Still holding out hope we at some point employ a 3-5-2. At least in some matches.
Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps
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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.
Wasn't it basically two up front last season with Hazard allowed more freedom than Pedro or Willian, I think he'll link up even better with Morata.
Sky saying we're in for Oxlade-Chamberlain. Would be an interesting option in midfield and on the right.
Not sure if Arse would sell to us although there might be some Cech goodwill there.
Not sure if Arse would sell to us although there might be some Cech goodwill there.
I would keep him. He did well as wingback when we switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation last season.
It's not shocking. Equally its not better than any other PL club can have in reserve though either.
Would give Matic more of a chance to leave. Not that they're anything alike, but Oxlade is another number that can play in central midfield if needs be.
I think he'd be a great option. Really like him and would have him at United.
I can understand that Matic may have gone down in Chelseas estimation in the last year or so since he's been linked with us but he would be starting in any Chelsea midfield. Matic-Kante would be the best midfield combination too as a Kante-Bakayoko midfield would be far too defensive without offerring much going forward. I can see Chelsea playing Fabregas alongside Kante as a first choice partnership.
The guy (along with Hazard) is the common denominator of Chelseas title winners and a really top player. Massively underrated by United fans too.
I should add that I really rate those four midfield options of Kante, Bakayoko, Matic and Fabregas. It's just everything around them in the B-team that makes me feel uncertain that Chelsea can manage a league title defence and a run in Europe next season.
Caballero's a good back-up and I'm sad we let go of him. Christensen by all accounts has been solid for Monchengladbach; Kalas was in the Championship last year and the year before so he was something of a blindspot for me; Cahill has been going slightly backwards for quite a while and I imagine that trend will continue into next season. You have no back-up RWB, unless Willian decides to drop deeper; Rahman I know little about but if it didn't work out for him under Mourinho then what's changed under Conte to make that happen? Willian's reliable, no real qualms there; Batshuayi was valuable in the sense that he got you the title vs. West Brom, but are there any indicators that he could step into the role of someone who could get 15-20 goals next season? Kenedy/Musonda are kids, so there's no telling how consistent they'll be either.
Caballero's a good back-up and I'm sad we let go of him. Christensen by all accounts has been solid for Monchengladbach; Kalas was in the Championship last year and the year before so he was something of a blindspot for me; Cahill has been going slightly backwards for quite a while and I imagine that trend will continue into next season. You have no back-up RWB, unless Willian decides to drop deeper; Rahman I know little about but if it didn't work out for him under Mourinho then what's changed under Conte to make that happen? Willian's reliable, no real qualms there; Batshuayi was valuable in the sense that he got you the title vs. West Brom, but are there any indicators that he could step into the role of someone who could get 15-20 goals next season? Kenedy/Musonda are kids, so there's no telling how consistent they'll be either.
Kalas is not going to stay for sure. His time has past I suppose. Most likely the same for Rahman. If we do not secure a LWB then Kenedy will stay on as the likely backup. That said it is quite obvious that Rahman would be a much better player for Conte than was for Mourinho. Conte is far better than Jose when it comes to using players properly.
We will probably end up buying a wing back, a striker and a CM still.
At the moment we look slightly thin but when you add in the 2-4 more signings we will make and given the youth thats kept within that squad is extremely talented i think that if we get those next few signings correct this is the strongest our squad has looked in years imo.
As for matic he looks set to go, hopefully to juve as part of an alex sandro deal but who knows. I would love to keep him as a rotating option but as for him being a certain starter its clearly not or he wouldnt be training by himself. He has been seriously declining since pretty much the first 6 months at the club and every time weve won the title his partner (e.g kante, fabregas) has been the much more influential player.
Not too hate on matic hes done a lot for the club but he is not good enough anymore to be starting for us and if baka continues his development as he was at monaco hes easily miles better.
Lukaku isn't as big a risk. He'll have to adjust to a different system and get his incredibly lazy arse into gear but he's far more than just potential. Morata on the other hand is a huge gamble, the first question to be asked is why did RM let him go, a young player with such potential ? Second is is his goalscoring record as good as it seems ? Well of his 15 La Liga goals (playing for a team that dominated possession and the league) 9 (NINE) of his goals came against the bottom three sides and his only goal against a top side was against Villarreal. In Europe his only goal against a top side was against Napoli. In the 4 internationals he played his only goals were against Liechtenstein. So at the moment he is all potential and his goal scoring is really unproven. Personally I'd have stuck with Costa until a better (proven) player was available. United it seems got by far the better deal though it's yet to be proven.
