159 replies to this topic

[Barry Bridges]

I found Kakuta dissapointing, but I believe thats mainly down to expecting too much and because he is an attacking play maker......who had no one to pass to.

He made some nice passes and you can see he has an eye for splitting the defence open with his passing, but his dissapointing performance was heavily related to the fact that the whole attack was dissapointing in the first half.

As mentioned, I think when he can play with Drogba or even a perhaps Sturridge/Kalou (players who look to score directly), he will impress more. Playnig with Anelka and Malouda is like playing with no strikers as they always both drop very deep and go very wide. Works well.....when someone is driving through the middle!


Edit: I meant expect too much too soon! I think its his bad luck that Josh has been so vibrant and effective so fast, which is really really rare, in that we expect the same speed of development/impact or more from Kakuta due to the media hype built around him.

Edited by Barry Bridges, 18 October 2010 - 08:04 PM.

[Andreas]

Kakuta is my favourite between the youngsters, has so much potential and his skills and vision is just magic. I remember watching him against Apoel last season and god that was amazing, some brilliant passes to unlock the defence and he looked like a superstar.

I hope he will get a lot of playtime this season and hopefully when, as Barry said playing with Drogs/Sturridge. It's hard to believe he's the same age as me, he must be living the dream - I know I would.

Come on Gael.

[abramovich]

I'd say,of the two, McEachran looks more ready to make a step up at the moment.

Kakuta is a big talent but his decision making on the pitch reminds me of young Salomon Kalou. He also needs to bulk up, he's being muscled off the ball far too easily.

[BrewCrew]

 abramovich, on 29 October 2010 - 02:58 PM, said:

I'd say,of the two, McEachran looks more ready to make a step up at the moment.

You know, it's comments like these that make me so confused. Last year at this time, most people were saying that kakuta should be starting some games. And others said that he should get the chance to play before Kalou. There is no way Kakuta is behind Josh. I would say his performance for France is a big sign that he is ready to step up. He needs more than one half to show his skills. Everybody gets down on him because of one half against a pretty good team? Don't get me wrong, Josh is good. I am also a huge fan of him. He will be a big part of this team down the line, but he shouldnt play before, the many many midfielders that we have already. (Lamps, Essien, Yuri, Mikel, Ramires. Thats not even including Yossi and Malouda who can play in the midfield.)

[abramovich]

 BrewCrew, on 29 October 2010 - 03:43 PM, said:

You know, it's comments like these that make me so confused. Last year at this time, most people were saying that kakuta should be starting some games. And others said that he should get the chance to play before Kalou. There is no way Kakuta is behind Josh. I would say his performance for France is a big sign that he is ready to step up. He needs more than one half to show his skills. Everybody gets down on him because of one half against a pretty good team? Don't get me wrong, Josh is good. I am also a huge fan of him. He will be a big part of this team down the line, but he shouldnt play before, the many many midfielders that we have already. (Lamps, Essien, Yuri, Mikel, Ramires. Thats not even including Yossi and Malouda who can play in the midfield.)

I never said Josh should start ahead of the more experienced players you mentioned. My argument concerns the two youngsters, Kakuta and him, and based on their recent outings McEachran looks better of the two and judging by the amount of playing time both were given over the last few weeks Ancelotti feels the same way.

Kakuta's performing well for France is all well and good but PL is a totally different level of competition and he is still struggling to adapt. Hopefully, with time and practice, he'll get better. Gael is a special talent and we could certainly use that type of player in our midfield.

[ABDERRAHMANE]

is gifted player we need him for chelsea's future he also need to play for the first team for prgress his ablities and get experience . but i just want to know why he did not extend his contract with team yet ? does he use this plea for play more for the first team ?
i just want to know your opinions

[Ruh Buh Juh]

Agree with abra, he needs to bulk up A LOT. Been disappointing the last 2 or 3 appearances for me, but I'm sure with time he'll get used to the big leagues.

