I'm not one to start these kind of threads normally as they can be quite annoying but I am genuinely intrigued to hear people's opinion on what our current best eleven is, baring in mind that the team you pick has to be a team that would adapt a Jose style of play.

Would you include Mata?

David Luiz or Cahill?

Which, if any, of our new AMs would make the cut?

Naturally some people will want to pick different teams for different opposition so for the sake of argument lets say it's against a tough opponent, a well balanced (defensively and offensively) team in a champions league final.

This is mine;

Cech

Ivanovic - terry - luiz - cole

Ramires - Lampard

Oscar Mata Hazard

Torres

Thoughts?

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by Sharpy

Cech

Ivanovic - Cahill - JT - Cole

Ramires - Lampard (potentially Essien when match fit)

Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

________

Depending on the game I'd put Mata in for Schurrle and move Oscar out to the right.

Lampard or Essien was my biggest question too. When Essien plays as solid as he did tonight I think him and Ramires could really form a solid partnership, essien covering the back four to release ramires when needed. I like Schurrle and his directness but I just feel that when we are attacking mata really offers so much more than schurrle, to a point that I could forgive him for anything he might lack defensively.

I really do hate leaving Mata and Lampard out, but I'd have to go for this based on their form this season.

 

 

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by Amputechture

Cech

Ivanovic Terry Luiz Cole

Mikel Ramires

Hazard Mata Schurrle

Eto'o

Have the occasional Oscar for Mata switch every so often and Dave for Ivan.

Cech

Ivanovic - Cahill - JT - Cole

Ramires - Lampard (potentially Essien when match fit)

Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

________

Depending on the game I'd put Mata in for Schurrle and move Oscar out to the right.

This

I imagine this is how a parent feels when somebody asks "Which one of your children do you like best?"

 

-------------------Cech-----------------

 

Dave-----Cahill------Terry------Cole

 

-----------Rami-------Lamps----------

 

--Schurrle----Oscar-----Hazard-----

 

----------------Torres-------------------

 

 

As much as I love Luiz I feel a lot less nervous when it's Cahill in his place. Mata is brilliant but how can we drop Oscar in the form he's been in? Although I will say that if Hazard doesn't start performing like we know he can then his position shouldn't be a given. The same also goes for Cole, Bertrand has risen to the occasion every time he's played so far this season and Cole has hardly set the world on fire this season. Lampard, unfortunately, is also in the same boat, however, that position is weak so he seems to automatically get that position, but I think that we should seriously consider given De Bruyne a go there, he's a fantastic passer, good finisher and works hard, perfect replacement for Lampard. RB was difficult because I like Ivan but even though he works his arse off every game, his crossing is terrible and as a full-back I think that it's a very good tool to have. Saying that, we miss his presence at set plays when he's not playing.

Cech

 

Dave

Luiz

Terry

Cole

 

Mikel

Ramires

 

Schurrle

Oscar

Hazard

 

Torres

Stunned that so many have left Mata out. 

 

He is solidly the best player at the club in my view, and should be first on the team sheet. I include Oscar and Hazard in that judgement.

Cech

 

Dave

Luiz

Terry

Cole

 

Mikel

Ramires

 

Schurrle

Oscar

Hazard

 

Torres

Yarp! closely aligned to my choice

Cech

Ivanovic - Cahill - JT - Cole

Ramires - Lampard

Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

This would be my team also.

Cech

Ivanovic - Cahill - JT - Cole

Ramires - Lampard (potentially Essien when match fit)

Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard

Torres

________

Depending on the game I'd put Mata in for Schurrle and move Oscar out to the right.

totally agree, although i would have mikel as the man to challenge for lampards spot, rather than essien. mata would be more likely to replace hazard at this moment in time as well, as he has been relatively ineffective of late. 

I'm not one to start these kind of threads normally as they can be quite annoying but I am genuinely intrigued to hear people's opinion on what our current best eleven is, baring in mind that the team you pick has to be a team that would adapt a Jose style of play.

Would you include Mata?

David Luiz or Cahill?

Which, if any, of our new AMs would make the cut?

