ffs, I don't dislike him. When Cescy starts we have a win % of 54 and if doesn't start we have 86%. Go figure.
Whilst I think we are a better side with Kante and Baka in midfield, I think you are putting too much faith in this stat. The amount of games we played with Fabregas was over 100, and without, we played like 14 games. Our win ration in those 14 games is higher, but its 14 games, they could have been at home to West Brom, Stoke, Sunderland, Norwich, Bournemouth etc. Its not really a fair stat. But like I have said many times, I fundamentally agree we are a more balanced side without Fabregas in midfield. I am just not prepared to get all hysterical and slit my wrists over it like you are.
Also, we have a pretty good run of mid to lower placed teams before Kante and hopefully Morata return, excluding CL Roma. Fabregas should be OK for all those games and apparently Drinkwater is close to starting, and though that's a bit of a mystery bag, he is not a bad player. We look to be OK ish in the PL, but Conte needs to do some work for Roma. Don't chuck in the towel just yet, the night is but young.
indeed I will give us till christmas. If we are 9 points or more from the top at Christmas, then I will write off our title hopes, but not before then.
I wouldn't call that realistic mate. 9 points off fourth means we would finish probably 6th or 7th. Which 6 teams are going to finish above Chelsea? Name them? Like Leicester finishing 1st, Chelsea finishing 10th was an abberation, seeing as we won the league in the seasons either side of it. (with more or less the same group of players). It was a set of unfortunate circumstances all coming together at once.
Cesc is certainly a luxury player and he needs to be utilised correctly. He doesn’t have the legs to deal with fast paced midfielders but he can unlock defences like no one else when we need him. He mustn’t be relied upon to run a game and he does need protection. To say we are doomed with him in the team is a bit fanciful I must say but I’m in agreement that if he is our go to guy to run our midfield whilst the others are out we could be in a spot of bother.
To win the league yes, to win the C.L yes, but we're certainly not going to drop down the league just because Cesc is playing....which is what some (one) is suggesting.
Sorry Stan, two. I do agree Fabregas is an enigma and should have been replaced by now, but I don't think we'll finish out of the top 4 because of him. It will take more injuries to crucial players and a form loss by the majority of our team. Right now I think we are behind City and maybe Utd, though that's no certainty, but I don't fear anyone else. Let's see how we go with Morata and Kante missing, that might settle a few arguments and even bring a couple of players on. Let's hope so.
^^^^^^^ This... Lets see how we cope, you never know. A lot of careers have been launched through others misfortune, lets give it some time though, the game against Palace is a no win situation for us, if we win its what we were supposed to do, draw we are in the pooh, lose.. I'd rather not contemplate that.
CP, you cannot win any matches with 10 players. Cescy in there means we play with10 players. I don't get the argument that Cescy can orchestrate against lower teams. Burnley are still bottom half team even though they are tad better this season. They tore us a new one thanks to Cescy. We are all worried that Palace WILL score and certainly will take points because of Cescy playing rather than Kante not playing. Townsend & Puncheon will have a field day against us. Lets just get that straight. Agreed Abu's. Prime example is Moses. But our biggest problem areas are CM & Striker. We are screwed for next 4 to 6 weeks minimum in there. I am not too worried about our Defense after seeing Christensen, Rudiger & Zappa too.
I do think you are being over pessimistic. Fabregas is still capable of creating excellent chances for his strike force , but equally Conte could play Luiz in midfield instead. . So don't despair just yet, let's see how we get on and who plays against Palace, we might get a good surprise !!
