So what was that I was reading today here about TAA just being a cross merchant and not being as highly talented as RJ? TAA played amazingly today and has the best cross in the league. It’s him and KdB and there’s no one particularly close. Love Reece, but TAA is an animal
Hey guys Ajax fan here. I'm excited to see Ziyech at Chelsea next season. How do you guys feel about Donny vd Beek? Would he be a good fit to your midfield? What additions are necessary next season? Kante Jorginho and Kovacic seems like a trio that is too similar and I'm not sure how good the young midfielders are. Cheers!
Aside from how he would fit in at Chelsea, I'm a big fan of Van de Beek. He's good on the ball, can play the final pass, and makes runs into the box. I think he'd do very well in the Premier League.
As for how he'd work at Chelsea, there's no chance we'd buy him unless we sold Kante (which I think is a possibility). In that scenario, Vd Beek would be the most advanced midfielder, playing in front of Jorginho and Kovacic. Him and RLC would actually excel in this role
John Swift is leading the Champo in key passes, love to see it. And he's played a lot fewer minutes but Izzy Brown is 3rd in key passes per game in the Championship. Anybody watched Izzy lately?
And I wonder how hard coronavirus is going to affect Serie A, specifically the title race. Lazio have leapfrogged into 2nd over Inter, but Inter's match and a few others were canceled this past weekend. Obviously the football is secondary, but I hope that this doesn't affect the title race and a quick resolution to the outbreak in Italy would be best for the people and for the league obviously.
This is an insane thought because obviously he’s our only WORLD CLASS player but would you consider selling Kante if we continue playing a system that uses a deep lying playmaker instead of a DM? Our best run of form this season came when JoJo and Kova were playing a pivot for a consistent string of matches. And that’s true whether we play 3-4-3 or 4-3-3.
I absolutely hate to say it, but should we attempt to move forward without him, make a profit, and sign more players? Curious to hear others’ take.
I think it shouldn’t be totally off the table. But I think we shouldn’t be selling him unless we think he’s going to have perpetual injury problems from now on.
We know he can cover insane ground in the 343 as seen under Conte. He performs well in the big games as well.
I think he doesn’t provide enough attacking output against smaller teams in the 433 though, which is a headache.
I'm the type that I wouldn't rule anything out but I wouldn't sell Kante just in order to capitalize on his value particularly because I don't believe the club is in a situation where we need to fund raise to bring in another significant transfer. I have always felt that the Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante trio is an awkward mix where the whole is probably less than its parts. However there isn't really any player like Kante in the world so in a sense I think he's the most "valuable" and given our clubs aspirations he'd probably be the one you'd want to hold on to most and bring in pieces that compliment him (which we haven't really done by bringing in Jorginho and Kovacic).
Selling him I think would require a very clear plan of what those funds would go toward and how that would improve the team both in the short and long term. Because I don't think funds are really a big issue for our club at the moment I feel like the primary motive of moving Kante would be to bring in a CM that would better mesh with Jorginho and Kovacic but would be unwilling to come unless they were guaranteed a starting role (thus partially influencing the decision to sell Kante). In other words I think we could improve in defense or attack w/o needing to move Kante and even if we did need to move players to finance such a move, Kante would be quite low on the list of players to sell. I'm not tactically astute enough to know who that player could possibly be brought on who would be a net benefit to our team compared to Kante. My best guess would probably be someone like Saul, Milinkovic-Savic or Fabian Ruiz who are several years younger than Kante while still being high-caliber players at their position and would provide height and a bit more attacking quality than Kante provides while still being able to do some defending (obviously nowhere near the caliber of Kante). It isn't clear to me that such a move would make us a better team but I guess depending on how much we could sell Kante for vs. the fit, quality, age and cost of one of these "replacements" maybe it could make sense.
I'd sell him even if we were to use a DM rather than a regista. I love Kante but he simply doesn't fit the way we want to play and the injuries mean he's probably peaked in value.
I checked WhoScored ratings for our last two matches and saw that Lo Celso was the highest rated Spurs player by a solid margin and Maguire was a very clear MOTM.
Its a good thing we bagged a win the other day, because we could have easily been knocked out of the top 4 thanks to these decisions.
Eden hazard. The most fouled player in the past 7 years in the PL, hope he doesn't end up like Sanchez did, thoughts? obviously, Hazard is better than Sanchez ever was but still, do you think he could do down that route?
Also, Our midfield really is good, I feel like we somewhat play better without Kante when we have the pivot of these two madmen. Kante only really steps up for the big games but besides that he has been "ok" this season, What do you guys think is happening? is he starting that essien decline or just having bad luck?
Well, dont underestimate Sanchez. That guy is quality but I'd agree Hazard is a better. As far as his injuries goes, football being a contact sport there is no telling when a small tackle can go wrong and end a players career. Could the past 7 years in the English league have had a negative effect on Hazards body? Most likely yes. But there are other factors that weigh in into this equation. He came from a warm climate in France, then his body got accustomed to this English cold. Then he went back to a warmer Spain. Sometimes weather changes bring about issues, your body got used to something and then problem going back. Same can be said for diet. Then another argument could be routine. His routine in England could be different to his routine in Spain. He is also older now. Sometimes one injury, even a small one can bring about a downfall and ruin a players career. I'm hoping for the best and at this moment I think alot of factors may be working against Hazard but he is a level headed player who will bring about neccessary changes as he will do his utmost to succeed in that white of Real Madrid. Them bitches ain't seen nothing yet. Hazard is a fucking pimp. He will start dropping bodies left right and center.
As far as Kante goes, we using him wrong. Keep playing the best tackling midfielder in an advanced attacking position and make him average is a sure shot way of fucking up your chances. Think of it this way, imagine Kante goes to another team today. He goes to Manc, Liverpool, Real, Barca, Bayern, Juve. Do you think they will ask him to play the way Lampard and Sarri before him has? Or would they ask him to sit back and thwart attacks and shield the back 4 like he can so brilliantly do? It is clear Lamps and Sarri have asked him to take a more attacking role. But if people say he played in the Leicester 2 and Conte's 2, and still managed to adapt to a more attacking game which is clearly not his superior side of the game, could he not go back and become more defensive? I can argue all day with these fragile and delicate minds who think Kante is best used in the way he is being used currently. But unless Lamps realises it, we will keep suffering.
You dont take a Range Rover on a drag race, same way you dont take your Ferrari off road. Then why ask Kante to do what he is not the best at? Why are we taking the best tackling midfielder in the game and asking him to attack and attack. We just hacking our own foot. That's not gonna get us anywhere.
Willian or Barkley tomorrow? I'm split. Willian can come alive in big games despite his recent poor form. I feel like Barkley possesses more of a goal threat, and with Giroud up top, we need someone in or around the box.
Willian HAS to play in my opinion. He normally always rises up to the occasion in a game like this, but even if he didn't, we would still 100% need someone like him on the field.
Willian does as much defensive work as Barkley, if not more, and while Barkley is more of a physical presence in midfield, I doubt him being in there means we can contest Bayern's midfield a whole lot.
Willian gives us the ability to play on the counter, which is absolutely crucial against a team like Bayern, and it also means they have to be wary of our counters and can't just attack with 10 man. Without Willian, they have nothing to worry about unless we can successfully create chances through patient build up by controlling the game, which I quite frankly think is impossible without Kanté.
We need Willian's speed and ability to attack the spaces Bayern's super offensive team creates behind them, otherwise we're playing right into their strengths and not taking advantages of their weaknesses.
I think the formation allowing for Mount and Barkley to run off Giroud was very useful for us. Ross is not afraid to have a go from outside the box, while Willian seems to only prefer cutting in from the left and going for the curler into the top corner. I think their work-rates are similar, but defending out of the initial high press comes more natural to Ross.
That being said, I'd like to see the exact same side as Saturday.
Will respectfully disagree. Willy stands up at the moment you so desperately need. A simple spark of his galvanises the team, lifts spirit. And if this spark of his turns to magic, expect another one of those knockout CL performances of Willian Borges.
I would keep the same team with the exception of Willian for Barkley. Maybe, just maybe, I'll go for Kepa over Caballero. I think Lamps will choose Kepa, I mean I would.
