Nicholas.

Not that he's correct (see my previous post about how amazing Kante is) but, Barton being a terrible footballer doesn't make him unable to say a better player is over rated, thats ridiculous.

Agreed. Biggest liability we have and if we upgrade it will be huge.

No because thats one of few and he's the best defender in the league this season. Silly comparison.

It wasn't Azpi's man to mark, though. It was Moses's. On both goals. He also almost just cost us another because he was lazy pushing the line up and kept his man onside

No they were down to Moses. He literally left his man wide open. If he isn't our biggest liability, then who is? And if he isn't why is he the starting player dropping out of most people's dream XI's?

Yup. Both Tottenham goals, among others are a direct fault of his defensive lapses.

I don't mind Klopp tbh, but Pep is a fraud.

Not to mention, prior to the start of the season most pundits and rival fans had is fighting for 4th place and likely losing out on it to one of United, Spurs, or Arsenal.

Upgrade on Cahill whether through a new signing or bringing through a young player, the later is my preference if they can make the step up. Upgrade Matic and give Kante a midfield partner of the same caliber (looking at someone like Veratti). And upgrade on one of Moses or Alonso, preferably Moses who is our biggest liability, IMO. Then, if I'm greedy upgrade on Wilian/Pedro with an all star in Hazard's league.

I see comparisons to other players all the time, and although I'm not sure if the comparisons are trying to look more at influence or style of play, I can't help but feel that Kante is not like any player I've ever watched before. In my mind, he is undoubtedly the best central midfielder in the world and there isn't a single team that would be worse off with him in the starting 11. He could improve his on the ball ability, which he (1) is already improving upon, and (2) not even that bad at to begin with. But, if he improves, even a little bit, he would move from being the best CM in the world to one of the (maybe top 2 or 3) players in the world. He's that good. It comes down to more than just his tackling and defensive abilities as well. As Conte and others have said, his personality and demeanor helps the team and helps others. I've seen a lot of people say "he couldn't have impacted LC that much last season" which is true if you only factor in his tackles and interceptions. They're forgetting about everything else that he can offer. My favorite player and one I hope we have for a long time.

I think in part it has to do with how they criticize the officials, and the circumstances around the criticism.

Agreed. The only caveat with that is that Willian seems trrrible when he comes off the bench. I don't know if there are statistics on it, but I feel like he doesn't usually have an impact at all when he comes in. However, I think Pedro does well coming off the bench, so that's something to think about.

Think it will be easier than some are expecting. 2-0/3-0 is my guess.

Beating a team 4-0 doesn't by itself preclude a team from having a "defensive" style of play. But, beating a team 4-0, with a cheaper assembled team, should preclude the defeated team's manager from making a comment like that.

Nothing is better than seeing the Spurs lose. Bunch of try hards that need to learn how to actually play against the big boys.

Speaking of him being like Pirlo, that's the way I thought it was going to be in the beginning with Cesc as a nailed on starter. Unless I'm wrong, Juve thrived having Pirlo in a role where he didn't have to do much running and could be a ball player (supported by the legs of Marchisio and Vidal). Now, I know Cesc has looked good just about every time he's featured this season, but has he been paired with Kante/Matic yet? I think he could truly play like Pirlo did if he had those two supporting him. I'm not sure how we could fit him in with those two without switching to a 4 at the back, though.

I think Remy is a great third choice striker.. which is good because next season we should be looking for a good second choice striker once drogba hangs up his boots.

Yup, Sanchez would have been my pick too.

He hasn't been great this season, and I'm not 100% sure, but whose spot in the starting 11 would he take? Don't most people say he's best in midfield, not out wide?

Dave had one bad game I can think of this year, don't remember against who, but I'd have to agree otherwise. I asked my girlfriend as I was watching the game today why doesn't Mourinho try Dave at RB and Luis at LB? Don't think he's played that once yet, and I think it could be our best defensive line.

Agreed. I think he's done well for what is expected of him.

Nope, he had a very good season at Roma until his injury which prevented him from going to the WC. And I imagine the rumors are stronger now that lvg is at the helm there.

Like others have said, we need a RW that can give us as much threat on the opposite side of Hazard. Then we are all set. With that said, I don't expect a first 11 player signing this window.

You think Mikel has been average? Usually I don't like him playing, at all, but I've felt he's avtually done well when he's been called upon. But anyway, about the game today I am actually not too concerned. Looking back on a few tough away games we've lost and drawn to worse teams, I think it's hard to find a performance that was as good as our second half today, considering the organization of the other team. I am glad City failed to win, but I would have been fine with a 1 point lead at the half way point.

Yeah, it's very sad when somebody doesn't have anything better to do than talk crap to other fans. Poor guy.