Ernie_blue

Yeah but Ivan isn't very good against quick wingers

That's what I see though. Players like Willian and Oscar don't create enough chances for a team like Chelsea and the positions they play. Defiantly nothing like Fabregas does. Creatvity for me is being able to create chances not just passing it around which ends up being nothing. Any team can do that. Creating chances when 11 men are behind the ball is what makes a player more than just catching a team on the counter. You need those players to win championships. Fabregas the last time Chelsea won the league.

There's only been 4 games though and none have been against a team of high quality. Shots taken, goals scored etc can't really be looked at till the seasons over as the fixtures can dictate the stats. I honestly don't get that excited by the Chelsea team offensively. I see Chelsea with a world class forward and left winger. A beast of a DM but between that the players who make up the team are what you see the difference between Chelsea and the very best. I don't rate Willian and Oscar, yes they will run and work hard but going forward they don't offer much. If a team sits back you need players like Fabregas to pick the holes plus when your star forward enjoys playing with your most creative player then it makes sense to me. Me personally I can see why Matic gets in the team for away games or against the bigger teams. I would play Kante, Fabregas and alternate between Matic and Oscar on the other position. Fabregas is world class. Can do things no other player can in the squad and should be playing. The reason he isn't is because he isnt a Conte type player. It's why Milan enquired on the last day of the transfer window but they probably left it too late.

I haven't seen Cech do that well for Arsenal, nothing that makes me think we lost out on the better keeper. Cech made quite a few errors last year.

One problem there's is a massive difference from last season to this season and that's KANTE. I see as comparisons this season as pointless specially when every other team in the league doesn't need 2 DMs let alone 3 and a workaholic Right winger. Chelsea lack creativity.

That was never a penalty so don't say he was lucky. How come the majority of the top teams play one DM but Chelsea need 3 and a marathon runner on the right wing? Why should Chelsea be more concerned about stopping Swanseas attacks than attacking themselves? Matic and Kante is more than enough in midfield.

Chelsea as a football club did do superb with the Courtois deal. From the experience he gained on loan and what I have read getting back the fee they paid for him in loan fees if that's correct? Then Chelsea/Mourinho did introduce Courtois into the first team at the right time. We have one of the best goalkeepers in my opinion in Europe for free or next to nothing, his young and will be at the club for many years. It's one thing the club should be appluded for. It was the right time for Cech to leave. Was a top class keeper who I did feel was letting more mistakes creep into his game in the last few years before he left Chelsea. Arsenal got a bargain though and like Merson said on Soccer Saturday, Wenger only signed him because he fell into his lap. He also mentioned Cech wanted to stay in London which we don't know is true. Its a pity it didn't work out for KDB and Lukaku, Chelsea did get good money at the time but both players was never even given a chance at the club.

I never see Willian do that many crosses and what he does do from either open play or set pieces haven't been that good. Same with Ivanovic, his crossing is s*** but can't expect much from him going forward. Surely Willian is going to have a good game against Milner at LB.

Easy for Pep at City with his mentality. Pep plays both wingers high up the pitch to hold the opposition fullbacks back. The football is also ridicolously good. Conte is the same sort of manager as Mourinho.

As much as I back Jose and generally always will, admittedly this is the one thing I dont like about him. If Mourinho takes a dislike to you then your out. The 3 you named plus Lukuka. Chelsea are crying out for more creative players and we had them at the club. Also I am one in the miniority who think Salah and Cuadrado was never given a fair go by Mourinho but succeed elsewhere.

I am relaxed, just can't really mention what if you take out a year which Costa played his full part in. How many goals and his performance contributed to that. So relax man. fair enough if Costa was played right back.

Really Alonso should play with Dave at RB. Liverpool have nippy and quick attacking players which is everything Ivanovic dreads. Liverpool don't have much height so Ivanovic is not needed for set pieces really.

Can see lots of goals. Liverpool have more of an attacking threat but a weaker defence.

It isn't about that. Just don't make it sound Costa had nothing to do with last season. He did like every other player. Thats the truth and what happened By the way I think Costa is quality but I'm not going to go imagine without last season or last seasons was comedy when he contributed to it. People make out he wasn't there.

Costa was one of the players who made last season what is was so don't gloss over it. Who came back overweight? Who decided to stand on the left wing? Who threw his bib at the manager? You can't make out last season wasn't his fault when it was everyone's.

You are right in that Chelsea need more threat. This current Chelsea team relies on Hazard the magician to create everything. Willian literally doesn't do enough in the final third. He doesn't get wide and put in crosses or can create chances with short play and passes like Hazard. With Oscar aswell and you have two workhorses but not a lot going forward. I read on the Daily Mail in 13mins at Swansea Fabregas created 3 chances and started the move for the 2nd goal. Watford he created the winner and 2 other chances. Fabregas has to be in the first team, he is too good not to be. Martial over Willian I am not sure because they play different positions and are different type of players. I would defiantly put Martial on the left and Hazard in the middle though. Basically defenders would rather play against Willian than Martial because Willian is too predictable.

I don't understand all this finding a place for Fabregas rubbish. City play one DM Fernandinho, Liverpool Henderson, Utd didn't play a good DM at the weekend but really it should be Carroll, Spurs 2 Wanyama and Dier but as soon as they subbed 1 they bang in 4, Arsenal play Coquelin. Chelsea need Fabregas in there team and there is a place for him. Having 3 midfielders who run a lot and a right winger who does the same really means Chelsea lack a lot going forward. To me the other teams I mentioned are a lot more dangerous going forward and have more attacking flair. Chelsea rely on Hazard and Hazard and then subs. You look at Liverpool and Lallana, Wijn, Courtinho, Sturridge, Firminio, Mane is so dangerous and going to be a real test for Luiz.

Never said the best but one of the best. There's a a lot of top keepers around. Dont think Chelsea could get anyone better.

I thought Oscar and William was poor. They simply don't create enough in the final third and you can see the major difference if Fabregas plays who can pick a pass. Problem with Oscar and William is they don't create enough or score enough. Where as Lampard would score 20 goals a season and Fabregas will assist 20 goals a season. Set pieces are getting beyond a joke now. Just get Zola back for them.

He is one of the best in the world. You seem to know Conte well.

No one doubts he can finish but Costa does lack ball control and runs into defenders. One game doesn't change that.

2 seasons ago no one was complaining about Courtious as he didn't have a bad year. Last year the whole squad did.

Still wins trophies

Best managers don't always bring trophies. Both in the category of best managers.

Fergie didn't always win trophies