venom2011

No I don't think it's unrealistic at all and I'm never unduly harsh on him. Just because someone scores a brace does not mean his general performance was amazing. If he plays the same way and doesn't score I find myself defending him more often than not. He shouldn't be misplacing 5 yard passes and simple through balls as often as he does. He has the talent to be better and there's no problem with highlighting areas of his game that need improving.

I don't think he was to be honest. Again, like in the Newcastle game, he was very sloppy but it's forgivable if he scores or the team plays like this. I like the fact that he looked at Jose when he misplaced a simple pass though. It shows that he knows he must do better.

That was amazing. Outside of the boot. And every time he does something like that for us 100 Arsenal fans move ever closer to the ledge. Long may it continue.

Matic at 21 looked like nothing. Mikel at 18 looked head and shoulders above his peers. Now they're a class apart and not in the way anyone expected. And yet people still believe that seeing an amazing talent at a young age means that with some game time they'll be superstars. Far more talents go the way of Kakuta than Pogba.

I really don't want to be going in circles BD. You asked me about the specifics of the player as relating to a barrier to his development. My view is that it doesn't matter what I see in his game, the way development works is that there are numerous other significant factors at play. Statistically speaking, it makes this phase of his development a lottery. There are amazing talents all around the globe who at 18 look nailed-on to be top players. The reality is that only a small percentage of these top talents develop into decent footballers. This is why the club changed strategic focus from buying talented youth, to buying young players in the next phase (Courtois, De Bruyne, Pasalic, T.Hazard, Salah, Atsu, Perica, van Ginkel, even Oscar). The risk is minimised. RLC certainly has no discernable weaknesses, but that is far from a guarantee of him being anywhere near as good as Pogba.

1. Pointless exercise as I've said, due to the nature of subjectivity. 2. And how many of those supporters would be satisfied with seeing academy products at the expense of challenging for titles? 3. The specifics aren't relevant and I've seen him play about a dozen times. He can be the most gifted 18 year old in the world, but the fact remains that the progression from being a talented player to a good player is for all intents and purposes - a lottery. The barrier is the design of progression.

As you wish. The situation of Pogba (and Matic) is the exception, not the rule. There is no sense of irony to be had. I could name more than 10 players who I* consider to be better than RLC but that would serve no real purpose. Agreed that we do need to find a better way of bridging the gap between the academy and first team, but it's exceptionally difficult for teams at the top of this league. There is no shame in admitting that. All I want is to see the club compete and compete well. The difference in satisfaction I would get from seeing that accomplishment with or without academy products, is minimal. I am absolutely not writing him off. I think he's a superb talent but I am a pragmatist by nature. I hold no unrealistic expectations of our youngsters because I understand that the probability of someone blossoming from a great talent to a great player is very slim.

I was being facetious. But in all seriousness, the problem is that last line - 'He is expected to be'. He is more likely to be a Jack Rodwell than a Pogba. Yes RLC is of a similar mould, but the difference is one of them offers us the opportunity of being title favourites for the next 5 years, the other will in all probability not have near the same impact.

:) A moment's thought, sure, but the problem is that there's a world of difference between the quality of RLC and Pogba. Considering their ages, there are 1000 RLCs and only one Pogba. The probability of him closing that gap within the next 4 years is very slim, regardless of how talented he may seem. And that is why youngsters should be vying for spots with rotation players (Ramires, Mikel) and not be the reason you abstain from signing starting players. If any team in the world signs Pogba, he starts. You are not buying a youth player for £50m.

Let's also not get Reus because we have Kiwomya and not Messi because we have Boga. The same kind of players who are guaranteed to eventually be of similar quality. After all, if you look at the biggest European clubs they are filled to the brim with club-grown players.

Can't agree with that. It's the weakest part of his game.

OK so here's a name - Felipe Anderson. Maybe someone who watches Serie A could provide more info on his performances? 21 year old Brazilian winger. Plays for Lazio. 5 goals, 4 assists so far this season. Going purely off his stats he seems to be very good on the ball, a dribbler. He recently cost about €8m. http://www.worldsoccer.com/blogs/felipe-anderson-making-waves-lazio-358940

And you only need to look to Matic as to how much a player can improve between the ages of 23-26. The fact is that no matter how much he can occasionally frustrate fans, he is amazing for his age and lack of experience (especially when he arrived). He would still be a starting player for most of the top European sides.

