Davey Baby

His workrate has improved so much, I guess partly because his contract's up, partly because there's added competition, and partly because of the manager. He used to have a good workrate and then it went missing for years. I think he saw Hazard on the other flank and he thought I'll just play like him. Difference is, Eden had much more talent so he could get away with it, in fact it was preferable for him to conserve a bit of energy, so that he could inflict more damage. I think Frank has made it very clear if you want to play you're going to have to put yourself about.

Not a massive fan of Zouma but he's been far better last two games.

On a general point, it shows you how much performances improve when there's genuine competition. Dave has improved of late, knowing Reece James is fit. Willian has improved, knowing Callum has regained fitness. Every player in our team knows there's competition, and you have to be on your game.

Well this thread has been quiet. Actually think he's been decent since he came on in the Liverpool game.

We played a noticeably different system. As you say, it was a mixture.

I have no doubt Rudiger will improve things, but we were zonal under Sarri, and we were pretty bad. If you look at the video, you see their main man is standing about 10 yards from goal before the corner is taken, right in the middle of the penalty box, and there's no-one anywhere near him, he has 4 or 5 yards of space to go and attack the ball. This is their main scorer and their biggest aerial threat. Why isn't somebody in the space, so that he can't get a free run? You don't have to man mark him you just have to occupy that space. You just have to let him know if he wants to attack the ball he's going to have to work to do so, he's going to have to get around you. I don't understand it at all. It just looks way too easy. I understand most teams go zonal and there must be a reason, and stats indicate it's preferable according to Argo, but I've never seen a team so vulnerable at set pieces, and that isn't all about personnel or lack of height. Some of that has to be in the way we're setting up. Edit: If you're saying Rudiger will take control at set pieces and help us set up better, I've no doubt that's true to a certain extent, but we can't afford to be so vulnerable just because of the absence of one player.

Also I seem to remember reading Derby conceded more goals from set pieces last season than any other side in the Championship, so it can't all be about height.

The analysis starts around 5min30sec............

The way we are defending corners is very much the problem at the moment. On Wednesday, Tammy, Zouma and Alonso were playing, and Tomori is very good in the air. BT did an analysis on it which was very illuminating. For their corner, Lille's players had an awful lot of space to run into to attack the ball, and we had nobody in that space. Instead we had our defenders in a line, protecting the goal. The ball comes in, our defenders are focusing on the ball, with no idea where Lille's men are. They attack the ball with a running jump. Invariably there's one winner. Firminho scored exactly the same way, and he's not that tall, nor is he a great header. Our system is flawed. The consensus amongst Joe Cole, Rio and Hoddle was we had to ditch the zonal marking, or start doing it differently, by putting men in the space. They used the example of Liverpool. They put Van Dijk in that space between their line of defenders and the opposition's attackers, to put his nut on it or just impede anybody running toward goal. We could have used Zouma in the same way, occupying the space that at present we are leaving empty. When the corner was taken, there wasn't a Chelsea player within 4 yards of a Lille player. They can't get a free run on it. That's asking for trouble. When you watch Lille's goal from above you can see how easy it was for them. You have to be able to defend set pieces in the Prem, or you will lose a lot of points. Obviously the more you keep the ball the less corners you will concede, but even if we kept the ball like Man City, right now teams only need one corner against us, as we saw with Brighton last weekend. Their first corner well into the second half and what happened? They hit the bar. We cannot make it so easy to attack the ball.

Well, you have to consider many factors. Firstly his demeanour, which is unassuming and charming. Secondly, his medal haul, which you can't argue with. Thirdly, his humble origins, which only add to the legend. Fourthly, his fitness, which was questionable. Fifthly, the fact that he chose to sign for us when he could have gone anywhere. Sixthly the fact that he hasn't agitated for a move, despite being far too good for us. Seventhly, the fact that he used to drive a Mini Cooper, or used to. Eighthly, the fact that he was playing alongside Jorginho, whom we've already established is grossly overrated. Ninthly, the fact that he's such a credit to our great club, and tenthly the fact that he made Danny Drinkwater look a player, when they were both at Leicester, so much so that we spunked the best part of 30mil on him. Given all that, I think it's only fair to give him a 10.