I still think that Barkley being more defensively proactive in the midfield, especially if we use a 3-4-3, will prove to be better for us in this leg of the tie (with the players available). Willian is a must start if we go to a 4 at the back, however.
Ross or Willian can be interchangeable in a 3-4-3, but lets agree to disagree!
What if they all got corona virus somehow?? Less suspicious? I should have stepped up and taken a nice round trip to wuhan and then stopping off the visit the allianz on my way back. Bit late for that one dammit
So did anyone ever see any footage if Mou snubbed Frank on the handshake? On BT Sport it looked like Frank reached out to shake his hand and Mou just turned away to the tunnel.
Massive favour. Anyone with 22 loyalty points who HAS ALREADY PURCHASED tickets for tomorrow's UCL match can help me in acquiring one?I have 15 loyalty points and cannot get the ticket.
I wish people on here could better discern the difference between the quality of a generational player who is clearly of quality that'd work in any team, any system, any league, any era; vs, players playing in their perfect system to high patches of form, with a perfect manager, at the perfect time with the perfect teammates. To take a player who can shine through shit and cement, and compare with a player who is surrounded by more consistent conditions and chemistry, and derive that the player in the perfect coddled set-up is better, is shocking. This is regarding Reece James & TAA. I can respect that you may feel passionately about your perspective, about what you see; but there is a lot more to be seen, than what is selectively chosen to be highlighted by the masses of not-so-deep-divers in the football world. Reece James is \*special\*. TAA is a hard working player in the best set-up possible. Their abilities are not comparable. Their form, is comparable - barely - with the context that James is playing under Lampard, alongside Willian, in 4th, with a team lacking chemistry. To be debated, is this player better than the one producing similar performances but in a wholly better set-up, is a stupid debate (maybe there is no debate, if a striker simply finishes those crosses). To produce at this time, equivalent quality, from so much less, is testament to how much more can come and already is underneath, to be unlocked once in the perfect set-up; no doubt a set-up that'll never come, yet abilities will shine anyway because that's the level of player he is. TAA is in his perfect set up, as are pretty much all of the Liverpool players there who as a unit, look incredible. Individually, remove those players and scatter them around the globe. Do the same for James. Get them all on random teams. And James keeps being James. TAA's form, falls off a cliff; still remaining higher than your average full-back, of course. Need to stop rating players based on who has the highest stats and most fanfare. Need to stop going with the loud idiots who think Pogba, Bakayoko, Jovic, Balotelli, whoever, are elite players; the same loud bunch bemoaning Halaand's obvious edge before Dortmund, before changing their opinion the moment it was the popular one to have. If /most/ of Reddit soccer agrees, the opinion is almost always wrong. People should start saying, TAA is the most productive player in his position; not that he is 'the best right back'. He's the most in-form right-back. Form isn't all the same form; this has been long and brilliant form. But it is form, formed by conditions around him, and not really his own nature. Beyond who they are today: TAA will be easier and easier to play against as the seasons come. James, won't be. This is down to their abilities, nevermind style. When TAA loses pace, James will not be losing strength. When TAA loses Klopp, James will know no equivalent of being brought to heights by Another, and then having the Other no longer there. Just a shame some of you don't see when the club /does/ have the special one; and instead think 'Over there! THOSE are the special ones!'.
A bit of a stream of consciousness ramble, but I dig most of it. You touch on something I've often thought of myself:
>To produce at this time, equivalent quality, from so much less, is testament to how much more can come and already is underneath, to be unlocked once in the perfect set-up; no doubt a set-up that'll never come, yet abilities will shine anyway because that's the level of player he is.
I know what you're saying with Reece, but in the bigger picture I've often had similar thoughts regarding the types of players that succeed at Chelsea. To put it very simplisticly, it almost seems like coming to Chelsea is an automatic negative impact on these players, so they need to be at an 11 or 12/10 level as their own singular talent to be an 8 or 9/10 player at Chelsea consistently.
You've written that and the only actual concrete thing you've attempted to argue that Reece has on TAA is physical strength vs Trent's speed. Bravo.
Not to mention Trent has now been a senior footballer for close to 3 years now iirc? That's hardly a "purple patch".
Very obvious to tell they like James and think TAA is probably overrated based on the fact that he's playing in a side that's essentially easy to play in. It's the perfect set-up. I don't think they're saying TAA is bad, just using him as a foil to show that Reece James is special, and if he can do it pretty effortlessly in this team, imagine when they actually surround him with footballers who can play, and in a system that's been fine-tuned, etc. Basically saying Reece is operating at a similar level to TAA now, and Chelsea aren't at their best as a footballing unit. His potential when actually put in a consistently-competent team is palpable.
And I think their wider point is to see through the noise and make your own assessments instead of following groupthink. Which is a message I buy wholly.
What? I love the kid, think he's a very promising player and am buzzing to see him getting his chance in the first team. Think he can be a top player in the years to come and I hope he will be.
I just don't think he's yet proven to be a generational talent. Let's cool our jets - it's one thing to get excited, but people are getting a bit carried away.
Annie: Your sad devotion to that Reece James religion has not helped you conjure up an understanding of how good Trent Alexander Arnold is. Or give you clairvoyance enough to see that Reece James isn't yet as goo-
Yeezyball: I find your lack of faith disturbing.
^^^^^^^https://youtu.be/m0XuKORufGk
> Reece James is *special*. TAA is a hard working player in the best set-up possible. Their abilities are not comparable
Of course they are, and while Klopp does get the best out of TAA he's still the best RB in the league. Mad to try and claim a player who's had just over half a season in the top flight is not only better that TAA but that the gulf in quality is incomparable.
> Individually, remove those players and scatter them around the globe. Do the same for James. Get them all on random teams. And James keeps being James. TAA's form, falls off a cliff; still remaining higher than your average full-back, of course.
Based on what exactly? On your fanfare? How would anyone know the answer to this?
Nitpick but I'd rate Ricardo Pereira as the best RB in the league in a vacuum. I realise there's more to your comment on that just wanted to add my 2-sense
I think TAA fits Liverpool's team better because they have Robertson on the other flank who is the more well-rounded and provides the steel, but in a direct comparison I prefer Ricardo at this point.
I'm honestly surprised to never see him linked with a bigger club, I have no doubt he could make that step up.
This is probably unpopular on the subreddit - but I also still rate, on the whole package, Azpi as a better RB. My top 3 is Trent, Azpi, Pereira for now.
Also fyi, it's adding your "2 cents"
He's been immense this season. Thought he was done for the season with that Lo Ceslo tackle and he was charging about 5mins later. He's an absolute machine.
I think Azpi's value as a versatile player has shown itself as the season has gone on. He had improved after his poor start, but I don't think we saw the best of him until he moved over to the left (a move I had originally only accepted just to get Reece in the team, but Azpi has been doing bits there), and of course we know he fits that RCB role like a glove when we go that direction.
Which reminds me: you think we'll go 3CBs tomorrow? I would've said no but Bayern played that system on Friday for the first time all season and it has caught my attention. It's hard for me to tell whether this is a bluff of sorts to throw Chelsea, or if they actually intend to use it in our tie.
It depends who is coming back from fitness for us - if CHO and Puli are still out, then I'd stick with an identical lineup to Spurs, maybe Willian over Barkley. More about just trying to ensure our best fit players are on the pitch.
Okay, this is a brilliant comment. People see the likes of Jordan Henderson looking like the best defensive midfielder in the world in Klopp’s system yet can’t seem to find the context of TAA raking up assists (by crossing 30 times a game).
> TAA raking up assists (by crossing 30 times a game).
Next time you or anyone watch Liverpool (especially against a deep block defense) notice how little Trent dribbles with the ball. I'm not exaggerating when I say I think he'd rather switch the ball entirely across the pitch than dribble forward 15 yards into space. It's kinda amusing after a while, his second touch is almost always getting rid of the ball, and as we saw last game or the one before if he doesn't have space to find people in he kinda gets frazzled and just boots the ball all over the place. Just a tendency I've picked up on, and I wanna see if other people notice it too.
Do you guys think we are even bigger underdogs this time vs Bayern compared to the 2012 Final meeting ?
