On 9/1/2017 at 17:54, B&Wlegends said:

Not sure about Italy but for me Alonso was the best LB of Serie A 2 years ago at Fiorentina (Sandro was not yet starting) , Zappacosta is ok but not as good as Alonso

Thanks - I guess last year on Alonso I read a few things (English language) that seemed to be quite surprised (one thing I dredge up quickly here: https://www.violanation.com/2016/8/31/12724622/fiorentina-chelsea-marcos-alonso-transfer-sell-buy-official ), but I don't know much about those websites - and given your opinion/views on Morata have so far seemed to be quite balanced and accurate I'm inclined to go with you...   Was hoping Zappacosta is more than ok, but at least he seems functional functional and Conte trusts him.  I thought our RWB was more sorted than left (Moses, Dave, Rudiger) but here we are.  

After Alonso, I gotta say that any Italian league defender from a decent side is a good shout, they really are masters in the art I think Zappacosta will come good, at the very least he's a natural wingback unlike moses and can be a good backup, but I think after a few games he'll be good enough to start

Note that Zappacosta was one of the best on the pitch, in the second half of Italy vs Israel, from the bench

2 hours ago, red5goahead said:

Note that Zappacosta was one of the best on the pitch, in the second half of Italy vs Israel, from the bench

I agree but against Israel 

10 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

I agree but against Israel 

It was his attacking movement off the ball that really stood out for me. He's going to score a few for us.

i saw the highlights and it's good to hear (and see) how he doesn't need a lot of space to put in a dangerous cross. 

I think Zap will turn out to be a gem. He reminds me of Gianluca Zambrotta who was the best right wing-back in the world for a few years imo, culminating in him winning the World Cup in 2006 with Italy. Powerful runner, great engine, great touch and passing/crossing ability. If he becomes 80% of what Zambrotta was, I'd be happy. Zambrotta really came into his own when he was 25-26 too, which is about the time he was switched from a more attacking winger, to a wing-back/right back.

Officially voted MoM vs Israel

His crossing is good but from seeing the Israel game, I thought what made him standout was his movement and his range of crossing distance.

I could be wrong on this but he doesn't have this exact distance to deliver a good cross from, he can hit one from deep or from all the way out to the touchline. Jury's still out but at least it's optimistic

Was glad to catch the Italy Israel game yesterday and see some of him.  

I know the Juve fan thinks we paid 40% too much for him, but the market this summer was crazy to the point that 23 million for a relatively unknown player doesn't seem too bad.

An Italian Chelsea fan I know said that he is a great crosser of the ball.  And that certainly looks to be the case.  I also noticed that his passes down the wing in the Italy game were really intelligent: passed into sapce a lot, opened up the defence with his passes as they dragged players out wide.  Also, i feel that he and Morata may link up well given how good Morata is in the air.

Glad we've added the depth with one player.  

He was very exciting in terms of attacking against leicester.

But felt a little susceptible and confused in defense. But the whole team was, after the Vardy goal.

Will need to watch a full match to be confident about his defensive side.

Think he is the opposite of Alonso. Has the pace and athleticism. Yet lacks the technically ability.

Can we morph the two?

O.t.: lucky you to do not have the v.a.r. In serie A it's a real mess. Today in f.c internazionale vs Spal it was a scandal

1 hour ago, jamie#8 said:

Think he is the opposite of Alonso. Has the pace and athleticism. Yet lacks the technically ability.

Can we morph the two?

Do you not think Alonso has pace and athleticism? Certainly not of the level of a top-class winger but it's not uncommon to see him beat several men bombing down the wing.

I think Zap looked a little lost when he came on yesterday but there was a period when Leicester were coming on quite strong and the whole defence looked a bit shaky. Should have done better with that opportunity he had too, but it's still very early and I am hopeful he can become a quality player for us. At least we have some serious cover for the wing-back position now!

Haven't seen enough to have great footballing reasons not to like him, but I can't take to him, something about his play, again didn't see enough to judge properly but when a player comes on you get a feel for them, for me don't like him much, hopefully will see more to change that view because again not based on much just the feel of seeing him interact on the pitch, doesn't show the poise and confidence I like to see in a debut. 

3 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

Haven't seen enough to have great footballing reasons not to like him, but I can't take to him, something about his play, again didn't see enough to judge properly but when a player comes on you get a feel for them, for me don't like him much, hopefully will see more to change that view because again not based on much just the feel of seeing him interact on the pitch, doesn't show the poise and confidence I like to see in a debut. 

That's harsh. I think I know what's really biased your your opinion of him so early on. It's got to be hasn't it...?

That moustache.

:}

Edited September 10, 20178 yr by Sun zhi

Lol could be, just doesn't feel like a Chelsea player, could be wrong just a feeling.

10 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

Lol could be, just doesn't feel like a Chelsea player, could be wrong just a feeling.

Ah give him a chance, he came on at a time when Leicester were in the ascendancy in the game, as his first game in England, he's still working on his chemistry with the team. I personally thought he showed a lot of promise. 

21 hours ago, KentPaul said:

Do you not think Alonso has pace and athleticism? Certainly not of the level of a top-class winger but it's not uncommon to see him beat several men bombing down the wing.

I think Zap looked a little lost when he came on yesterday but there was a period when Leicester were coming on quite strong and the whole defence looked a bit shaky. Should have done better with that opportunity he had too, but it's still very early and I am hopeful he can become a quality player for us. At least we have some serious cover for the wing-back position now!

Well he certainly hasn't got pace (at least certainly not acceleration). Has strong stamina but if we compare him to world class FBs he falls short athletically.

Not going to judge Zappa yet but does feel like more of a squad player.

2 hours ago, RMCM said:

Ah give him a chance, he came on at a time when Leicester were in the ascendancy in the game, as his first game in England, he's still working on his chemistry with the team. I personally thought he showed a lot of promise. 

If you read my first comment, not based on real football reason and it's too early to say, I said I just don't get the feeling  seeing him interacting on the pitch....almost baseless just a feeling, I didn't write him off in any sense 

Could be one of those who needs time to adapt? Bakayoko and Rudiger's game is based on power and pace so it shouldn't take them long to get used to it and they've been training and/or learning the tactics since July.

Zappacosta had 1 training before his debut in a new league. I'll reserve criticisms until he's played around 10 games

On 9/10/2017 at 16:33, DonAntonio said:

Haven't seen enough to have great footballing reasons not to like him, but I can't take to him, something about his play, again didn't see enough to judge properly but when a player comes on you get a feel for them, for me don't like him much, hopefully will see more to change that view because again not based on much just the feel of seeing him interact on the pitch, doesn't show the poise and confidence I like to see in a debut. 

Although i didn't get the feeling with Zappacosta i know exactly what you mean. I had the same feeling with Cuadrado when he first stepped on the pitch and that turned out poorly. Lets hope your gut instinct isn't right on this one!

Hopefully he starts tonite so we can see more of him. Shame drinkwater is injured as I wanted to see him as well.