Just read this on reddit

 

43 minutes ago, robdog said:

Just read this on reddit

 

All the pundits are going to be upset about that.

1 hour ago, robdog said:

Just read this on reddit

 

He said this in today's press conference. He said he has played 4 games this month and although he needs to work on his tactics defensively he is very much part of his plans.

Positively purring last night. Amazing quick feet for a big lad. Bar city and us (maybe spuds), would walk into all the other prem teams.

Should be getting a lot more minutes for us. He's a real talent.

I think RLC has been generally excellent in the games he's played this season, he's had 1 or 2 below par perfomances, but I find it hard to see why he is behind Barkley in the pecking order, I don't think there's much between them, but RLC seems to have that little touch of magic at times, whereas Barkley has been very safe. 

I would love to see RLC get 2 or 3 premier league games in his favoured position, because I think he is really starting to settle down and find his feet in men's football. 

I think the problem this season is we brought in Kovacic on loan. It means the choice between playing Ruben or Kova is a tough one to make. Of course, Sarri would more than likely go with Kovacic, but hopefully Ruben is starting to change Sarri's mind. 

He put in more of a shift in defensively last night than i have seen previously.

I thought he was fantastic last night, the guy is an animal, reminds me of and Essien/ Ballack type, players just bounce off him when they try to put in a challenge. He really does have fantastic technique as well, was unlucky not to score with that left footed rocket last night. I thought he put in a good sh*t covering the defence as well, tracked back and used his power to win a lot of midfield battles. I'd start him against fulham, give Kovacic a break for a game or two, he's not looked quite as fresh as he did in the early games this season. And I think Ruben offers more defensively than Barkley, based on his recent performances. We need a powerful, driving runner in midfield and I think he can offer that

Edited November 30, 20187 yr by RMCM

6 hours ago, big blue said:

I think RLC has been generally excellent in the games he's played this season, he's had 1 or 2 below par perfomances, but I find it hard to see why he is behind Barkley in the pecking order, I don't think there's much between them, but RLC seems to have that little touch of magic at times, whereas Barkley has been very safe. 

I would love to see RLC get 2 or 3 premier league games in his favoured position, because I think he is really starting to settle down and find his feet in men's football. 

I think Sarri is struggling to find the best way to fit all of these midfielders in. It's Jorginho or Fabregas for the deeper role, Kante and Loftus-Cheek for CM and one of either Kovacic or Barkley as an attacking midfielder.

The problem is, I don't see Kovacic as an attacking midfielder at all, he looks like a CM every time I watch him. I think Sarri knows this too really, but doesn't trust Barkley enough to keep the position for himself. But instead of rotating Barkley and Kovacic, I would rather he rotated Barkley and Loftus-Cheek. I think Loftus-Cheek would be better in that position than Kovacic. In all honesty, I don't see a place in the team for Kovacic. He's a good player, I am sure of it, but he's never going to get ahead of Kante because we need somebody that can do the defensive work and I would prefer Loftus-Cheek over him in attacking midfield.

So for this season, I would have Barkley and Loftus-Cheek rotating and then next season, get a new attacking midfielder in, send Kovacic back to Real Madrid and let Kante and Loftus-Cheek battle for CM.

12 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I think Sarri is struggling to find the best way to fit all of these midfielders in. It's Jorginho or Fabregas for the deeper role, Kante and Loftus-Cheek for CM and one of either Kovacic or Barkley as an attacking midfielder.

The problem is, I don't see Kovacic as an attacking midfielder at all, he looks like a CM every time I watch him. I think Sarri knows this too really, but doesn't trust Barkley enough to keep the position for himself. But instead of rotating Barkley and Kovacic, I would rather he rotated Barkley and Loftus-Cheek. I think Loftus-Cheek would be better in that position than Kovacic. In all honesty, I don't see a place in the team for Kovacic. He's a good player, I am sure of it, but he's never going to get ahead of Kante because we need somebody that can do the defensive work and I would prefer Loftus-Cheek over him in attacking midfield.

So for this season, I would have Barkley and Loftus-Cheek rotating and then next season, get a new attacking midfielder in, send Kovacic back to Real Madrid and let Kante and Loftus-Cheek battle for CM.