Naturally some people will want to pick different teams for different opposition so for the sake of argument lets say it's against a tough opponent, a well balanced (defensively and offensively) team in a champions league final.

This is mine;

Cech

Ivanovic - terry - luiz - cole

Ramires - Lampard

Oscar Mata Hazard

Torres

Thoughts?

 

I'd have to agree with your starting XI tbh mate, although I'd probably swap Luiz for Cahill... But it would depend on who we're playing. Luiz can get forward, but I see Cahill as better defensively.

 

Edited November 5, 201312 yr by January Blues

Cech

Ivan Cahill Terry Cole

Ramires Mikel

Shurrle Oscar Willian / Mata

Torres

Not convinced by Hazard so far this season, he has been breathing more cold than hot, small flashes of brilliance, but nowhere near enough to justify all the hype and expense. We all expect more from him.

The jury is still out on Willian, but at this moment in time he seems to be more effective.

I think people are being a little unfair on Eden. His role has changed under Jose. He has to track back now and that means he has to start his runs further down the pitch.

Same for Ash really. people are moaning about him not getting forward as much but i think thats because thats what he is told to do by Jose.

My squad has changed a bit while reading the above.

I also remember seeing us beat Blackburn 0-1 on a cold winters night in Jose's first season. Robben had his leg broken, and the blonde boy (Robbie Savage) committed 22 fouls without a yellow card. I can't see that resilience here though. Anyway:

Cech

Dave

Ivan

JT

Cole

Mikel (who'd have thought it)

Ramires

Schurrle

Oscar

Willian

Eto'o

Can't believe I've left out: Hazard, Mata, Frankie, and Luiz, but Newcastle was a bit of a wake up call.

I think the Newcastle game has clouded some people's judgement on what our best team team would be if all players were on form.

cech

ivanovic

luiz

terry

cole

ramires

mikel

hazard

mata

oscar

torres

on current form id play

cech

ivanovic

terry

bertrand

ramires

mikel

willian

oscar

hazard

torres.

I think even Mourinho's type of team should include Mata, i see no problem with his work rate and tracking back. He does it just as effectively as Oscar in my opinion and offers more in attack.

 

Lampard and Ramires isn't my favourite combination so i would always go with either Essien or Mikel to go alongside one of them.

 

Playing Cahill ahead of Luiz was easy for me because Luiz can no longer be trusted in our defense. If he doesn't start improving then i think his future at the club is in real trouble.

 

Cech

 

Ivanovic

Cahill

Terry

Cole

 

Essien / Mikel

Ramires / Lampard

 

Hazard

Mata

Schurrle

 

Torres

I find it odd that people are dropping Oscar (who has been amazing for us this season) for Mata (who has been amazing for us the last two seasons but not really cut it so far this one).

Interesting thread and reaction really ... I am going to base On today and moving forward for the future, allowing our starting XI to gel together, giving some of them time to 'adapt to a new position and role...:

 

         Cech

 

Azpi Cahill JT Cole

     

    Rambo Luiz

 

Schur Oscar Hazard

 

          FT

 

Yes I still think Luiz CAN play a CDM position since JM is 'grooming' players for new roles, (Grooming might not be the best word to describe the process though, whipped into shape might be more appropriate for him!)

Just feel, that given structure & purpose, pushing him up field A LITTLE would be a good idea!!

 

I think that Luiz need a bit of a time out to teach him a lesson. Playing him higher up will cover up some of the cracks but not all of them and the bottom line is he needs to up his game and keep at the high level that we know he can play at when he wants to.

Why is everyone suddenly so negative about Lampard? His role has changed from last season, he is deeper and his contribution is not as obvious.

Cech

Cesar Ivan Terry Cole

Ramires

Oscar

Hazard Schurrle

Mata

Torres

I'd be interested to see how that would pan out.

Oscar a little deeper to track back and defend easier. Hazard and Schuurle have both impressed doing the same.

Mata given the freedom to attack with Torres (in his current form) in support would be unplayable.

Cech-

Azpilicueta-Ivanovic-Terry-Cole

 

Ramires

 

Oscar-Hazard-Schurrle

 

Mata

 

Torres

 

At the MOMENT...