They came back when Willian was signed. Naturally they've been ongoing; just because we've signed Matic doesn't mean the debate over Mikel won't still continue. Nonetheless I still think you are trying to fuel another Mikel argument, you tried [somehow] to connect him to the heated argument we were having about Rob Green a couple of weeks ago. Not because he was in any way relevant but because you thought it might fuel the fire.

 

We has a heated argument about Green??? I don't do heated arguments about back-up keepers who are more than good enough but I'll have a look.

 

 

As for today, after you noticed that I (quite often involved in these Mikel arguments) had taken umbrage at an absurd exaggeration you had made, went on to post the exact same argument in two other threads, ostensibly praising Zouma, yet managing to get in several digs at Mikel in both. Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why do any of that unless your intention is to start a bipolar and thoroughly tedious argument and piss people off?

 

 

Maybe you shouldn't take umbrage? I explained why I thought of Mikel when discussing Zouma and I think it's totally fair.  To be honest you seem to be the only person arguing about it, but that's your right. If you disagree then that's fine. 

 

 

No, of course you don't actually think that, but you are keen to imply that it is the case because it makes the fuse you initially lit look more valid. Zouma doesn't generally play the same position as Mikel - he has started 16 times for us this season, twice in defensive mid. Once because there was nobody else who could play there, the second time because he was the most physical option we had to man-mark Fellaini, who Man Utd have been using as a target man to get the ball up the pitch quickly. He's a brilliant centre back, but really not a natural choice for the midfield, or really anything beyond competent.

 

 

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

 

Makélélé is, in my eyes, the best defensive midfielder I've ever seen. I don't think it's really fair to compare anybody to him; even Matic is rubbish in comparison. Quite possibly had the best grin in football too, it would endear him to anybody.

 

Matic is not rubbish in comparison to Makelele in my opinion, but for the sake of avoiding lit fuses and heated arguments we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

Out of interest, how many minutes do you think Mikel plays next year if unencumbered by injury?

Bit nervous about Zouma starting this one... Cazorla is more than capable of playing him like a fiddle imho

 

4-3-2-1

Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, JT, Dave, Ramires, Mikel, Matic, Willian, Hazard, Remy

 

In the absence of any recognised forwards;

 

4-3-2-1

Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, JT, Dave, Ramires, Mikel, Matic, Oscar, Willian, Hazard (false 9 alternating with Oscar/Willian)

Bit nervous about Zouma starting this one... Cazorla is more than capable of playing him like a fiddle imho

 

4-3-2-1

Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, JT, Dave, Ramires, Mikel, Matic, Willian, Hazard, Remy

 

In the absence of any recognised forwards;

 

4-3-2-1

Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, JT, Dave, Ramires, Mikel, Matic, Oscar, Willian, Hazard (false 9 alternating with Oscar/Willian)

 

Zouma was trusted against Man City so I'd trust him in this one. 

 

Mikel has barely played since Christmas so we should look to ease him back slowly so that he can be fit for us next season. We may need him.

 

ChelsTransferGossip ?@ChelsTransfer  5m5 minutes ago

Didier Drogba is now a potential doubt for Sunday's trip to the Emirates Stadium with the ankle problem. #CFC (Mail)

 

 

That's just because the big man himself has ruled himself out of a charity match he was due to play tonight

 

Didier DrogbaVerified account?@didierdrogba

Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse:

Cesc false 9 it is..... ;)

Cesc false 9 it is..... ;)

 

From Arsenal's false prophet to our false 9? 

Just imagine!

I wonder how close both Costa and Remy are to being fit, not heard much about either in the past week other than Remy not making the squad.

I will cry tears of joy if this is a 1-0 with a last minute fabregas goal in front of the away end.

If none of our strikers are fit enough for this, I'd like to see:

 

GK: Courtois
RB: Ivanovic
CB: Terry
CB: Cahill
LB: Azpilicueta
CM: Matic
CM: Mikel
RW: Willian
CAM: Oscar
LW: Hazard
ST: Cesc

I wonder what sort of reception Fabregas will get from the home support? 

