As happy as i am that chelsea are finally buying some young, exciting attackers for me we've so far overlooked one of our biggest problems and that's centre midfield, without the engine room were still going to struggle over the course of the season. Our first choice of Mikel and Lampard are slow, hold up play and make the simple things look incredibly difficult. Now dont get me wrong lampard has been an incredible servant for us but he's 34 and has been playing every game week in week out for years and it's just caught up with him, mikel has the potential to be a very solid player but his great performances are very few and far between. Now i think there are a couple of players who would be perfect for us and any of them would do a great job, these are
Fellaini- The guy is a beast, only 24, and at 6 foot 5 and has been bullying midfielders and defenders for the last 4 years. He's a big lad but glides around the pitch, he's got great strength and very good skills plus he pop's up with the odd goal. His size would help us impose ourself more and also wouldnt hurt at corners, both defending and attacking them.
Dembele- Another belgian, the right sort of age and has prem experience. A ball carrier, great skill and the ability to beat a man or 2 if needed. He also brings a composure and ball retention which i think would be perfect in our midfield and would release that killer pass nice and early.
Modric- I know he's basically nailed on for madrid but theres still a chance we could make a dramatic late bid. Dont really need to say much about him he's a class act and would keep us ticking over perfectly.
Tiote- Admittedly not the best player in the world but a real grafter and a player who would add some real steal to our midfield in comparison to some of the flair players were going to be fielding.
Midfield duo?
posted on 21/8/12
So can Oscar.
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Oscar just looks a bit small to be playing in a midfield 2 in a PL team.
I see him playing a more attacking role.
posted on 21/8/12
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posted on 21/8/12
Get Sahin on a 1 year loan deal and sort out that position properly next summer,win win
posted on 21/8/12
I really like Dembele, reckon he'd be good for us. Even if not as a starter, he'd be a very good squad player, can cover every position other than defence and 'keeper in a 4231.
posted on 21/8/12
JP - I couldn't agree with you more. That's exactly what I've been saying recently. Our defense is very strong, and we have lots of exciting young attacking midfield players - but we are sorely lacking in the central midfield area. When we go forward with the ball, we have Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Marin, Sturridge, etc - all fast young exciting players. But they are not famous for their defending, their strength, or for winning the ball. To balance all this we need two strong ball winners in the middle behind them.
I have been a fan of Mikel's for some time, but I worry that in spite of his physical strength, he has a lack of speed and mobility in the middle. Combine that with the same lack of speed and mobility from a 34 year old Lampard and this is clearly a problem for us. Against Wigan on Sunday, we lacked the ability to win the ball back quickly after losing possession. Ramires has the speed perhaps to play in one of the central midfield positions, but I still doubt him when up against really physical players like Fellaini or Yaya Toure.
Our game plan with Mikel and Lampard nowadays seems to be to withdraw to a deep position just in front of the defense, and sit there and hit the opposition on the break. Essien used to be able to dominate midfields in a way that he no longer can. Meireles gives the ball away too much. Mikel and Lampard are both solid - but are both too slow.
Fellaini, Dembele and Modric are all excellent players - and could all fill the position that Lampard currently plays (in spite of what Super Dan Sturridge suggests above). Tiote could fill the Mikel position - the defensive position, with the same strength but with some added speed. I like all of those options.
We are not going to get Modric - let's face it. Fellaini was playing in a very advanced midfield position yesterday - just off the striker, so I'm not sure if he would want to play in such a withdrawn role. Plus he just added about 10 million to his price after last night. Dembele might be our best option - he is very strong, and would be a great replacement for Lampard. Plus he is already in London.
Frustratingly, it doesn't seem like the club sees these central midfield positions as our greatest concerns. I hope I am wrong - as this could be a tough year for us otherwise.
posted on 21/8/12
BlueJ2 your spot on, i just dont think RDM see's the problem's we have in the centre and all this talk of a new deal for lampard is worrying me. But im not going to complain too much i think chelsea becoming the team we all want will take at least 2 seasons. In time i could definitely see one of mceachran or oscar in the lampard role, but they need to get used to the premier league and beef up.
posted on 21/8/12
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posted on 21/8/12
What am I freaking invisible or something
Nobody has an opinion on banega?
posted on 21/8/12
Dont know that much about him really, if he works out like mata did i say sign him tonight
posted on 21/8/12
Banega is crazy