Official Chelsea FC Thread

[Foye]

Yeah, so much depends on the health and form of Hazard, Fabregas and Costa that I highly doubt we'll win the league again this year.

Like you said, players like Cuadrado are lost causes, but I'm actually most worried about Ivanovic this year. He's not getting any younger and he's already been getting caught out of position increasingly often. I hope we can get Rahman in sooner than later.

Give Cuadrado some time. He's barely half a year in England.
It takes time to adapt to a new culture and for wingers especially important the higher speed of EPL compared to Serie A.

A loan to a club where he can play 90 minutes every week until winter window might be the best option, though. If he's just going to play 5, 15 or 20 minutes every week he'll never reach his best level.

[J-Mezzy]

I wouldn't mind seeing Cuadrado in the Buli. Anywhere but Chelsea seems right to me

[5DOM]

I don't think he's built for PL. It's not the pace of the league. He's just too weak. He and post-injury Falcao fall to the ground pretty much every time they touch the ball. Falcao, I'm more optimistic about because he's an intelligent player, but Cuadrado seems lacking in pretty much every area. Marko Marin's the running joke here, but even he's shown more than Cuadrado unfortunately.

[and1GS]

I don't think he's built for PL. It's not the pace of the league. He's just too weak. He and post-injury Falcao fall to the ground pretty much every time they touch the ball. Falcao, I'm more optimistic about because he's an intelligent player, but Cuadrado seems lacking in pretty much every area. Marko Marin's the running joke here, but even he's shown more than Cuadrado unfortunately.

I was thinking the same thing. IMO Cuadrado is a bigger talent than Willian, but Willian out-performs Cuadrado across the board at Chelsea because he's a physically stronger player.

You have to think though that if you put him in a Sterling-esque role on a team other than the Manchesters or Chelsea, he'd perform quite well.

[fatlever]

Jose just signed a new 4 year contract extension.

[fatlever]

but I'm actually most worried about Ivanovic this year. He's not getting any younger and he's already been getting caught out of position increasingly often. I hope we can get Rahman in sooner than later.

Spoken like a prophet. That was not a good showing defensively. There needs to be a plan B at right back.

[No_20]

Ivanovic is a much better CB than RB imo. Didnt he play CB when Chelsea shutdown Suarez and Liverpool in the game Gerrard slipped?

[5DOM]

So did Kalas. Ivanovic, compared to JT and Cahill, is a much more volatile player in terms of decision making and ball skills. He's been very good as a RB, but he just happens to be a big fullback who's turning 32 soon.

[fatlever]

I definitely do not agree that Ivanovic is better at CB. He has been a good centerback at times in his career, certainly good enough to be a rotation player at a big club. He has been world class as a right back at times in his career, even for most of last season. He's still excellent in attack, most days, and set pieces (both sides of the field) and he can bully most wings off the ball. But every now and then his lack of speed hurts him, like today, and that certainly will not improve as he gets older. Chelsea needs to have faster, but reliable, option available in games where they need to change the script. Part of that is Jose likes to have size across the backline and seems willing to concede some speed in favor of height. That is part of the reason we rarely saw Azpi and Luis play at the same time last year, the other, Terry and Ivanovic wanting to play every minute of every game. It would probably also help Ivanovic to have some more speed in the midfield and centerback to help cover for him when he is playing high up the pitch. Cesc and Matic aren't winning any races, neither are Terry and Cahill.

[fatlever]

you guys have any thoughts on the jose vs the medical staff?

[treiz]

Pointless, the referee signalled for the medical staff to go on the pitch and treat Hazard. It would be a disgrace to their job if they ignored the referee and listened to Mourinho.

[fatlever]

Ake is off to Watford on loan after signing a new 5 year deal. Good for him.

[Foye]

Does Chelsea really want to spend over 50 mil. € on the duo of Baba and Rüdiger? Smh.

[Lakers415]

Chelsea failed this summer...

The whole backline outside of Dave needs to be replaced and another CM should of came in...

City will win the title this year.

[fatlever]

All of the problems we have seen in the first two games were clearly evident in the preseason. I'll never understand why many people write off preseason performances as nothing. The results mean nothing, but they are usually good indicators of what is going right and wrong w/in a team.

Defense is too slow. Jose needs to find a way to get Zouma in the starting lineup more often, especially against teams with speed, like Man City. Ivanovic should no longer be guaranteed starting spots. He is in poor form and should be held accountable if it does not improve. I know Jose likes to have him in their for set pieces, but at what price? Azpi needs more games at RB.

Ramires is a waste in our formation. His only elite skill is running/motor/pressing. That only really works as a box to box mid. He is not a holding mid and he is not a right winger. If our defense and holding mids weren't so slow, Ramires would not be needed to cover ground. Even when he plays 4-3-3 he isn't good enough most days to play at this level.

Cesc and Costa are out of form and have been since Feb of last year. I know Jose loves having Cesc out there since he is basically an extension of Jose, but its time to give Oscar some minutes next to Matic when he gets healthy. I also prefer Oscar at #10 over Cesc in games where Jose elects to put another def mid next to Matic. I just don't know if Cesc has a place in the squad against the elite teams. He is best against the minnows that need to be unlocked. We are stuck with an out of form Costa simply because the other options are worse. Sick of watching him spend every game fighting and looking for calls.

Why is Moses still behind Cuadrado in the rotation? Is that about money or Jose being stubborn or both?

Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic and Cesc should no longer be automatic starts every game, no questions asked. Only automatic starters right now should be Hazard, Azpi, Matic and Courtois (apologies to Begovic, who is a stud).

[J-Mezzy]

Why not switch to a 442?

[fatlever]

Why not switch to a 442?

Jose has only ever played a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, that I know of...

What would be your suggestion for a 4-4-2? Who goes up top with Costa? Hazard or your boy Falcao?

Who is on the outside at midfield?

Are you suggesting something like
Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Azpi
Willian - Cesc - Matic - Hazard
Costa - Falcao

Not sure we have the players for that system.

[J-Mezzy]

I don't know about Falcao or Remy.

I just feel like something is not clicking. Costa is isolated upfront and spends his time whining and fighting. I think he would benefit from a partner.

I'd do a 4-2-2-2 with Cesc and Matic in he midfield, and Willian and Hazard in front of them. It would give Hazard more freedom and let him be more of a play maker. Then Costa with one of the 2 back ups on top.

Doesn't look pretty nor am I saying it would work. Just saying it's worth a shot if we continue to struggle cuz Costa up to by himself ain't working

[Lakers415]

Chelsea needed Vidal....

[fatlever]

Pedro is coming!!! Thank god that means no more Cuadrado and hopefully much less Ramires.

The right wing/right attacking mid spot at Chelsea is just one big revolving door.

Trying to count how many players have played at right wing in the last 3-4 years
Pedro (soon)
Ramires
Willian
Oscar
Cuadrado
Salah
Mata
Schurrle
De Brunye
Marin
Moses

Am I forgetting anyone?