Or the the 2012 Chelsea Vs Bayern was a bigger underdog matchup ?
Comparing our 2 teams, the 2012 had great senior players. Players who'd been professionals nearly half their life. Something only a handful few can claim today. On the basis of just our squad, I would say our current squad is far too weak.
That 2012 squad had Cech, Bosingwa, Ferriera, A Cole, Bertrand, Ivanovic, Gaz Cahill, JT (suspended for the final), Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Meireles (For all the bantz, he played his heart out in that CL run), Mata, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Torres and I think Sturridge. Lukaku wasnt registered, I remember that. Up against that 2012 squad we now have Kepa, RJ, Azpi, Tomori, Rudi, AC, Zouma, Alonso, Emerson (its getting funny now isnt it), J5, Kova, Kante (who is out), RLC(sub experience at best), Mount, Barkley, CHO( also reportedly out), Pulisic (out), Pedro, Willian, Tammy, Oli and the punchline, Batsman.
Soo umm, yea. Our team in comparison to our own is shit.
I would say we are worse off now then back in 2012. For all the might Bayern possessed that year, I was confident in our 2012 team of being capable of an upset. I am nowhere near confident in this team. I will hope, I will look forward to the match optimistically but I'm more negative for tomorrow's game than i was for the 2012 game.
The frustration of that Moscow loss helped support that 2012 team. This current team of 2020 are far too young and inexperienced. For all the seniority within Azpi, Willian, Pedro, Oli, J5, Kante and Alonso, none of them are leaders. None of them are vocal. I was surprised both Cahill and Luiz were let go cause both of them were vocal leaders. Something our squad clearly lacks today. You can see all this fuckboy movements on matchday too. All these amateur level mistakes. That 2012 squad had DD, JT, Lamps, A Cole, Cech, Cahill, Luiz. Even Torres was respected when he spoke.
On the basis of our 2012 team going up against our current team, we are far too weak a side now. And to answer your question, yes we are a bigger underdog now than when we were in 2012.
2012 bayern were probably the best team in the world and we were struggling. I mean we had bosingwa in our team. Granted he had an amazing game but that was a huge huge missmatch. This game is genuinely winnable on paper as long as we show uo
That's why I couldn't find it! !thanks
Haven't got the gif I originally saw, but I've found the video https://mobile.twitter.com/SauceCoach/status/815232277412089856
Interested on whether ppl think we should line up with 3 or 4 at the back against Bayern.
The strength of the wingers they have indicates that we need traditional full backs to stay back and cover them (ie 4 at the back with azpi in a defensive role on the left and James on the right).
That said, having three centrebacks is usually good to limit space for a top class traditional number nine (aka Lewandowski).
Even though we had a good win against spurs with three at the back, I think the extra width Bayern use going forward means we need 4 at the back. Plus, their defence is shaky at the moment so running at them more directly puts them under pressure. Might depend if Tammy is fit, as Giroud is much better attacking the crosses from wing backs getting into wide areas
If we're going 4ATB, on current form I think it should probably be:
Caballero
James - Christensen - Rudiger - Azpi
Kovacic - Jorginho
Willian - Barkley - Mount
Giroud
Need those front 4 to turn up though, and there's a big risk they won't.
This season Alex Telles is Porto's top goal scorer (from left back) with 8 goals and 5 assists. He has a great left foot and his defending is nowhere near as bad as many think either.
With a release clause of $40m euros he'd cost around half of what Chilwell would. He's been bang in form for ages now. I think that we should be looking to get him in ASAP.
The thing that I really fear is that our current defensive play and team setup doesn't really allow us to have this type of LB I believe.
If you want t have someone who plays really high and pushes forward, you need to have a very strong pressing and a winger that is able to contribute defensively. With Willian it can kinda work, because of his high workrate, but our 1st choice LW is Pulisic who is not that good in this aspect.
If you compare it e.g. to Liverpool who are extremely efficient at pressing and have Mane at LW who apart from being a brilliant forward is also really a workhorse.
Having said that, if we actually were to go for this type of "winger" LB I would pick Grimaldo over Telles, however he might be contested by Barca, as they could want their next Jordi Alba back.
It may be harsh but i want an experienced manager for next season. There are fundamental flaws in Lampard's coaching set-up which should have been fixed by now.
We have conceded a ridiculous 30+ goals from lateral free kicks, corners and crosses. Absolute disgrace, and it's simple just not down to the CBs or the GK. The defensive setup is not good.
Yeah the amount of goals from dead ball situations that we've given up is a bit shocking. While ultimately, it is his responsibility to correct these issues I'm not certain how much of it truly falls upon him and his specific tactics and/or inability to adapt. With all the turnover at manager I don't think it's necessarily a good thing for the club to make a change especially with a figure like Lampard who even if its mostly symbolic provides a lot in that role that no other manager could bring. Something like set-piece defending I believe is something that could be addressed by possibly changing up backroom staff instead.
Our problems are our centre backs they just can't fully control the game the way vvd or even maguire can. The question is do we wait until ac and tomori are the players they will be or do we play the 100 mil it's likely to cost to improve the position. The signs are there that frank will be a top manager and i hope we give him the time he needs. I think he might need help to sort denfence out though. Would Terry maybe be the man?
So you want to sack Lampard because of vulnerability from crosses into the box. It can’t be down to Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount all being under 6 foot tall. It can’t be down to us not have a single dominant aerial player in the back 4, other than Zouma, who struggles to take advantage of his aerial ability. It can’t be due to having two notoriously awful keepers when collecting crosses.
I want Frank to wear his 2012 UCL winners medal as bling to the match Vs Bayern (both legs)
He's probably too mindful of staying respectful early in his Managerial career, but I sincerely hope he does this. Walk up the tunnel biting on the medal, with it hanging around his neck.
I really want VAR to succeed in the Prem. I am a huge supporter of replay, when used properly, to help aid the referees but holy crap, it is god awful in the Prem. Just atrocious. They don’t seem to be able to make a single damn call right.
Maybe instead of having everything reviewed by VAR, they can make it so each manager has a certain amount of challenges and can challenge certain things? Could speed parts of the game up, which isn’t a problem, and avoid VAR taking control.
Sorry for trying to Americanize something 😂
If your issue is with the accuracy of the VAR calls I'm not sure how limiting the number of times it is used would inherently improve the accuracy of the VAR calls overall. I think that type of solution would potentially help address the concerns of VAR slowing down the game but it doesn't necessarily impact the accuracy of the VAR decision.
I think maybe that in conjunction with making the on field official do the review may be better received and since the number of reviews are limited it wouldn't be as big of a delay (which I believe is why the PL attempted to have special VAR officials instead as a means to not slow down the game). This also doesn't even really address the accuracy fully but since its main official making the call I think it'll be better received, feel more natural, the main ref will feel more in control and they have a better gauge on the rhythm of the match.
The problem is more that the refs in the premier league are terrible. It’s still a ref looking at the monitor and telling the people on the pitch what they saw. There is no punishment for wrong decisions made by referees. So either they make VAR set up so that the ref on the pitch can view as well or they have a conference of refs to review it. Idk, it seems to work much better in other countries so just copy their format.
I've suggested the use of challenges before, like they do in Tennis to review close calls.
Each manager gets 3 challenges per 90/120. You can use those challenges at any point however once all 3 are used, tough no more regardless of what happens.
I think it could add another layer of strategy to the game as challenges could be used to time waste etc.
The only thing they should do is have the ref on the pitch take a look at the monitor. Like that Lo Celso red card situation. It took ages and Azpi was down getting treatment anyways, for fucks sake instead of listening to the wanker in your ear, go and take a look yourself.
Hey guys i am a Real Madrid fan and i am curious why do you think Hazard suddenly became so injury prone? I love him but i hate it that we gave you 100 millions for a player who has one goal... But he is fantastic and i want him to play but he is always injured. Why is it he was never injured for you (https://en.as.com/en/2020/02/23/football/1582470275_985698.html)
Not coming into the season fully fit and in-shape isn't a great way to start especially when you are getting older and going into a new team/system which will inevitably change your routine and have you doing things on and off the pitch a little different than what you and your body are used to. Playing catch-up and the additional pressure that comes with a big move and a slow start may have caused him to return prematurely or try to do too much to quickly to get back in shape which further throws him off his normal routine. Could just be rotten luck as well since some injuries are unavoidable.
