venom2011

Apt comparison that. His strengths are driving forward with the ball, and I have to admit that he makes decent runs, getting into some good positions. In fact, his movement alone has contributed to a few goals already. But in every other facet of the game he is below average (for us). Kante is superior in all aspects which is a bit concerning.

You say 'these days' but that was what happened for the most of last season as well. When the season ended I remember thinking that there was barely a game where I thought to myself 'Geez we've played these guys off the park'. And the squad has at best gone sideways in terms of recruitment. It really has me concerned about Conte's future. Winning and not really playing attractive, dynamic football keeps him in the job, but coming in 3rd and playing five at the back whilst conceding the first third of the pitch to Brighton at home...well we all know how our board operates.

He's not up to the level right now. And what's even worse is that he starts ahead of Drinkwater, which shows how much Conte rates both. I'm all for him being loaned out asap but we're in desperate need of goal threats and creativity. We actually have too many squad-level players. The only ones with real quality - Hazard, Morata, Azpi, Courtois (maybe Christensen as well) - These guys need some help.

Just 'bloody rotate them'? Great. So Conte, who has rightly come to the conclusion that we don't have the quality of midfield options to play two at the moment, has a choice of 3 fit options. He picks them. The defense must stay consistent, and with Moses still in recovery we are seeing the needed rotation at RB. Then he has to decide whether to play his best 2 attackers or go for inferior options. Again, going for right choice in my opinion, as I'd rather see the others start on Tuesday. The players are tired. His options are limited. He went for the right combination. I don't see the point in blaming Conte here.

This. Never once while watching him have I thought - "Just like Viera!!" Good driving forward. Average in every other facet of the game. At least Matic was great defensively. Hell, I'd even take Mikel back for the rest of the season (something I'd never thought I would ever say).

Your boss though, has the capability to dismiss you. Conte is essentially just a higher-ranked employee at the club. And that is without factoring-in the supposed understanding by all parties concerned, that Costa would leave in January.

Bit of a stretch as it requires the plaintiff to prove intolerable work conditions. Not sure how that is possible from that text. Either way, his behaviour is disgusting.

In that case why not let all the first team players dance around in their former clubs' shirts. At the very least it hampers the board in the current transfer negotiations...all disrespect aside.

Added to that - he was partying in an Atletico shirt. The man has no sense about him. Thank you Antonio.

Possibly, but not likely. United tend to pay more simply they can (based on FFP) and teams know it. Not the same with us. Any higher and we may as well bid for Mbappe ourselves, forcing their hand.

Well compared to the potential 100m+ for Lukaku, 90m for Belotti, it's quite... reasonable...

And more on the right for Roma. So not that obvious but yes he can play anywhere across the back really. His versatility must be a major factor.

Improvement in terms of style and being more suited to Cahill's position, yes. Not sure on class just yet. Azpi is quite perfect for his current position so I'm hoping rumours of us going in for Danilo start going into overdrive.

Would prefer it if we aimed a little higher to be honest...

The only thing shocking about that is offering a considered opinion on something that 'apparently, may be, a recreation' of what was said, without context.

Bakayoko is still a big talent. But ultimately he offers what Matic does, though he is more of an athlete. As I've said, prefer someone who can do a bit of everything but weighted towards being great in the final third. We will be champions next season, so teams will shut up shop and we have more matches, and to see Hazard et al being supplied by Kante, Matic, Moses and Alonso is not good if you have aspirations to do well in Europe.

Agreed. Would love to see him here. Nainggolan offers more in the final third than someone like Bakayoko. Which is really what we need.

Moses could very easily be benched. He has been mediocre for quite a while. Ideally with a 3 CB setup the 2 flanking ones should be adept at playing out wide. Azpilicueta is therefore perfect and Luiz would be great on the left. I'd still like us to sign a top midfielder (dream signing: Koke), top winger, RB/RWB and a usable backup striker. If Conte does not improve the quality of football, as soon as the results don't go his way I fear the board will once again be quick on the draw.

Mourinho was not lying about a team of 11 Azpilicuetas...

No the team as whole went off the boil and there were fabregas sized holes appearing all around him. He was still pretty solid. There was no masking anything during that period. His positioning and reading of the game was outstanding. And as I said previously, it was some of the best work I've seen. I honestly thought we'd have to wait quite a while for someone to reach those heights... and then came Kante.

This is not Matic at his best. The first 18 months of his return had some of the best defensive midfield displays I've ever seen.

We don't have to wait for Sanchez. Play Pedro there now and Willian on the right. Costa has had some great moments here but wow... Conte really has to try something else.

He's been short of confidence in this small blip and trying a bit too hard. It's quite evident. He's been feeding off scraps really. But in the grander scheme of things I've seen a fair amount of improvement from him.

Agreed. And he doesn't really lose the ball all that much. It's just very noticeable when we're struggling for possession. His hold up play has improved quite a bit though. He's much more at ease with receiving the ball under pressure compared to when he arrived.

Made even better by the fact that he still gives you energy even if he hits a rough patch. The team never carries him.