morata/ Batman.

11 Apr 2018 10:24:17
My My I did forget about Azpi!

And I didn't want to just post a dream team because it's unlikely. Of course I'd want Telles or Sandro in left back but it's not going to happen.

Loftus-Cheek is really not that good. He'll get there but if we're complaining that Drinkwater Fabregas isn't good enough your not going to be happy with RLC.

11 Apr 2018 10:36:45
I don't really know how you guys rate Ruben? I think we have let a real talent fo in Chabolah and should have sold Ruben ages ago, he is lazy and doesn't offer much.

11 Apr 2018 10:44:59
Whenever RLC has played in the centre for Palace he has looked quality. They keep playing him RM in a 4-4-2 which isn’t his position.

11 Apr 2018 10:51:16
Milinkovic-Savic would be great next to Kante but I doubt we could attract him either. Personally I’d go for Bailey and Kovacic as I think we can get them.

12 Apr 2018 11:21:51
Fabregas, Pedro, Drinkwater and D. luiz should be allowed to leave.