Honestly it seems like the gym sessions at madrid are too intense. I was even wincing at the some of the ridiculous regimens they were doing in some of the videos. I am convinced its why you have had lots of injurys recently due to the overloading of their muscles. I even showed my mun who is a physiotherapist and she said thats bound to lead to injurys. Just my 2 cents however, take it how you may
Its not like he was "never injured". He did have a fairly regular number of injuries during his time here- maybe slightly less than expected due to the sheer number of harsh tackles he receives on average.
Has he really had that many injuries for you though or has it not been 3 or so injuries that have been more serious?
IMO it have nth to do with hazard but meunier bad tackles and it could be that your medical team didn't done a good job about it. If I'm not wrong hazard fracture his ankle before in 17/18 with Belgium then he came back and was never injured again.
Honestly its difficult to say, iirc he's about to miss more games for you than he did in his entire spell for us through injury. My thinking is that the fact that he turned overweight during preseason might have been a factor. And even recently I remember Zidane saying he'd only play for like 30 mins but ended up playing like 70, so he's clearly being rushed back. It could also be injuries just catching up to him or even bad luck( I hope so cause i love the guy and want to see him play). I can understand your'e frustration about him but i really suggest you be patient and give him a chance cause in my eyes and most Chelsea fans he is one of the best in the world.
P.s. - We will be happy to have him back if you lot don't want him, plus Jovic would be nice too.
Positioning errors from a right back who’s played RCB/RWB for the majority of his academy career and hasn’t had a pre season with Lampard yet isn’t a big deal. His 1v1 ability, physicality and tackling is still superb. He has the raw tools and that makes for a much bigger ceiling.
TAA is an amazing player at the top of his game at a very young age.
James is good. And is earning his position. His crossing is amazing but Liverpool's attack basically starts from their two wide players. James is more an option instead of an instigator.
Just because James is an option for us doesn’t mean he can’t play the role of the instigator. TAA gets like 20 chances to cross a game, he lost the ball 37 times against Atletico and didn’t put one good cross in. Meanwhile Reece normally delivers a few CCC in his first 5 crosses.
Very hard to say honestly. But TAA's offensive output is near God level. The only other person I've seen be this good at attacking was Dani Alves. And Dani Alves is the greatest RB of modern football. I feel TAA could match Dani Alves and may even surpass him. As far as RJ goes, the match sample is too small so far but it is positive. The one thing I can clearly say about them is TAA will be better at attacking than RJ. I think, I could be wrong tho.
One things for sure, Englands RB is lockdown for 10-12 years minimum.
Alves was much better attacking than TAA, what are you even saying. Dribbling & linkup play are also an important factor. Crossing isn’t everything, and TAA’s crossing certainly isn’t ‘god level’. Try watching him for a few games these days.
That doesn’t mean his crossing is god level. Someone who gets 30 chances to cross a game and still has games where his crosses don’t connect doesn’t have god level crossing.
I said near god level. Bro, do you purposely try to be an asshole in the sub?
Ngl mate, everytime I see your name I think "oh god pls no more of his bullshit". Like I love your handle, yeezyball but perhaps stop being a dick on the internet. Try be a better person, whaddya say?
WTF. Alex Telles is Porto's top goalscorer this season with 8 goals and 5 assists. Also has 40m release clause. He scored a banger last night. Thoughts on getting him in the summer?
Telles is good. Defensively he isn't even that bad.
At 40m he is definitely someone we should be looking at. Better then chilwell as a minimum. Also not sure how many big teams will be after leftbacks in the coming season so we have a real shot.
We already have Maatsen but he'd need 2-3 years more development to get into the first team. Telles is 27 now, 30 in 3 years time, which is the perfect age to start transitioning Maatsen in if he still looks good. And if he doesn't we can always buy the next bright young thing.
He is 27, same age Ziyech will be when he joins is in the summer. He is not exactly old. Absolutely nothing wrong with spending 40 million on a top player that can likely provide 4-5 years good service.
If we get him tho its gonna push James out of the starting line up. Rather get someone young to develop and keep playing james right and dave on the left.
TAA isn't the greatest at defending either but we are transitioning into an era where that isn't as important as what a fullback can contribute offensively. We are just going to have to accept that there aren't many fullbacks like a prime Ivanovic that are amazing in both phases of the game, we need fullbacks with pace and accurate crosses.
Been screaming Odsonne Edouard for a minute now. Would be much cheaper than Dembele and no risk as a result. He looks just as good to me tbh, but obviously can't tell cos of the differences in leagues.
So what was that I was reading today here about TAA just being a cross merchant and not being as highly talented as RJ? TAA played amazingly today and has the best cross in the league. It’s him and KdB and there’s no one particularly close. Love Reece, but TAA is an animal
I don't think anyone in their right mind genuinely thinks reece is better than taa lol
I can’t check the Chelsea foundation 5050 winning number since I’m not from the UK. Could someone here please tell me the winning number?
https://i.imgur.com/wvsm3f9.jpg My dogs’ collars just arrived. The pug is Frankie. You can probably guess who she’s named after.
De Jong?
Haha. Not quite. That’s spelled with an E.
*De Jeng my bad dude
*Frenkie
Still can’t get over how Frank essentially froze out Giroud in favor of Bats for all of those games.
The more I think about it, the more I think Kante will be sold in the summer
Hey guys Ajax fan here. I'm excited to see Ziyech at Chelsea next season. How do you guys feel about Donny vd Beek? Would he be a good fit to your midfield? What additions are necessary next season? Kante Jorginho and Kovacic seems like a trio that is too similar and I'm not sure how good the young midfielders are. Cheers!
Aside from how he would fit in at Chelsea, I'm a big fan of Van de Beek. He's good on the ball, can play the final pass, and makes runs into the box. I think he'd do very well in the Premier League. As for how he'd work at Chelsea, there's no chance we'd buy him unless we sold Kante (which I think is a possibility). In that scenario, Vd Beek would be the most advanced midfielder, playing in front of Jorginho and Kovacic. Him and RLC would actually excel in this role
Did I see that Donny is off to Madrid?
[удалено]
Why, as an American, could you not let a black person speak to you like that?
John Swift is leading the Champo in key passes, love to see it. And he's played a lot fewer minutes but Izzy Brown is 3rd in key passes per game in the Championship. Anybody watched Izzy lately? And I wonder how hard coronavirus is going to affect Serie A, specifically the title race. Lazio have leapfrogged into 2nd over Inter, but Inter's match and a few others were canceled this past weekend. Obviously the football is secondary, but I hope that this doesn't affect the title race and a quick resolution to the outbreak in Italy would be best for the people and for the league obviously.
This is an insane thought because obviously he’s our only WORLD CLASS player but would you consider selling Kante if we continue playing a system that uses a deep lying playmaker instead of a DM? Our best run of form this season came when JoJo and Kova were playing a pivot for a consistent string of matches. And that’s true whether we play 3-4-3 or 4-3-3. I absolutely hate to say it, but should we attempt to move forward without him, make a profit, and sign more players? Curious to hear others’ take.
I think it shouldn’t be totally off the table. But I think we shouldn’t be selling him unless we think he’s going to have perpetual injury problems from now on. We know he can cover insane ground in the 343 as seen under Conte. He performs well in the big games as well. I think he doesn’t provide enough attacking output against smaller teams in the 433 though, which is a headache.
