Yeah and Barnes didn't even get properly punished for that.

We both have birthday today 

I'm starting to echo the sentiments of others that maybe it's time to sell him. His deterioration in the last 12 months has been nothing short of baffling and it doesn't look like he's going to improve soon if pre-season form is anything to go by.

 

Very concerning.

We both have birthday today 

Happy Birthday!

Edited August 1, 20169 yr by Jezz

We both have birthday today

A very happy birthday to you, Iliya!

Edited August 1, 20169 yr by Valerie

Remember when he first arrived from Benfica and completely dominated Yaya Toure who was crushing every PL-midfield at that time and leading us to a win. He was fantastic back then, hard to pinpoint what has happened. I do have a hope Conte can get something out of him again though.

 

Wasn't that the Ramires - David Luiz - Matic pairing? It was a genius move by Jose & that 1-0 win @ Emirates was one of the most tatical masterpieces that Jose has created. Not sure why that didn't happen last season.

His main asset was his athletic ability and positioning, technically he has never been great. And for a player with his height he is plop in the air.

We had two of the greatest ever in that role Makka and Essien. Matic is nowhere near their quality.

His main asset was his athletic ability and positioning, technically he has never been great. And for a player with his height he is plop in the air.

We had two of the greatest ever in that role Makka and Essien. Matic is nowhere near their quality.

He was in contention between January 2014-January 2015, but both of them would eat him alive at any other time.

If Barnes HAD broken his leg, I can see how he might have been affected by that challenge. But he didnt. it was a bad challenge but Matic escaped unhurt, so why would that be the cause of such a huge decline in his performances? there must be another reason... But i cant for the life of me figure it out!

If Barnes HAD broken his leg, I can see how he might have been affected by that challenge. But he didnt. it was a bad challenge but Matic escaped unhurt, so why would that be the cause of such a huge decline in his performances? there must be another reason... But i cant for the life of me figure it out!

 

He's had 2 similar challenges on him not long after the Barnes challenge when playing for Serbia too. Maybe he feels like one more of these types of tackles is going to do some serious damage.

 

It can't just be that though, being afraid of challenges doesn't suddenly make everything you do on the pitch look like sh*t. He can't even make simple passes anymore.

I think teams started to realise if you put pressure on matic and show him onto his right foot, he makes mistakes.

The more mistakes he makes the more his confidence drops. I think there us still a top footballer in there, but he needs to show more self belief and swagger, im not sure he will be able to get that back in a blue shirt, although i do think playing next to kante could give him the boost he needs.

Anyone think he could re-invent himself as a CB?

Anyone think he could re-invent himself as a CB?

 

Not a bad shout to be honest.

 

Much better when the game is in front of him. 

I've gone full circle on Matic. I remember others raving about him when he was first with us and being gutted when we sold him but I wasn't that fussed as didn't over-rate him.

 

Then of course he came back and performed like he did and I had to admit I was wrong and must have missed something. But now I'm thinking my first instincts were right and perhaps he just enjoyed a purple patch but has now been found out. Now we have Kante I really see Matic surplus to requirements and don't see much of a future for him at The Bridge.

I think we largely won the league because of him

I've gone full circle on Matic. I remember others raving about him when he was first with us and being gutted when we sold him but I wasn't that fussed as didn't over-rate him.

Then of course he came back and performed like he did and I had to admit I was wrong and must have missed something. But now I'm thinking my first instincts were right and perhaps he just enjoyed a purple patch but has now been found out. Now we have Kante I really see Matic surplus to requirements and don't see much of a future for him at The Bridge.

I really want to watch old matches and see what he or anyone else was doing differently 2 years back. It will be interesting to know. I'm sure I won't though...

I think we largely won the league because of him

 

Behind Hazard, I would say he was our next most important player that season. Just shows how far he has fallen.

Anyone think he could re-invent himself as a CB?

He doesn't have the discipline. When played as a defensive midfielder, you expect him to stay in front of the defence to protect it. But most times you will see him moving up the pitch to the attacking midfield position thereby relying on Fabregas to cover for him.

I think we largely won the league because of him

I will always give that to Hazard. We would have been a different team last season if Hazard had maintain his 2014/2015 form.

Edited August 5, 20169 yr by wallosh

Anyone think he could re-invent himself as a CB?

 

No. He can't head a ball for sh*t.

Something has gone between his ears.

Still think that we should give him another season to see if he can overcome it. Whatever it is.

I will always give that to Hazard. We would have been a different team last season if Hazard had maintain his 2014/2015 form.

One does not exclude the other but let's say with the addition of terry those 3 where probably the biggest difference makers

One does not exclude the other but let's say with the addition of terry those 3 where probably the biggest difference makers

Even Fabregas was more intrumental with all the assist he had.

Kante can be just the man to get him back on track.

I will always give that to Hazard. We would have been a different team last season if Hazard had maintain his 2014/2015 form.

Top 4 at the very least.

Even Fabregas was more intrumental with all the assist he had.

Ok now your being silly, I don't want to take anything away from fabregas but if you step away from

Match of the day highlights and watch the full game with out Matics complete dominance of midfields while playing next to a light weight like fabregas , those assists don't occurred because fab doesn't get the ball on the break the defense would have been pounded...and I think it shows with matic and hazard falling of so hard last season