27 Aug 2013 22:59:59
IMO!
Unfortunately most of people do not understand what is the problem with Chelsea game at the moment.
1.Wrong formation 4231 is highly defensive formation which relays on counter attack for that you need very quick players. Hazard and Mata only look fast but with the ball they are not really.
2. inverse wingers is good when team has domination in a midfield and presses other team to defend. But in open game left footed player should play on the left and right footed on the right. Watch Bayern how they played last two years. They know exactly when Robben should on right and when on the left side as well as Ribery.
3.With given players at the moment Chelsea should play 41221=433 for some people or 4141 as JM played against Hull, probably majority didn't notice at all.
4.Experiment against MU didn't work Cleverly, Carrick and Rooney created more dangerous situations than Chelsea 5 men midfield which looked slow and sterile.
5.Schurrle can play support striker or winger but he can't play lonely CF. No doubt he is above averaged player.
6.Can someone enlight me what was the purpose signing Willian for 30 mil. if there is anything that Chelsea has are wingers and AM's.
7.Hazard is ABSOLUTELY overrated. I have watched most of his games last 3 years at least as well as I've watched KDB's games for the same period conclusion is that KDB is progressing and developing much faster than Hazard. He should play CM or CAM not winger since Chelsea has so many. The other player who is far better prospect is Oscar, also should be played as CM or CAM but he needs to get more physical strenght-one day he might be the best player in the world.
8.Mata was brought as long term replacement for Malouda, due to lack of creativity in Chelsea's midfield he ended up as a playmaker. At this moment he is going to have hard time at Chelsea due to competition. I am afraid he might be forced out as he wants first team football.
Just wanted to share my thoughts with other people.

1.) 28 Aug 2013
We looked better last year

2.) 28 Aug 2013
Hazard overrated? Hazard not that quick? Are you sure it was Eden Hazard you've been watching, not his dad?

3.) 28 Aug 2013
4231 can be defensive but it can also be an offensive formation aimed at retaining possession. The difference between the Utd game and the first two was how the players reacted off the ball. Against Hull and Villa we pressed the opposition very high up the pitch, whereas against Utd we allowed them the freedom to use the ball in their own half. Different games will require different tactics, and I wouldn’t get too hung up on the idea of a rigid positions and formations either, as it changes constantly throughout the game (e.g. Oscar spending much of the match dropping deep to collect the ball and how the 3 behind the striker constantly switch roles). We didn’t threaten at Old Trafford, but we also looked comfortable without the ball, which is a marked improvement from last year.

I don’t really get how you believe Hazard to be overrated and slow. The kid’s had a good first season in English football and is one of the quickest players in the league with the ball at his feet. He needs to find more consistency, and sharpen the defensive side of his game, but there are encouraging signs with both from the back end of last season and the start of this.

Mata isn’t going anywhere. The stories are pure conjecture being regurgitated by the media in response to the fact we signed Willian. He has been injured and missed preseason. End of. He is the best player at the club, and I’m pretty sure anyone asking to loan him for a season would be laughed out of Stamford Bridge.

I personally don’t understand why a lot of people on here are being so negative so early on in the season. 7 points from the first 3 games, with our trip to Old Trafford out the way. Granted there are a few things that haven’t worked out (Schurlle in the Utd game), but at least there are more options within the squad. My only major criticism so far is lukaku’s lack of minutes.

4.) 28 Aug 2013
I am not negative. I truly believe JM will get the best from players he has. As you said to keep rigid formation is wrong and that exactly happened against MU. Hazard is overrated compared to players like KDB Ramirez. Is he slowing CA yes he does. He simply likes ball too muchand gets rid of a ball slowly. Is he talented yes he is. But he's not good as some people say. Sorry I didn't mention van Ginkel he amazing prospect, JM will help him to become fantastic player one day. About formations 4231-41221-42121-4141 are actually 451 with differently placed midfielders. Chelsea is better team than MU and should played more offensive and win the match. On the other hand maybe JM was happy with a drew, as he probably finds game against Bayern more important.

5.) 28 Aug 2013
The problem is the two centre mids. It's obvious for all to see. Slow balls to the attackers, causing attackers to be closed down so quick. Lampard passing back to Cahill or terry then the other team are defensively ready and behind the ball. Slow tempo ain't no good. Lamps has been poor. Also missing mata playing central.

6.) 28 Aug 2013
What have u been smoking over there ness? Only concern is the lack of minutes for our recognised strikers and we need Mata back. Everything else should be gravy for now. Saying Hazard is overrated is just crazy, no one is saying he's Messi or Ronaldo at the minute but boy does the kid have potential to be up there. If you have watched all his games for the last 3 seasons you would have seen him change a game in a flash of brilliance many, many times

7.) 28 Aug 2013
I've pointed that Hazard is overrated compared to players like deBruyne, Oscar, Mata&Ramirez.
MU game outstanding performance John. Terry, Ivanovic and Cahill.

8.) 28 Aug 2013
I, yet again, disagree with basically everything u have just said ness.

9.) 29 Aug 2013
29 Aug 2013 00:23:03
You all seems to be beating about the bush, As at NOW Chelseas lack of dominance or attacking struggle is all down to MOU given LAMPARD a helping hand, mikel will be better option talk less of Essien, V.Ginkel, KDB and or oscar, Lampard is old and tired he should be a super sub. Whenever we are winning we introduce him to finish the game, he don't pass the ball up front, he don't look for that killer thru pass or that final pass anymore, he is now working only for himself not the fans or club, he pass the ball to the sides when he thinks he can run in for short or backward so that he can go, his ability to hold the ball for 10 seconds to creat space for team mate is gone, his his ability to dribble pass a single opponent is gone yet he gets the nod ahead of all the natural Def Mid he have, WHAT ABOUT THE SAYING THE CLUB CAME FIRST" Some fans are hypocrites, Lamps is pass it. BUT DOES THAT AFFECTS HIS LEGENDARY STATUS, ABSOLUTELY NO, HE is a LEGEND and a FAN his family are also Addicted Fans, But he is pass it he should be given minutes when we overwhelmp our opponents, so that he preserve his ENG position for the world cup which I am pretty sure is what make him persuade CFC to offer him 1 year ext. Nothing to do with MOU being named manager, and MOU lend a helping hand to his most loyal and faithful student. At the start of pre season he said lamp being ild can only manage 35-45 min. Maximum at the highest level, but I became apperent he cannot be in the ENG squad with that minutes, that why he is in while VG, Essien, mikel are out, in all honesty he should tried as a sriker not a holding mid.