Ramires learning his trade..........but its tough

[ws6blue]

bit mixed this week for ramires...............on the positive side he is very quick, puts in a big shift, gets box to box and has good positional sense

stuff to learn yet is mostly around getting the ball away quicker when he gets past the first man, so he doesn't give away possession (which sadly he did yesterday)

expect him to get rested fairly regulalrly as he gets used to the pac & aggression of our game...............but he looks very good player

[Bobbywoodhogan]

Yeah he's quick, needs to get abit stronger though. He also needs to not try and take people on all the time that was one of my biggest criticisms of him yesterday and ultimately on one occasion he lost possession it cost us badly.

[bjd]

I've been impressed. It's all very new to him and he has been asked to fufil an important place in the side quicker than expected, due to injuries. He seems eager to get into the box and I'd like him to have had some of the shots Essien has been having.

Yes he made that mistake yesterday, but I thought JT and Ashley couldve done so much better too. I know patience is not a word in the vocabulary of some Chelsea fans these days but he needs more time to settle in.

I think he is going to be a good player for us , though I have concerns about the functionity of a 3 man midfield with him alongside Essien and Mikel.

[Eggy McMuffin]

I've been impressed. It's all very new to him and he has been asked to fufil an important place in the side quicker than expected, due to injuries. He seems eager to get into the box and I'd like him to have had some of the shots Essien has been having.

Yes he made that mistake yesterday, but I thought JT and Ashley couldve done so much better too. I know patience is not a word in the vocabulary of some Chelsea fans these days but he needs more time to settle in.

I think he is going to be a good player for us , though I have concerns about the functionity of a 3 man midfield with him alongside Essien and Mikel.

I'd agree with all of that. I feel he's going to be more of a player as a backup for Essien and Mikel, or actually competition for them. Next year, or the year after, with him Essien and Mikel we won't be short of options to play alongside a more attacking midfielder, who would hopefully be Lampard, Benayoun, or possibly if Kakuta starts to show signs of being an option there, or McEachran.

Actually, thinking on it, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Ramires becoming competition for Mikel, and McEachran for Essien, as I see McEachran as being a deeper playmaker, rather than an advanced one. Who replaces Benayoun as a backup to Lampard, f**k knows, but I'm sure Carlo has a plan.

[ThunderDan]

I have concerns about the functionity of a 3 man midfield with him alongside Essien and Mikel.

Lampard's return will ease those concerns.

My biggest concern is the Ramires didn't complete any pass that I can remember - one give away after another. And he got knocked down on seemingly every contact he had with City guys. Will he develop better passing instincts? Maybe. Will he get stronger and tougher? Doubt it. I don't like to be so negative, but I would start any outfield player on the team ahead of him.

[bjd]

He's played , how many games in new league, in a new country? It's rare for a player in that situation to come up trumps straight away.

He has to be given time to settle. Far to early to make any judgements. He and, any new Chelsea player deserves that chance before fans come to conclusions.

[BrewCrew]

"My biggest concern is the Ramires didn't complete any pass that I can remember - one give away after another. And he got knocked down on seemingly every contact he had with City guys. Will he develop better passing instincts? Maybe. Will he get stronger and tougher? Doubt it. I don't like to be so negative, but I would start any outfield player on the team ahead of him."

Totally disagree. This kid isn't going to be essien overnight. He has been impressive so far coming from a less tough league and being so young. you get on after one bad game. That's not right. I agree that ramires, essien, and mikel can't play together. There has to be some creativity in there. Ramires should play on the left or right when either mikel or essien don't play. That way mikel or essien are in the holding roll. Give ramires more than four games before you start bashing him.

[ThunderDan]

I haven't given up on Ramires a team member, but I have seen enough of him as a starter. How many challenges did he win? I'm not talking about rhythm or chemistry in a new setting - I'm saying he got constantly beaten by everyone he challenged. Our right side was a freeway, thankfully Branislav was collecting tolls. If Frank or Yossi could have played, he would have been a sub, at best.

It's possible that I'm being rash or premature, but it's also possible that the lad is just not physical enough to hold up as a midfielder in our 4-3-3.

Edited September 27, 2010 by ThunderDan

[Spiller86]

I think Portugal along with the Netherlands are probably the hardest places to come from to adapt to English football. The physical side of the game is largely non-existent and there is always alot of space to run in midfield.

When you play in England there's always going to be a lot more strength required, and playing for Chelsea means there's rarely any space to run into because you're largely playing in front of the defensive line when teams sit back.

So it's not easy to adapt, add in the fact that I think is most crucial is that there is quite literally only one man (two when Paulo plays) who he can actually communicate with to any real degree. Perhaps the older lads have picked up a little Portuguese over the years given how many players from there we've had, but that's got to be very tough not only on gameday but also in training where you're supposed to be working out how to fit into this team.

'Time is life's greatest asset' (sorry saw the new Wall Street over the weekend) as bjd said we're not a patient bunch Chelsea supporters nowadays, but as the English lessons and the gym work start to kick in I think this guy will grow into a real asset. He is only 23, and he's only going to get better.

