Mirror reporting we're after William Carvalho. Bit strange considering all the noises about Matic being part of Conte's plans yesterday. Probably bullsh*t

He is average and why do we need to spend a lot on another defensive midfielders when we have already strengthen the team in that area. We can wisely use that money to get Manolas or Koulibaly.

The good news is Mikel is staying so Matuidi can f**k off.

How is that good news? Mikel belongs in the championship, Matuidi is a starter for the French national team.

So is Moussa Sissoko...

Matuidi is a far better footballer than Mikel.

Matuidi and Kante behind Cesc would be fantastic.

Matuidi is a far better footballer than Mikel.

Yup 100%

Matuidi and Kante behind Cesc would be fantastic.

 

Very strong midfield, and it'll give Fabregas a lot of creative freedom.

So is Moussa Sissoko...

Who is also a lot better than Mikel. Sissoko has the talent, just doesn't have the application.

Thing is we have never been able to shift Mikel's contract. He has always been linked with Turkish teams but nothing ever comes of it. You can bet he will be here when the season starts.

...has the talent, just doesn't have the application.

 

That's hardly a ringing endorsement considering you could have said the exact same thing about Nile Ranger.

That's hardly a ringing endorsement considering you could have said the exact same thing about Nile Ranger.

It's not meant to be. You're missing the point.

Do you rate Mikel higher than Matuidi or something?

Matuidi is a far better footballer than Mikel.

That's why he is more likely to finish his career in France while Mikel has been here since how many years! Congrats to the best midfielder in the world: the one and only Blaise Matuidi.....

That's why he is more likely to finish his career in France while Mikel has been here since how many years! Congrats to the best midfielder in the world: the one and only Blaise Matuidi.....

You really are an idiot.

I don't think there is room for much creativity in central midfield in Contes 4-2-4/4-4-2 formation. We are sacrificing a midfielder to play two strikers, wich means our two midfielders have to work alot harder to help both attack and defence. Conte changed his 4-2-4 formation to 3-5-2 when he joined Juventus, because there was no room for a creative/slow Pirlo. 

 

Instead I believe alot of our chances will be created by beeing able to pressure the other team deep inside their own half. With two strikers and wingers high up the pitch we can force alot of mistakes close to the opositions goal.

 

If Conte really wants to play with this 4-2-4 then I would agree with your assessment. I just think he will have trouble winning games with this formula. 

 

 I think it would be hard to break a lot of teams down without any central creativity. Playing with four up front might put a lot of pressure on opposing teams but EPL teams are built to soak up pressure and without a clever pass from deeper positions we will find ourselves in a lot of drawn matches.

 

I think we are more of a 4-2-3-1, with that second "striker" dropping deep to collect the ball, which is why he has deployed Loftus Cheek in that spot. Then again, if he plays Michy and Costa together it would look more like a 4-2-4.

 

Either way, is Conte going to drop Cesc? Would doubt that...

What we need is not another midfielder but a CB. Willian can play central if needed after all we have Cuadrado back to play wide right.

A 3-5-2 would be sweet but we can't do it with the CB have.

Courtois

Cahill-Zouma-Miazga

Dave-Kante-Kennedy

Cuadrado - Hazard

Batshuayi - Costa

What we need is not another midfielder but a CB. Willian can play central if needed after all we have Cuadrado back to play wide right.

A 3-5-2 would be sweet but we can't do it with the CB have.

Courtois

Cahill-Zouma-Miazga

Dave-Kante-Kennedy

Cuadrado - Hazard

Batshuayi - Costa

 

Good god I hope we line up nothing like that!

Good god I hope we line up nothing like that!

Exactly. I was kinda suggesting how bad it could be!

What we need is not another midfielder but a CB. Willian can play central if needed after all we have Cuadrado back to play wide right.

A 3-5-2 would be sweet but we can't do it with the CB have.

Courtois

Cahill-Zouma-Miazga

Dave-Kante-Kennedy

Cuadrado - Hazard

Batshuayi - Costa

What on earth is that line up?

Haven't seen much of Kenedy this pre-season.. I'm getting a loan vibe which is a shame.

 

even if we signed a defender, i still think we would need another. however, say we got mahrez and koulibaly, would we be right up there with city as favourites for the title? 

What on earth is that line up?

It's a terrifying vision of 3-5-2 with the players we currently have.

Sure you can switch out Miazga for JT or Ivanovich, you could swap Dave to LB and play Ivanovich as a wing-back (!) and you could switch up Cuadrado for Willian but the point is, we don't have the players for that formation despite it being bandied around because Conte has used it at Juve and with Italy. I was highlighting how crazy an idea it is! [emoji57]

You really are an idiot.

Must you direct that offensive remark at me?

Edited July 27, 20169 yr by wallosh

Must you direct that offensive remark me?

Well when you quote my post replying with rubbish and then try to put words in my mouth then yes.

Nowhere in this thread or in any other did I say Matuidi was the best or one of the best midfielders in the world. I merely mentioned he was a better footballer than Mikel.

even if we signed a defender, i still think we would need another. however, say we got mahrez and koulibaly, would we be right up there with city as favourites for the title?

Don't agree with the mahrez sentiment. He's good but not world-class, we have right wingers as good if not better. If he maintains consistency this season then I stand corrected.

He's been much better than Willian has ever been for us with Leicester

3-5-2 with current players:

 

 

---------------------- Cahill - Terry - Zouma---------------------------

 

 

Willian-- ---------Fabregas----------- Kante ----------------Rahman

 

 

---------------------------- ---Hazard-------------------------------------

 

 

-----------------------Michy-------------- Costa