That central defence is a glaring weakness for me.
2019/20 Rivals - Chelsea
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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.
I would love to take Zouma back at Everton. Once he got a run of games in the second half of his loan spell he was formidable at the back for us, he even made Keane look competent.
Before the season ended didn't he take Christensens spot in the team ?
Before the season ended didn't he take Christensens spot in the team ?
Yes he did play more regularly and i like Zouma, i just think he is more likely to be sold which is why i put Christensen in.
To answer the previous post i'd agree that central defence is the weak spot, not terrible, but certainly not title challenging material. We either need to strengthen that or go with the 'we can score one more than you' mentality
A decent left back coupled with a left footed/sided centre back and we would be a lot closer to Liverpool. Title challenging maybe though we would probably need a couple of seasons to gel.Yes he did play more regularly and i like Zouma, i just think he is more likely to be sold which is why i put Christensen in.
To answer the previous post i'd agree that central defence is the weak spot, not terrible, but certainly not title challenging material. We either need to strengthen that or go with the 'we can score one more than you' mentality
There is a lot of chatter re Zouma leaving.
As things stand Chelsea have 4 CD in the 2019/20 squad . For me just one is good enough to be considered as a regular starter and that’s Rudiger.
Returning from loan is Ampadu who I think offers more than Christensen, Tomori or Zouma that said I don’t see Ampadu at this time as first choice.I readily acknowledge that some see him more as a midfielder than a CD but for me he has the potential to be a topCD.
I can’t believe that Chelsea aren’t looking to bring in a CD and if that’s correct then if, and a big if, they decide to keep Ampadu I can see then selling both Christensen and Zouma to fund a top CD.
Ampadu can flourish in a middle of a back 3. Not quite sure in a back 4. And we are forgetting Tomori as well. These are still relatively young centres backs whi are constantly chopping and changing. Pick two and leave them in there for a while and I believe you'll see improvement.
Agree re Tomiri hence why I suggest that Zouma and or Christensen be allowed to go.
Far from sure what’s going on re Jake Clarke Salter some thing he is more accomplished than Tomori. I know he was on loan but not heard a lot as to how it’s going for him.
Fecking hell you seen this @noodlehairYes he did play more regularly and i like Zouma, i just think he is more likely to be sold which is why i put Christensen in.
To answer the previous post i'd agree that central defence is the weak spot, not terrible, but certainly not title challenging material. We either need to strengthen that or go with the 'we can score one more than you' mentality
I thought that was some old post of mine you'd dug up and was trying to figure out why I don't remember saying that
I think if they can sign Havertz and Chilwell they will be really really good. However I don’t think they will challenge unless they get a top class cb in and a gk.
They may as well just go full Football Manager and sign Havertz, Chilwell and a Kouilibaly. They'll be set for years and surely theres plenty of uneeded players they can sell to fund it (Emerson, Drinkwater, Moses, Zappacosta, Bakayoka, Rahman, Piazon, Miazga, Kenedy).
You missed one! We've just sold Palasic to Atalanta for 15 mil Euros.
I really don’t think Chilwell is a massive upgrade, and he doesn’t worry me too much.
Havertz is another story though. He is top class. Even at that, I still feel they are missing a top drawer CB and they have a lot of good wide attacking options, no one truly great though. I don’t think Ziyech will be that player, although I could be wrong.
I think what Chelsea really need is a clearout. They have far too many good players. They could do with getting rid of 4-5 good ones to bring in a few great ones.
Maybe that’s where this is headed. United need to be on the ball.
Havertz is another story though. He is top class. Even at that, I still feel they are missing a top drawer CB and they have a lot of good wide attacking options, no one truly great though. I don’t think Ziyech will be that player, although I could be wrong.
I think what Chelsea really need is a clearout. They have far too many good players. They could do with getting rid of 4-5 good ones to bring in a few great ones.
Maybe that’s where this is headed. United need to be on the ball.
Honestly Chelsea need two centre-backs and a keeper. Christensen, Zouma and Kepa are all average at best.
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Sometimes we think managers are mad as we don't get to see the going ons at training. I remember my brother (a Chelsea fan) being angry that Conte played a false 9 instead of starting Batshuayi.
I never got the fandom with Michy whatsoever, it was clear he lacked the quality of mentality to be a Chelsea player from day dot.
He might not be top quality but when the team is short on strikers he is not the worst player to call on for help. It was just surprising to see you guys play a false 9 with a decent striker on the bench.
As the article says, when the striker cannot follow instructions, what do you do?
Obviously you bench him. But without knowledge of what happened behind the scenes it is surprising
Thank feck for that re CHO.
He missed the game against Reading a couple of days ago with an injury so won't be in the squad at the weekend.
He missed the game against Reading a couple of days ago with an injury so won't be in the squad at the weekend.
hope he kicks on now
Good for him
Beat QPR 7-1 today.
2 goals from RLC, 2 from Gilmour and 1 each from Willian, Giroud and Mount.
Kante also played, been back in full training for about a week or so.
2 goals from RLC, 2 from Gilmour and 1 each from Willian, Giroud and Mount.
Kante also played, been back in full training for about a week or so.
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Poor dude has been ravaged by injuries.
He should probably sign an extension and go on loan to put himself in the shop window for the following year.
Can't imagine he's got many clubs after him after two seasons out with multiple knee surgeries.
He should probably sign an extension and go on loan to put himself in the shop window for the following year.
Can't imagine he's got many clubs after him after two seasons out with multiple knee surgeries.
Can't believe he's still there, he was bought for £7m then played against us in an FA Youth Cup match
The goalkeeping situation: Will Chelsea put faith on Kepa for the long term or are they looking for a better option in the market ?
Also, if there are any Chelsea fans in here, what do you want Lampard to do in regards to that ?
Also, if there are any Chelsea fans in here, what do you want Lampard to do in regards to that ?
Sign a keeper that's good enough to push him and take his place in the side if he doesn't buck his ideas up (if you promote Henderson next year i wouldn't mind bringing in Romero if you would sell to us) and if that hasn't worked then look for a proper replacement.
I think you would have a better chance of signing Henderson or De Gea than Romero. I'm almost sure Romero received plenty of offers since he's been here and never wanted to go...
Wouldn't that change if he was relegated to 3rd choice though?
Would anyone take Kepa for a decent fee though? I'd have thought Roman would be v. pissed if you didn't recoup much after spending 70-80m on him.
Maybe not. Lee Grant is happy being third keeper. Not sure if there's much difference to being the 2nd keeper.
Not in this market affected by what's going on in the world. If Roman would want to get back that money, probably needs to sell another player alongside him.
Personally I'd be keen on buying Onana for ~£25-30m as I think there are fundamental issues with Kepa that will prevent him from ever being world class - chiefly, he has an instinct to swing his arms behind his torso prior to shots coming in in order to give himself enough momentum to dive and cover the goal, making him especially vulnerable to shots close to his body.
This is a very good analysis of why Kepa's technique has led to major issues:
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2020/5/14/21257561/solving-chelseas-kepa-conundrum-part-1
Sure! I'll read it. Don't think Roman would want to spend big on goalkeepers though
Only possibility would be Kepa to Atletico and Oblak to Chelsea. But I thought Kepa looked ok on his return to the starting XI.
I'm pretty sure Kepa is still highly regarded in Spain, he's the national team number 1 I think.
Yeah he still has some value to his name in Spain I think. Depends on Oblaks contract situation.