I know we like to laugh and point at the Leeds and Burnley fans criticizing us, and a lot of stuff they say is just flat out ridiculous. But there was definitely some valid points raised imo: - I think we need another option at 6 who adds some height to the midfield for certain games. - Definitely need a couple of centre backs to sort the defence out. - I would personally want 2 more wingers with Talbi as an option on both sides, a specialist on either side would be great especially players who are less focused on their upside. - Probably do need a striker (obviously we all agree here and are expecting at least 1). However, I think they are grossly misprofiling our midfield players. Massively underestimating the impact Mayenda can have. Reducing Reinildo and Hume to slow and no power is such lazy analysis. Finally, apparently signing young players who want to improve and fight for their place is supposed to be a negative? They aren't kids from academies like Ipswich signed these are European level captains, players with 150 games, title winning players abroad.
Call me a happy clapper, heck call me delusional but if we sign Mika, Petrovic and my boys (Miller and Cresswell), not only will we win the PL but I expect us to compete for AFCON and the World Cup as well this season Definitely not getting carried away tho
I think they’re overestimating their teams ability and the systems. that teamsheet would run rings around Leeds and Burnley currently. Yes the players still need to develop to compete that much higher, but it would put up such. Strong fight The midfield 3 atm is ridiculous. It’s a mid table midfield for sure we need a CB. the comments on the fullback options is a joke, Hume, reinildo and cirkin are more than good enough and definitely have power ffs I’d probably like at least one more winger. Mundle, talbi another winger or two will be dsngerous in our system Mayenda and Isidor on the break are a joke but we will also sign one more striker let’s not even worry about keeper if we sign petro I’m not sure what they’re looking at
Either they are vastly overestimating the benefit of being tall, or we are underestimating it. Personally I don't think teams can hurt our midfield with the ball on the floor but would still like to steal Stach to **** off Leeds fans. The consensus that ****ing zian Flemming was better than Mayenda did actually hurt me though, I just ignore what they say as bait most of the time but that one actually almost made me bite. I do however think we really need 2 new CBs, I love Ballard but he started a quarter of our games last season and Cresswell would be a nice like for like competition at RCB. Then I'd go heavily on a LCB.
The more I’ve thought about it by the way, if we can coach some discipline sadiki is going to be a hell of a 6 with diarra and ELF ahead I’d still like a monster 6 too but he literally is a Kante regen
Looking at links and recruitment I think it’s clear to see how we’re going to play tbh not many teams lump the ball around the middle of the park. We’ve signed 3 lads for midfield who will cover a stupid amount of ground. I mean sadiki said he will do anything to win and won’t stop running we’re going to force wide in attack and let them cross at a couple destroyers
Speaking on this, the comparison makes perfect sense - and I think kantes best work was done when he was basically an 8 and they'd have a fantastic playmaker drop in whenever he went forward, often jorginho. Surely the combination of Le fee and Sadiki replicates exactly that?
I wondered if we would go for badiashile as our LCB, someone mentioned it a while ago and he's not played loads for Chelsea last couple yrs - had his injury issues which would be a concern Quality LCB
Yeah exactly I think the fact our entire midfield can play anywhere is going to be very useful win the ball back, le fee drops in to play make two heavy runners ahead oh my lord this midfield is going to be nuts
On a player basis I think he suits us a lot more than he does Chelsea but like you say the injuries are just too much, he's missed half his teams games for essentially 7 years straight.
At the minute them two are hoping that our signings will flop rather than being hopeful what they do will work. No doubt about it, more likely than not we go back down, maybe we even finish below those two, it’s very much possible. But imo we are the only one of the three with an identity, with a strategy, and one that if it works, can take us to a position that is more than just another number in the prem (just my opinion). Look at Leeds and Burnley’s managers if you want to simplify things. Two really solid managers, but are known for two things, getting teams promoted out of the championship, and going down with a whimper from the premier league. Is that the sign of clubs that have a strategy to keep kicking on longer term? Maybe, they could stay up (hope they both do if it’s not at the expense of us ) but I wouldn’t swap what we are doing, wouldn’t even consider it. Time will tell if we’ve got it right.