36 minutes ago, zes said:

When do you guys expect his first game to be? Not today obviously. Maybe in 2 weeks time vs arsenal away (league cup). He needs to familiarise himself with Conte's tactics.  

Maybe in a few weeks depends on form and the game. Probably a sub for Bakayoko or Fabregas in the last 20mins at first.

20 minutes ago, Deino said:

Maybe in a few weeks depends on form and the game. Probably a sub for Bakayoko or Fabregas in the last 20mins at first.

He said in the interview that he's been training for 2 weeks recovering from injury hopefully it's not too long.

Hasn't he been out since the start of the season? If so, and if he's only been training for 2 weeks I won't be expecting him to make an appearance anytime soon.

Welcome Ross!

After watching that Norwich game thank god we have signed him, he's streets ahead of Bakayoko. My god he is dross!!

After the performance by the subs today, he might even start the next game.

Hopefully a good signing. Glad to see some early business being done in this transfer window.

We may need a Scouse/Spanish translator at the club.

Hmmm... Could be Mr Conte likes what he sees. In fact, if those quotes are right, I'd say he sounds quite excited.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.goal.com/en-gb/amp/news/conte-reveals-his-plan-for-ross-barkley-and-wants-him-back/shoi35jyeymx1k56fh6wsc2qb

Good quick read on Barkley, QandA with an Everton fan.

 

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2018/1/7/16859542/ross-barkley-chelsea-scouting-report-everton

So where do we reckon he's going to play?

If we continue playing 3-5-2 I reckon he would rotate playing instead of Fabregas, being given license to break forward from midfield to support the front two. 

Would he be able to play in the front three of a 3-4-3? Can imagine you wouldn't get much width from him playing in that system and you risk isolating one of our wingbacks. 

For what it's worth though, I'm quite happy with the signing. £15m for a player of his ability is good business before throwing on top that he counts as homegrown. 

£20m saved from the deal agreed in the summer is very good business by the club. 

I was assuming CM, but it's possible he might play where Willian/Pedro do in a 3-4-3.

 

I hope he will connect our midfield to our attack.

Ross is more like a midfield version of Hazard (don't cus me), not as magical, but of that genre.

3-4-3 and he slips into to the top of a midfield diamond ???

    Dave     Andreas     Cahill  

                 Kante

Moses                       Alonso

                Barkley

   Willian                Hazard

                 Morata

 

28 minutes ago, coco said:

I hope he will connect our midfield to our attack.

Ross is more like a midfield version of Hazard (don't cus me), not as magical, but of that genre.

3-4-3 and he slips into to the top of a midfield diamond ???

    Dave     Andreas     Cahill  

                 Kante

Moses                       Alonso

                Barkley

   Willian                Hazard

                 Morata

 

Very attacking and I see Kante being left to do everything defensively in the middle so I can't see it working too well.

Then again who knows

10 minutes ago, Chelsbear said:

Very attacking and I see Kante being left to do everything defensively in the middle so I can't see it working too well.

Then again who knows

That^ shape with possession.

Willian always drops deeper into midfield when we haven't got the ball.

Without the ball.......

 

  Dave     Andreas     Cahill  

   Moses    Kante   Alonso 

        Willian      Barkley

                     Hazard

               Morata

I thinking will play either in a 3 man midfield with kante and an other, or he will play off morata with hazard in the 343. 

I'd be shocked to see him in a midfield 2. I don't think he has played in a 2 for everton much, they usually have 2 midfielders with gueye, Schneiderlin, Barry, McCarthy etc.

He really isn't the brightest spark, but I'm hoping he has enough footballing intelligence to make an impact here. 

 

I've not really watched much of Everton bar the games against us so not sure where he is best played or if he can do the 2 man midfield. Maybe he will be a revelation.

 

Can’t play a diamond midfield with 3 at the back. Diamond midfield is to control central midfield, full backs picking up wide players attacking, using wide diamond player to give you crosses from either side.

Kante doesn't really sit in front of the back 4 though, he's everywhere, he wins the ball back high up the pitch as well as in our own 3rd.

9 minutes ago, Richard P said:

Can’t play a diamond midfield with 3 at the back. 

Course you can.

https://www.thecoachingmanual.com/blog/4666280103641088

28 minutes ago, coco said:

Course you can.

https://www.thecoachingmanual.com/blog/4666280103641088

Cryuff did it pretty well didn't he

Can see Ross having some fun in that AMR position or wherever he plays. Versatile lad. Enough with the tactics, we ain't on Chelsea football clubs payroll. Hey, just think when there are a few of you brothers and sisters on here giving RB stick, we coulda signed Oxlade Chamberlain instead. Thank the lord he didn't come. You end up loving the kid within months. 

1 hour ago, coco said:

Course you can.

https://www.thecoachingmanual.com/blog/4666280103641088

A traditional diamond midfield is not played that wide, just because the arrows show a diamond shape doesn’t make it so. We play 3 4 3 but would never leave ourselves that open on turn over of possession. I repeat the original diamond was to stop teams playing through the thirds centrally.

42 minutes ago, Richard P said:

A traditional diamond midfield is not played that wide, just because the arrows show a diamond shape doesn’t make it so. We play 3 4 3 but would never leave ourselves that open on turn over of possession. I repeat the original diamond was to stop teams playing through the thirds centrally.

https://theother87.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/formation-renovation-ajax-1994-1996/

 

Yeah i agree it isnt that wide and we need to think about how it can work with the players weve got.