I thought he was a wide player. Looks kind of small (as in thin) for a center midfielder.
Chelsea 2016/17 - Very Content
- Thread starter duffer
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I think there will be some big changes to Chelsea this season.
I don't think Fabregas, Hazard or Costa, with their lack of defensive awareness and work-rate, are ideal Conte-type players. As that trio also appear most culpable for losing their hunger and/or form last season, it could well mean they will play a lesser role. Pedro could also be at risk of reduced game time.
With that in mind, and applying Conte's favoured 3-5-2 template, we could see something like this: -
Batshuayi Oscar
Willian
Azpilicueta Kante Matic Cuadrado
Terry Cahill Ivanovic
Courtois
I could be way off target but it does look like a Conte team with plenty of players who can defend and strength, energy and work-rate in every position.
The question was asked, will a youth product start more than 10 Premier League games? And I certainly think Loftus-Cheek will be an active member of the squad under Conte.
Would any of this work and will Conte succeed in the Premier League? It's hard to tell and obviously I'm speculating on speculation but I think it could take time to click for Chelsea as they adapt to the new style of play. They could find themselves frustrated and lacking goals against teams that come to defend as the sides nullify one another and we end up with a number of draws or 1-0 scorelines.
I don't think Conte's success with Juventus counts for anything here being a completely different situation and environment. At Juventus he inherited a team full of Italian internationals, the world's best goalkeeper and a defensive base with over 200 caps between them. He was fortunate that Pirlo and Pogba became available at the right time. He was helped due to himself being a Juventus legend from his playing days which I'm sure gave him an immediate great standing and added motivational factor with the players there.
Conte doesn't have the same advantages this time and in his first season in an altogether more competitive league I predict that Chelsea will finish anywhere between 5th-8th.
I don't think Fabregas, Hazard or Costa, with their lack of defensive awareness and work-rate, are ideal Conte-type players. As that trio also appear most culpable for losing their hunger and/or form last season, it could well mean they will play a lesser role. Pedro could also be at risk of reduced game time.
With that in mind, and applying Conte's favoured 3-5-2 template, we could see something like this: -
Batshuayi Oscar
Willian
Azpilicueta Kante Matic Cuadrado
Terry Cahill Ivanovic
Courtois
I could be way off target but it does look like a Conte team with plenty of players who can defend and strength, energy and work-rate in every position.
The question was asked, will a youth product start more than 10 Premier League games? And I certainly think Loftus-Cheek will be an active member of the squad under Conte.
Would any of this work and will Conte succeed in the Premier League? It's hard to tell and obviously I'm speculating on speculation but I think it could take time to click for Chelsea as they adapt to the new style of play. They could find themselves frustrated and lacking goals against teams that come to defend as the sides nullify one another and we end up with a number of draws or 1-0 scorelines.
I don't think Conte's success with Juventus counts for anything here being a completely different situation and environment. At Juventus he inherited a team full of Italian internationals, the world's best goalkeeper and a defensive base with over 200 caps between them. He was fortunate that Pirlo and Pogba became available at the right time. He was helped due to himself being a Juventus legend from his playing days which I'm sure gave him an immediate great standing and added motivational factor with the players there.
Conte doesn't have the same advantages this time and in his first season in an altogether more competitive league I predict that Chelsea will finish anywhere between 5th-8th.
There is zero chance of us lining up without Hazard, absolutely none. He's the single best player we have by a country mile. It'd be like Barca setting up without Messi.
Those three at the back formations give me a headache. We just don't have the players for it. Azpi is limited at left back, we'd be severely impeded had he played there due to lack of width--the full backs are instrumental to a 3-5-2. Cuadrado is not very good either.
What I don't understand is, where do you fit Hazard in a two striker system?
If Conte tries to implement some kind of 3-5-2 system he's going to be in for a torrid time, at least until the sacking at Christmas. You need pacy centrebacks and quality wing backs at the very least, and Chelsea don't have either.
Especially if it involves Cuadrado.
Especially if it involves Cuadrado.
He's just not going to play 3 at the back. Those who think he will are simply mistaken.
Line-up for our game friendly today looks like a 4-2-3-1...
Begovic, Ivanovic, Djilobodji, Terry (c), Baba Rahman, Mikel, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Willian, Diego Costa
subs: Blackman, Delac, Hector, Miazga, Aina, Chalobah, Kenedy, Cuevas, Oscar, Atsu, Traore, Remy.
Begovic, Ivanovic, Djilobodji, Terry (c), Baba Rahman, Mikel, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Willian, Diego Costa
subs: Blackman, Delac, Hector, Miazga, Aina, Chalobah, Kenedy, Cuevas, Oscar, Atsu, Traore, Remy.
Holy feck Moses is still at Chelsea?
I wouldn't be shocked if he tried something like..
Courtois
Koulibaly Terry(/Cahill/Zouma) Azpilecueta
Kante Matic
Willian Fabregas Hazard
Costa Batshuayi
or perhaps even an experiment with a 3142 which a few people have tried a couple of times in recent years..
Courtois
Koulibaly Terry(/Cahill/Zouma) Azpilecueta
Kante
Pedro Willian Oscar Hazard
Costa Batshuayi
It'll probably never happen, but I'd be fascinated to see that lineup even if only once. Both Willian and Oscar are a lot tougher than people give them credit for, but equally have some real talent pushing forward and both can also play wide if needed. The potential for interchange between that 4 would also add a whole new dimension, as they could pretty much switch with any other member of the line in a second.
But I'd expect him to end up going with the classic 4,2,3,1 eventually with something like..
