Strikes me that our biggest problem at the minute is finding the right balance within the side.
Defensively we havent really stuck with a settled back four particularly with the full back positions. Lately I think dave moving to left back had brought a little more balance to the side and is probably the way to go until we can get a top quality left back to the club. Centrally I think it's hard to decide as none of the pairings have really clicked from what I've seen. Although rudiger and tomori haven't had that much of a run together to be judged properly.
In midfield again it hasn't been particularly settled, to begin with it was kova and jorginho which I think gives us the most control over a game. Then kante came back and as brilliant as a player he is I think it unsettled the dynamic we had going on but it seems mad to not play your best player. The biggest question with the current team for me is what you do with Mount. I feel like he has to play because his work rate and intensity rubs off on those around him and him and Tammy are key to the pressing game lampard wants to play. But does he bring enough to a team who is struggling for goals on terms of assists or goals and if not is he capable of playing in a two centrally?
Attacking wise is again i don't think we've got it right just yet, in recent weeks Mount and Willian have played behind Tammy because they're dynamic and work hard off the ball but in a team who aren't taking their chances do these two cut it? I think pulisic and CHO if we can get him fit and firing will bring much more attacking threat, but what you gain in that respect do you lose in terms of work rate and then cause further problems for the midfield/defence?
Very difficult juggling act for lampard at the minute and I must admit the players we've been linked with don't from the outside look like they would solve our problems to me, koulibaly being the exception but I think the chances of us getting him are pretty slim. Probably sounds like I'm complaining about half a season I've actually been really impressed with, it's actually more just that I think a few tweeks could really make us into a top team. At the half season stage what does everybody else think?
Balance
posted on 4/1/20
Chelsea score enough goals and play some good football. Its the defence that concedes too many IMO. Koulibaly or whoever, I think a CB is needed.
I would also add a defensive midfielder to the squad. Jorg and Kova are loved but they don't really protect your back four well enough IMO. If Kante can't play DM then you need to sign one, perhaps in the mould of a Fabinho or Fernandinho, or promote one if you have youth.
posted on 4/1/20
I think the team is about where they should be in the league, if not above. I think for our dropped points this season, a few games have been tactics but most games is just inexperience and lack of cohesion both in defending and attacking. If true i’d hope as season goes on and players improve/get more top level experience we will see better and more consistent performances from the team, especially in games where we’re seen as the stronger side
posted on 4/1/20
A good article jp, exactly as I'm thinking at this time,although we could still do with an infusion in defense and up front.
Otherwise, very happy with the way Frank and the team are progressing.
posted on 4/1/20
Agree with both JP and Naby. We look decent, and have played some good attacking football this season - but lack any kind of consistency. Like Naby I think it could be solved with a proper defensive midfield player. I love Jorginho, but his strength is dictating play - not breaking up play when the opposition has the ball. And Kovacic has been a revelation this season, but Lampard is developing him into a box to box player - not a defensive midfield player.
In the old days we had a player like Makelele designated to protecting the defence - alongside a box to box player like Essien. That’s what we’re missing imo. We’re too fragile in the middle when we don’t have the ball - and the defence has been receiving the flack for that. But I don’t think it’s all their fault - they could do with a helping hand.
posted on 4/1/20
We have taken just 10 points from our last 9 games and especially at home we have looked devoid of ideas in how to break teams down and both chance creation and goals scored have dropped signifcantly. The home defeats to Southampton and Bournmouth were partculalry worrisome.
There is a lot of wrok and improving to do, but i think we need full backs on both flanks that offer an attacking threat.
posted on 4/1/20
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