I might be wrong but I think loftus cheek has always played as the attacking midfielder on the left of the 3. Even last night it looked Barkley played on the right and deeper than RLC.

I think we have a good selection of options to play with jorginho and kante, but Kovacic and Barkley have really grabbed that spot yet out right, maybe its time to see RLC can cement that place as his own. 

Personally i really like kovacic, I think he can play all 3 positions in that midfield, and depending on price, he would be a useful signing. 

A lot can happen between now and the summer though. 

1 hour ago, RMCM said:

I thought he was fantastic last night, the guy is an animal, reminds me of and Essien/ Ballack type, players just bounce off him when they try to put in a challenge. He really does have fantastic technique as well, was unlucky not to score with that left footed rocket last night. I thought he put in a good sh*t covering the defence as well, tracked back and used his power to win a lot of midfield battles. I'd start him against fulham, give Kovacic a break for a game or two, he's not looked quite as fresh as he did in the early games this season. And I think Ruben offers more defensively than Barkley, based on his recent performances. We need a powerful, driving runner in midfield and I think he can offer that

Thats nasty.

4 hours ago, jack_super_class said:

Thats nasty.

Oopsie. Not editing it though, too funny

I didn't see the game on Thursday but i'm pleased to hear he played well. He'll be 23 next month and still not started 3 consecutive league games for Chelsea. That = never been given a proper chance. He really can't afford to keep waiting and waiting for a fair run in the team. Time is right to giive him a run and see if he can really make it at Chelsea.

he's had first team games under jose, guus, conte, and now sarri.

if none of those guys are "giving him a run" the problem is him. 

I liked his throwing his weight around on Thursday. Like some big men he seems to hold back, so it was good to see him going for it. Tends to go missing sometimes during games, would like to see more hunger.

He should be starting against City. Kovacic offers next to nothing in attack, Barkley has gone a bit flat, Loftus-Cheek looks full of confidence, has pace and power from deep and is adding end product to his game. He's looking the real deal at the moment and we should take full advantage of it.

On current form RLC looks like he's worth that starting position ahead of Kovacic and Barkley. It seems that Sarri made his mind up that Kovacic is the better player, and it looked to be the correct decision in the first part of the season. Form comes and goes though so I'm hoping Sarri isn't as fixed in his ways as people are saying.

2 minutes ago, bluedave said:

On current form RLC looks like he's worth that starting position ahead of Kovacic and Barkley. It seems that Sarri made his mind up that Kovacic is the better player, and it looked to be the correct decision in the first part of the season. Form comes and goes though so I'm hoping Sarri isn't as fixed in his ways as people are saying.

I had a little 'yes' moment when he picked up the knock, nothing serious injury wise, but just enough for him to leave the field and make way for Ruben.

Ruben is imo a more dynamic and direct player, he is more problematic to a defender than Kovacic.

6 goals in his last 6 games now. Kovacic has scored 1 in the last 3 and a half years. Should be a no brainer who to go forward with. I highly doubt we'll be looking to keep Kovacic next season.

4 minutes ago, coco said:

I had a little 'yes' moment when he picked up the knock, nothing serious injury wise, but just enough for him to leave the field and make way for Ruben.

Ruben is imo a more dynamic and direct player, he is more problematic to a defender than Kovacic.

Actually I had the same reaction... I'm glad Kovacic was ok but was hoping it would just be enough of a knock to force Sarri to make the change. 

wrong thread

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by MANoWAR

Agree with all the above. I would love to see him starting.

I believe he is still yet to start a PL game this year which isn't ideal. If he doesn't start this week v Wolves I don't know what else the lad can do.

49 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

He should be starting against City. Kovacic offers next to nothing in attack, Barkley has gone a bit flat, Loftus-Cheek looks full of confidence, has pace and power from deep and is adding end product to his game. He's looking the real deal at the moment and we should take full advantage of it.

I'm ready to pay you for that.

If this will happen, I will be so f**king happy to see RLC starting for us. He deserves that.

That's the first time he's came on as sub and immediately looked to impose himself on the game fully, looked a lot more confident and aggressive.