24 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

Work rate and defensive contribution, simple. Not that i agree with it.

Both are necessary. RLC needs to learn that he can't float around as a 10 and do no work off the ball. We already have Hazard doing that, and he only gets away with it because he is one of the best 5 players in the world.

2 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

Both are necessary. RLC needs to learn that he can't float around as a 10 and do no work off the ball. We already have Hazard doing that, and he only gets away with it because he is one of the best 5 players in the world.

I agree but there are certain games especially at home where RLC can play, Kante and Jorginho can do the defensive bit.

3 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I agree but there are certain games especially at home where RLC can play, Kante and Jorginho can do the defensive bit.

I sort of agree with that. No sure I'd have RLC and Jorginho in the same midfield though. Enough to give defenders the horrors.

1 hour ago, jack_super_class said:

Work rate and defensive contribution, simple. Not that i agree with it.

The work rate thing is a myth. RLC works his arse off and the LCM always get subbed around the 65th minute anyway.

Never mind the header back to the keeper while they have players in our box..

I've seen enough from him and RLC to know that RLC is the better player and has room to grow.

There's just this bit of awkwardness/nervousness I get from Barkley when he's playing, it's like he's overwhelmed by playing for Chelsea.
He was a lot more relaxed and confident in a Everton shirt for sure.

I think it was obvious RLC was favoured over Barkley before his injury. Since RLC has come back from injury, he needs to be protected and this is most likely what Sarri is trying to do. RLC can be injury prone, so he needs to be 100% fit otherwise we risk losing him again for longer. Not much can be done there unfortunately. 

11 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

The work rate thing is a myth. RLC works his arse off and the LCM always get subbed around the 65th minute anyway.

It's not really a myth, he doesn't have the energy to do it, being so tall doesn't help.

24 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

It's not really a myth, he doesn't have the energy to do it, being so tall doesn't help.

Proved at Palace he has the work rate to get up and down a pitch for a full 90. Even so, at Chelsea the LCM rarely plays more than 65 minutes so RLC should be starting that role going forward.

He’s received a lot of stick in recent weeks for his performances but in the last couple of games I think Ross has played really well.

Yesterday I thought he rose to the occasion and justified his selection in the starting XI.

2 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

He’s received a lot of stick in recent weeks for his performances but in the last couple of games I think Ross has played really well.

Yesterday I thought he rose to the occasion and justified his selection in the starting XI.

Funny how we see things differently. Along with Pedro I thought he was our worst player yesterday. He wasn't BAD, but still loses possession far too easily. When ever anyone passes the ball to him when he has opponents nearby, I'm never confident he will be able to hold onto the ball. RLC looked so much better IMO and I would have had him on earlier.

 

Edited February 25, 20197 yr by Nibs

1 minute ago, Nibs said:

Funny how we see things differently. Along with Pedro I thought he was our worst player yesterday. He wasn't BAD, but still loses possession far too easily. When ever anyone passes the ball to him when he has opponents nearby, I'm never confident he will be able to hold onto the ball. RLC looked so much better IMO and I would have had him on earlier.

 

Totally agree. Pedro does my head in at times, and I get so wound up by Barkley. He always looks nervous on the ball, takes too many touches and plays far too safe. There was a spell of about 5 minutes yesterday where he actually looked composed and confident, but it was only short-lived. I don't think he's that good technically (remember his goal out in Malmo when it took him about five touches in their box to control the ball?), his shooting is poor, but his biggest weakness is in his head.

Barkley does look hesitant at times yet at others holds on to the ball and breaks through the opposition lines and then normally gets fouled. He has a decent shot which draws defenders away for Hazard when he gets an opportunity.

Yesterday his closing down caused Fernandinho and De Bruyne to be less effective.

On 10/02/2019 at 21:32, RIP Mourinho said:

The work rate thing is a myth. RLC works his arse off and the LCM always get subbed around the 65th minute anyway.

It's not a myth but it shouldn't be the reason, RLC is the superior footballer and he shows it time and time again this season. Barkley seems to crumble under pressure where RLC thrives under it, I don't know how he keeps getting picked over Ruben. 

2 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

He’s received a lot of stick in recent weeks for his performances but in the last couple of games I think Ross has played really well.

Yesterday I thought he rose to the occasion and justified his selection in the starting XI.

Agreed thought he certainly played well yesterday.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

Funny how we see things differently. Along with Pedro I thought he was our worst player yesterday. He wasn't BAD, but still loses possession far too easily. When ever anyone passes the ball to him when he has opponents nearby, I'm never confident he will be able to hold onto the ball. RLC looked so much better IMO and I would have had him on earlier.

 

Lost possession cheaply on a couple of occasions yesterday but then so did Jorginho and Kante.

I thought Barkley was largely solid, especially in the second half. He pressed well, put in some decent tackles got forward in support of Hazard whenever he could and had a decent curling effort during our best spell of the game.

Did okay yesterday, and actually used his physical advantage over the likes of Silva. 

That touch and pass though from RLC is the reason he should be starting in that position when fit. 

He loves giving the ball away in dangerous areas, he has done it so many times this season. I agree with Nibs he and Pedro were our two worst players yesterday. I understand why Sarri doesn't always start Loftus Cheek because his workrate defensive contributions aren't always great. Thats something i give Barkley credit for, he does work his socks off. Its a shame Kovacic can't score a goal otherwise he would be much better in that position.

The biggest problem I have with Barkley is his decision making and his inability to see the dangers around him when the opposition have the ball. He just simply ball watches with absolutely no idea of the opponents taking up dangerous positions around him.

I thought it was one of Barkley’s better games for us.

Did his job well, quickly closing down on midfielders, even defenders occasionally. It is frustrating with his passing but he has done well.

I thought Ross had a decent game tonight when he came on as substitute. 

An assist from a freekick (get Willian off set-pieces!) and a goal assisted by CHO so far. 

Where would England be without these Chelsea players 

That was a superbly controlled finish. 

Hmm would our best midfield 3 be:

Kante

Barkley

RLC 

?

Looking at Barkley delivery I'm struggling to understand why Willian takes all our set pieces.

This is Ross Barkley though. Looks incredible one game then is average for the next 4/5.