I like it except Barkley but who else is there? If he wants kante as the DM its Barkley or RLC and RLC is still working himself back. deserved start for giroud. Big chance for Reece. Could use some nice crosses from him today.
Kepa in goal justifies my decision to head away from the TV this afternoon. Nothing but anger to be gained from watching this game. Either we take care of business and I’m satisfied but not happy, or we drop points and I’m annoyed the rest of the day.
With no Jorginho again is he gone? If he isn’t playing him against bottom teams or top teams I’m not sure when he would play. Hopefully someone in Italy can afford to buy him.
Juventus was our best hope but with them snagging Arthur I don’t think they’ll go for him probably even if Sarri really wants him.
That’s been my thought and I thought that we would keep him after that transfer but it sure seems like he’s signaling to Jorginho and his agent that he won’t play here. If we want a true DM and 2 attacking central mids, I don’t see where Jorginho fits.
I just don’t think kante is your DM right now. I’d rather see him higher up the pitch winning the ball. At least until we have better attackers.
Barkley then dribbles for 5 minutes slowing down a move and loses the ball. I have an irrational dislike for him
We are playing Tuesday at 1pm. Might want to look at giving giroud and pulisic some rest now. Give Tammy and maybe CHO some time.
Great win. Have to keep that up Tuesday. Zouma looked good even though Watford never really threatened. Zouma just wins those aerial duels more than Christensen or rudiger. if kante isn’t fit I have no idea what he’s going to do. Gilmour did not give me confidence with his cameo.
I feel like Gilmore, Kovacic and Barkley/RLC is an OK midfield 3 against these weaker teams but we’ll probably need Jorgi in the other matches.
that midfield 3 is scary. Kova and Barkley don’t play well together for some reason. I think it’s because neither make threatening runs. Willian doesn’t either so too much falls on the striker and pulisic. Mount will make those runs. Maybe frank goes 3 at the back? Maybe you play gilmour and Jorginho together in a pivot in a 4-2-3-1? might be our most interesting lineup yet without kante and kovacic.
Don’t disagree but I think Kovacic deeper w/o Kante fixes some of that but I guess it depends on where Gilmore and him lineup.
kova is hurt though Edit: gotcha didn’t realize what you were responding to. Kova and Barkley might be able to play together against a team who play to win but they can’t seem to play against a team sitting deep looking to hit on the counter only.
And also after rewatching the match I feel as though with the athletic body of Zouma I am ok with some of the smaller lapses in judgment as they seem to be more recoverable from than say our absolute trash presence in the box on set pieces. He’s just massive in the air. I would love to see him continue to develop. I would also love to see the set piece percentages when he’s on the pitch though limited it would be.
I don’t think we should rush him back though. Sub appearance good Sheffield or Norwich. We play man united, Liverpool, wolves and then hopefully an FA cup final to end the season. Need him for those. Have to let it heal. I don’t think you can play like we have been with gilmour or Jorginho. I still think we start Jorginho and wouldn’t be shocked if we went 3 at the back, 2 up front or some change in formation or tactics.
not sure if it was on video, podcast or an article and i can’t remember who exactly said it but someone with knowledge of the sport pointed out that Zouma is good in the air at times but that set pieces have been a struggle for him. In open play he’s good In the air. Especially If we are high up the pitch and it’s a 1v1 dual with a striker. That’s actually where I think he helped us the most on Saturday. Zouma has to start the rest of the year. Rudiger isn’t as bad as he’s played this season but he’s not good enough on current form. Maybe it’s the tactics and he doesn’t fit what we want but rudiger was much better last season.
Interesting points. Come to think of it, I may have seen that somewhere too, but can’t recall where. And yes I’m with you on Toni. He’s lost pace and hasn’t been great in the air. He’s looking for a 3 year extension but I just don’t see it as good business. Do we have any youth coming through that could help us on the back line?
I’d personally let rudiger’s contract run another year. Let’s see if he bounces back next season. Frank likes his personality and he can help Werner and maybe havertz acclimate to England. guehi made his debut last year or this year. On loan at Swansea right now. Solid premier league prospect but I’m not sure he’s chelsea quality. Certainly not anytime soon. the smoke is that frank wants Declan rice. I actually think he could be a good partner for Zouma but he’s mostly played as a DM at west ham so we can’t expect him to come in and make us better right away. We likely buys a LB and a CB in this window but I see our defensive improvement next season coming from smarter play by the midfielders, better pressing and more tactical fouling like city.
This is from an article on the athletic a few days ago. Not the first time I’ve heard someone say that we want him as a CB.