I think that's quite over the top. He has never exuded class as far as I'm concerned and as I always say, international football is the worst platform to judge the quality of top level player. The quality of football at international level is way below what you'd find in the top European leagues. In form, he is a good sub to have. But we need someone pushing Oscar and Willian in particular.

Well Moses is having a good season. Neither he nor Thorgan can be worse than Schurrle as a backup AM. If there are no Jan options then I'd like to see Cesc moved forward more, Oscar on the right occasionally, and perhaps a decent midfielder bought to partner Matic.

1 – Where do you think you’ll finish this season? What about Newcastle? Numero uno. We have the best first XI in the league and have had a superb injury record for many years. The key I feel is that we have the easiesr fixtures compared to City. Newcastle right now would be a big guess but I'd say around 12th. 2 – Is there anything in these Messi to Chelsea rumours or do you think he's just flexing his muscles because the Barca board are still yet to fulfill his request of sacking the manager? I would be lying if I said I didn't hope there was something to it, but realistically I don't think anything will come of it. 3 – Are you confident of winning the league? How many trophies can you win this year? Absolutely. As I've said: Best first XI, low chance of injuries, best manager, and easier fixtures than our rivals. I think we can win anything and everything given the quality of the team and manager. I can realistically see us winning 2 trophies. 4 – How good to you think Eden Hazard can be/is? I think he is great already. Up there with the best in the world. He is without a doubt our most influential player this season. I think he can improve quite a bit by becoming more clinical (Jose has mentioned as much) and we've seen signs of it happening already. 5 – If you could have one football player, past or present, live in your spare room who would it be and why? Ronaldo (striker). We could play beach soccer together and get fat(ter) as we get older. 6 – Do you need to do any business in January? If so, who would you like to sign? No need, but the squad as a whole isn't as strong as it could be. Midfield and defensive cover are possibilities. 8 – Should Loic Remy get a bigger role in your side considering his impact when he has played? I would like to think so, but can't fault Drogba and Costa's contributions. 9 – What are your thoughts on Newcastle United as an outsider? Always something of a mess over the last few years. Some real stability needed and it would be good to see everyone pulling in the right direction for the good of the club. 10 – Scoreline prediction? 3-1 Chelsea.

For sure. It would make us more potent. Schurrle or Salah are just not sharp enough (mentally) to make the most of what Hazard and Fabregas offer. I think I'd like more of a technician though. A more potent Willian or basically someone like Di Maria. We've seen countless examples of the best teams being ones which have a strong team dynamic and not ill-matched great individual players. Schurrle and Ramires are the antitheses of Hazard and Fabregas in terms of style. We need more suitable players.

You're underrating Hazard because you're overrating Sanchez and Aguero. Looking great in weak Arsenal team is easier than looking great in this current Chelsea side. What I'm suggesting is if you put them both in the same side then Hazard outshines him. Aguero's a masterful finisher and makes a difference in many games but he's not as complete as Sanchez, Hazard or even Suarez of last season.

Reus is not a Hazard-like player though (if that is what you meant). He is more like a classier Schurrle.

Yes but add Messi's goals to our existing scoring rate and we are unstoppable. Even if his scoring drops, the connection between Cesc, Hazard and Messi behind the striker, would be unmatched in world football. Pogba though, would improve the actual team dynamic which I would prefer over anything else really.

You also have to consider that Matic covers that side if Hazard can't get back. Cesc does the other side. There is a big difference in their defensive quality. In the early games especially Cesc's poor positioning combined with new partnership kinks (with Matic) left the right side quite vulnerable.

Hey. Stop trying to take this away from me with your logic. It's been my dream for more than 10 hours.

What if we receive 'legitimate' sponsorship based on him signing? Any team boasting Hazard and Messi should have amazing sponsorship deals lined up. Come on Gazprom

This. If he deems Zouma a better option, Zouma will play. He will never make changes just for the heck of it or simply because Zouma is not Cahill.

And so it should be. It's not as if these are just random acts of violence against him. He has a very provocative style of play and it is a consequence of that. If you successfully tease defenders with the ball and then get your body between said defender and the ball, the most likely outcome is foul. Especially in advanced areas. He understands this. It helps us to win games. So no problem.