 

We've seen Lampard and Mata given standing ovations at The Bridge this year despite playing for rivals. 

If we have no strikers, put Azpi on the Right and move Ivan up front

I wonder what sort of reception Fabregas will get from the home support?

We've seen Lampard and Mata given standing ovations at The Bridge this year despite playing for rivals.

If the Bridge and social media is anything to go by it's not going to be the return of a hero that's for sure.

I expect a Cole kind of reception from the goons, hopefully it spurs on Cesc just like it did Ash.

Zouma was trusted against Man City so I'd trust him in this one.

 

At CB, for sure - but not at DM for me.

 

Zouma's physical attributes were well suited to counter the threat of Fellaini... but keeping tabs on the movement of Cazorla/Ozil is a different proposition, no?

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by the special one

At CB, for sure - but not at DM for me.

Zouma's physical attributes were well suited to counter the threat of Fellaini... but keeping tabs on the movement of Cazorla/Ozil is a different proposition?

Who would be better to do that job?

Given Cesc can't keep up with play and we will need Matic to control the middle of the park and press on I can't think of many other options other than Mikel who will be rusty.

It's not pretty I agree but at this stage it's about points and not losing games, this no doubt means we set up for the rest of the season in these games as not to lose and hit on the counter when the oppertunity arises.

Arsenal need the ball to play their usual game, it's vital we keep their playmakers quiet and Zouma IMO will be used to help stop that threat.

We could of course go with Ramires in the middle and let Matic do the defensive role but Rambo isn't a very good ball player and his ball retention is not as good as both Zouma and Matic.

We has a heated argument about Green??? I don't do heated arguments about back-up keepers who are more than good enough but I'll have a look.

 

Brilliantly obtuse but nonetheless transparent.

 

Maybe you shouldn't take umbrage? I explained why I thought of Mikel when discussing Zouma and I think it's totally fair.  To be honest you seem to be the only person arguing about it, but that's your right. If you disagree then that's fine. 

 

Yes entirely fair, but why make that exact same point in three different threads (of which I am participating in one)? Unless it's to incite argument? Your post in the Zouma thread, apparently in praise of him, employs the word 'Zouma' twice and the word 'Mikel' three times.

 

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

How repeatedly magnanimous of you.

 

Matic is not rubbish in comparison to Makelele in my opinion, but for the sake of avoiding lit fuses and heated arguments we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

Out of interest, how many minutes do you think Mikel plays next year if unencumbered by injury?

 

Considering who our manager is it's not unreasonable to expect him to make somewhere around twelve starts, not necessarily as an alternative to Matic but even alongside him. A Mikel-Matic midfield allows us to completely dominate possession and move the ball quickly to our front four, as they did when starting together against Southampton. From the bench he is obviously useful as a defensive option when we need to defend a lead, he is useful when the game is particularly end-to-end and we need to slow it down to regain control and possession, and is also a good option when we are struggling to win the ball or get it to our forwards in decent positions. But that is obviously going to be on a match-to-match basis. I think it is largely contingent on how far we get in the Champions League, as Mikel is perfect for that kind of occasion.

Jesus Christ, no Drogba either? I guess we'll be playing on the counter then:

 

--------------------Courtois

Ivanovic------Cahill------Terry-----Azpi

-----------------Mikel--------Matic

----------------------Fabregas

----Cuadrado-------Hazard-------Willian

------------------------------------------------

 

Subs:

Cech, Luis, Zouma, Ramires, Oscar, Brown, Solanke

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by PloKoon13

I'd go:

 

Courtois

 

Luis

Terry

Cahill

Azpilicueta

 

Matic

Fabregas

 

Hazard

Oscar

Willian

 

Whoever the hell is fit

I'd expect to see something like

-----------Courtios-------

Ivan----Cahill----Terry------Azpi

--------------Zouma----------

-----------Cesc-----Matic-------

Willian---------------------Hazard

----------------Remy-----------

Oscar to come on in the second half and score the winner.