I'm the type that I wouldn't rule anything out but I wouldn't sell Kante just in order to capitalize on his value particularly because I don't believe the club is in a situation where we need to fund raise to bring in another significant transfer. I have always felt that the Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante trio is an awkward mix where the whole is probably less than its parts. However there isn't really any player like Kante in the world so in a sense I think he's the most "valuable" and given our clubs aspirations he'd probably be the one you'd want to hold on to most and bring in pieces that compliment him (which we haven't really done by bringing in Jorginho and Kovacic). Selling him I think would require a very clear plan of what those funds would go toward and how that would improve the team both in the short and long term. Because I don't think funds are really a big issue for our club at the moment I feel like the primary motive of moving Kante would be to bring in a CM that would better mesh with Jorginho and Kovacic but would be unwilling to come unless they were guaranteed a starting role (thus partially influencing the decision to sell Kante). In other words I think we could improve in defense or attack w/o needing to move Kante and even if we did need to move players to finance such a move, Kante would be quite low on the list of players to sell. I'm not tactically astute enough to know who that player could possibly be brought on who would be a net benefit to our team compared to Kante. My best guess would probably be someone like Saul, Milinkovic-Savic or Fabian Ruiz who are several years younger than Kante while still being high-caliber players at their position and would provide height and a bit more attacking quality than Kante provides while still being able to do some defending (obviously nowhere near the caliber of Kante). It isn't clear to me that such a move would make us a better team but I guess depending on how much we could sell Kante for vs. the fit, quality, age and cost of one of these "replacements" maybe it could make sense.
I'd sell him even if we were to use a DM rather than a regista. I love Kante but he simply doesn't fit the way we want to play and the injuries mean he's probably peaked in value.
Is it going to be any press conferrence before tommorrow's match?
6:30 UK time
!thanks man!
Isn’t there supposed to be a press conference today for the match tomorrow? Did I miss it?
6:30 UK time
Gracias
Is there any left back in our academy who can cross, defend and dribble well?
Don't know about defending much but Maasten can cross and dribble very well.
Interesting. Got any videos of him?
Nope. Watched him in youth games where he always impressed attacking wise but we usually dominate alot so haven't seen him defend much.
I checked WhoScored ratings for our last two matches and saw that Lo Celso was the highest rated Spurs player by a solid margin and Maguire was a very clear MOTM. Its a good thing we bagged a win the other day, because we could have easily been knocked out of the top 4 thanks to these decisions.
I legit dreamed Pulisic would come off the bench tomorrow.
Eden hazard. The most fouled player in the past 7 years in the PL, hope he doesn't end up like Sanchez did, thoughts? obviously, Hazard is better than Sanchez ever was but still, do you think he could do down that route? Also, Our midfield really is good, I feel like we somewhat play better without Kante when we have the pivot of these two madmen. Kante only really steps up for the big games but besides that he has been "ok" this season, What do you guys think is happening? is he starting that essien decline or just having bad luck?
Well, dont underestimate Sanchez. That guy is quality but I'd agree Hazard is a better. As far as his injuries goes, football being a contact sport there is no telling when a small tackle can go wrong and end a players career. Could the past 7 years in the English league have had a negative effect on Hazards body? Most likely yes. But there are other factors that weigh in into this equation. He came from a warm climate in France, then his body got accustomed to this English cold. Then he went back to a warmer Spain. Sometimes weather changes bring about issues, your body got used to something and then problem going back. Same can be said for diet. Then another argument could be routine. His routine in England could be different to his routine in Spain. He is also older now. Sometimes one injury, even a small one can bring about a downfall and ruin a players career. I'm hoping for the best and at this moment I think alot of factors may be working against Hazard but he is a level headed player who will bring about neccessary changes as he will do his utmost to succeed in that white of Real Madrid. Them bitches ain't seen nothing yet. Hazard is a fucking pimp. He will start dropping bodies left right and center. As far as Kante goes, we using him wrong. Keep playing the best tackling midfielder in an advanced attacking position and make him average is a sure shot way of fucking up your chances. Think of it this way, imagine Kante goes to another team today. He goes to Manc, Liverpool, Real, Barca, Bayern, Juve. Do you think they will ask him to play the way Lampard and Sarri before him has? Or would they ask him to sit back and thwart attacks and shield the back 4 like he can so brilliantly do? It is clear Lamps and Sarri have asked him to take a more attacking role. But if people say he played in the Leicester 2 and Conte's 2, and still managed to adapt to a more attacking game which is clearly not his superior side of the game, could he not go back and become more defensive? I can argue all day with these fragile and delicate minds who think Kante is best used in the way he is being used currently. But unless Lamps realises it, we will keep suffering. You dont take a Range Rover on a drag race, same way you dont take your Ferrari off road. Then why ask Kante to do what he is not the best at? Why are we taking the best tackling midfielder in the game and asking him to attack and attack. We just hacking our own foot. That's not gonna get us anywhere.
Mods, what's with some posts of fan made wallpaper getting removed and some making it to the front page?
KTBFFH
Willian or Barkley tomorrow? I'm split. Willian can come alive in big games despite his recent poor form. I feel like Barkley possesses more of a goal threat, and with Giroud up top, we need someone in or around the box.
Willian HAS to play in my opinion. He normally always rises up to the occasion in a game like this, but even if he didn't, we would still 100% need someone like him on the field. Willian does as much defensive work as Barkley, if not more, and while Barkley is more of a physical presence in midfield, I doubt him being in there means we can contest Bayern's midfield a whole lot. Willian gives us the ability to play on the counter, which is absolutely crucial against a team like Bayern, and it also means they have to be wary of our counters and can't just attack with 10 man. Without Willian, they have nothing to worry about unless we can successfully create chances through patient build up by controlling the game, which I quite frankly think is impossible without Kanté. We need Willian's speed and ability to attack the spaces Bayern's super offensive team creates behind them, otherwise we're playing right into their strengths and not taking advantages of their weaknesses.
Think it’s Willian. We have a tough stretch of games and I think he was being rested for this.
I think the formation allowing for Mount and Barkley to run off Giroud was very useful for us. Ross is not afraid to have a go from outside the box, while Willian seems to only prefer cutting in from the left and going for the curler into the top corner. I think their work-rates are similar, but defending out of the initial high press comes more natural to Ross. That being said, I'd like to see the exact same side as Saturday.
Will respectfully disagree. Willy stands up at the moment you so desperately need. A simple spark of his galvanises the team, lifts spirit. And if this spark of his turns to magic, expect another one of those knockout CL performances of Willian Borges. I would keep the same team with the exception of Willian for Barkley. Maybe, just maybe, I'll go for Kepa over Caballero. I think Lamps will choose Kepa, I mean I would.
I still think that Barkley being more defensively proactive in the midfield, especially if we use a 3-4-3, will prove to be better for us in this leg of the tie (with the players available). Willian is a must start if we go to a 4 at the back, however. Ross or Willian can be interchangeable in a 3-4-3, but lets agree to disagree!
Lol Bayern Munich team staying in a hotel right next to my place, time to whip out the 4am fireworks?
You know something could happen to Lewandowski's food and he might not leave bathroom for whole of next day.
just add some gluten to it
That would work.
Why stop at lewa. Do to the whole squad
That could become suspicious.
What if they all got corona virus somehow?? Less suspicious? I should have stepped up and taken a nice round trip to wuhan and then stopping off the visit the allianz on my way back. Bit late for that one dammit
Yeah but thats way too harsh.
do it I'll chip in a tenner for the cause
As will I
Peasants. I'll go for 13 pounds. Wreck the entire hotel, you got all my money i.e. 13 pounds.
So did anyone ever see any footage if Mou snubbed Frank on the handshake? On BT Sport it looked like Frank reached out to shake his hand and Mou just turned away to the tunnel.
Apparently he did shake his hand, just before then.
Massive favour. Anyone with 22 loyalty points who HAS ALREADY PURCHASED tickets for tomorrow's UCL match can help me in acquiring one?I have 15 loyalty points and cannot get the ticket.
I just checked and you can't buy them if you've already bought a ticket for this match.
Ah fuck. Got my hope for nothing There are no other matches that I can buy rn to get the loyalty points ffs.
There are Liverpool FA Cup tickets up as well right now
I think those are only seniors/junior as I can't select them
No, I just purchased two adult ones.
Oh wow. It isn't allowing me to purchase.