Regarding the McEachran comment, I don't think you can say one is ahead of the other in the pecking order. Ancelotti has made things clear where he sees McEachran thriving in the side and where he sees Kakuta thriving in the side. The former is in central midfield, box-to-box, different type of player to Lamps as I think Josh is more of a playmaker than goalscorer, whereas Frank is the opposite. Kakuta is definitely going to be used as a winger in the 4-3-3 formation, no doubt about it. They're both two totally different players with big futures at Chelsea, let's just wish they're the top of a long list of youth products like Bruma, Van Aanholt and Borini.

[Hutch]

He'll be playing for the reserves tonight, along with Bruma and Van Aanholt:

LINK

[Nibs]

 Hutch, on 01 November 2010 - 05:44 PM, said:

He'll be playing for the reserves tonight, along with Bruma and Van Aanholt:
LINK

And unfortunately thy all had shockers.

We got beat 4-0 and it could have been worse. The defence had a night they will want to forget. But Kakuta has certianly lost his way at the moment after all the hype. Looks like he really needs some guidance and to try and focus on his game. Last night he was really poor and was taken off after an hour. It's hard with young players, as they can often suffer from inconsistency, but I'm struggling to recall last time I saw Kakuta have something resembling a decent game.

[Hutch]

 Nibs, on 02 November 2010 - 08:01 AM, said:

And unfortunately thy all had shockers.

We got beat 4-0 and it could have been worse. The defence had a night they will want to forget. But Kakuta has certianly lost his way at the moment after all the hype. Looks like he really needs some guidance and to try and focus on his game. Last night he was really poor and was taken off after an hour. It's hard with young players, as they can often suffer from inconsistency, but I'm struggling to recall last time I saw Kakuta have something resembling a decent game.

I wish I could disagree. I think the plan might have been for him and Bruma to be taken off after an hour come what may, but as you say, Kakuta was dreadful, as were pretty much the entire team. Vam Aanhold had a decent game as did the keeper - as Cliver Walker stated, it says a lot when you lose 4-0 and one of your bestplayers, maybe even the best players, is the goalkeeper.

[Maverick]

 Nibs, on 02 November 2010 - 08:01 AM, said:

It's hard with young players, as they can often suffer from inconsistency, but I'm struggling to recall last time I saw Kakuta have something resembling a decent game.

I dint watch the game last night to comment on his performance but I believe he had a very decent game against Marseille where he looked lively in attack and was more than willing to do his share of defending. It could have been a great night for him had he played the entire 90 mins, too bad that he was taken off after the knock. Not all youngsters blossom at the same rate and to me Josh is exceptional in that aspect, patience is the key with someone like Kakuta to develop.

[Nibs]

 Maverick, on 02 November 2010 - 09:39 AM, said:

I dint watch the game last night to comment on his performance but I believe he had a very decent game against Marseille where he looked lively in attack and was more than willing to do his share of defending. It could have been a great night for him had he played the entire 90 mins, too bad that he was taken off after the knock. Not all youngsters blossom at the same rate and to me Josh is exceptional in that aspect, patience is the key with someone like Kakuta to develop.

I was at The Bridge for the Marseille game and Kakuta didn't do a lot that night to be honest.

Don't want to knock the lad as I hope he will be a star for us for many seasons to come and the coaching staff have obviously seen enough for them to think that will be the case. It's just that I would expect him to be hit and miss at this stage, but unfortunately I haven't seen him have what you could even call a half decent game. It's early days for Kakuta still but at some stage he needs to start performing, whether that's for the first team or the reserves.

[ws6blue]

forget all the hype...............and ask yourself what his game is? -

if he is gonna play in the hole behind the strikers then he needs more variety in his game, as yes he has a few tricks but PL players will soon suss that - he isnt strong enough or quick enough

if he is wide in a 433 then same problem - not quick enough to take on fullback, nor clever enough to run the channel or shoulder of the last defender

he reminds me of SWP.............he can do some delightful things but only in the middle third and does not influence the game

hope he proves me wrong - but last night in telford he was invisible and lacked commitment or influence

[Hutch]

Never mind the over-analysis. How about:

He's 19 years old. He's trying too hard. He's going through a bad patch.

These factors (trying too hard/bad patch) are not unconnected.

