Nickcook26

The problem is I think he is untouchable though. His only alternative is Fabregas to play this role in his "system". It would be brave for Sarri to abandon his plans and restore Kante to his defensive midfield role. I might be wrong but I can't see it yet.

Agree completely. Barkley always on the bench for big matches such as today (look to the United/Liverpool games at the Bridge too). Kovacic seems to have automatic selection in these matches and I'm really struggling to see what he is bringing to the team.

Agree completely with the above. Cannot be trusted in big matches where good defending is required. Against weaker opposition where we are on the front foot, I understand his selection. With Christensen not trusted and Cahill deemed surplus to requirements and allowed to leave there are major problems at centre back.

Terrible today. Two poor games in succession now. Arguably should have been sent off. The way Son scored his goal was actually quite embarrassing for a holding/defensive midfielder. Plenty of praise on this thread but I think equally deserving of criticism for the past 2 games. Sarri seems set on playing him in this position for the season so we can only hope he improves.

The technology is there but it still has to be used correctly. FIFA got it spot on in the summer - very rare for them I must admit. However it seemed all the referees were very well prepared/trained to use it. I'm convinced the officials will get better at using it the more it is used. Looking forward to more decisions being correct next season...

Sad times for Kante. Clearly struggling in his new role. His influence on games is nothing like it used to be. If we forget what he has achieved previously and imagine Kante was a new signing this year, we would all be really questioning his place in the team. I think he will continue to struggle in this system and with only 2 years left on his deal in the summer, he may well be considering his future if he can play in his natural position elsewhere.

Well done Ruben. You can do no more... Unfortunately still can't see Sarri giving him a fair chance (not just Europa League and League Cup) I still can't see him staying at Chelsea unfortunately. Sarri will stick by his favourites (Kovacic/Jorginho/Kante)

I've been thinking a lot about our start to the season and even though we are only 10 games in, considered the direction Sarri is planning to take us in. There are a lot of positives so far. The brand of football has been very positive, players have taken to the manager and his style very well whilst results have been good at the same time. Surely not much to be concerned about? However, I look at our current team and don't necessarily see a team with players for the future which has held back my excitement slightly. I believe a core spine of players who play together for a number of years has always been the basis of success for the best teams. (The class of 92 / Cech, Terry, Lamps, Drog) to name just a couple. To put it in comparison, if we look at some of our rivals, I see a spine of players at the perfect age that they could potentially be the heartbeat of their club for at least the next 5 years. These are also complimented by young English players getting regular game time which fans love to see. Spurs: Kane (25), Alli (22), Eriksen (26) Liverpool: Salah (26), Firmino (27), Mane (26) City: De Bruyne (27), Sterling (23), Jesus (21) However, I look at our current team and feel this might have to be the season we do well (if the current group will achieve anything together again). A lot of players are around 30 or above (Luiz, Willian, Pedro, Azpilicueta, Giroud/Cahill/Fabregas), while Hazard who we rely on so much looks very likely to leave next summer. Young players who could have been the future of the club have been left out of the squad entirely and are surely set to leave (RLC/Christensen) whilst Hudson Odoi rightly stalls on signing a new contract over playing time concerns. This is not a negative post but I wondered if any fans feel the same way. With City being so good at the moment, it is possibly a good time to build a team for future. However, I also appreciate this may never be the Chelsea way and we may continue to buy "ready made" stars.

Excellent again in the short time he had. I think he should be starting ahead of Kovacic. He looks really comfortable in the final third whereas I think Kovacic looks more comfortable in the middle third of the pitch. With the exception of Hazard, the team is struggling for goals, so I would like to see him starting more.

Lots of people criticising his attitude but who can blame a young player for wanting to play. The manager clearly favours Rudiger and Luiz. Even Cahill has been on the bench ahead of him in recent weeks. I would be doing completely the same if I was his dad in helping him try and move. I think he will move on and I don't blame him. Let's hope he doesn't turn out to be world class elsewhere. Ake made a similar move a couple of years ago and I'm not surprised to see him linked with a £40m transfer this week to Spurs. It would be horrible to watch him become a success there.

