James has been one of the player constantly what you relied on, but if you can’t score relying on your right back since he only produced 2 assists then you need another way which what my point is. You don’t keep doing the same thing but doesn’t produce the goal, not rocket science. He’s not a big loss at all.
Chelsea 2020/21 - General discussion
- Thread starter duffer
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
We have other ways, as pointed out by your helpful citing of xGA stats.
I don't understand why you're trying to WUM here? James isn't our primary creative outlet but it's undeniable that he's been one of our best players this season and would be a huge loss if he's out for an extended period. I could give a feck how many assists he has - that's a terrible way to gauge attacking output anyhow.
Are you unfamiliar with the phrase "one of"?
So? That means he’s one of the player of your primary outlet according to you. There are others you can rely on, not big deal.
It was annoying, then it started getting funny and now it's actually kinda embarrassing.
I am constantly monitoring press coverage and it is not even a debate at this stage that the reporting United receive is not even-handed.
How can you say Chelsea are in the title race but we aren’t when we a) are above Chelsea and b) finished above then last season?
Reality is, neither of us are, Liverpool will most likely run away with it.
The coverage you lot get has not been even handed for decades.
Football365 is dreadful, you're better off not wasting your time there.
It's two different bloggers who wrote those. It's like posting one of my posts and then one of yours and calling Redcafe inconsistent.
Aaah I see.
Chelsea miss Ziyech?
...they aren't fit. This isn't rocket science.
Mount & Pulisic played yesterday mate. Werner even had higher xA also played.
It's a bad example - there is no editorial expectation from a forum which is by essence a collection of people's opinions. Unless that website is a forum?
A forum is not the only thing which is "a collection of people's opinions". Football365 is a Sky owned, garbage clickbaity mess made up of whatever shit random bloggers think of.
And there's plenty of editorial expectation on here. People get banned, posts get deleted and you need to be promoted to start threads.
Terrible example duffer and you know it
I'm not sure what you mean.
Do you actually think Football365 is not a collection of various people's opinions or that Redcafe has "no editorial expectation?"
Yes
OK.
Football365 is the work of one mind and anyone can post whatever they want on Redcafe.
Very selective searching given with a quick google search i found a card carrying City fan declare you lot title challengers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55388045
Reality is, neither of us are.
Again, Mount takes all the set pieces. James contributes more from open play - this season James has averaged more crosses per game than Azpilicueta and Emerson managed together yesterday. Without him on the overlap, opposition left backs are far more comfortable and whoever is at RW for us can be doubled up consistently.
I love expected goals as much as anyone on here but you can't just look at xA and say that that is a direct 1 to 1 translation of who is the most important for an attack, especially after only ~1/3 of the season.
Really hard to gauge Lampard as a manager. Clearly there is a good thinking football brain there but I’m not sure if he will ever be able to overcome that lack of systematic and efficient managerial approach that is needed to become elite.
The squad is clearly among the best in Europe IMO. The recruiting at Cobham has been world class.
The squad is clearly among the best in Europe IMO. The recruiting at Cobham has been world class.
Surely questions about Lampard have to be asked. He's spent a phenomenal amount and is underachieving with this squad without a doubt.
They look no better than last season
For a team supposedly much improved at the back with Silva, Chilwell and Mendy, and have added players like ziyech, werner and Havertz up front they really haven't progressed much from last season.
This was meant to be a "top four at a canter" season for a maturing team readying for a title challenge next year. Have to think there are managers who could get a lot more from these.
This was meant to be a "top four at a canter" season for a maturing team readying for a title challenge next year. Have to think there are managers who could get a lot more from these.
From what I've seen Ziyech has been good, they need him fit again.
They got into a really good league position and since then have lost 3/4. Does feel a bit like OGS in manager can get a team to certain point but they haven't got enough about them to then really push on, I had them down as ones pushing Liverpool closest a few weeks back and don't see with their squad why they shouldn't be a decent 2nd.
Lampard is obviously out if they don't make top 4 but that's simply too premature given how tight the top half is.
They got into a really good league position and since then have lost 3/4. Does feel a bit like OGS in manager can get a team to certain point but they haven't got enough about them to then really push on, I had them down as ones pushing Liverpool closest a few weeks back and don't see with their squad why they shouldn't be a decent 2nd.
Lampard is obviously out if they don't make top 4 but that's simply too premature given how tight the top half is.
I agree.
Of note they've spent £75m on Kepa and £65m on Pulisic too. That's in addition to £80m Havertz, £50+m Werner, Chilwell, Ziyech...
The amount they have thrown at this squad in total is ridiculous really.
I have said this before in September. They are nothing special, people overrated their squad too much.
Ziyech was obviously going to be the best attacking signing they made out of those that came in and unfortunately for Chelsea he's been injured basically all season
Chilwell and Silva have done better than I expected them to, I'm not surprised both Havertz and Werner have flopped
I remember one Chelsea fan in here said they had a stronger squad than us before a ball was kicked, wonder if they still feel like that given we saw what 9 changes to our starting XI went and did to Everton in midweek?
Chilwell and Silva have done better than I expected them to, I'm not surprised both Havertz and Werner have flopped
I remember one Chelsea fan in here said they had a stronger squad than us before a ball was kicked, wonder if they still feel like that given we saw what 9 changes to our starting XI went and did to Everton in midweek?
If I were a Chelsea fan, I would honestly be underwhelmed.
I forgot about him.
£30+m on Drinkwater too who now plays with their development squad.
How does this vast amount of wasted money, along with wasting opportunities with De Bruyne and Salah, go unmentioned?
Lampard's job should definitely be on risk, beyond results they're not playing how they should be after that monstrous spending.
Trust me, no-one is looking at this with anything except disappointment.
I’m not convinced the squad is all that impressive, really.
Full of nice players like Pulisic, Mount, Kovacic and Havertz (there are others) but there’s a complete lack of cutting edge and star power. Battling for top four is about as good as it will get for this squad.
They need a Drogba and a Hazard to get any further.
Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba incoming
He has to play Giroud surely.
He's spent alot of money on players they didn't need. I said in the summer I didn't see the point in replacing the young players who did well with a bunch of mega money signings who played the same positions. They'd have been better using the money more wisely on what they actually needed as you say.
The money spent on Havertz was utterly stupid and unnecessary. You can argue a forward like Werner wasn't required either.
Defence is also suspect at times. Reliant on a 35 year old.
Also their "key" midfielder Kante is no spring chicken. And it s showing up in a congested schedule where he surely cannot play all the time.
Are you sure he chooses the players they sign or it s their director of football, Marina?