Good morning Blues,
Buzzing at our position, a few tweaks and upping of tempo needed but actually quite glad we are still not out of 2nd gear yet.
One issue I would like to get thoughts on though is Cesc Fabregas in big games, I have also added Arsenal fans into the debate to get their grasp on him when he was with them too(any childish responses will be deleted, I know what your boards like Gooners )
3 big games so far for chelsea, 3 quite frankly, miserable performances.
I do not normally agree with the rubbish on MOTD but Phil Neville(I know) was spot on about Fab being our weakness defensively in big games.This is Ok at times against weaker teams but what I also have noticed is his ball retention and passing also goes out the window in big games.
What do we think it is?Is he not suited in the DM role? is it a fitness issue in high tempo games on big pitches? and lastly, should he be dropped?
I love what he adds to our team, and our problem last year was breaking down the so called lesser teams, which he has helped with already, but should we drop him or push him up feidl in the next "big" game?
Dropping Fabregas
posted on 10/11/14
Hi Nick,
Haven't really been watching Chelsea, so I don't really know what your standard starting XI might be.
Bearing that in mind, as an alternative to dropping cesc altoghether, have you contemplated the possibility of moving him higher up the pitch in the type of games you mentioned and adding another strong midfielder alongside Matic? Who would you have to take out of the side to make space for a more advanced role for Cesc?
posted on 10/11/14
comment by Nickalopodis-BoomsObsession (U9257)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Whenever Luiz was called upon to partner Matic(short term fix) in the big matches, was excellent.
City, Liverpool, Arsenal and PSG displays immediately spring to mind.
Sure there are some other notably ones that I missed out...
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that liverpool perfomance stands out as the biggest myth I can remember. He was woeful, positionally out of position then just started hoofin it into the crowd. PSG he didnt play with matic, and fair play the city game he was very good. Arsenal is a non contest either way.
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Not sure how you can disregard his rigorous performances against Liverpool and Arsenal(most assured I've seen us play pressing from the front) but then again you do have an agenda against him.
In general his midfield contribution was crucial in gaining the upper hand in those matches.
posted on 10/11/14
Cant drop Cesc.
Ive been whinging for soooo many years about the way we play football. Honestly, im like a broken record when it comes to how we retain posession and what we do with the ball in the final third. Finally we get someone who has a football brain and knows how to pass, when to pass, what type of pass to deliver, what weight to put on the pass, Finally! So we cant drop him.
posted on 10/11/14
In the event that we happen to reach the latter stages of the CL, three man midfield likely(Ramires, Matic and Fabregas).
posted on 10/11/14
For now, no problem with Fabregas starting in a two.
Needs to play in these matches to test his resolve and deal with the rigours, only way he will improve further.
posted on 10/11/14
comment by itsonlyagame (U6426)
posted 54 minutes ago
Hi Nick,
Haven't really been watching Chelsea, so I don't really know what your standard starting XI might be.
Bearing that in mind, as an alternative to dropping cesc altoghether, have you contemplated the possibility of moving him higher up the pitch in the type of games you mentioned and adding another strong midfielder alongside Matic? Who would you have to take out of the side to make space for a more advanced role for Cesc?
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Hello itsonly,
TBH i'm happy with fabregas there 90 percent of the time but like I alluded too maybe in high tempo or crunch matches he doesnt play to his best. people have mentioned pushing him forward but Oscar has been good recently but at a push we could have oscar on the wing but he's not nearly as effective imo.
And with a lack of good DM's around it's tough, in the long run people have mentioned pogba alongside matic, not that I have watched a lot of italian football since it was taken off channel 4
posted on 10/11/14
Gotcha, thanks Nick. Hard to see JM dropping Oscar for Cesc considering the reasons he didn't like Mata in that role.
posted on 10/11/14
comment by Sideshow (U11809)
posted 4 hours, 54 minutes ago
To be fair he has been marked in most of our big games this season
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<appaluse>
posted on 10/11/14
people acting asif pros are not supposed to be marked god knows how ronaldo scores every game with being marked n all that.
posted on 10/11/14
Well Ronaldo can run