pretty ineffective until he hit the post with that shot. Had a good spell thereafter.

 

Schurlle - willian - Hazard next game for me

 

I'd go for Ramires instead and play 4-3-3. Hazard, Shurrle and Costa up front. 

Wonderful improvement today. Probed and passed and a beautiful ball through four defenders for Ivanovic to set up Costa. A stark contrast in energy and commitment to the £27m Fibreglass who didn't deign Stamford Bridge worthy of him breaking out into more than a jog.

Common Fibreglass? Sorry but I don't rate Oscar personally and wouldn't play him as a 10, and doubt he will play in that position for the other Big 4. Fair play to him he runs around and tackles, but Fabregas with 3 assists in 2 games (more than Oscar had the whole of last season) is producing in an area you expect your 10 to.

Wonderful improvement today. Probed and passed and a beautiful ball through four defenders for Ivanovic to set up Costa. A stark contrast in energy and commitment to the £27m Fibreglass who didn't deign Stamford Bridge worthy of him breaking out into more than a jog.

You have got to be kidding.

Wonderful improvement today. Probed and passed and a beautiful ball through four defenders for Ivanovic to set up Costa. A stark contrast in energy and commitment to the £27m Fibreglass who didn't deign Stamford Bridge worthy of him breaking out into more than a jog.

 

Eh, praising Oscar for his 2nd half performance is fair enough but to have a dig at Fabregas is really unfair. He kept hold of the ball, never lost it, played some good passes, tracked back and made a few tackles and got another assist for Hazards goal. The guy completely controls the center of our midfield.

Excellent performance today. Those who felt he didn't contribute creatively aside from the two moments, please watch the game again. Several great incisive passes and through balls. He was as good as I've seen him play in a long time. Hope he keeps this up.

Eh, praising Oscar for his 2nd half performance is fair enough but to have a dig at Fabregas is really unfair. He kept hold of the ball, never lost it, played some good passes, tracked back and made a few tackles and got another assist for Hazards goal. The guy completely controls the center of our midfield.

Agreed, he's exactly what we have been missing and just creates and controls the match tempo. I wasn't sure about him but can have no complaints so far.I'll be amazed if he misplaced more than 5 passes all game.

Agreed, he's exactly what we have been missing and just creates and controls the match tempo. I wasn't sure about him but can have no complaints so far.I'll be amazed if he misplaced more than 5 passes all game.

Fabregas had, like, 95% pass accuracy today. Never misplaced a pass in a dangerous area and controlled possession well. Unlike Oscar and especially Matic.

Oscar hit the inside of the post and played the through ball to Ivan for the opening goal, I don't think he deserves to lose his place in the team.

That's your opinion, I think Willian has offered more from the little game time he has had compared to Oscar.

Wonderful improvement today. Probed and passed and a beautiful ball through four defenders for Ivanovic to set up Costa. A stark contrast in energy and commitment to the £27m Fibreglass who didn't deign Stamford Bridge worthy of him breaking out into more than a jog.

Could we not call him Fibreglass? It's even more childish than Cashley.

Fabregas was superb today didn't put a foot wrong, don’t even remember seeing him lose possession once and every pass he made was where it should be, I wonder what game people are watching at times.

sh*te first half, but there again the entire was...second half, a vast improvement but still needs to be doing more for my liking if he wants to remain in the 10 spot.

My problem with Oscar is how slow and weak he is with the ball.

I'd not play Willian in anything but games where we counter attack most of the game because that's his only quality. 

I'd not play Willian in anything but games where we counter attack most of the game because that's his only quality.

If you took notice of the move where Willian turned the midfielder, driving forward with pace and strength and unleashed a wicked shot, you will have seen what he is capable of.

He has absolutely everything in his locker. It's just a matter of gaining the experience to show his true potential.

Agreed, he's exactly what we have been missing and just creates and controls the match tempo. I wasn't sure about him but can have no complaints so far.I'll be amazed if he misplaced more than 5 passes all game.