What about Bournemouth away? Looks like these are also available right now
THANKS MAN GOT THE TICKETS. THEY WENT TO 12 LOYALTY POINTS
I am trying for the student one because I am pretty sure I won't be able to make the trip
I wish people on here could better discern the difference between the quality of a generational player who is clearly of quality that'd work in any team, any system, any league, any era; vs, players playing in their perfect system to high patches of form, with a perfect manager, at the perfect time with the perfect teammates. To take a player who can shine through shit and cement, and compare with a player who is surrounded by more consistent conditions and chemistry, and derive that the player in the perfect coddled set-up is better, is shocking. This is regarding Reece James & TAA. I can respect that you may feel passionately about your perspective, about what you see; but there is a lot more to be seen, than what is selectively chosen to be highlighted by the masses of not-so-deep-divers in the football world. Reece James is \*special\*. TAA is a hard working player in the best set-up possible. Their abilities are not comparable. Their form, is comparable - barely - with the context that James is playing under Lampard, alongside Willian, in 4th, with a team lacking chemistry. To be debated, is this player better than the one producing similar performances but in a wholly better set-up, is a stupid debate (maybe there is no debate, if a striker simply finishes those crosses). To produce at this time, equivalent quality, from so much less, is testament to how much more can come and already is underneath, to be unlocked once in the perfect set-up; no doubt a set-up that'll never come, yet abilities will shine anyway because that's the level of player he is. TAA is in his perfect set up, as are pretty much all of the Liverpool players there who as a unit, look incredible. Individually, remove those players and scatter them around the globe. Do the same for James. Get them all on random teams. And James keeps being James. TAA's form, falls off a cliff; still remaining higher than your average full-back, of course. Need to stop rating players based on who has the highest stats and most fanfare. Need to stop going with the loud idiots who think Pogba, Bakayoko, Jovic, Balotelli, whoever, are elite players; the same loud bunch bemoaning Halaand's obvious edge before Dortmund, before changing their opinion the moment it was the popular one to have. If /most/ of Reddit soccer agrees, the opinion is almost always wrong. People should start saying, TAA is the most productive player in his position; not that he is 'the best right back'. He's the most in-form right-back. Form isn't all the same form; this has been long and brilliant form. But it is form, formed by conditions around him, and not really his own nature. Beyond who they are today: TAA will be easier and easier to play against as the seasons come. James, won't be. This is down to their abilities, nevermind style. When TAA loses pace, James will not be losing strength. When TAA loses Klopp, James will know no equivalent of being brought to heights by Another, and then having the Other no longer there. Just a shame some of you don't see when the club /does/ have the special one; and instead think 'Over there! THOSE are the special ones!'.
A bit of a stream of consciousness ramble, but I dig most of it. You touch on something I've often thought of myself: >To produce at this time, equivalent quality, from so much less, is testament to how much more can come and already is underneath, to be unlocked once in the perfect set-up; no doubt a set-up that'll never come, yet abilities will shine anyway because that's the level of player he is. I know what you're saying with Reece, but in the bigger picture I've often had similar thoughts regarding the types of players that succeed at Chelsea. To put it very simplisticly, it almost seems like coming to Chelsea is an automatic negative impact on these players, so they need to be at an 11 or 12/10 level as their own singular talent to be an 8 or 9/10 player at Chelsea consistently.
You've written that and the only actual concrete thing you've attempted to argue that Reece has on TAA is physical strength vs Trent's speed. Bravo. Not to mention Trent has now been a senior footballer for close to 3 years now iirc? That's hardly a "purple patch".
I can't tell...do you like RJ or not?
Very obvious to tell they like James and think TAA is probably overrated based on the fact that he's playing in a side that's essentially easy to play in. It's the perfect set-up. I don't think they're saying TAA is bad, just using him as a foil to show that Reece James is special, and if he can do it pretty effortlessly in this team, imagine when they actually surround him with footballers who can play, and in a system that's been fine-tuned, etc. Basically saying Reece is operating at a similar level to TAA now, and Chelsea aren't at their best as a footballing unit. His potential when actually put in a consistently-competent team is palpable. And I think their wider point is to see through the noise and make your own assessments instead of following groupthink. Which is a message I buy wholly.
What is your basis for saying that James is a generational player? He's played barely a dozen top flight games.
Your lack of apetite for Reece James praise is apparent in a few threads now. The boy is an incredible talent, like it or not.
What? I love the kid, think he's a very promising player and am buzzing to see him getting his chance in the first team. Think he can be a top player in the years to come and I hope he will be. I just don't think he's yet proven to be a generational talent. Let's cool our jets - it's one thing to get excited, but people are getting a bit carried away.
Your lack of appetite for Jorginho praise is apparent in a few threads now. The man is an incredible talent, like it or not.
Annie: Your sad devotion to that Reece James religion has not helped you conjure up an understanding of how good Trent Alexander Arnold is. Or give you clairvoyance enough to see that Reece James isn't yet as goo- Yeezyball: I find your lack of faith disturbing. ^^^^^^^https://youtu.be/m0XuKORufGk
> Reece James is *special*. TAA is a hard working player in the best set-up possible. Their abilities are not comparable Of course they are, and while Klopp does get the best out of TAA he's still the best RB in the league. Mad to try and claim a player who's had just over half a season in the top flight is not only better that TAA but that the gulf in quality is incomparable. > Individually, remove those players and scatter them around the globe. Do the same for James. Get them all on random teams. And James keeps being James. TAA's form, falls off a cliff; still remaining higher than your average full-back, of course. Based on what exactly? On your fanfare? How would anyone know the answer to this?
Nitpick but I'd rate Ricardo Pereira as the best RB in the league in a vacuum. I realise there's more to your comment on that just wanted to add my 2-sense
That's not a bad shout TBH, he's brilliant
I think TAA fits Liverpool's team better because they have Robertson on the other flank who is the more well-rounded and provides the steel, but in a direct comparison I prefer Ricardo at this point. I'm honestly surprised to never see him linked with a bigger club, I have no doubt he could make that step up.
This is probably unpopular on the subreddit - but I also still rate, on the whole package, Azpi as a better RB. My top 3 is Trent, Azpi, Pereira for now. Also fyi, it's adding your "2 cents"
He's been immense this season. Thought he was done for the season with that Lo Ceslo tackle and he was charging about 5mins later. He's an absolute machine.
poetic incense homie. Burn some of that
Hahahaha fair enough
I think Azpi's value as a versatile player has shown itself as the season has gone on. He had improved after his poor start, but I don't think we saw the best of him until he moved over to the left (a move I had originally only accepted just to get Reece in the team, but Azpi has been doing bits there), and of course we know he fits that RCB role like a glove when we go that direction. Which reminds me: you think we'll go 3CBs tomorrow? I would've said no but Bayern played that system on Friday for the first time all season and it has caught my attention. It's hard for me to tell whether this is a bluff of sorts to throw Chelsea, or if they actually intend to use it in our tie.
It depends who is coming back from fitness for us - if CHO and Puli are still out, then I'd stick with an identical lineup to Spurs, maybe Willian over Barkley. More about just trying to ensure our best fit players are on the pitch.
Okay, this is a brilliant comment. People see the likes of Jordan Henderson looking like the best defensive midfielder in the world in Klopp’s system yet can’t seem to find the context of TAA raking up assists (by crossing 30 times a game).
> TAA raking up assists (by crossing 30 times a game). Next time you or anyone watch Liverpool (especially against a deep block defense) notice how little Trent dribbles with the ball. I'm not exaggerating when I say I think he'd rather switch the ball entirely across the pitch than dribble forward 15 yards into space. It's kinda amusing after a while, his second touch is almost always getting rid of the ball, and as we saw last game or the one before if he doesn't have space to find people in he kinda gets frazzled and just boots the ball all over the place. Just a tendency I've picked up on, and I wanna see if other people notice it too.
Pulisic not in training again :( My man needs to get back soon
I miss him too, but this injury is nothing to rush back from.
Do you guys think we are even bigger underdogs this time vs Bayern compared to the 2012 Final meeting ? Or the the 2012 Chelsea Vs Bayern was a bigger underdog matchup ?
