I do like him and hope to see more of him at LCM, but those praising RLC seem to have quickly forgotten his performance v Vidi - he was abysmal, constantly gave the ball away. Hodgson put him out wide for a reason.

Edited December 17, 20187 yr by the special one

Let's not piss about, Kovacic is a good player, perhaps not a great one but he's very very good. Technical, disciplined, hard working. Sarri wants control, with players like Kovacic you get control. He may be less dynamic and give us less of an attacking edge than Barkley or Loftus-Cheek, but we probably keep a better shape and play with more control with him there. I'd like to hope he can offer us more with time but I'd also like to hope Barkley or Loftus-Cheek can break through. I'm quietly impressed. He's a good player, it's a debut season in the Prem, in the cut and thrust of midfield. We've got quality depth in midfield and that makes a welcome change. Jorginho, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek and Kovacic are basically all new players compared to last season. It's incredible to think last season we had only Fabregas, Kante, Drinkwater and Bakayoko, if we disregard Barkley. Given how sh*t Bakayoko was, we really were very very thin in midfield.

9 hours ago, the special one said:

I do like him and hope to see more of him at LCM, but those praising RLC seem to have quickly forgotten his performance v Vidi - he was abysmal, constantly gave the ball away. Hodgson put him out wide for a reason.

Palace played 442, hodgson didn't trust his defensive contribution to play in a 2 man midfield, or he wanted to give him more freedom to attack. Either way it isnt relevant since we play a 3 man midfield, and RLC is a better player now than he was 12 months ago, regardless of 1 poorish display in a glorified friendly. 

46 minutes ago, big blue said:

Palace played 442, hodgson didn't trust his defensive contribution to play in a 2 man midfield, or he wanted to give him more freedom to attack. Either way it isnt relevant since we play a 3 man midfield, and RLC is a better player now than he was 12 months ago, regardless of 1 poorish display in a glorified friendly. 

And i still think Sarri doesn't trust him 100% in our 3 man midfield for the exact same reason.

10 hours ago, the special one said:

I do like him and hope to see more of him at LCM, but those praising RLC seem to have quickly forgotten his performance v Vidi - he was abysmal, constantly gave the ball away. Hodgson put him out wide for a reason.

One game out of 13 this season you can pick fault at, which was an overall poor performance with the team...

Even with that poor performance he's still managed an average rating of 7.34 this season. 

25 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

And i still think Sarri doesn't trust him 100% in our 3 man midfield for the exact same reason.

I agree, but he is improving and starting to earn more trust. 

Edited December 18, 20187 yr by big blue

11 hours ago, the special one said:

I do like him and hope to see more of him at LCM, but those praising RLC seem to have quickly forgotten his performance v Vidi - he was abysmal, constantly gave the ball away. Hodgson put him out wide for a reason.

Tactically RLC needs to learn, but considering he is homegrown and wouldn't cost a fortune I'd probably rather see RLC take that position. At the moment, there's not a lot between the two players. Kovacic is better tactically and is a bit better defensively, but both are press resistant, whereas Barkley isn't press resistant and is the weaker of the three. Barkley does provide a better goal threat though, especially from outside the box. Although, Loftus-Cheek is starting to become a goal threat too, slowly but surely. Also, let's remember that Loftus-Cheek is behind in his development since he has only played consistent first team football for one season. If he had been given consistent game time for the past three seasons, I am confident he would be at the same level as Kovacic. 

Edited December 18, 20187 yr by enigma

Kovačić is top class and gets through lots of work. He does seem to tire though, but then he's had a long season with the WC and he is also new to the PL. Look at Klopp, he takes three months or so before introducing his midfielders.

While I prefer Kovacic in this particular role... I will say the great value of having both Kovacic and RLC playing, is the flexibility they provide.  To me the only way Sarri can sub Giroud on for Kante and not be lost, is if RLC and Kovacic are both already in the lineup.

I remain unconvinced by him.

Too conservative with the ball in the opposition half for my liking. 

