Chelsea Banter Archive December 15 2019

15 Dec 2019 22:58:09
That Demiral from Juve looks good, very good of the few times I've actually seen him.

16 Dec 2019 09:21:12
Spot on Matt Martin. I’ve seen him a few times and he really is the real deal. A 6 ft 3 monster who wins everything in the air and is also good on the ball. He actually scores headed goals to from corners which is what our old defenders use to do not like the ones we’ve got now.

If we had sense we’d take advantage of his situation and not waste money on Ake which is annoying me. He’s no better than what we have unlike Demiral. Him and Soyuncu are going to form a brick wall for Turkey at the Euros. One’s to definitely keep an eye on.

16 Dec 2019 10:47:14
Ake being injured may do us a favour, Demiral would be relatively cheap, future lease captain, big tall dominant, Done very well with turkey, would be very very smart business,

16 Dec 2019 13:04:33
He’s a warrior mate, I think he’s a mixture of Pepe and Vidic.

16 Dec 2019 17:02:15
When Ed has time I think his doing us a update on who we have interest in, hoping his names on it along with Werner dembele havertz that I’ve seen previously,

16 Dec 2019 22:31:01
Havertz would be a dream. If Loftus-Cheek doesn’t return the same Havertz would be a similar type of player to replace him.

15 Dec 2019 19:35:05
What's everyone's problem with Kepa why does know one no the problem is the people in front of him. There just not good enough Kepa is one of the best out there is Zouma is Tomori is Emerson alonso Dave NO there not look at what Cech has in front of him.

15 Dec 2019 21:21:38
I agree to an extent, I sympathise with Kepa given that he doesn't have a top class defence to protect him.

However, some of the goals he has let in are howlers mate. You can't blame a defence for some of his mistakes. Far too many mistakes and as a fan I am never confident that he will bail us out. It's worrying when you feel that you can't mention all his mistakes this season otherwise you could be here a long time typing.

Anyway I will support him until he either turns his form around or if chelsea lose patience and sell him.

Either way, we definitely need our goalkeeper to be a lot better than what we are seeing right now.

15 Dec 2019 22:12:38
Really needs to be some consistency with our back four.

James, Rudiger, Tomori and, until a new signing is made, Emerson make up our best back four. They need to, with Kepa, train together, get drilled together, play together and get solid together.

Azpilicueta, Alonso, Zouma and Christensen add depth, but we need consistency.

15 Dec 2019 22:56:37
I agree that the people playing in front of him could've done better, and I know that stats do not always tell the truth, but he has the second lowest save percentage in the league. We're talking about the most expensive keeper in the history of the game, and right now I think very few would argue that he's even a top 10 or perhaps even top 15 keeper in the world. Now, I would say last season he was much better and I think perhaps he would be considered one of the best 10 keepers in the world by the end.
I do believe he can turn out a very good goalkeeper, but I also feel like he's on a downward spiral that needs to be turned around very soon, otherwise he will simply be a liability in my opinion.

17 Dec 2019 12:05:24
Kepa doesn't look good because of the central defence in front of him; but the central defence doesn't look good because of the defensive midfield in front of them. Play Kante in his proper position .

15 Dec 2019 16:06:16
Absolutely awful man management from Duncan Ferguson to sub off Kean after subbing him on 20 minutes earlier. I get the feeling each of our former three managers could have done something similar, and I really think Frank is a nice change who knows better. He simply seems like a better boss, in my opinion.
What made me write this post, however, is the situation regarding Moise Kean. Surely he cannot be happy at Everton?
Perhaps he could be a nice replacement for Giroud? A lot of people seemed to rate him highly before his move to Everton and it is still a very young player, so maybe it would be a scoop?
Admittedly I have not really seen him play that much, so perhaps you could give your opinion on him Ed01? :)

{Ed001's Note - he is not happy and his agent, Mino, is looking for a move for him because he is not playing. Kean has struggled to settle and get into the team, but he is just a kid and Everton had done nothing to help him.

The treatment by Ferguson was just humiliation and should never have been done. Horrible thing to do for no real reason. I expect better of Everton, but sadly I expect nothing else from Ferguson.

As for Kean, at Juve he showed that he has something there, some real talent to work with, despite putting up with some horrible racist abuse. I think he probably needs a team where he can play more regularly though, if he is going to settle. At least with Chelsea he would have help to settle in the area and they would not just leave him to his own devices. So maybe it would be a good idea thinking about it. He is not a cheap option though!}

15 Dec 2019 16:36:47
Very interesting Ed.

15 Dec 2019 16:45:09
Very sad to see how he has been treated by Everton. I rated him pretty high last season.

15 Dec 2019 17:29:36
Thanks a lot for your reply, Ed - very well written and detailed. I must admit that I thought them getting Kean for what is believe was rather cheap compared to other prices, was one of the best transfers in recent years. He would be exciting here!