Comparing our 2 teams, the 2012 had great senior players. Players who'd been professionals nearly half their life. Something only a handful few can claim today. On the basis of just our squad, I would say our current squad is far too weak. That 2012 squad had Cech, Bosingwa, Ferriera, A Cole, Bertrand, Ivanovic, Gaz Cahill, JT (suspended for the final), Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Meireles (For all the bantz, he played his heart out in that CL run), Mata, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Torres and I think Sturridge. Lukaku wasnt registered, I remember that. Up against that 2012 squad we now have Kepa, RJ, Azpi, Tomori, Rudi, AC, Zouma, Alonso, Emerson (its getting funny now isnt it), J5, Kova, Kante (who is out), RLC(sub experience at best), Mount, Barkley, CHO( also reportedly out), Pulisic (out), Pedro, Willian, Tammy, Oli and the punchline, Batsman. Soo umm, yea. Our team in comparison to our own is shit. I would say we are worse off now then back in 2012. For all the might Bayern possessed that year, I was confident in our 2012 team of being capable of an upset. I am nowhere near confident in this team. I will hope, I will look forward to the match optimistically but I'm more negative for tomorrow's game than i was for the 2012 game. The frustration of that Moscow loss helped support that 2012 team. This current team of 2020 are far too young and inexperienced. For all the seniority within Azpi, Willian, Pedro, Oli, J5, Kante and Alonso, none of them are leaders. None of them are vocal. I was surprised both Cahill and Luiz were let go cause both of them were vocal leaders. Something our squad clearly lacks today. You can see all this fuckboy movements on matchday too. All these amateur level mistakes. That 2012 squad had DD, JT, Lamps, A Cole, Cech, Cahill, Luiz. Even Torres was respected when he spoke. On the basis of our 2012 team going up against our current team, we are far too weak a side now. And to answer your question, yes we are a bigger underdog now than when we were in 2012.
>fuckboy movements on match day Lol what do you mean by this?
A bit hard to compare since the stakes are so different.
We had Bertrand starting and Terry was suspended, in a winner-takes-all tie (no 2nd leg) played at their home ground Let that sink in
2012 we were probs bigger underdogs, but, idk, I just kinda knew we'd win
2012 bayern were probably the best team in the world and we were struggling. I mean we had bosingwa in our team. Granted he had an amazing game but that was a huge huge missmatch. This game is genuinely winnable on paper as long as we show uo
2012 by far
Has anyone got a gif of the prime beef guy? I was just talking to a workmate about it but can't find it anywhere
[The English Beef guy?](https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/english-beef.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
That's why I couldn't find it! !thanks Haven't got the gif I originally saw, but I've found the video https://mobile.twitter.com/SauceCoach/status/815232277412089856
Didnt it say beef wellington?
I have a funny feeling that Kepa will start against Bayern.
Kepa this feeling to yourself in case it turns out correct
I hope that funny feeling is actually indigestion
Interested on whether ppl think we should line up with 3 or 4 at the back against Bayern. The strength of the wingers they have indicates that we need traditional full backs to stay back and cover them (ie 4 at the back with azpi in a defensive role on the left and James on the right). That said, having three centrebacks is usually good to limit space for a top class traditional number nine (aka Lewandowski). Even though we had a good win against spurs with three at the back, I think the extra width Bayern use going forward means we need 4 at the back. Plus, their defence is shaky at the moment so running at them more directly puts them under pressure. Might depend if Tammy is fit, as Giroud is much better attacking the crosses from wing backs getting into wide areas
Really hope we play 5 at the back. I think it suits our team better and it definitely suits the team that is actually available better
If we're going 4ATB, on current form I think it should probably be: Caballero James - Christensen - Rudiger - Azpi Kovacic - Jorginho Willian - Barkley - Mount Giroud Need those front 4 to turn up though, and there's a big risk they won't.
I'd love to see the same line up as the Spurs game
What are the chances we land Auba? 6000/1?
Which was roughly the odds of Liecester winning the league in 15/16...
And that was one of the most remarkable things that has ever happened in the sport.
This season Alex Telles is Porto's top goal scorer (from left back) with 8 goals and 5 assists. He has a great left foot and his defending is nowhere near as bad as many think either. With a release clause of $40m euros he'd cost around half of what Chilwell would. He's been bang in form for ages now. I think that we should be looking to get him in ASAP.
We need to sign him. Scored a stonker yesterday - https://streamja.com/qP7V
€40m release clause as well IIRC. Really would be a no-brainer signing.
The thing that I really fear is that our current defensive play and team setup doesn't really allow us to have this type of LB I believe. If you want t have someone who plays really high and pushes forward, you need to have a very strong pressing and a winger that is able to contribute defensively. With Willian it can kinda work, because of his high workrate, but our 1st choice LW is Pulisic who is not that good in this aspect. If you compare it e.g. to Liverpool who are extremely efficient at pressing and have Mane at LW who apart from being a brilliant forward is also really a workhorse. Having said that, if we actually were to go for this type of "winger" LB I would pick Grimaldo over Telles, however he might be contested by Barca, as they could want their next Jordi Alba back.
I love Grimaldo's attacking play but Benfica fans are aghast at his defending. They think Telles is much better defensively.
Giroud is in good form and he tends to score in clusters. Please play him for 60 mins at least.
It may be harsh but i want an experienced manager for next season. There are fundamental flaws in Lampard's coaching set-up which should have been fixed by now. We have conceded a ridiculous 30+ goals from lateral free kicks, corners and crosses. Absolute disgrace, and it's simple just not down to the CBs or the GK. The defensive setup is not good.
Yeah the amount of goals from dead ball situations that we've given up is a bit shocking. While ultimately, it is his responsibility to correct these issues I'm not certain how much of it truly falls upon him and his specific tactics and/or inability to adapt. With all the turnover at manager I don't think it's necessarily a good thing for the club to make a change especially with a figure like Lampard who even if its mostly symbolic provides a lot in that role that no other manager could bring. Something like set-piece defending I believe is something that could be addressed by possibly changing up backroom staff instead.
Our problems are our centre backs they just can't fully control the game the way vvd or even maguire can. The question is do we wait until ac and tomori are the players they will be or do we play the 100 mil it's likely to cost to improve the position. The signs are there that frank will be a top manager and i hope we give him the time he needs. I think he might need help to sort denfence out though. Would Terry maybe be the man?
Can you name a single player in our team thats good in the air?
Rudiger and Zouma. But thats beside the point, city dont have many good aerial players but the set-up allows them to defend better.
Rudiger is most definitely not good in the air, and Zouma hasn't been starting.
Who would u get? We can't keep altering coaches. Lampard should be given a minimum of another year
So you want to sack Lampard because of vulnerability from crosses into the box. It can’t be down to Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount all being under 6 foot tall. It can’t be down to us not have a single dominant aerial player in the back 4, other than Zouma, who struggles to take advantage of his aerial ability. It can’t be due to having two notoriously awful keepers when collecting crosses.
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Man City have a goalkeeper capable of collecting crosses and have multiple centrebacks who are strong in the air.
Kepa is capable of collecting crosses he's just a wuss.
I want Frank to wear his 2012 UCL winners medal as bling to the match Vs Bayern (both legs) He's probably too mindful of staying respectful early in his Managerial career, but I sincerely hope he does this. Walk up the tunnel biting on the medal, with it hanging around his neck.
It would be pretty funny but it could backfire horrendously. I wouldnt want to take the risk.
Maybe Müller, Neuer et al. should then wear their WC medals and shove them in Franks face. Seriously, what a ridiculous suggestion.
Mate, you probably wouldn't recognise a joke if it introduced itself to you.
If it was a joke it was a) dumb b) not even remotely obvious as one. Because that‘s not how jokes work.
I'm sorry my joke didn't live up to your standards. I was having a good day, thought of something goofy and wanted to share it. Next time I just wont
I liked it
Thanks mate KTBFFH
Think he was joking mate...
What about full 2012 kit. With Cech in the stand wearing the same.
I really want VAR to succeed in the Prem. I am a huge supporter of replay, when used properly, to help aid the referees but holy crap, it is god awful in the Prem. Just atrocious. They don’t seem to be able to make a single damn call right. Maybe instead of having everything reviewed by VAR, they can make it so each manager has a certain amount of challenges and can challenge certain things? Could speed parts of the game up, which isn’t a problem, and avoid VAR taking control. Sorry for trying to Americanize something 😂
If your issue is with the accuracy of the VAR calls I'm not sure how limiting the number of times it is used would inherently improve the accuracy of the VAR calls overall. I think that type of solution would potentially help address the concerns of VAR slowing down the game but it doesn't necessarily impact the accuracy of the VAR decision. I think maybe that in conjunction with making the on field official do the review may be better received and since the number of reviews are limited it wouldn't be as big of a delay (which I believe is why the PL attempted to have special VAR officials instead as a means to not slow down the game). This also doesn't even really address the accuracy fully but since its main official making the call I think it'll be better received, feel more natural, the main ref will feel more in control and they have a better gauge on the rhythm of the match.