I think 19 goals in 41 appearances for Roma in 16/17 was a great return. Nearly 1 goal every 2 games. 44 goals in 52 appearances last season is nothing short of outstanding. Probably a little early to be writing Salah off this season but he still has 3 goals to his name (would still be our joint second highest goalscorer this season). We can only hope he doesn't ever reach the numbers of last season again but can't rule it out.

It wasn't really Luiz I was referring too with that comment. More the fact Cahill has taken his place on the bench so not even in the matchday squad in recent times. I understand him and RLC are good friends from years in the academy. They are all struggling for game time while Hudson Odoi and Ampadu are yet to feature. I think it would be a fair to say he doesn't like youth too much based on what we have seen so far.

Completely understand his frustrations. At 22 he needs to play and we have a manager who seemingly does not favour younger players. Unless anything changes he will surely have to leave. I agree he's made a few mistakes - however I think this can be expected given his age. If he remains unhappy and we have to sell, hopefully he won't turn into a future world class defender.

I wonder if Kevin De Bruyne or Salah ever produced magic in training? Surely Mourinho must have noticed we had quality players in training? I'm afraid to say this proves players do need minutes to show they can be amazing...training isn't enough...

I think it's obvious. He clearly wants Real Madrid as is his childhood dream. Let's all not pretend he is happy in the Europa League this season despite his affection for our club. No matter how much money we put in front of him he won't sign a new deal. If he holds out another 6 months he will hold all the playing cards just like Courtois did (although they won't leave in the same manner). We will be forced to sell next summer for a bargain price. This is also the issue with foreign stars (Suarez/Ronaldo/Coutinho etc..) They dream of Barcelona/Real Madrid. For me, this is why it is so important to be promoting homegrown youth. Terry/Lamps dreamt of Chelsea for life and nothing else.

Excellent performance today. I hope he retains his place for the game against United. I think he deserves it.

I agree. Can't see any way RLC will stay. In a couple of years we will probably be searching for another CM once Fabregas has retired. RLC will probably be enjoying rubbing our noses in it when he has developed into a top midfielder for another club.

I thought he had a good game last night in the 60 minutes he played. Agree with Coco above - Kovacic who is definitely ahead of him in the pecking order played no more an adventurous game than Ruben. Look forward to seeing him start more games (although only realistically v Derby/Bate Borisov)

It sounds like purely muscle fatigue if he will be back in a few days (linked to two games in 4 days? Very likely) He has had an excellent start to the season but feel we can help him even more by rotating him with Ampadu/Christensen/Cahill for these early season Europa League matches.

Couldn't agree more. I feel Sarri thinks differently though and that he might be restricted to Europa League/Carabao cup/Substitute appearances. Hope I'm wrong!

I agree with your points. The Kante situation is very very concerning...a player being asked to play out of position. His effect on the games has been much smaller so far compared to previous seasons.

A lot of praise on this thread so far and agree he has played some solid games up to now. Thought he was quite poor today, gave the ball away a lot and was quite wasteful (other than some basic passing). Looked really tired from playing Thursday night. Perhaps team selection needs a re-think when playing two games a week (particularly Europa/Carabao cup games)

Lethargic and lacklustre. For me, the writing was on the wall as soon as Sarri named his team Thursday. No point having a big squad if we aren't going to use it.

No Christensen/RLC in the 18 which is not good. Fabregas/Cahill on the bench. Could find ourselves without all 4 players in 12 months (RLC/Christensen due to unhappiness & Cahill/Fabregas due to age)

Poor move for Tammy in my opinion. Listening to Sarri today, it sounded like the ball was very much in Tammy's court with regards to a loan move away. An injury/suspension to any one of Morata or Giroud and he would have surely been straight on the bench as the only other striker. Even without the above there would likely have been playing time in the Europa League/Carabao Cup/FA Cup in January. Surely it was worth hanging around until at least January, and if opportunities really were limited then to accept a loan move away until the end of the season. We already know he can score goals in the championship as his season at Bristol City proved.