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Matic

Looks like a very good bit of business even at 22 mill.

Nice to have the manager back and obviously having a big say in transfers.

 
What really impressed me was how he stood up to be counted versus one of the best players in the Premier League. He didn't play defensively or conservatively either, he just stuck to his role linking defense and attack. 

Promising, promising signs.

 
I think that video sums up really nicely what we've been missing with Luiz/Mikel/Essien/Ramires in that position. Four very serviceable options but each just lacking one other thing that makes them top class.

The difference between him and Mikel is quite outstanding; he doesn't amble back to defend, he tracks his man, he wins headers and crucially he can both maintain possession and spot the quick release for the counter-attack. Against some teams, given their contrasting styles, Mikel and Matic could make an outstanding duo with Mikel freed from the defensive work he is normally shackled with.

 
Mikel absolutely still has a role to play in this team . He has been a great servant to the club and without him we wouldn't of won the champions league which some people on here seem to forget .

I think one positive about having Mikel , Matic and Luiz available is it does give our attacking players (including Ramires and particularly Lampard) a little bit more attacking freedom in terms of where they are positioned on the field. Ramires is most effective when given this opportunity to bomb forward at pace and it looks like Willian is made for it as well .

Exciting times lads . 

 
gussy122 said:
Mikel absolutely still has a role to play in this team . He has been a great servant to the club and without him we wouldn't of won the champions league which some people on here seem to forget .
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For sure. Just as Mata still very much had a role to play but similarly, when considering the player's characteristics for the formation and philosophy we are playing, there will always be huge question marks.

In the WHam match his selection was a bad one by Jose, unfortunately. I still don't think I've ever seen a central midfielder burst forward and receive the ball only to pass it back as often as Mikel in that game. He just doesn't have enough in his locker to start regularly for a big club in a 2-man midfield.

 
I was curious as to why we had made the big push for him as in previous games against us for Benfica he didn't stand out/dominate against our midfield, now I see why we had him in the 1st place,

excellent both in air and ground last night, knows when to cover and go forward and didn't let the game, atmosphere or the opposition intimidate him....will get even better (as he did the longer the game went on).............

excellent decision to play both him and Luiz in the middle-----mobility and strength and willingness to win the ball from both of them.........could be the future pairing

 
outstanding player. not just composed and technically brilliant on the ball, but physically he is tremendous. towering presence, and plenty of pace/acceleration. i remember one example last night where navas threatend to break forward and matic was matching him stride for stride. not bad for a big man!

 
Coxy15 said:
outstanding player. not just composed and technically brilliant on the ball, but physically he is tremendous. towering presence, and plenty of pace/acceleration. i remember one example last night where navas threatend to break forward and matic was matching him stride for stride. not bad for a big man!
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i wouldnt as far as to call him technically brilliant. some of his passes were way of the mark. id say mikel has better technique than matic. but matic more than makes up for it with his workrate and discipline

SydneyChelsea said:
Mikel and Matic could make an outstanding duo with Mikel freed from the defensive work he is normally shackled with.
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willian and ramires work more in defence than mikel and still manage to create more

and im really struggling to see what could he possibly offer if given a more attacking role. more sideways passes? more timid shots on goal?

 
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I think someone like Modric would be perfect next to Matic.  f**king Spurs.  Perhaps Kroos?  :rolleyes:

Edit: I hasten to add that I love Ramires but his passing and decision making is infuriating at times.  Fernandinho is a similar type of player but he has an excellent range of passing and he's vital to City's team.  I could see him beating Rambo to Brazil's midfield on merit for that alone.  I think he could use the competition with a great passer and our team would really benefit from it, especially when facing a parked bus. 

 
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Shame Essien's left after injuries, the thought of them playing together would be every other midfielder's worst nightmare.

 
Castiel said:
Toure has been bullying our midfield for years.  We just bought a bigger bully.
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Seeing Matic push him around was just wonderful, probably the highlight of the game for me.

Couldn't help but laugh when Toure kept diving because Matic was too much for him.

 
Apparently covered the most distance out of all the players on the pitch. Yes even more than Rami

 
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surely im not the only one who saw that semi erection inducing shot that had hart in a world of trouble? Terrific players and an absolute steal at 20 mill

 
Jonty said:
Seeing Matic push him around was just wonderful, probably the highlight of the game for me.
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Yep totally agree with that.

To be fair I thought it was a very good dual with both players having their moments.

It was painful to watch Toure run a train through our midfield in the FA Cup last year at Wembley and to see Matic so happy to go toe to toe with him and more than hold his own was a breath of fresh air.

Matic, Luiz and William  all got stuck into him at every possible oppertunity and he looked uncomfortable as a result of the constant pressing I thought.

 
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