[bjd]

How many challenges did he win? I'm not talking about rhythm or chemistry in a new setting - I'm saying he got constantly beaten by everyone he challenged.

were essien or mikel any better though? The best midfielder on the pitch yesterday was de jong, easily. Ramires was certainly not the only member of our team who didn't get challenges in.

It's possible rhat I'm being rash or premature, but it's also possible that the lad is just not physical enough to hold up as a midfielder in our 4-3-3.

I think your first possible is more realistic!

Edited September 27, 2010 by bjd

[jcm28]

Maybe the reason he struggles was because he was playing left midfielder. As far as I know his 2 positions are CM and ARM.

[ThunderDan]

Good points Spiller86, at least he had Alex to help him. JT should know 7 languages to do his job right.

Ramires was certainly not the only member of our team who didn't get challenges in.

Right you are, but he was the only starter (or sub) who gives me doubt. Hope I'm wrong - I'll think about it in Miami next week.

[Planet Drogba]

We definitely have to be patient. Remember that "rule" Wenger said, something along the lines of how a player new to the premier league will require 6 months to adapt? Probably the only smart thing that ever came out of his mouth.

I think Portugal along with the Netherlands are probably the hardest places to come from to adapt to English football. The physical side of the game is largely non-existent and there is always alot of space to run in midfield.

La Liga?

Edited September 27, 2010 by Planet Drogba

[icecoolguy22]

He's not a bad player, we threw him into the deep end and he's having some problems adapting to the pace and physical side of the game. Number of times he got tackled and he looked bemused, the body language was - you are allowed to tackle like that in this country?

At this stage, I wouldn't like to see Mikel, Ramiers, Essien together, just lack a bit f spark.

[undertow]

let's see some stats then.

passes tackles interceptions

ramires (34/25) (10/5) 3

essien (56/53) (7/5) 2

mikel (51/47) (5/4) 7

(all/successful)

the numbers agree that ramires was the weak link in midfield. it would be more interesting however to make a comparison to essien's first season. he didn't exactly convince everyone then, it took him some time to adjust. i doubt we will see the best of ramires this season, he needs much more PL experience to blossom, just like essien did.

[Zola]

For people to be judging Ramires at this stage is ridiculous.

[loz]

We never learn do we.

Drogba - at best half the player he is now during his first season and a half

Malouda - pretty awful for an aeon, the player he is today suggests some sort of biological experiment has taken place.

Even Essien wasn't anywhere near his best in his first season.

Ramires - handful of games and there are already doubts over his ability to cut it in the Premiership.

[yorkleyblue]

One picture that sums up the entire game. -_-

Moos, sometimes, you are just a prick, pure and simple!

were essien or mikel any better though? The most violent midfielder on the pitch yesterday was de jong, easily. Ramires was certainly not the only member of our team who didn't get challenges in.

There, fixed that for you - I was surprised at the number of times Essien was brushed aside or bundled over, let alone a much slighter Ramires.

[Tim W]

I was going to post a response but can't be arsed this must be the worst football thread to date

[PloKoon13]

If Ramires improves as much as loz's examples, we're in for a treat.

[RFC_STEVEN_CFC]

Ramires is looking pretty good thus far.

[bluemoon]

Sorry lads but from my perspective he was awful and has a very long way to go before he is a regular starter for you lot. He got demolished on Saturday. I lost count at how easily he went down and whinged like Drogba on a bad day.

Yaya Toure has only played a handful of times for us and he was miles ahead of Ramires. Hell Silva looked like the hulk in comparison. He looks very slight of frame and playing midfield in this league he is going to get bounced and crunched all over the pitch this season.

[HazardsLeftPeg]

He looks a good player to me but not quite sure about his position. I understand he played the whole of last season on the right wing for Benfica. That and the fact that he's settling in a new country means it'll take some time for him to find his feet

[Blue Steel]

We never learn do we.

Drogba - at best half the player he is now during his first season and a half

Malouda - pretty awful for an aeon, the player he is today suggests some sort of biological experiment has taken place.

Even Essien wasn't anywhere near his best in his first season.

Ramires - handful of games and there are already doubts over his ability to cut it in the Premiership.

You forgot Kalou and Ivanovic, both were written off as not up to scratch and are now important parts of our squad.

Every faith Ramires will come good, don't judge him by his hefty price tag just yet.

[BrewCrew]

Some of you people really need to learn how to relax and have some common sense. I agree with loz. You people that are bashing ramires after one game are just plain stupid. He was actually very good the first two games and he struggled a little bit against city. That doesn't mean you should jump all over him and say he will never be a good player in the premier league. Reading some of your posts makes me sick. I do remember last year when Lampard's form dipped a little bit and you same people were all over him. Saying he is getting old and slow. He then goes on to score how many goals last year and then the same people say he is the best midfielder in the league. Those people never learn. Ramires will be a GREAT player in this league. Give it some time. How can you expect a 23 year old kid to adapt to the "toughest league in the world" in 3 games?