[dkw]

 ws6blue, on 02 November 2010 - 10:35 PM, said:

forget all the hype...............and ask yourself what his game is? -

if he is gonna play in the hole behind the strikers then he needs more variety in his game, as yes he has a few tricks but PL players will soon suss that - he isnt strong enough or quick enough

if he is wide in a 433 then same problem - not quick enough to take on fullback, nor clever enough to run the channel or shoulder of the last defender

he reminds me of SWP.............he can do some delightful things but only in the middle third and does not influence the game

hope he proves me wrong - but last night in telford he was invisible and lacked commitment or influence

Thats just ridiculous, he`s just turned 19, just broke into the side after a terrible couple of years for him, both injury wise and mentally. Maybe we should now just bin any player that doesnt score a minimum of 15 goals in his first 5 games.

[Nibs]

It's way too early yet and Kakuta obviously needs time, but his problem, being at a big and successful club like Chelsea, is that time is not something you get too much of. You're given a chance to shine, you fail - you end up in the wilderness.
It's all very well saying he's only 19, but even at that young age, at some point he has to show that he can perform and so far, I'm yet to see it.

But look at Bale at Spurs, he's 21 now and suddenly been catipulted into the spotlight. A couple of seasons ago, when he would have been the age Kakuta is now, I think he too was struggling to make an impression. All players are different and all will develop at different rates but Kakuta does need to start showing something when he gets a chance.

[dkw]

 Nibs, on 03 November 2010 - 12:26 PM, said:

It's way too early yet and Kakuta obviously needs time, but his problem, being at a big and successful club like Chelsea, is that time is not something you get too much of. You're given a chance to shine, you fail - you end up in the wilderness.
It's all very well saying he's only 19, but even at that young age, at some point he has to show that he can perform and so far, I'm yet to see it.

But look at Bale at Spurs, he's 21 now and suddenly been catipulted into the spotlight. A couple of seasons ago, when he would have been the age Kakuta is now, I think he too was struggling to make an impression. All players are different and all will develop at different rates but Kakuta does need to start showing something when he gets a chance.

Bale was almost dumped by Spurs last seasons after a terrible start to the season, he couldnt even get his place on the bench. Then injuries meant he had to play and did well. Now he`s playing superbly. If anything it shows we need to have patience with young players instead of just jumping all over them after a couple of average games.

[Maverick]

 Nibs, on 03 November 2010 - 12:26 PM, said:

It's way too early yet and Kakuta obviously needs time, but his problem, being at a big and successful club like Chelsea, is that time is not something you get too much of. You're given a chance to shine, you fail - you end up in the wilderness.
It's all very well saying he's only 19, but even at that young age, at some point he has to show that he can perform and so far, I'm yet to see it.

But look at Bale at Spurs, he's 21 now and suddenly been catipulted into the spotlight. A couple of seasons ago, when he would have been the age Kakuta is now, I think he too was struggling to make an impression. All players are different and all will develop at different rates but Kakuta does need to start showing something when he gets a chance.

For once I agree with you completely and you pretty much nailed it by drawing a comparison with Bale who broke into the team due to an injury to Ekottu. Bale got the necessary game time (that you've emphasized on) and he's never looked back since and now has developed into a fine winger.

[BrewCrew]

HE NEEDS TIME!!! One start and a couple other games where he gets 10 minutes isn't enough. Like Maverick said, Bale got time and he developed into a good winger. Kakuta doesnt have the luxery at Chelsea to get that time. As far as showing "something," ya he has struggled a little bit this year, but I thought he looked very good last year. He had a couple good games last year. On his debut he made some crazy moves on some people and almost scored. Another game he fed an amazing through ball to Yuri that he crossed and somebody scored. After that game, the forum was going crazy about what a talent Kakuta is. He has showed "something." Some people on this forum are just too quick to get on people. Give it time.

[Andreas]

From the 15 mins he got yesterday he impressed me, I just wish he got more time and hopefully he will get 90 mins against zilina. He showed some dribbling skills and a beautiful cross which sturridge missed but if he just gets more play time I reckon he will become even better, he's only 19 have to remember that.