Sweet and innocent, like a baby.

I regard you as a knowledgeable and entertaining sage Liam, so your optimism cheers me up. However I can't recall an occasion I was wrong. Mind you, I don't have the best memory.

The general consensus on here is that he's a great player. He's not. He's the most overrated player I've ever seen. That doesn't make him a bad player. He's not a bad player. Overrated though, to a preposterous degree.

Thought Tomori was excellent, although obviously those mistakes at the end, that could have cost us. I would give him what he wants and sign him for life. He's that good. Kepa was our best player, 3 or 4 fantastic saves, brave as well. Jorginho is the most overrated player I've ever seen. Far from the worst, but how you guys rate him so highly evades me. Zouma was far more comfortable second half but they were poor. They're not a good side. Alonso was good but his crossing is poor, Reece got into far less dangerous positions but when he crossed the ball his delivery was far better. Happy for Tammy and Willian, good for their confidence to continue scoring. Willian so frustrating though but worked hard, which hasn't always been the case. A very very important win. That will do us a lot of good. 3 wins on the bounce. Well done Chelsea. p.s. Sort out the set pieces. It's more than embarrassing.

Our inability to defend a set piece is beyond a joke. That said, they deserve to be level. We haven't been better than them. Zouma incredibly poor with the ball at his feet. Alonso takes up good positions but needs to make his crosses count. Jorginho poor so far, despite that tremendous effort. Willian working hard but poor, yet again. We can't get Mason into the game. I'm worried. They've grown into it. A draw isn't a good result but a defeat would be pretty disastrous.

The most important game so far in Frank's tenure. Christensen obviously hasn't done enough to impress him. Kovacic was excellent against Liverpool and hasn't started since, so it's a blow for him. I can only assume it's 3 at the back, which begs the question who's the middle CB? That would be Christensen's natural position so he must be miffed, but he just hasn't been good enough. 3 at the back with these 5 would be very experimental. Bit of a risk but Frank knows best, hopefully. Come on Chelsea.

Thanks Cristiano.

Surely if he were trying to impress us he would pretend he was Cristiano Ronaldo.

Why would anyone pretend they were a failed footballer?

He looked good yesterday but it was Brighton at home. I've seen a lot worse players play for Chelsea. I'm unconvinced by him.

VAR can't review yellows.

He's absolute quality. I think he's our best CB bar none, although I'm aware there could be a dip in form round the corner. Sometimes you start off great before you plateau and find your true level. This happens quite a lot but I don't expect it to happen here. The guy's a thoroughbred by the looks of it. What I will say is that he'll need to play alongside a big strong commanding CB in order to truly flourish, a bit like Gallas did alongside JT. Rudiger is going to be a good partner for him but I can only imagine what he'd be like alongside someone like Van Dijk.

Yes it's true we lack height but I think even more reason to go man for man. With man for man you can block your man or you can grapple with him a little bit or obstruct him, basically do what you got to do to stop him. With zonal there's no obstruction at all, and with our lack of height, that's fatal.

It's just his vibe. It's too weak. He lacks personality and he's brittle physically. He doesn't want to impose himself on the game. Often he has space to bring the ball forward but he hesitates and plays it sideways. Occasionally he'll bring it forward and then he'll panic and play an aimless ball when he has loads of time. He's just not confident enough on the ball. Tomori just plays his natural game and isn't afraid. It's worth remembering he's younger and less experienced. I'm just not convinced by Christensen. A decent squad player but nothing more in my opinion. This is his chance to stake a claim. Tomori has grabbed it with both hands. No-one's taking that spot off him. Can you say the same about Christensen?

Love Tomori. I'm unconvinced by Christensen. Thought Callum did well when he came on, far better than Pedro. Dave had a good game I thought. We need to sort out set pieces. Very exciting times with all these kids and with our management team. It's a totally different vibe.