Courtois
Azpilecueta Koulibaly Terry(/Cahill/Zouma) Baba
Kante Matic
Willian Fabregas Hazard
Costa(/Batshuayi)
Obviously heavily dependant on us actually getting Koulibaly or someone similar. I'm just hoping to feck that Ivanovich is out the door despite his new contract. There's been gossip about Dave leaving, but that would be absolutely idiocy to my mind. I'm not a big Cahill fan, but I'd expect us to keep him for one more year.
AM is still where we're most potent, with Hazard, Willian, Fab, Pedro, Oscar and the often forgotten Kenedy who is looking like a hell of a player. I wouldn't be surprised to see RLC becoming more of a 10 either. The other black horse is young striker Traore, who has shown indications of becoming an absolutely superb player.
Yep, clear 4231. Happy about RLC looking like he's getting a game in the 10. I hope Chalobah gets some minutes.
Hazard fits well in a 4-3-3, 4-2-4 or a 4-4-2. He is one of the most versatile players in the team.
Chelsea's twitter inducing muppet suicides, read comments for 
Someone in there said El Chapo's kids
Why are they trolling us? They know exactly what they're doing 
Someone in there said El Chapo's kids
I've not watched the game yet but I've read that Loftus-Cheek played upfront (with Traore behind him) against Liverpool and was not fantastic. I really can't see him doing anything in that position.
Ola Aina played the full 90 at right back (Ivanovic dislocated his shoulder and might miss the start of the season).
We beat Liverpool 1 - 0 (Cahill scored, Fabregas got sent off) by the way.
Ola Aina played the full 90 at right back (Ivanovic dislocated his shoulder and might miss the start of the season).
We beat Liverpool 1 - 0 (Cahill scored, Fabregas got sent off) by the way.
Already covered in the match thread BTW
Crap match with crap stats (8 shots between them), Liverpool 65% possession and zero goal threat. Chelsea not much better in front of goal.
Nobody was fantastic. It was, as the Echo described it, a 'tumescent' match. Fabregas best for Chelsea and Ejaria for Liverpool (this 18 yr old is having a fantastic pre-season, played in every game and been good to excellent in every game).
Watched the game, was quite dire to be fair. Liverpool did their best but couldn't break down Chelsea. Think Chelsea are going to be a real unit this season, they already look hard to break down, going to be an even harder task with Kante etc. They were playing with like 6+ players in the defensive line for most of the game, provided no space at all.
Chelsea seem to have such an overtly, large squad. Quite frankly I was expecting maybe one of two noticeable, marquee departures in the way of perhaps Costa and Courtois or two player of that ilk, but they're squad looks like its remaining very much in tact.
Course, Chelsea are a big club so even without European football like United under LVG in his first season, they simply aren't gonna be pillaged. Still very surprising that no one seems to be leaving. I expect Chelsea to be a formidable side next year.
Course, Chelsea are a big club so even without European football like United under LVG in his first season, they simply aren't gonna be pillaged. Still very surprising that no one seems to be leaving. I expect Chelsea to be a formidable side next year.
Chelsea will be exactly like Conte's Italy. I don't think he knows how to manage any other way. I reckon Chelsea will win one or two cups. But struggle in the league when they see West Brom, et al, also lining up with 6 men at the back. The Gerrard Houllier phenomena.
I actually have pretty high expectations of Conte and Chelsea, if I had to guess I'd say they'll finish 2nd.
The same tactics at Juve worked out quite well for him so I doubt what you say is going to matter.
That said, I agree he will not win the PL during his stint at Chelsea. Only because Jose and Pep wouldnt let it happen for anyone else.
Watched a bit of the game this morning and have to say there were a number of big names missing from the team. Hazard, Costa, Cante (big maybe?) Courtois. Conte was looking at the youngsters and had the team playing defensively. If he is building from the back I don't mind. They didn't concede so this is a positive. The team seemed to be playing to a new plan and while the play wasn't engaging we did seem to be listening to the new plan. If the team are listening to the plans and the plans are working that'll do for now. Now he needs to get a few more big names on the pitch and start including them in the new shape. Real Madrid next.
Yes, Conte.
You mean like the season before last when we had Jose yet played some of the most exciting attacking football the country has ever seen?
Isn't Conte the manager? Are you refering to Cante? Its all a bit confusing.Yes, Conte.
Easy fella. You were good, but a fair bit off that.
I think the country has seen a fair bit more than you think mate.
Ola Aina was solid at right back. Loftus-Cheek had some good touches.
More like negative football
So Conte wants to turn them into a "little war machine". Never thought I'd see the day when Roman Abramovich's Chelsea have a hint of underdog to them.
Problem with a 3-5-2 at chelsea is that Hazard doesn't fit in at all. He's neither a striker, second striker or a player you can play in a midfield 3. On the other hand he's their best player by some distance and one of the best players in the league, leaving him out would be suicidal. This is a pretty tough decision for Conte, wonder how he's going to handle it. Honestly, having watched Juve through Conte's time, he's almost always used a 3-5-2. Does he even know how to make a team based on a back 4 function well?
He's not used a 3-5-2 till now.It's always been a 4-4-2/ 4-2-4-/ 4-3-3. He knows he doesn't have the players here to play 3 at the back. We need to sign atleast a CB to even think of playing 3-5-2. Knowing Conte though, he will mix up a lot. And he said he wants to make Hazard like Messi. That means he can easily play him Supporting Striker behind Costa/ Batshuayi.
Saw a score, 40 mins in, 0-3 down vs Real Madrid. Anyone watching?
Marcelo scored first two goals.