Both players are largely unproven at the level they are now playing. Lukaku has to change his style to a degree (as you noted yourself), which is a big challenge for every player. There's no guarantee it will all work out, or how soon it will. He seems to be doing good in pre-season so far, but it's way too early to say who got the better deal.
Sure, Morata is a gamble too - but if you want to look at his European record and goals against top teams, you should look at the last few seasons, not just the last. He has played and scored at the highest possible level, a level Lukaku hasn't even featured at yet. But it's still true that he has never led the line for a whole season, so it remains to be seen how that works.
I agree that Lukaku's development seems to be a bit more predictable at this point, but you are overdoing it imo.
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The other thing to take into account is the Conte factor, how will his coaching improve the player think of Moses and Alonso last season.
Well that was fun to watch. Fabregas, Batshuayi, Kante, Tomori and Boga were the ones to really stand out for me, looked in mid season form.
Batshuayi with good goals...
No such problem for Arsenal. Your first and second strings both seem equaly shit.
Ahah! Ok, you just won the Champions League mate
Michy wants a FIFA rating upgrade it seems...
I'm still surprised by how good their kit looks. It's simplistic yet it's not ugly-simplistic. It's good-looking-simplistic. No unnecessary stripes or whatever.
Best kit we've had in years. Beauty.
I think we're still 3-4 signings away from me being totally confident that we'll push all the way for the title again. LWB, RWB, another CM, and a 3rd striker. We have a couple of players who could fill in adequately if Moses went down but they won't be as comfortable there as I'd like. If Alonso goes down we have no one, really. Kenedy isn't nearly good enough and I doubt he'll still be here to start the season.
Why did you guys sell Chalobah? Did he want to leave himself?
Only a year left on his contract and he wanted to play first team football. Sold on the cheap with a buyback.
Anyway, I'm not sure what was better here, the pass or the first touch. Deserved a goal...
2015-16 away kit is a work of art. Also, 2014-15 Home kit is better than this one.
He has his eyes on a spot in the 2018 world cup squad. Its rather ambitious but cant fault him for aspiration. He has an outside chance to still make it.
A question for Chelsea fans, but why doesn't Batshuayi play more frequently? He appears to be a great finisher up top and a goal machine.
Conte is probably racist
And Mourinho, reverse racist. Coat gotten.
Watched the match yesterday and Boga looked like a very good player, obviously he'll probably be sold/loaned but whoever gets him will be getting a very talented player.
Pedro is being sent home from our tour after a bad concussion in the game against Arsenal.
Because costa was our focal point last year and i think bat was lacking tactically. Conte spoke of him making massive improvements so expect him to compete with morata this year.
Great news this morning though chelsea fans conte speaking about wanting reasurrances on transfers before he signed that contract and how he expects a lot of new signings still to come in.
Looks like richarlison will be joining us in singapore a 20 year old brazilian attacker from fluminese.
Looks like richarlison will be joining us in singapore a 20 year old brazilian attacker from fluminese.
Kenedy might be in a bit of trouble, made a couple of comments about China via social media (Snapchat I think) which the club has felt the need to apologise for.
Anyone speak Portuguese? These are the offending posts...
I shall now always call him Father Ted.
Anyone speak Portuguese? These are the offending posts...
I shall now always call him Father Ted.
I don't think he's calling them a great bunch of lads.
Kenedy might be in a bit of trouble, made a couple of comments about China via social media (Snapchat I think) which the club has felt the need to apologise for.
Anyone speak Portuguese? These are the offending posts...
I shall now always call him Father Ted.
feck china
And wake up china you idiot.
Childish. Need a good slap in the face.Kenedy might be in a bit of trouble, made a couple of comments about China via social media (Snapchat I think) which the club has felt the need to apologise for.
Anyone speak Portuguese? These are the offending posts...
I shall now always call him Father Ted.
Whatsup with Chelsea and racism?
Terry, Lampard in USA, Mikel & Clattenburg and now Kenedy. I feel like im missing a few more?
Terry, Lampard in USA, Mikel & Clattenburg and now Kenedy. I feel like im missing a few more?
Typical Chelsea.
I've no idea what Michy and Kante are up to here on social media but I demand an apology...
Terry, Lampard in USA? Mikel & Clattenberg?
Stop making stuff up/misrepresenting things.
Terry, perhaps - haven't read about Kennedy yet.
These are what I was talking about.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ccer-star-Lampard-prepares-sign-NYC-team.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Chelseas-John-Obi-Mikel-with-misconduct.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ll-fans-convicted-of-racist-violence-in-paris
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Headhunters
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40698900
I'm not going to touch Terry subject. The world knows it.