Jut because Drogba has an ankle injury for a charity game now that doesn't he won't be fit Sunday. I'm predicting we'll have all three of our strikers fit on Sunday.

Personally I don't think we need to play two holding midfielders against Arsenal, they don't have an aerial threat like United did and generally because they play a high defensive line I think playing a forward line designed to press high could benefit. 

 

Maybe we'll see Ramires start on the right of midfield with Willian (if he's over his man flu) start in the middle but not sure I can see Matic being paired with Zouma or Mikel for this one. 

We need to get Diego fit and playing before he kills someone...

 

https://vine.co/v/ezFOMaBUVX7

Brilliantly obtuse but nonetheless transparent.

 

 

Yes entirely fair, but why make that exact same point in three different threads (of which I am participating in one)? Unless it's to incite argument? Your post in the Zouma thread, apparently in praise of him, employs the word 'Zouma' twice and the word 'Mikel' three times.

 

 

The only person arguing is you - the rest of us discussing in a manner so lacking in heat it that it's offering a nice breeze from the warm weather today.

 

 

How repeatedly magnanimous of you.

 

I thought so.

 

 

Considering who our manager is it's not unreasonable to expect him to make somewhere around twelve starts, not necessarily as an alternative to Matic but even alongside him. A Mikel-Matic midfield allows us to completely dominate possession and move the ball quickly to our front four, as they did when starting together against Southampton. From the bench he is obviously useful as a defensive option when we need to defend a lead, he is useful when the game is particularly end-to-end and we need to slow it down to regain control and possession, and is also a good option when we are struggling to win the ball or get it to our forwards in decent positions. But that is obviously going to be on a match-to-match basis. I think it is largely contingent on how far we get in the Champions League, as Mikel is perfect for that kind of occasion.

 

I disagree and I think it would be a real shame to limit the minutes of massively talented youngsters like Loftus-Cheek and Zouma (who will also get minutes in defence) to play Mikel. If we sign another midfielder in the summer then I think he's done here. 

 

 

 

I'd expect to see something like

-----------Courtios-------

Ivan----Cahill----Terry------Azpi

--------------Zouma----------

-----------Cesc-----Matic-------

Willian---------------------Hazard

----------------Remy-----------

Oscar to come on in the second half and score the winner.

 

This, maybe Oscar in for Willian.

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

We need to get Diego fit and playing before he kills someone...

 

https://vine.co/v/ezFOMaBUVX7

who was he grabbing?

The only person arguing is you - the rest of us discussing in a manner so lacking in heat it that it's offering a nice breeze from the warm weather today.

 

I disagree and I think it would be a real shame to limit the minutes of massively talented youngsters like Loftus-Cheek and Zouma (who will also get minutes in defence) to play Mikel. If we sign another midfielder in the summer then I think he's done here. 

 

I imagine that is because everybody who has replied (so far) in the other threads agrees with you. I've never heard of a heated agreement...

 

I notice that you haven't answered my question though - why, if your intention is to praise a player everybody already likes, is your focus on disparaging someone you portray as his alternative and repeating your opinion, across several threads, that you think he should leave? Unless your intention is to start an argument? Why, all of a sudden, would you see fit to repeat an opinion across several threads unless it is because you have just seen that it incited a reaction? And why, all of a sudden, do you want to 'agree to disagree' as soon as you are called out for doing so?

 

I think you were one of the posters who agrees with me on the Cuadrado issue, that he hasn't had anything close to enough game time yet to justify his being written off. Why do you then think that we can close the book on Zouma as a second-choice defensive midfielder (for a team which plays about 50 games a season) based on two starts (i.e. roughly the same number of minutes as Cuadrado) when he was playing a particularly specialised role?

 

(Re: new signings) That depends on who we sign really. If we sign Pogba or Koke (not defensive midfielders in any shape or form) then perhaps not; the same is true of Loftus-Cheek, he'd be an alternative to Ramires. While I rate all three I wouldn't ever start any of them as a defensive midfielder.