{Ed001's Note - I think he will be a huge regret in future years for the Toffees. They have made a mess of it badly.}

15 Dec 2019 10:33:58
A full week to stew on that result.
It was a frustrating watch and I’d like to see changing the formation when teams start sitting at the bridge. Lamps and his team have their philosophies which we should trust. But just for fun here’s my team:
Kepa
Azpi Rudi Tomori

James Kante Alonso

Jorgi Kova
Pulisic
Abraham

15 Dec 2019 10:58:49
Mine would be as follows:-

Kepa

James Rudi Tomori Emerson

Kante Jorginho Kovacic

CHO Abraham Pusilic.

15 Dec 2019 11:18:37
Kepa

James Rudi Tomori Emerson

Kante Jorginho Kovacic

CHO Abraham Pusilic.

15 Dec 2019 11:27:11
Kepa

James
Rudiger
Tomori
Chilwell

Kovacic
Kante
Loftus-cheek

Sancho
Tammy
Pulisic.

15 Dec 2019 11:59:38
We can only dream for Chilwell in this window I fear but it would be nice.

15 Dec 2019 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 14th December 2019

15 Dec 2019 04:42:01
It's been a while since I've posted on here but still read through frequently. Heads up this a long post.

What a tough couple of weeks it's been, the team look tired and the youthful exuberance has started to fade under the pressures of being a top club competing in all competitions.

I want to prefix this by saying I was always against Frank getting the role but have been pleasantly surprised by what he has done given the circumstances. I don't want to say he's outperformed because he knew what the expectations are managing a team like Chelsea irrespective of the factors he inherited.

My observations, we have the makings of a really strong team that can go along way and it finally feels like the transition we've been putting bandaid fixes over for the last few years is actually happening.

ST: Abraham will be our starting striker for the next decade (pending we lock him down) I've been super impressed with what he's done so far. Bat's is a good back up but he just always looks like he's a yard off the pace to me when he plays, it could be argued if he started that wouldn't be the case but he doesn't suit the system to start. A good backup is needed, a prime Anelka would be perfect.

AMF: Pulisic will be good buy, he just needs to muscle up a bit and go looking for the ball so he's more involved. Mount for me is a great player but is looking very tired and this often results in the game passing him by which as number 10 in the way we play can't happen, case in point yesterday against Bournemouth. Willian has been a great servant and his industry can never be faulted but he needs to score and assist more which is why we can upgrade. CHO looks devoid of any confidence and to me looks a liability whenever he gets the ball at the moment which is worrying but has shown nothing to show he deserves to start. Upgrades needed here and possibly a formation change as others have suggested.

CM: Kovacic in my opinion has been our best player besides Abraham this season, he's undroppable at the moment but he isn't one to pick a pass. For this reason Jorginho is key as he's the only one that can and he is able to transition the ball from defence to attack which is something we struggled with yesterday, even more so when he came off. In saying this his lack of pace and lightweight frame mean we are often left short when he's playing the registra role. Kante, I love him he's our only world class player but he just doesn't fit this current formation or style of play, he doesn't have the vision of Jorginho, he doesn't have the dribbling ability of kovacic and with him pushing further up field his biggest strength of shutting down attacks is of no benefit to the team. A really tough one for me, again a formation change to 3 in the middle may be the catalyst. I hope RLC is back soon we're missing his ability to do everything Mount, Jorginho and Kovacic do individually himself. Barkley should be moved on and replaced.

DF: Good to see Rudiger back but he's not going to fix our issues. Zouma has been great but the two of them together make us super predictable for teams who want to counter because both of tjem push up trying to find an opening and get caught out because when there's little movement they try the wonder ball after getting frustrated. Rudiger and Tomori for me are the partnership we need, Tomori is good on the ball and quick. It's a shame Christensen is so lightweight because he would be the perfect partner otherwise. A new commanding and more importantly calming CB is needed. I love Dave and he is our best 1v1 defender but with the way we play currently again he just doesn't fit, we need a FB who can overlap and whip in a dangerous cross and this is his weakest area. A move to CB to partner Rudiger a possible option. Emerson and Alonso are individually what we need in a fullback combined plus more, upgrade urgently needed and ideally in January. Reece will be great but for me his lack of defensive positioning and understanding is currently outweighing his delivery and positivity going forward. With an equal balanced full back on the other side he will be much better.

GK: I do like Kepa and think the ability he has with the ball at his feet is essential to the way we want to play, however I have noticed recently how much his inability to command his box has resulted in the nervousness on set pieces. He needs to get stronger and really take the pressure of the team when balls are whipped into the 6 yard box. For all his faults this was something Cortouis was very good at. Persist with him but get him confident in claiming and/ or dealing with balls into the box.

