After the shambles of last game, I expect Sarri to play virtually the same team. probably Christensen in for Luiz who looked concussed to me, and maybe Willian for Pedro. This will solve nothing and we will learn nothing if he does so. A braver choice, given all the problems coming from the midfield, would to at least try something different. Here's my team. Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson. in midfield, I'd play Kante in Jorghinos place, with Kovacic and RLC. OR Kovacic for Jorghino with Kante and RLC. Jorghino and Barkley can sit in the stands where they belong and Ampadu be the mid field sub. We might as well at least try someone to replace Jorghino ,cause unless we do ,we'll keep going backwards. Up front, I'd start with Higuan, Hazard and CHO. Our next games are City, Malmo and Utd., none of those are games to be experimenting in. So do it now.
Wanted: a set of vertebrae’s - last result was that bad no one wanted to comment apart you; or this the traditional post Xmas blip where we embarrass ourselves against workmanlike sides. Agreed with the comments about Kante returning to his original pivot to give us much needed ballast in preparation for the “damage-limitation” exercises v Mancs. On closing it amazes me that a side can have 70% possession and still ending getting pole-axed by an ordinary outfit; at least the early 70’s side had a reasonable excuse for appalling displays having been on the sauce the night before......where’s our next JT coming from?
Could have a case for changing the whole XI from last week tbh. I’d definitely play RLC in midfield as he’s a threat going forward, which we’re crying out for. I’d play him alongside Kante and Kovacic deeper. Kepa Azpi - Rudi - Christensen - Alonso Kante - Kova - RLC Hudson - Higuain - Hazard
I disagree with CP on this. if Jorginho plays it will be backwards again then again a bit sideways repeat this about 7 times lose the ball make a pathetic attempt at trying to win the ball back, then team mate wins the ball gives it back to Jorginho. Repeat. Turgid is a understatement.
Sarri has said he wants to do something "great" at Chelsea. I's be happy if he did something good, because so far he's doing bugger all except blaming everyone and everything else. I think he's virtually lost the players because of his favouritism and lack of real football nouse. His determination to change nothing ,instead, trying to create Napoli Mark 2, despite Mark 1 having won nothing is not encouraging. Time has come to think, tweak, improve, use resources better, drop the player he loves who is simply no good, and be a proper manager. Starting today.
Just hope for something better than the other night.......I love Luiz as a footballer or even in a 3 at the back. But in this system without Kante to protect him i'm afraid its a no.
Well I would say that is better than the other night... Just.... Higuain shows Morata and Giroud how its done
Higuain good on and off the ball, Hazard and Kante were immense. I’m waiting to see David Luiz’s goal on the BBC match of the day highlights. To me it looked a surreal goal and the replay of his goal was not shown on the Stamford Bridge TVs. Huddersfield’s No 10 and No 11 looked good but they’re a doomed side and I’d be surprised to see them again in the Premiership at Stamford Bridge in my remaining lifetime given the fact they’ve binned a capable manager in getting their club to punch well above their weight.
Bit with you, I was not overly impressed apart from the effort against maybe the weakest team in the League. Even so, they still rattled our cage with several very direct attacks. Hazard was especially good, Kante showed a class player can rise above dumb managerial positioning, and Higuan looked a different player with some service. The back 4 had to work a bit as well and did so pretty well. Christensen again showed that game time is the only way to go , Luiz was in everything, the others were fine. Not so good again were my old mates Jorghino and Barkley, who didn't do a lot wrong, they just didn't do a lot. More effort for sure, but still no end result. Barkley got his skates on a couple of times and then lost control, rarely creating anything for others and Jorghino just plodded along as usual, sideways, backwards........... Sterner tests in the next 3 games, hoping that CHO and RLC actually start because with a bit more creativity and power, our front runners might finally spark into life as a threesome.
Thought Luiz was superb, wasn’t everybody slagging him off last week because he was probably had concussion ?
Yep they were, but he was extra good this game in defence and attack, which he needs to be because so little comes from the midfield. They were actually a bit better too, but still all over the shop. Christensen looked terrific too, game time has sharpened him up heaps, as has playing with the 1st team. If we get Ake back, then Zouma, Christensen, Ampadu and the boy playing forDerby look like a bloody good line up for the defence in the future.
I suspect the win does nothing but prove how inconsistent we are! But nice to have a proper striker in the team again. Scores goals, links up play, doesn't fall over and stays onside. Bloody hell, that's how it's done! Good debut for Morata though, he plays and AM lose first game in 19!!
