12 minutes ago, Zeta said:

What strengths would those be?

He maintains a strong presence at an all you can eat buffet. 

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

What? Our first choice kit socks are white...

What can I say, I'm a rebel.

21 minutes ago, Zeta said:

What strengths would those be?

He's a strong striker with pace and good in the air. 

Play quick football with through passes to him and let him and defenders chase the ball and fend each other off it. 

Play long balls for him to knock down to midfielders who have an eye for goal or attacking impetus (pretty much like Drogba was for Lamps and co in his first season - oh wait, we don't even have those and they can't be coached on the training pitch to have that in their game, thankfully we Mason who is a natural at it) 

Put the ball in the air when players get to the oppositions area rather than playing it back and slowly building it up again. 

In pretty much all situations, that he will offer benefit, the way we play stifles it. 

This isn't meant to be a full on criticism of Tuchel, or a defense of Lukaku, just an observation and it is good these questions are asked. 

We can level all the criticism at Lukaku or even the weakness of Italian league but let's not forget most of his career goals were scored in this very league. Playing for teams that usually on the back foot so you should know the situation he thrives in. 

I said Tuchel should try adapting to the players and someone pointed out that Pep and Klopp never adapted but stuck to their principles and we see the results now. 

Let's not forget, they ripped up the team and got the players they needed to play their game with support of their ownership. TT doesn't even seem like he knows what players he wants, has stated several times he hates the transfer market, and has all the pull and appeal to players as that  of a drunken young man on a night out to the ladies. 

Even Conte who got the best out of him let's be honest had Chelsea play like underdogs most games. Yeah we tonked every one before they got used to his "revolutionary" formation but it was never from a dominant point like a City or Pool do to opponents. And that's the type of game that plays to Lukaku's strengths. 

Edited July 25, 20223 yr by abister1
Auto correct error

29 minutes ago, Valerie said:

What can I say, I'm a rebel.

Ah so this is you then 😉

51 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Ah so this is you then 😉

Seriously, in a red dress  ?

2 minutes ago, Valerie said:

Seriously, in a red dress  ?

That would be very rebellious... 😉

Ok let try again.

17 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

That would be very rebellious... 😉

Ok let try again.

I'm the evil, rebellious twin (or triplet, I can't tell this is one woman, or two different ones  )!

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

What? Our first choice kit socks are white...

Blue socks are w**k with our home kit, Pure white, with a hint of naughtiness

2 hours ago, Ballack & Blu said:

Blue socks are w**k with our home kit, Pure white, with a hint of naughtiness

When i first got used to seeing JT with his sock wore like pull up sussies, i half expected to see a Suspender belt under his shorts, 'JT in full gear'

22 hours ago, abister1 said:

He's a strong striker with pace and good in the air. 

Play quick football with through passes to him and let him and defenders chase the ball and fend each other off it. 

Play long balls for him to knock down to midfielders who have an eye for goal or attacking impetus (pretty much like Drogba was for Lamps and co in his first season - oh wait, we don't even have those and they can't be coached on the training pitch to have that in their game, thankfully we Mason who is a natural at it) 

Put the ball in the air when players get to the oppositions area rather than playing it back and slowly building it up again. 

In pretty much all situations, that he will offer benefit, the way we play stifles it. 

This isn't meant to be a full on criticism of Tuchel, or a defense of Lukaku, just an observation and it is good these questions are asked. 

We can level all the criticism at Lukaku or even the weakness of Italian league but let's not forget most of his career goals were scored in this very league. Playing for teams that usually on the back foot so you should know the situation he thrives in. 

I said Tuchel should try adapting to the players and someone pointed out that Pep and Klopp never adapted but stuck to their principles and we see the results now. 

Let's not forget, they ripped up the team and got the players they needed to play their game with support of their ownership. TT doesn't even seem like he knows what players he wants, has stated several times he hates the transfer market, and has all the pull and appeal to players as that  of a drunken young man on a night out to the ladies. 

Even Conte who got the best out of him let's be honest had Chelsea play like underdogs most games. Yeah we tonked every one before they got used to his "revolutionary" formation but it was never from a dominant point like a City or Pool do to opponents. And that's the type of game that plays to Lukaku's strengths. 

Lukaku's strong, but he's never known how to use his stength effectively, which is why top defenders deal with him so easily. Playing long balls to Lukaku for him to knock down to defenders would be a waste of time because, like I said before, he doesn't use his strength well and he has one of the worst touches of any footballer I have ever seen at the club. Asking him to do what Drogba did is impossible because Lukaku doesn't have the agility, touch, strength and intelligence that Drogba had.

The only thing we could have done better was to play through balls quicker to him, but even then, I doubt that would have done much for him because it's much harder to do when you are playing against packed defences game after game. His only realy chance of getting goals would have been from crosses, the problem with that is that Lukaku's positioning in these situations are terrible. So often he would hide behind the defender instead of trying to get in front of them. 

37 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Lukaku's strong, but he's never known how to use his stength effectively, which is why top defenders deal with him so easily. Playing long balls to Lukaku for him to knock down to defenders would be a waste of time because, like I said before, he doesn't use his strength well and he has one of the worst touches of any footballer I have ever seen at the club. Asking him to do what Drogba did is impossible because Lukaku doesn't have the agility, touch, strength and intelligence that Drogba had.

The only thing we could have done better was to play through balls quicker to him, but even then, I doubt that would have done much for him because it's much harder to do when you are playing against packed defences game after game. His only realy chance of getting goals would have been from crosses, the problem with that is that Lukaku's positioning in these situations are terrible. So often he would hide behind the defender instead of trying to get in front of them. 

He couldn't see a run if it was signposted and on a red carpet

39 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Lukaku's strong,  

No he isn't.

People think Lukaku is strong because of his build and what he looks like.

But given I've regularly seen him absolutely bodied by almost every physical centre back he's faced for a decade now I'm calling bullsh*t.

He's a big fat snowflake.

 

he probably realised he won't get paid

I'm good with Azpi seeing out his contract in a reduced role but I don't think a contract extension would suit either party.

Looks likes he's staying peeps, reportedly called Xavi today to relay the decision. Quite happy with this tbh xouldnt have Barca and Madrid take all of our UCL winning defence for free or practical peanuts the actual audacity amazes me.

Allows Reece to play wingback more often. Very important for me TT mainly uses him at RCB not wingback, even LCB he doesn't look as good. Keeping Azpil, plus the potential signing of Cucurella and Fofana means we're all set and only need a CM/DM and forward imo. Which should be do a le within the month that is left.

I hope this is his last season with us and as a footballer. He can be a benchwarmer for Barca next year

Im happy he's staying, with all of the changes around the team it's good to have an experienced player who's been with us for a decade.

excellent news

still a decent defender

can play/cover several positions

will get paid in full

two fingers to Barca

nice🙂

Fofana needs to happen then because Azpilicueta shouldn't really be our starting RCB. 

Good dude to have around the squad, Lost half a yard but gives us depth and exp I guess

 

New deal? Interested in seeing what the new policy would be regarding over 30s players now that Marina is gone.

2 minutes ago, sonic90 said:

New deal? Interested in seeing what the new policy would be regarding over 30s players now that Marina is gone.

They will probably be given a new deal but just a drastic reduction in wages. 

I really hope we can keep Dave. He is pretty good in football still and a great leader.