venom2011

Pedro is the one. He's great off the ball, also has pace and energy to burn.

I don't think anyone could legitimately make that argument. There was barely a game where we dominant, although we went on a run where we looked like we were never going to lose. The football wasn't great, and I was very worried that if that aspect didn't improve the next season, he was doomed. The quality of football was better under Jose, which is saying something. Personally, I was massively looking forward to Sarri coming in...

He was awesome. He deserves to have a capable partner next to him, maybe even 2. Some stats: 12 tackles and interceptions 46 passes, 96% accuracy.

Correct. He's still been flawless for most of the season. Even someone as great as JT had similar patches. Just give him time.

A bit hyperbolic but I agree with the sentiment. For most of Conte's tenure, even the calls I never agreed with I found myself saying 'I can see why he did that'. But today, for a manager of one of the biggest teams in the world, to do buggerall after going down 1-0 when we desperately need points... Disgusting.

That never happens. Conte and Mourinho have worked with the best in every position on the field. And they know what to expect to achieve a certain level. KDB, Lukaku etc, these guys were not at a level when they were here, but they wanted regular football and that's fine. The coaches don't write them off, it's just a timing and competition issue. What happens after is irrelevant but for sure it can be tough to watch if the player eventually goes on to meet expectations.

He is also an inferior player to both Morata and Giroud. Look how much space and time he has to receive the ball for goodness' sake. He finishes well and he has good physical qualities, that's about it for now.

In some sense yes, for a sustained period, but that's not saying much. Carlo was still fairly pragmatic. The best I've seen is the first 4-6 months of Jose's return.

It's certainly not irrelevant over the course of a season and most of the those new seats are corporate. In the scope of FFP (if it is ever implemented properly) it's an important step.

I just see that as a continuation of his poor media handling. You could see it last season and it continued in this season with the Jose stuff. The media keep asking him the same stuff and he obliges with an answer about his squad and transfer activity. Then some outlets use his responses out of context to sell a headline, like the recent Barkley comment. Rinse and repeat. He has to do better.

Having better players in some positions does not equal being better suited to quality attacking football. Agreed in terms of Liverpool's style of football and we all know that Roman has always wanted expansive football here BUT: Give Klopp our full squad and have him try to play that way and we won't be near top 4. And we certainly wouldn't have won the title last year. Do I enjoy the football we're playing? No. But I understand the reasons behind it and considering that Conte doesn't have much control over transfers and, unlike some other managers, he has to target top 4 - I'm OK with it. I think he's done a great job so far. The club will probably fire him and look to a new manager to install an attacking philosophy when really it should be organic, ingrained in the club from top to bottom with the most important cog being the director of football.

I've argued this before but the strange thing is that what he is saying is indeed true. Given the depth (lack of) and talent distribution in our squad, the choices he makes are generally the best ones. And it gives us the best chance of winning. But of course that's not to say that I've enjoyed the football we're playing. Even after last season I remember saying that I was happy but I can't even remember a match where we were truly dominant. If he plays Kante next to Fabregas people will complain when we get torn apart. If he strengthens further with Bakayoko people will complain that we don't have enough goalscorers. And if he plays Kante and Baka in a 2-man, well then we have no creativity can't get the ball to the attackers. There simply is no BEST solution right now given the squad.

That was comparable to what city did when the built their first title winning side. Roman/Chelsea have never done what City are doing over the last 3 windows.

The Drogba that arrived at the club was in no way head and shoulders above Batshuayi. And I honestly don't know how you can criticise his attitude and work ethic...

Think about Didi when he arrived. Imagine he arrived right now or with Costa at the club - he would probably have been in a similar position to Batshuayi. The best place for these guys to develop is either somewhere without big competition for places or where the team is not expected to challenge for titles. If Batshuayi develops into a great pure goalscorer - that's fine, and it does have a place in modern football. But he still has to improve his movement, touch and decision-making to get there.

This makes sense though in terms of the reluctance from the board to a) extend Conte's contract and b) give him significant input in the transfer market. Roman's still chasing the beautiful football dream. And I enjoyed Barca under Enrique. They had options in their style of play.

Legit. Strong defense. Powerful midfield. And Two wizards flanking a king. Game over.

I wouldn't put it exactly like that but just imagine he said we need a top quality fullback. The board fafs around with Sandro for most of the window and then tells him - Look we can't get Sandro but this Zappacosta fella is available, Yay or Nay? AND he doesn't have the luxury of Arsenal and Tottenham managers - Push for top four with these middle of the road players but if you don't get there it's fine.

He's got a not-too-shabby chap to his right as well, who cost about 7 million.

[emoji23] The Underappreciated One

I can imagine he's feeling quite isolated at the moment. There is no link between the manager and board with Emenalo gone. He's also voiced his concerns about the way our team transfer business is conducted, waiting until the last minute to create pressured negotiations. Our transfer business has been strange since the Costa Fabregas window. I agree with most of what he's saying but this will only end one way...

I really want us to get his gem.... and Fekir. We would be set for a while.

Not needed for a possession-based system. But you can still play attractive, attacking football with a lump (Ibrahimovic). Roman is definitely still chasing that dream. First 6 months of Jose's return saw us play some scintillating stuff, but the team was unbalanced and Jose seemed uncomfortable. For sure Roman would have given anything to get Pep here.

Apologies. Phrases like 'don't half stay upright for a long time' tend to throw me off. Especially when the discussion is about the comparative movement and space recognition of Morata v Michy.

I honestly have no idea what you are on about but....ok.