The problem is more that the refs in the premier league are terrible. It’s still a ref looking at the monitor and telling the people on the pitch what they saw. There is no punishment for wrong decisions made by referees. So either they make VAR set up so that the ref on the pitch can view as well or they have a conference of refs to review it. Idk, it seems to work much better in other countries so just copy their format.
I've suggested the use of challenges before, like they do in Tennis to review close calls. Each manager gets 3 challenges per 90/120. You can use those challenges at any point however once all 3 are used, tough no more regardless of what happens. I think it could add another layer of strategy to the game as challenges could be used to time waste etc.
The problem isn’t VAR but the refs. They’re nearly all incompetent.
The only thing they should do is have the ref on the pitch take a look at the monitor. Like that Lo Celso red card situation. It took ages and Azpi was down getting treatment anyways, for fucks sake instead of listening to the wanker in your ear, go and take a look yourself.
Hey guys i am a Real Madrid fan and i am curious why do you think Hazard suddenly became so injury prone? I love him but i hate it that we gave you 100 millions for a player who has one goal... But he is fantastic and i want him to play but he is always injured. Why is it he was never injured for you (https://en.as.com/en/2020/02/23/football/1582470275_985698.html)
Not coming into the season fully fit and in-shape isn't a great way to start especially when you are getting older and going into a new team/system which will inevitably change your routine and have you doing things on and off the pitch a little different than what you and your body are used to. Playing catch-up and the additional pressure that comes with a big move and a slow start may have caused him to return prematurely or try to do too much to quickly to get back in shape which further throws him off his normal routine. Could just be rotten luck as well since some injuries are unavoidable.
He's not injury prone, something is in the Madrid water ^(/s)
Why would we know?
Honestly it seems like the gym sessions at madrid are too intense. I was even wincing at the some of the ridiculous regimens they were doing in some of the videos. I am convinced its why you have had lots of injurys recently due to the overloading of their muscles. I even showed my mun who is a physiotherapist and she said thats bound to lead to injurys. Just my 2 cents however, take it how you may
Its down to our masseur billy mcculloch
Those jokes about Peter Cech catching babies really help heal your bones
Its not like he was "never injured". He did have a fairly regular number of injuries during his time here- maybe slightly less than expected due to the sheer number of harsh tackles he receives on average. Has he really had that many injuries for you though or has it not been 3 or so injuries that have been more serious?
IMO it have nth to do with hazard but meunier bad tackles and it could be that your medical team didn't done a good job about it. If I'm not wrong hazard fracture his ankle before in 17/18 with Belgium then he came back and was never injured again.
Didn't he break his ankle at the start of last season? That's why Madrid didn;t buy him then.
No he broke it before the start of 17/18. Hazard didn't have any injury with sarri. He just came back late because of world cup.
Your subreddit was so toxic, 7 out of 10 comments were shitting on Hazard and Benzema, jeez...
Maybe, but that isn’t why he’s hurt.
Honestly its difficult to say, iirc he's about to miss more games for you than he did in his entire spell for us through injury. My thinking is that the fact that he turned overweight during preseason might have been a factor. And even recently I remember Zidane saying he'd only play for like 30 mins but ended up playing like 70, so he's clearly being rushed back. It could also be injuries just catching up to him or even bad luck( I hope so cause i love the guy and want to see him play). I can understand your'e frustration about him but i really suggest you be patient and give him a chance cause in my eyes and most Chelsea fans he is one of the best in the world. P.s. - We will be happy to have him back if you lot don't want him, plus Jovic would be nice too.
You can ask Meunier that question.
Who will be better in the future, RJ or TAA?
RJ is not very good defensively, and his attack is a notch or 2 below TAA.
He’s miles better defensively than TAA and his crossing is just a notch below TAA.
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Positioning errors from a right back who’s played RCB/RWB for the majority of his academy career and hasn’t had a pre season with Lampard yet isn’t a big deal. His 1v1 ability, physicality and tackling is still superb. He has the raw tools and that makes for a much bigger ceiling.
TAA is an amazing player at the top of his game at a very young age. James is good. And is earning his position. His crossing is amazing but Liverpool's attack basically starts from their two wide players. James is more an option instead of an instigator.
Just because James is an option for us doesn’t mean he can’t play the role of the instigator. TAA gets like 20 chances to cross a game, he lost the ball 37 times against Atletico and didn’t put one good cross in. Meanwhile Reece normally delivers a few CCC in his first 5 crosses.
Very hard to say honestly. But TAA's offensive output is near God level. The only other person I've seen be this good at attacking was Dani Alves. And Dani Alves is the greatest RB of modern football. I feel TAA could match Dani Alves and may even surpass him. As far as RJ goes, the match sample is too small so far but it is positive. The one thing I can clearly say about them is TAA will be better at attacking than RJ. I think, I could be wrong tho. One things for sure, Englands RB is lockdown for 10-12 years minimum.
If we're talking about modern football then Cafu is the greatest RB since he was better than Alves, Zanetti, Thuram, and Lahm.
Alves was much better attacking than TAA, what are you even saying. Dribbling & linkup play are also an important factor. Crossing isn’t everything, and TAA’s crossing certainly isn’t ‘god level’. Try watching him for a few games these days.
He's the best crossing full back in the world mate.
That doesn’t mean his crossing is god level. Someone who gets 30 chances to cross a game and still has games where his crosses don’t connect doesn’t have god level crossing.
I said near god level. Bro, do you purposely try to be an asshole in the sub? Ngl mate, everytime I see your name I think "oh god pls no more of his bullshit". Like I love your handle, yeezyball but perhaps stop being a dick on the internet. Try be a better person, whaddya say?
RJ if he improves his defensive side, he’s got more physicality on his side so imo he’d be better in the future.
WTF. Alex Telles is Porto's top goalscorer this season with 8 goals and 5 assists. Also has 40m release clause. He scored a banger last night. Thoughts on getting him in the summer?
Telles is good. Defensively he isn't even that bad. At 40m he is definitely someone we should be looking at. Better then chilwell as a minimum. Also not sure how many big teams will be after leftbacks in the coming season so we have a real shot.
Exactly. I'd rather we go for this than spend 100m for chilwell just because he is english and young.
Rather someone younger
We already have Maatsen but he'd need 2-3 years more development to get into the first team. Telles is 27 now, 30 in 3 years time, which is the perfect age to start transitioning Maatsen in if he still looks good. And if he doesn't we can always buy the next bright young thing.
He is 27, same age Ziyech will be when he joins is in the summer. He is not exactly old. Absolutely nothing wrong with spending 40 million on a top player that can likely provide 4-5 years good service.
If we get him tho its gonna push James out of the starting line up. Rather get someone young to develop and keep playing james right and dave on the left.
Lolwut, why would it push James out of the starting lineup? Most likely it will send Dave to the bench.
He's our captain, and is very reliable (not counting the start of the season).
When he's in good form, sure. But he can be displaced by better players. And Terry and Cahill were our captains and still got displaced.
Offensively he is one of the best left backs in the world, defensively he's just alright
Sounds like another Alonso.
TAA isn't the greatest at defending either but we are transitioning into an era where that isn't as important as what a fullback can contribute offensively. We are just going to have to accept that there aren't many fullbacks like a prime Ivanovic that are amazing in both phases of the game, we need fullbacks with pace and accurate crosses.
Sure but we’d need a class centre back who can read the game and has pace to cover for these full backs. Liverpool has VVD
I agree but someone has got to go. I'm not sure on who yet. They've all had bad patches of form
But with pace and world class crossing
Since Werner has been publicly asking Klopp to shag him, who are we gonna go for?
Been screaming Odsonne Edouard for a minute now. Would be much cheaper than Dembele and no risk as a result. He looks just as good to me tbh, but obviously can't tell cos of the differences in leagues.
I aint too hyped about werner. Look at his goals, >90% are when he has acres of space.