 

He's becoming our Xavi.

 

Very pleased with Oscar's second half today.  I've been recently critical of him but if he shows more of that on a consistent basis I'll happily eat my words.  He's not really playing as a 10 any more, Fabregas and Oscar seem to interchange a lot which seems to suit them both.

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Edited August 24, 201411 yr by JMaher94

People are overly critical of Willian, think he's excellent myself.

All the knockers should re watch the game imo, he had a great game, involved in everything, always available to receive the ball and worked his socks off to boot !

 

He is the heartbeat to our team. He rotates position with Fabregas and his fellow forwards which makes him hard to pick up.

 

Yes his passing lacks a little compared with Fabregas but he offers so much more to the team than his passing though his reverse ball to Ivan which led to the goal was sublime.

 

Be careful what you wish for, Oscar out of this team will be tough to replace.

Willian and Oscar are both fantastic players with great ability. 

 

The one problem they have and it's one that Hazard shares and only Andre seems to understand is none of them seam to one to do much running of the ball in to space behind the defence. on at least two occations yesterday we broke and Hazard just stood with his back to the ball, not dragging defenders or creating an option and Willian was guilty of it on the ramires break. I am a huge fan of Willian, think his skill set is top top draw but he needs to have a look at Andre's movement to address the weakness in his game

The one problem they have and it's one that Hazard shares and only Andre seems to understand is none of them seam to one to do much running of the ball in to space behind the defence.

Definitely. It's a serious missing ingredient. All the best wide players have that in their locker. But hopefully we'll see more of it as Matic and Fabregas are more likely to pick out such runs.

Hazard also averages about 1.2 crosses per game. That is way below par for a player of his quality. A player can really affect a game with a good cross or a smart run, and we've not seen enough of it up to now.

Edited August 24, 201411 yr by venom2011

He's becoming our Xavi.

Very pleased with Oscar's second half today. I've been recently critical of him but if he shows more of that on a consistent basis I'll happily eat my words. He's not really playing as a 10 any more, Fabregas and Oscar seem to interchange a lot which seems to suit them both.

Hes working really well with fabregas, which shows just how intelligent a player he is. Its great that we have such a good mix of midfielder, willian is much more dynamic and direct when needed for instance.

I'd rather Willian play than Oscar to be honest.

Hes working really well with fabregas, which shows just how intelligent a player he is. Its great that we have such a good mix of midfielder, willian is much more dynamic and direct when needed for instance.

Agree that he is a very intelligent player and someone who will always put team before personal glory. When the like on Fabregas moves forward he will be looking to take that covering space. Maybe this is the problem some find with him in that he may appear negative in that he is prepared to do the defensive work and not as willing to push forward at every opportunity.

Crazy to think he's only 22, that's Astu's age! 

Agree that he is a very intelligent player and someone who will always put team before personal glory. When the like on Fabregas moves forward he will be looking to take that covering space. Maybe this is the problem some find with him in that he may appear negative in that he is prepared to do the defensive work and not as willing to push forward at every opportunity.

 

I dont think anyone criticizing him holds THAT against him. At least none that Ive seen. Its the main praise he get nowadays, his defensive contributions and work ethic. The main problem with Oscar is that he always wants the ball played at his feet, make a couple of touches and then pass it on. It really slows up the play and was a huge reason we struggled last year against parked teams. Willian is the same, except when he comes deep to get it then hes actually pretty quick with it and either takes a man on or passes it up the field.

Personally I just think something is off when your number 10 is praised mainly for being defensively sound and having a great work ethic, but then again Oscar isnt really a 10 in Mourinhos system and with Fabregas already in there shouldering much of the creative passing it isnt a problem. If Fabreags for some reason should be out and we have to play Willian and Oscar together I think we will see more of what we did last year against teams sitting deep. Which was mainly those two either standing on the ball slowing it down or not making runs, counting on Hazard to pull a rabbit out of his hat or the odd cross to make its way to whoever we played up top.