I dunno, he's just sort of there and keeps things ticking along. Not a bad player at all but nothing to get excited about either. 

Good player to have in the squad as depth though and if we can manage to ship off Drinkwater and Bakayoko then the funds from that should finance most of his transfer fee. 

I want to see one game of him in Kante's position. 

20 hours ago, Slojo said:

I want to see one game of him in Kante's position. 

That is actually a great idea, he has pace and runs a lot. Could do a decent job.

1 minute ago, TrueBlueBIH said:

That is actually a great idea, he has pace and runs a lot. Could do a decent job.

It won't happen but I would love to see it, Kante for me doesn't fit well in this team, he might adapt or improve in the future I'll never count that out but I would like to see Kovacic in his role and then RLC or Barkley in Kovacic's role, I think that would offer the best balance. 

5 minutes ago, Slojo said:

It won't happen but I would love to see it, Kante for me doesn't fit well in this team, he might adapt or improve in the future I'll never count that out but I would like to see Kovacic in his role and then RLC or Barkley in Kovacic's role, I think that would offer the best balance. 

And do what with Kante? Used correctly he's by far our best midfielder.

1 minute ago, Sindre said:

And do what with Kante? Used correctly he's by far our best midfielder.

No denying that but how can he be used correctly in this system? It's either we keep playing Kante until he adapts and wait it out, or we adjust the system and play to Kante's strengths (which I have no problem with because the bloke is a complete beast when utilised). 

That's up to Sarri, I must say though it's frustrating watching Kante lately. 

24 minutes ago, Slojo said:

No denying that but how can he be used correctly in this system? It's either we keep playing Kante until he adapts and wait it out, or we adjust the system and play to Kante's strengths (which I have no problem with because the bloke is a complete beast when utilised). 

That's up to Sarri, I must say though it's frustrating watching Kante lately. 

Yes, he's not playing where he needs to be.
Just checked his heatmap versus Brighton, it looks similar to that of Kyle Walker at City and he's the RB.

Just way to far wide and he's being asked to do things he's not comfortable doing.

 

1 minute ago, Sindre said:

Yes, he's not playing where he needs to be.
Just checked his heatmap versus Brighton, it looks similar to that of Kyle Walker at City and he's the RB.

Just way to far wide and he's being asked to do things he's not comfortable doing.

 

He's not breaking play up like he used to, he was an absolute menace in the last two years for us, I don't think I've ever been sold on him as a great footballer although he is also underrated by many in those aspects. 

11 minutes ago, Slojo said:

He's not breaking play up like he used to, he was an absolute menace in the last two years for us, I don't think I've ever been sold on him as a great footballer although he is also underrated by many in those aspects. 

I agree. He's got clear limitations.

His passing is lacking for a possession-based team, he is limited technically and need to contribute with more goals/assist in his current position.
It's a headache Sarri needs to figure out. I thought his best half this season was his second half against City when he was more central. Against Brighton i thought he was very poor again unfortunately.

On 18/12/2018 at 11:24, Slojo said:

I want to see one game of him in Kante's position. 

Looks like we will see it today!

Probably his best game in a blue shirt whilst on the right. Faded as soon as he was moved over to the left. Hope Sarri takes note.

He was great 1st half, faded in the second half, although I don't think it helped that fabregas started by passing the midfield with long balls. 

 

Don't know why anyone even bothers trying to press and tackle him because you can't, balls glued to his foot. For someone so good technically its a shame he cant shoot.

10 hours ago, jack_super_class said:

Don't know why anyone even bothers trying to press and tackle him because you can't, balls glued to his foot. For someone so good technically its a shame he cant shoot.

Yeah this. Was thinking during the match that if he had a goalscorers instinct, he'd be one of the best players in the world. Simply unbelievable how good he is running at players.

14 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Probably his best game in a blue shirt whilst on the right. Faded as soon as he was moved over to the left. Hope Sarri takes note.

Do you mean Kovacic or Ruben