Overall the foundations are there, some reinforcements a formation tweak and some real competition for positions and we should be right amongst it to get top 4 again to push on next year.

Thoughts welcome?

15 Dec 2019 06:02:12
Good post mate and well laid out I agree and disagree with some. Personally think we can’t win trophies with Jorginho holding as he gets bypassed too often and I’d much rather see a proper holding player sitting with a box to box one side and a creative one the other. It’s just about finding the right balance and we’re abit muddled up at the minute to say the least. I like Mount but he’s a squad player he doesn’t have enough in his game to be a quality 10 or 8 but maybe that might come with time. I do think we need a more creative type there like an David Silva/ Aouar. It would be perfect for RLC but I’m really worried if he’ll come back the same this injury is a big one and he’s struggled a lot anyway with injuries. A midfield three of someone like Kovacic. Lisandro Martinez and Loftus-Cheek would have everything in the balance type I mean. I do agree on Kante as well I don’t know if he’s going to be the right guy going forward. He’s world class in a two man midfield but I’m unsure Lampard wants to play that way.

Agree on Rudiger and Tomori but I would move Christensen on and try for someone like Demiral from Juventus who’s an absolute warrior who Sarri won’t even play. Christensen is a good player just don’t think he’s cut out for the English game I. e Pique.

Kepa I’m not a fan of it’s a real shame Oblak turned us down and I don’t really see Kepa’s ball playing ability atm because he’s giving it away in dangerous areas like Everton and City away. Don’t see the need in a ball playing keeper Cech was never perfect at it and we won loads with him. Just get me a keeper who can make a save like Oblak can. If we do manage to get champions league this year he might come this time. Nevertheless I will continue to back Kepa I just know he’s not a good enough keeper for us.

Batshuayi I don’t rate either he’s got a goal in him but watching him in general play is torture because he can’t pass, run or hold the ball up well. Real don’t seem to keen on Jovic since he’s been there if we were smart we could try and get him on a loan like we did with Kovacic instead of spending then sit down and see where we are 12 months later.

The next two windows I would try to definitely move on:

Kepa (Maybe see if he improves but doubt it)
Christensen
Alonso
Emerson (If Juve offer enough I’d be tempted he’s not much better than Alonso)
Barkley
Willian
Pedro
Giroud
Batshuayi.

15 Dec 2019 08:07:21
Excellent post Ngolos. Most enjoyable and constructive comments.

15 Dec 2019 10:21:58
Fantastic post Ngolos.

15 Dec 2019 10:35:21
Your views on our midfield is very balanced and one i agree with 100%. No surprises our winning streak had kovacic/ Jorginho pivot which was vital.

15 Dec 2019 10:43:30
A prime Anelka is better than Tammy, for me he’s just not clinical enough reminds me of Andy Cole a little needs 6 chances before he scores don’t get me wrong one day all 6will go in but just not there for me, saying that hope he proves me wrong. I like Kepa and think he will be the best in the world at some point but apart for that your post was a brilliant read.

15 Dec 2019 11:06:59
Nibb66 your point about Tammy is well made and I’ve heard the same from some Villa fans as well but he is learning all the time.

I agree 100% with your view on Kepa but he is going through a poor run as most players do.

15 Dec 2019 11:20:42
I watched a lot of Villa games last year given that my brother is a Villa fan and he would say the same about Tammy. He is young and hopefully with patience and experience he becomes better.

15 Dec 2019 02:26:36
Quite simply put we have problems all over the pitch. We have a keeper who can't make a save (Kepa), full backs who can't attack or defend consistently (Alonso, Azpi and Emerson), a holding midfielder who can't defend or run to save his life (Jorginho) and a number ten in Mount who doesn't know how to create. Wingers who are past it (Willian, Pedro) . It's that simple. We need a defensive midfielder playing who can defend or one brought in (A Berge or Lisandro Martinez type) and we need a creative midfielder who can create as well as score (Someone like Aouar) . Jorginho ain't the way forward either sorry to gut the fanboys. He was awful yesterday and people said he was good. The amount of failed scooped balls he did over the top made me angry. What does he offer exactly 🤷🏼‍♂️ Our team is a bit mixed up to tell the truth. Can't blame Frank with the players but he's got to drop Mount and maybe go back to 3-4-3 vs Spurs just to try something different. Think Willian and Pulisic will be far better on the inside as inverted 10's with Kante and Kova holding. I'd bring Alonso back into the fold as a wing back with James the opposite side. Just need a plan B till January. going to be hard in January but we are defiantly in need of a Keeper, LB, defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder along with a goal scoring winger. If we sign Zaha and Ake Marina needs shooting because we won't have learnt anything in the market.